barcelona roundtrip in the med

The capital of Spain's Catalonia region is one of the country's -- maybe even Europe's -- most beautiful and vibrant places. A city of contrasts, it is like no other in Spain; this is most evident in its architecture, a marriage of Gothic spikes and modern curves. (One name to keep an eye out for is Antoni Gaudi, Barcelona's most famous architect.) Barcelona is also a city of distinct neighbourhoods. The old city -- Ciutat Vella -- is the heart of everything, with museums, shopping and cafes. Then there's the port area, Port Vell, which features bars, restaurants, shops, an IMAX theatre and the largest aquarium in Europe. (Port Vell is different from the working port area where cruise ships dock, but it's not too far away.) Enchanting and ancient, the Barri Gotic (Gothic Quarter) is the centre of the old city and brings together the best of Barcelona in a series of narrow streets, shops, cafes and magical corridors. One of Barcelona's best attributes is that while it seems large and spread out, its neighbourhoods are surprisingly walkable and easily accessible by bus, metro or even on foot (in comfortable shoes). Don't miss a stroll along Las Ramblas, replete with produce and flower stands, a historic opera house and maybe even a glimpse of Marilyn Monroe calling to you from the balcony of the Erotica Museum. Just be sure to rest your feet now and then over a few plates of tapas (which are meant to be shared, but we won't tell if you don't) and an ice-cold pitcher of sangria or a bottle of cava, the region's sparkling wine.

Located on Spain's Costa Brava, the medieval coastal city of Palamós features scenic beaches, verdant hills and a number of scenic coves ideal for snorkeling and swimming. However, the landscape is not all the city has to offer visitors. Its Old Town gives a glimpse into the city's past and for the more curious, there's even a fishing museum honoring its status as a former fishing village. --By Shayne Thompson, Cruise Critic contributor

If St. Tropez, Cannes and Nice are your idea of the Cote d'Azur, Toulon might come as a surprise. Depending on your tastes, it'll either be a very pleasant discovery, or a bit of a shock. Toulon is devoid of glitz and glamour; more akin to its huge neighbour to the west, Marseille, than the showy towns further east along the coast. Toulon is a naval town first and foremost, home to around 60 percent of France's fleet (the rest being in Brittany) and wears that association with pride. The naval military complex encompasses a vast part of town, a city within a city really, stretching some eight miles west along the harborfront. You can visit the grounds on a guided tour aboard the city's 'petit train' or take a boat around the harbour where a guide will point out all the naval hardware. Toulon's other big claim to fame is rugby; in fact the first thing you'll spot as your ship docks is the Mayol rugby stadium, home to RC Toulonnais, or Toulon for short. The rugby team is a major player and has won Europe's top-club rugby union competition, the Heineken Cup, a record three times. There is also a large fishing fleet, which you can spot from where your ship is moored, and seafood appears on most of the restaurant menus, especially those along the harborfront. Toulon was first put on the map in Roman times when the area's tiny sea snails (known locally as murex) were used to extract a purple dye to colour imperial robes. Today, Toulon is a bustling, vibrant, multicultural town, with a large population hailing from the former colonies. Although you might well be tempted to take a tour into Provence, it's well worth spending a day here, walking the streets, stopping for a cafe au lait in one of the many squares and stocking up on lovely local produce such as pate, sausage and wonderful perfumed soap, before getting back onboard.

In the sun-dappled Murcia region of southeastern Spain, Cartagena -- a naturally deep and sheltered Mediterranean port surrounded by five hills -- has long been coveted as a trading centre and seafarers’ game-changer. Dating to 227 B.C., when Carthaginians first set foot on its shore, this strategically located harbour has unfurled a culturally rich and historically tumultuous tapestry. Cartagena has been governed by Romans (Hannibal, with his army and elephants, stopped there on their military march across the Alps to Rome), ruled by Arabs and re-conquered in the 13th century by Ferdinand III for his Kingdom of Castile. Each new wave of distinct leadership carved indelible marks on this port's art, architecture, law, finances and industry. And yet this city of awesome ancient treasures is one of Spain's lesser-known tourist havens. Today, you will discover a pedestrian-friendly and pleasant metropolis of approximately 220,000 people that both exuberantly celebrates its past and exudes a forward-thinking spirit. Cartagena's wealth of archaeological sites draws you to explore its notable yesteryear -- many Phoenician, Roman, Byzantine and Moorish ruins remain, making it one of Spain's most fascinating age-old jewels. Its universities, filling restaurants, bars and parks with young people, are signs of a lively future.

Alicante is a chameleon of a city. Its colours change with every few hundred meters that you walk. Down by the port, it tows the line of the rest of the Spanish coast. The Playa del Postiguet is an expanse of soft biscuity sand that's topped with rentable loungers, parasols, cabana beds, beach volleyball courts and ocean-view bars. The Explanada de Espana, meanwhile, is a ruler-straight street of waterside restaurants, sidewalk cafes and the odd craft stall. To the north of the beach, things change entirely. Here, the city's seams strain with history. There's the imposing Mount Benacantil, which towers 166 meters above Alicante, and is topped by the 16th-century castle of Santa Barbara. Then there's the Barrio Santa Cruz; a Baroque neighbourhood that curls around the mountain's feet. The west of Alicante looks different, again. Streets like Rambla de Mendez Nunez have all the hallmarks of a modern metropolis. Motorbike engines growl traffic lights flash, and high-rise apartments define the skyline. Alicante is also a springboard to the wider Costa Blanca and its surrounds. Here you'll find beaches with warm waters and mountains villages with timelines that tumble back thousands of years.

Mediterranean cruise itineraries that include a stop at Valencia are well worth considering, as Spain's third-largest city -- with its lush parks, elegant tree-lined avenues, modernist City of Arts and Sciences, and gorgeous medieval Old Town -- is stylish, imposing and not to be missed. The bad news is that there's no way you can take in all that this fabulous city has to offer (including 34 museums and galleries) in just a day. The good news is that some of its greatest treasures lie within strolling distance of the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, which lies at the heart of the city. And the even better news is that Valencia is very tuned in to tourists. You'll find plenty of tourist information centres dotted around town, and before you go you can book a wide range of 'Get About' cards, valid for 24 or 48 hours, or even longer if you need it. These offer unlimited use of public transport as well as discounted entry to museums and other attractions, so it's well worth getting one to make exploring easy.

Ibiza owns a reputation as a boisterous party town where hit the beaches by day and dance all night. But this is only part of the story for this picturesque island, which is part of Balearics near the coast of Spain. The town was founded by the Carthaginians around the sixth century B.C. and ruled in turn by the Romans, Arabs and Catalans. Evidence of these periods can be seen in the Dalt Vila, or old town, which boasts many historical structures and relics and two notable museums. The medieval walled city and its Gothic cathedral became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1999. During the day, Ibiza is an ideal place to explore, with trendy shops, interesting restaurants and a growing number of luxury hotels and spas in its beautiful harbour. In addition, the island boasts 56 sandy beaches around its coastline, making it the perfect place to simply relax.

Palma de Mallorca, a major port city on the island of Mallorca and the capital of Spain's Balearic Islands, has a delightful cross of influences, reflecting its checkered past of African and European control. It is the largest city on Mallorca -- a big, bustling place, with most of the tourist action in the old part of town around the landmark cathedral that dominates the oceanfront. The architecture of this ancient Mediterranean port blends Gothic, Moorish and Renaissance styles. Palma's winding streets make way to grand churches, yacht harbours, beaches, fountains and old castles. Because there is so much history so close together, it's a perfect port to explore on foot. The snaking, narrow streets hold many surprises -- including the occasional dead end, especially passages around the cathedral. This sun-kissed port is also an outdoors city, with much pedestrian traffic and the opportunity to eat or relax outside in myriad settings -- some free (parks and boulevards) and some in conjunction with visits to museums and historical sites (always look for interior courtyards, extra features of older buildings and the high door knockers that used to save horseback callers the trouble of dismounting to announce their arrival). For sun-worshippers, the beaches are close by and the water is wonderfully clear.

Alcudia, located on the northern coast of Mallorca (Spain), combines Mediterranean beaches with historic settlements dating to the Roman, Moorish and Spanish conquerors. While most ships will call on Palma de Mallorca when visiting the Spanish island, some smaller vessels will visit Alcudia as an alternative port. On arrival, you'll be struck by the Miami-like beachfront hotels and yacht harbours, set against a more Mediterranean backdrop of sparsely covered, craggy hills. The walled town of Alcudia and the neighbouring Roman ruins of Pollentia are a short bus drive from the port. Admire the 14th-century wall and yellow buildings, shimmering in the sun, as you stroll the narrow streets. Be sure to peer around intriguing corners, browse the shops of light cotton dresses and local salts, and stop for sangria at one of the open-fronted cafes in the central square.

The capital of Spain's Catalonia region is one of the country's -- maybe even Europe's -- most beautiful and vibrant places. A city of contrasts, it is like no other in Spain; this is most evident in its architecture, a marriage of Gothic spikes and modern curves. (One name to keep an eye out for is Antoni Gaudi, Barcelona's most famous architect.) Barcelona is also a city of distinct neighbourhoods. The old city -- Ciutat Vella -- is the heart of everything, with museums, shopping and cafes. Then there's the port area, Port Vell, which features bars, restaurants, shops, an IMAX theatre and the largest aquarium in Europe. (Port Vell is different from the working port area where cruise ships dock, but it's not too far away.) Enchanting and ancient, the Barri Gotic (Gothic Quarter) is the centre of the old city and brings together the best of Barcelona in a series of narrow streets, shops, cafes and magical corridors. One of Barcelona's best attributes is that while it seems large and spread out, its neighbourhoods are surprisingly walkable and easily accessible by bus, metro or even on foot (in comfortable shoes). Don't miss a stroll along Las Ramblas, replete with produce and flower stands, a historic opera house and maybe even a glimpse of Marilyn Monroe calling to you from the balcony of the Erotica Museum. Just be sure to rest your feet now and then over a few plates of tapas (which are meant to be shared, but we won't tell if you don't) and an ice-cold pitcher of sangria or a bottle of cava, the region's sparkling wine.

The capital of Spain's Catalonia region is one of the country's -- maybe even Europe's -- most beautiful and vibrant places. A city of contrasts, it is like no other in Spain; this is most evident in its architecture, a marriage of Gothic spikes and modern curves. (One name to keep an eye out for is Antoni Gaudi, Barcelona's most famous architect.) Barcelona is also a city of distinct neighbourhoods. The old city -- Ciutat Vella -- is the heart of everything, with museums, shopping and cafes. Then there's the port area, Port Vell, which features bars, restaurants, shops, an IMAX theatre and the largest aquarium in Europe. (Port Vell is different from the working port area where cruise ships dock, but it's not too far away.) Enchanting and ancient, the Barri Gotic (Gothic Quarter) is the centre of the old city and brings together the best of Barcelona in a series of narrow streets, shops, cafes and magical corridors. One of Barcelona's best attributes is that while it seems large and spread out, its neighbourhoods are surprisingly walkable and easily accessible by bus, metro or even on foot (in comfortable shoes). Don't miss a stroll along Las Ramblas, replete with produce and flower stands, a historic opera house and maybe even a glimpse of Marilyn Monroe calling to you from the balcony of the Erotica Museum. Just be sure to rest your feet now and then over a few plates of tapas (which are meant to be shared, but we won't tell if you don't) and an ice-cold pitcher of sangria or a bottle of cava, the region's sparkling wine.