Eastern Mediterranean Costa Cruises
Thanks to Costa Cruises, now you can Cruise the Eastern Mediterranean in style and comfort. Croatia, Cyprus, Egypt, Greece, Israel, Romania, Turkey, Ukraine – a wide variety of Mediterranean cruises to choose from, for affordable prices. At Costa Cruise, a Mediterranean cruise vacation is always on the horizon!
Croatia Cruise
Croatia has an impressive history, a fact that is best explained through the vast array of sites worth visiting. Most towns have an historical center with its typical architecture. There are differences between the coast and the continental part, so both areas are a must. The most famous is Dubrovnik, a prime example of the coastal architecture, but by no means the only one worth visiting. Dubrovnik is an old city on the Adriatic Sea coast in the extreme south of Croatia. It is one of the most prominent tourist resorts of the Mediterranean. Dubrovnik is nicknamed “Pearl of the Adriatic” and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979.
Equally important is the capital and largest city, Zagreb, with a population of about 1 million. It is a modern city with all the modern features, yet it has a laid back feel. In the east, in the region of Slavonija with it’s regional capital Osijek and the war torn Vukovar are awe inspiring. Scattered throughout the region are vineyards and wine cellars, most of which give tours and tastings.
In Croatia the influence of the Republic of Venice can be felt everywhere, in the landscapes, monuments and cultural heritage left by the Venetians that the subsequent Turkish domination did not destroy. The beauty of the countryside combines with the rich artistic heritage of many of the cities.
Cyprus Cruise
The many archaeological and antiquities sites scattered around the island, dating from the New Stone Age through to the Roman Empire. The beautiful coastline of the island – still quite unspoilt in many places – is well worth exploring. The island has two souls: one where copper is processed, the etymology of which, cuprum, is said to be the origin of the name Cyprus, and the other linked to the myth of Aphrodite, the goddess of love, who, legend has it, was born from this sea. Cyprus enchants with the beauty of its landscapes and the unusual dual nature of its culture – both Greek and Turkish – that has forged the traditions and history of this beautiful island.
Nicosia, the capital as it has a wealth of history, preserved Venetian walls surrounding the city, some wonderful bars and restaurants within the old walls of the city and of course the ‘green line’ – the dividing line with the Turkish part of Cyprus, which cuts through the centre of Nicosia, now the only divided capital.
The Troodos mountains, rising as high as 1952m, offering some beautiful trail walks and also quaint little villages such as Kakopetria, Platres and Phini. In winter there is the chance to ski there and the ski resort is being developed
Hamam Omerye in Nicosia, Cyprus is a 14th Century building restored to operate once again as a hamam for all to enjoy, relax and rejuvenate – it is indeed a place to rest. It is a true working example of Cyprus’ rich culture and diversity, stone struggle, yet sense of freedom and flexibility. The site’s history dates back to the 14th century, when it stood as an Augustinian church of St. Mary. Stone-built, with small domes, it is chronologically placed at around the time of Frankish and Venetian rule, approximately the same time that the city acquired its Venetian Walls. The hamam is still in use today and after its recent restoration project, it has become a favourite place for relaxation in Lefkosia. In 2006 it received the Europa Nostra prize for the Conservation of Architectural Heritage.
Egypt Cruise
Egypt is perhaps best known as the home of the ancient Egyptian civilization, with its temples, hieroglyphs, mummies, and – visible above all – its pyramids.
Less well-known is Egypt’s medieval heritage, courtesy of Coptic Christianity and Islam – ancient churches, monasteries and mosques punctuate the Egyptian landscape. Egypt stimulates the imagination of western tourists like few other countries and is probably one of the most popular tourist destinations world-wide. The ancient and mysterious charm of Egypt attracts tourists from all over the world. Among them are those who love the vibrant capital, Cairo, the overwhelming beauty of the desert, the enigma of the Sphinx and the sheer size of the Pyramids. Egypt has universal appeal for everybody, with historical treasures and breathtaking scenery.
Greece Cruise
Greece. It has an ancient culture that has had a significant influence on the arts, language, philosophy, politics, and sports of western society, including the genres of comedy and drama, western alphabets, Platonic ideals and the Socratic method, democracies and republics, and the Olympics. Furthermore it’s a geographically appealing place to visit, with a mountainous mainland and idyllic island beaches.
The cradle of one of the most important civilizations in history, Greece undoubtedly has some of the most stunning archaeological sites in the world. And the boundary between history and myth is blurred. In Greece, every place has a story to tell about its own mythical origins, brought about by the whimsical wish of those gods who live in the Greek mountains.
Greece is one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations, ranking in the world’s top 20 countries. According to the Greek Ministry of Tourism, the nation received about 17 million visitors from January to mid August 2007, a large number for a small country of 11 million. Visitors are drawn to the country’s beaches and reliable sunny summer weather, its nightlife, historical sites and natural beauty.
Israel Cruise
Although Israel was established specifically for the Jewish people, following the Second World War, Israel is considered part of the Holy Land (together with areas of Jordan, Egypt and the Palestinian Territories). The three major monotheistic religions – Judaism, Christianity, and Islam- all have historical ties to the region.
Despite the smallness of its territory, Israel’s landscape and climate are extremely varied and population density affects neither the richness of its flora and fauna nor the natural attractions that embellish the country. The mystic charm emanating from this land is incredible and makes it very hard not to fall under its spell.
Romania Cruise
Tourism focuses on the country’s natural landscapes and its rich history and is a significant contributor to the Romania’s economy. Tourism is one of the most dynamic and fastest developing sectors of the economy of Romania and characterized by a huge potential for development. According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, Romania is the fourth fastest growing country in the world in terms of travel and tourism total demand with a yearly potential growth of 8% from 2007 to 2016
Romania’s landscape is a mix of castles and monasteries with green plateaus and beautiful beaches on the shores of the Black Sea. The Romanian coastline is the main tourist attraction. Significant archaeological sites and ancient cities are located nearby such as Histria and Adamclisi, as well as woodlands on the southern part of the coastline.
Turkey Cruise
While it may sound as a tourism brochure cliché, Turkey is really a curious mix of the west and the east. It can be simply put that Turkey is the most oriental one of western nations, or, depending on the point of view, the most occidental one of eastern nations.
At the crossroads of civilizations, all parts of Turkey are full of a mind blowing number of ancient ruins. Legendary Troy stands out as an example of different civilizations literally living on the top of each other. Successors of Romans, the Byzantines, broke new ground with more ambitious projects, culminating in grand Hagia Sophia of Istanbul, built in 537, and which had the distinction of being the largest cathedral in the world for almost a thousand years.
Traditionally considered the westernmost outreach of Asia, Turkey is a hospitable, welcoming and seductive country, offering a thousand different sides, from the golden sandy beaches to the noisy and colorful bazaars. Stupendous mosques evoke stories of harems and sultans, while archaeological treasures tell of great ancient civilizations that were born here.
Ukraine Cruise
Ukraine occupies 8th place in the world by the number of tourists visiting, according to the World Tourism Organization rankings. The country boasts a rich and fascinating history, beautiful cities such as Kiev and cultural capitals such as Odessa, as well as countless opportunities to appreciate the Ukrainian artistic heritage.
Ukraine is a destination on the crossroads between central and Eastern Europe, between north and south. It borders Russia and is not far from Turkey. It has mountain ranges – the Carpathian Mountains suitable for skiing, hiking, fishing and hunting. The coastline on the Black Sea is a popular summer destination for vacationers. Ukraine has vineyards where they produce native wines, ruins of ancient castles, historical parks, Orthodox and Catholic churches as well as a few mosques and synagogues.
Kiev, the country’s capital city has many unique structures such as Saint Sophia Cathedral and broad boulevards. There are other cities well-known to tourists such as the harbour town Odessa and the old city of Lviv in the west. The Crimea, a little “continent” of its own, is a popular vacation destination for tourists for swimming on the Black Sea with its warm climate, rugged mountains, plateaus and ancient ruins. Cities there include: Sevastopol and Yalta – location of the peace conference at the end of World War II. Visitors can also take cruise tours by ship on Dnepr River from Kiev to the Black Sea coastline. Ukrainian cuisine has a long history and offers a wide variety of original dishes.
Book your Costa Cruises Vacation with Altair Travel!
For reservation and information please contact Altair Travel
Altair TravelToronto416-633-9404info@altaircanada.comwww.altaircanada.com
