As the nights start to draw in and a certain chill circulates through the air, October is seen by many as the start of the long, deep winter. Still a couple of months shy of the festive respite and beset by terrible weather, October is the perfect time to escape UK shores and take to sunnier climes. You don’t even have to go far to find beautiful sun and pleasant weather at this time of year, the southern stretches of Europe are blessed with delightful temperatures throughout October most years
The Mediterranean, in particular, is a wonderful part of the world to visit in October – especially if you can head over outside of the school holidays. The bars, restaurants, cafés and tourist attractions are all quieter than during the height of winter, and the ancient cities are still ripe for exploration whilst kitted out in shorts and t-shirt.
This is why we’re particularly excited about this great deal we’ve got on Royal Caribbean’s No Fly All Inclusive Mediterranean Highlights cruise aboard their much-loved Independence of the Seas. Taking in a selection of beautiful Spanish and Italian cities, the Portuguese capital of Lisbon and delightful Gibraltar, this cruise combines culture and sun worshipping in a delightful little bundle departing from our shores.
And book with Cruise1st UK, and you’ll receive a couple of wonderful extras. Not only will the second guests pay just half price for the cruise, but we’ll also throw in a free drinks package (a vino on the top deck watching the Mediterranean sunset, anyone?) to make it extra sweet. So, to whet your whistle for this amazing deal on a Mediterranean cruise next October, we’ve put together a few highlights of the trip.
Spanish and Italian Highlights
The Independence of the Seas sets course for a selection of some of Spain and Italy’s most beautiful coastal cities – offering an abundance of culture, stunning architecture and lip-smacking cuisine. A combination of those must-visit destinations (Rome and Florence) and some great lesser-known gems (Cartagena); this itinerary combines the best of both worlds.
The first two stops during the cruise take you to Malaga and Cartagena in Spain, two ancient cities rich with intrigue and history. We reckon that Malaga is the best destination on this itinerary to unfurl your beach towel and soak up the sun’s rays with a selection of brilliant beaches. At this time of year, there’ll be plenty of spots on the sands and the weather should be forgiving enough for a relaxing dip in the Mediterranean Sea.
When in Cartagena, it is hard to avoid the stunning Roman ruins which dot the city. From the Roman theatre to the Punic rampart, amazing archaeological sites live and breathe in Cartagena for visitors to enjoy. A few thousand years old, these beautiful structures offer an insight into the history of the region and the power of the Roman Empire.
Of course, when you get to Florence, we’d recommend heading over to Pisa and check out the famous leaning tower. Try to recreate the great photo op by pretending you’re leaning against the old tower. Naturally, these are all the better when the pose is misjudged and you just look a bit daft.
But before Florence comes Rome, one of the planet’s most exciting and interesting cities. Packed with history and amazing sites of religious and historical significance, Rome is begging to be explored on foot. Whether you want to explore the inside of the Sistine Chapel with the Vatican, or explore the inside of an authentic pizzeria, there’s an abundance of things to see and do in Rome.
The Return Leg
This round-trip from Southampton cuts a similar course on the way back from Rome, just calling in at different ports, giving you the chance to explore more of the beauty of the Mediterranean. On the return, the No Fly All Inclusive Mediterranean Highlights calls in at the Portuguese capital of Lisbon and Gibraltar.
Getting up close to the Rock of Gibraltar is an absolute must when calling in at this unique island at the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula. Occupied by a band of Barbary macaques (the only wild monkey population in Europe), the Rock of Gibraltar is unlike anywhere else on the continent and offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Lisbon is one of the continent’s most charming capital, packed full of architectural wonders and little anomalies. Small enough to explore on foot, and welcoming enough to wander around with no purpose, the Portuguese capital is enriching and relaxing in equal measures.
When you’re in this dizzying part of the world, make for the small ginjinha bars, little hole-in-the-wall bars serving Ginja, a Portuguese liqueur made from infused berries. The locals love them and will walk to streets with a small measure of the liqueur in hand, chatting to friends in between small sips – until they find their way to the next ginjinha joint.
From here, there are two days at sea before returning back to home soil in Southampton after a beautiful two weeks enjoying the very best of the Mediterranean and escaping the first stretch of the UK winter.
Full Cruise Details:
No Fly All Inclusive Mediterranean Highlights
Depart: 30 September 2017
Arrive: 14 October 2017
Nights: 14
Ships: Independence of the Seas
Deal Reference Number: INDY09
Price: 1st Passenger from £1,750, 2nd Passenger from £875
If you’d like to explore the beautiful gems of the Mediterranean and escape the October blues of home, why not book your place aboard the No Fly All Inclusive Mediterranean Highlights cruise from Royal Caribbean? For a great deal, book through Cruise1st UK by calling 0808 2746 777 and quoting:
Reference Number INDY09
