«Molla the moorings. Let the trade winds fill your sails. She explores. Dream”. How can you disagree with Mark Twain, now that the memories of the summer holidays are faded and the desire to disconnect is felt. Nothing betterAt that time, of a sea voyage to discover cities of art and paradises of biodiversity.
The Mediterranean on a cruise, aboard the Costa Delicious which touches Croatia, Greece and Türkiyeis a tour full of stimulating stops, such as Split, with its lively historic center embellished by Diocletian’s Palace, thea walk along the seafront, the medieval streets. For shopping we go to via Marmontovawhere boutiques offer clothes by Croatian designers.
Two weeks between Athens, Olympia, Heraklion, Istanbul and Izmir
The “queen” of the Dalmatian coast, Dubrovnik, welcomes with its Venetian-style buildings. A must, the walk on the walls and the funicular ride up Mount Srd, from which you can enjoy a splendid view. Costa Deliziosto, in two weeks, it also touches Athens, Olympia, Heraklion, Istanbul and Izmir. (Departures from Trieste on 25 November, 9 and 23 December; the latter allows you to celebrate New Year’s Eve on board, in the Dardanelles. Prices from 599 euros and 1709 euros).
The ancient walls of Dubrovnik, Croatia. (Getty Images)
More Mediterranean atmospheres in Barcelona, whose ancient history merges with modernity; you can savor its dynamism ranging from Gaudí’s works, including Park Güell, to the Ramblas, letting yourself be influenced by the liveliness of the Mercatodella Boqueria. (From December 29th to January 3rd with Grimaldi Lines, grimaldi-touroperator.com, it goes from Civitavecchia to Barcelona, stopping in the city from 30 December to 2 January; Rates from 419 euros per person). Grimaldi also offers packages for the Immaculate Conception weekend, in Naples and Palermo, for example.
Hamburg is best enjoyed slowly
Winter in the north has something fairytale-like about it; and it’s not just the Christmas spirit that we’re starting to feel. A unique charm is perceived in the cities touched by the cruise of the new MSC Euribia, such as in Bruges, Belgium, a UNESCO heritage site with a medieval layout. It’s perfect to explore on foot, and with a guide Oooh! In Bruges, in the tourist offices, you can choose between four itineraries. Hamburg is to be enjoyed slowly, especially in the Speicherstadt district, with its neo-Gothic brick buildings, once port warehouses, canals, bridges. The symbol of the new Hamburg is the Elbphilharmonie concert hall, which is also worth mentioning for the platform from which to admire the 360° skyline.
The Speicherstadt (warehouse city) in Hamburg. (Francesco Carovillano)
And from 15 December to 1 April 2024 appointment at the Kunsthalle Museum for the exhibition Caspar David Friedrich-Art for a New Age. It will start right from the Hanseatic city the MSC Euribia cruise, which will stop in Bruges, Rotterdam, Le Havre and Southampton. (Seven nights, prices from 789 euros, with flight from Milan, departures from 26 November to 7 April 2024, msccruises).
From Dominica to the British Virgin Islands
Do you want nature, heat and exotic colours? Spectacular shades of turquoise and emerald green blanket the Dominican Republic, an ideal destination for spotting whales off the coast of Samaná Bay, from January to March. It is discovered with the Pacific Coast: stops in La Romana, Amber Cove, Samana and Catalina Island, but also Ocho Rios in Jamaica and Grand Turk. (Flight and cruise from 1699 euros).
A bay in the Dominican Republic. (Getty Images)
A dive in the heart of the West Indies, towards idyllic beaches, monuments, reliefs: from Dominica, the wildest in the Caribbean, to the British Virgin Islandsup to Antigua, with its rich history. On board Ponant’s Le Bellot (kel12.com/ponant) there are nine islands that you touch in 13 days. A cruise to relax, visit UNESCO sites such as the Pitons, the spiers of Saint Lucia, dive in crystal clear waters. (Departure on 8 January 2024, fares from 7550 euros).
A colony of penguins in southern Georgia, Antarctica. (Getty Images)
Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula
And for those luxury trips, to dream of once in a lifetime, the desire pushes towards the bluest glaciers, the coldest air, the most imposing mountains. The Southern Ocean is diverse and contains unique ecosystems, Antarctica is an extreme continentand we sail there during the southern summer, our winter.
The cruise The Great Southern Ringwith Ponantleaves December 21st: a 16-day “polar expedition” between the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula, to spot seals, penguins, whales. All accompanied by excursions and lessons on board held by naturalist guides on fauna, great explorers and environmental protection.
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