Few travel experiences rival the romance of a Mediterranean cruise, where one day you’re exploring the culture-rich cities of Athens, Rome and Barcelona, then absorbed in the pine-scented hillsides of Tuscany the next. However, as summers grow uncomfortably warm and visitor numbers continue to rise, savvy travellers are opting to sail in the spring and autumn months instead, with lines such as Regent Seven Seas Cruises inviting guests to be immersed in the Mediterranean at a gentler pace.
On a spring or autumn voyage, your adventure still takes you to historic islands and exquisite coastlines, only this time you needn’t worry about long lines for the top attractions or holiday photos obscured by hordes of tourists. And with temperatures typically at a balmy 20C, sightseeing on foot feels like a breeze too.
A ‘shoulder season’ cruise isn’t just an opportunity to see Europe’s landmarks with fewer crowds interrupting your flow. It’s a chance to enjoy off-season discounts at Italy’s fashion boutiques, while also discovering spring and autumn flora at their most colourful. And when the day is over, you get to return to the luxury of your Regent ship for an expertly mixed cocktail in the bar and a fine dining delight at one of the many restaurants.
A walk on the quiet side
Cruising with Regent Seven Seas Cruises in spring or autumn means having time to take each port of call in your stride. Imagine walking up to the Trevi Fountain to toss in your coin and not having to battle for a spot at the front. Or how about gazing up to the leaning tower of Pisa without having to wait your turn for that iconic photo moment? Autumn is also an especially good time for fans of Italian gastronomy, when Neapolitan pizza is flavoured with freshly pressed olive oil and seasonal truffles – both of which are at their most delicious in October and November.
In Greece, meanwhile, you can take a slow meander up the hill to the Acropolis in Athens before settling down for a long lunch at a family-run taverna, where a table in the shaded courtyard is already waiting for you.
And in your final port of call, a visit to Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia cathedral without the queues leaves time to amble around the Picasso Museum or snack your way around one of the fabulous local food markets.
A taste of luxury
With unlimited access to included shore excursions in every port of call, Regent has all this covered. You can choose from an extensive list of things to do and see each day, safe in the knowledge that everything is included in the price of your cruise and all you need to do is relax and simply enjoy the journey. Now that’s what we call exceptional value.
Couple this with the line’s unrivalled epicurean experiences and you have the recipe, quite literally, for a cruise experience like no other.
Regent’s culinary events take guests on a different kind of journey – one where you travel the world from your dining table. Each ship has up to seven speciality restaurants, including the Prime 7 steakhouse, pan-Asian eatery Pacific Rim and Chartreuse, which dazzles with its modern take on French cuisine. The best part? Each venue, no matter how refined, is generously included in the price of your cruise.
Sailing aboard The World’s Most Luxurious Fleet, where every ship offers all-suite, all-balcony accommodation, means you’re guaranteed something extra-special. And when curated excursions mean you’ve left each port of call with a richer understanding of Mediterranean food, history and culture, what could be better than heading back to the comfort of your Regent ship, where the lap of luxury awaits?
For the latest fares and offers, visit the Regent Seven Seas Cruises website.
For more information, call 023 8082 1367, or order a brochure here.
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