Make the most of the Med

The best thing about a Mediterranean cruise is that it offers a bit of everything. The Med truly has it all. Do buzzing cities and world-famous sights interest you? Or perhaps you'd prefer some peace and quiet in the countryside? Culture and museums? Or simply sandy beaches and crystal clear waters? Each port of call is overflowing with possibilities...  the trick is to get out there, explore it, experience it, and ensure you go home with a head full of unforgettable holiday memories.

To give you a little inspiration, here are a handful of ideas for how you could make the most of the stunning Mediterranean...

Tread in the footsteps of Gladiators in Rome

It’s the symbol of Rome that steals your breath the first time you catch a glimpse of it; the Colosseum is one of the world’s most magnificent landmarks. Millions have stood in its shadow and snapped a photo. But I wonder how many visitors actually stop and think about just how unbelievably old this structure really is. It was actually completed in 80AD. To put that into some sort of perspective, try and imagine tourists flocking to visit Wembley Stadium... 2000 years from now.

So if you actually take the time to immerse yourself in the history of the Colosseum, it becomes much more than just another photo for the holiday album. Head inside, and you can really start to picture those gruesome gladiatorial flights, where 55,000 baying spectators would watch competitors literally fighting for their lives. Beneath the arena floor, you can see subterranean passageways where gladiators and animals were caged before the events. Just imagine the fear they felt in those final moments as they walked into the limelight.  Remember, this was deemed entertainment back then!

So next time you’re in Rome, why not delve a little deeper into the long and dramatic history of the Colosseum. It’ll bring this landmark to life.

Take this tour: 'Glories of the Gladiators' from Civitavecchia takes you inside the Colosseum with an insightful local guide. You’ll also explore the Roman Forum, once the hub of the Roman Empire. Another highlight of this tour is a visit to the Mouth of Truth, famously visited by Audrey Hepburn in ‘Roman Holiday.’

Cool-off in the turquoise sea of Corfu

Summer 2011 was the coldest in nearly two decades. Summer 2012 was the wettest in 100 years. Easter 2013 was the coldest on record.

Feeling suitably miserable yet? Now imagine cruising along Corfu’s coastline in the height of a Mediterranean summer. The sky is an endless blue canvas and the temperature is typically sizzling in the high twenties… where it’ll remain all summer long. The distant shoreline is dotted with tiny terracotta villages on a backdrop of pine-clad mountains. Arriving at a remote beach soundtracked by a chorus of crickets, you get your first chance to wade into the irresistible Ionian Sea. Turquoise, calm, and crystal clear, it could be paradise!

Feeling any better? If you’ve been to Greece before you’ll know it’s impossible to resist the allure of the ocean, especially the sparkling Ionian that surrounds Corfu. So what better way to spend a day on this magical Greek island than swimming in secluded coves only accessible by boat. Throw into the mix a mouth-watering lunch of local dishes and wine – served on the beach - and that bitterly cold Easter of 2013 will feel like a very, very distant memory.

Take this tour: 'Cruise and Swim'. Cruise in a charted boat along the Corfu coastline, stopping at hidden beaches to relax or swim, and take a stroll around the charming seaside resort of Kassiopi.

Indulge your Formula 1 fantasies in Monaco (from Monte Carlo)

Whether you’re a fan of Formula 1 or not, you can’t help but be compelled by the sight of Ferraris and McLarens screaming around the tightly packed streets of Monaco during the Grand Prix. So why not appeal to the petrol-head within you by walking the (in)famous street circuit with a knowledgeable tour guide? You can almost smell the smoking tyres at the hairpin bends and tight corners on a track that allows for no margin of error.

Once you’ve walked the track, you can drool over the Prince of Monaco’s private collection of classic cars. Housed in a massive museum, there are 105 vintage and prestige cars on display, including a 1951 Rolls Royce, a 1929 Bugatti, and a 1986 Lamborghini Countach. There’s even Nigel Mansell’s Grand Prix Ferrari.

Take this tour:  Walk in the footsteps of your racing heroes on the 'Formula One' tour. If you're a fan of motorsports, this is an absolute must.

Experience the enchanting Amalfi coast (Naples)

In Naples, don’t miss the opportunity to experience one of Europe’s most breathtaking stretches of coastline; the Amalfi Coast. Renowned for its jaw-dropping views and pastel painted towns clinging to steep cliffs, it's a sight you will reminisce on for years to come. Regularly topping those ‘world’s best drives’ lists, the journey along the Amalfi coastal road is a notoriously thrilling experience. Famed for its sharp hairpin bends and sheer drops, it’s something probably best left to expert coach drivers… leaving you to snap away with your camera.

With your feet safely back on terra firma, you won’t be able to resist getting lost in the narrow, lemon-scented streets of Amalfi town. Or perhaps do as the Italians do, and simply pull up a chair in a piazza café, order a creamy cappuccino and watch the world amble by.

Take this tour:  'Sorrento and Amalfi Coast' gives you the opportunity to explore Amalfi town along with sun drenched Sorrento; a charming resort packed with bustling boutiques.

Go island hopping in the Venetian Lagoon (Venice)

With Venice being such an absorbing city, many visitors don’t realise that there is a whole lagoon of islands to discover a short boat ride away. Whilst many are long since abandoned and reclaimed by nature, others are like a quieter, calmer Venice where you can experience local life and traditions. A different pace of life entirely. With its rainbow of multi-coloured houses and bobbing fishing boats, the enchanting island of Burano is a photographer's dream. According to tradition, fishermen painted their houses in contrasting colours so that they could spot their own houses from the lagoon. Meanwhile the women of Burano would sit in their doorways and make lace - a local craft that’s still practiced today.

Over on the island of Murano, the local tradition is glass making. They’ve been making world-renowned glass here for centuries. To this day some of the world’s leading glass brands are still based here. So it’s fascinating to have a peek into the factory of a local glassblower – especially if you’ve already got a piece of Murano glass sat at home. And let’s not forget that Murano looks like an oil painting, with its teal green canals, arched bridges and rustic buildings. Just like Venice, only far more serene.

Take this tour: the 'Murano Glass and Burano' tour will whisk you away across the lagoon to visit these two magical islands.