Gerry Kerkhof

Ancona

Ancona Shore Excursions

22 December, 2017

The city of Ancona on Italy’s north-east coast was originally settled by the Greeks as far back as 387 BC. Its role as an important seaport on the Adriatic was secured centuries later when the Roman Emperor Trajan developed its harbour in the 2nd Century AD so as to facilitate trade with Dalmatia. By the Middle Ages Ancona was a semi-independent maritime republic which established commercial ties with the Byzantine Empire whilst remaining on good terms with the Turks. As such it became an important trading post for commerce with the East. The city played an important role in both

Trieste

Trieste Shore Excursions

27 November, 2017

The city of Trieste lies on the north-eastern coast of Italy near its border with Slovenia. Cruise ship passengers who have visited the great cities of Italy are in for a pleasant surprise when arriving in the Port of Trieste. Standing at a crossroads of Central European cultures the city was part of the Habsburg Monarchy for six centuries before it became part of modern Italy in 1954. As such it is perhaps Italy’s least Italian city being more reminiscent of Prague, Budapest or Vienna than it is of Rome, Florence or Naples.   Port of Trieste Cruise ships visiting

Sorrento

Sorrento Shore Excursions

24 November, 2017

Overlooking the Bay of Naples amid lemon groves on Italy’s Amalfi Coast stands the grand old resort of Sorrento. This charming town oozes a quintessential Italian atmosphere where visitors can amble around the piazzas of its historic centre pausing for refreshments at its inviting cafés or head off to visit some world-famous attractions such as Mount Vesuvius, Pompeii or the Island of Capri.   Port of Sorrento The Port of Sorrento is exclusively a tender port so cruise ships drop anchor offshore and passengers are transported to the dock at Marina Piccola by tender boat. On occasions when the sea

Palermo

Palermo Shore Excursions

20 November, 2017

The city of Palermo lies on the north-west coast of Sicily in southern Italy. With a history dating back to the 8th century BC it has been home to numerous civilizations whose legacy can still be seen in the architecture of many of the capital city’s historic buildings. Whilst these beautiful churches and palaces in the historic centre represent Palermo’s main tourist attractions there are also some fairly ugly buildings around town. These structures appeared in the post-war period following the heavy allied bombing campaign which destroyed much of the city. With a metropolitan population of around 1.2 million Palermo

Napoli

Naples Shore Excursions

13 November, 2017

As you approach the busy Port of Naples with the sight of Mount Vesuvius in the distance don’t underestimate what the city and region have to offer. Whilst Naples tends to play second fiddle to the likes of Rome, Turin, Milan and Florence on the Italian tourist circuit cruise ship passengers can rest assured that they have a memorable day in port ahead of them. As well as having a historic centre which is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO Naples also lies within close proximity of some world-class attractions including the ancient Roman city of Pompeii, the

Florencia

Livorno Shore Excursions

10 November, 2017

Such is the historic and cultural wealth of the Italian region of Tuscany that seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites can be found within its territory. It is the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance and was called home by many great artists and scientists including Michelangelo, Leonardo Da Vinci and Galileo. Cruise ships visiting the region dock in the industrial port of Livorno which serves as a gateway for passengers heading for some of Europe’s most popular sights in the cities of Florence and Pisa.   Port of Livorno Dating back to the 16th century when it was a small fishing

Civitavecchia

Civitavecchia (Rome) Shore Excursions

6 November, 2017

The Port of Civitavecchia lies on the west coast of Italy and is the gateway to the magnificent city of Rome for cruise ship passengers. Such is the wealth of ‘must-see’ tourist attractions in the Eternal City that a one day shore excursion provides little more than a glimpse of what the nation’s historic capital has to offer. For this reason many passengers return to Civitavecchia time and time again on different cruises or add on a cruise extension at the beginning or end of their holiday.   Port of Civitavecchia The Port of Civitavecchia, which is commonly referred to

Seville Shore Excursions

30 October, 2017

For many people around the world Spain is a country of flamenco dancing, bullfighting, sherry and tapas. Whilst not a true reflection of the country as a whole such a perception is close to the truth where the Andalucian city of Seville is concerned. Most cruise passengers arrive in Seville on shore excursions from the Port of Cádiz which lies 120km to the south. However, the Guadalquivir River is navigable for 75km from Sanlúcar de Barrameda on the Gulf of Cádiz to Seville for some smaller cruise ships. This allows a growing number of lucky passengers to slowly navigate their

Tarragona

Tarragona Shore Excursions

26 October, 2017

The earliest references to the Roman city of Tarraco date back to the Second Punic War (218-201 BC) which marked the beginning of the Roman conquest of Hispania. Over the coming centuries it would become an important port city which provided supplies to Roman forces all over the peninsula. Today Tarraco is better known as Tarragona, a Spanish city lying 100km south-west of Barcelona on the coast of Catalonia. Its ‘archaeological ensemble’ is recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site which is home to some of Spain’s finest Roman ruins. The Port of Tarragona has long played an important

Santander

Santander Shore Excursions

23 October, 2017

The Spanish city of Santander lies 100km west of Bilbao on the Bay of Biscay in Cantabria. Its port has played a key role in the economy of the region for more than 2000 years thanks to its fishing and shipbuilding industries and as a trading post. Today it remains an important fishing port and welcomes frequent passenger ferry services operated by Brittany Ferries from Portsmouth and Plymouth in England. The volume of cruise ship traffic is very low at present more companies are beginning to add a day in Santander to their itineraries. The city has long been a

Gibraltar

Gibraltar Shore Excursions

18 October, 2017

Located on the southern tip of Spain overlooking the shipping lanes between the Atlantic and Mediterranean Oceans is the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar. Such strategic importance and the fact that this limestone rock is connected to mainland Spain by a narrow isthmus frequently provokes political disputes between the governments of the United Kingdom and Spain. The territory was permanently ceded to the British Crown by the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713 and its sovereignty is unlikely to change as long as the local people remains so fervently British in their allegiance. An overwhelming 98% of the population voted in

Palamós Shore Excursions

13 October, 2017

With origins dating back to the 13th century the town of Palamós on Spain’s Costa Brava has long been established as an important fishing port. To this day the prawns which are landed here – ‘Gambas de Palamós’ – are much sought after by the best restaurants along the coast. Cruise ship passengers visiting Palamós can either enjoy a relaxing day in port with the option to sample some of these local seafood specialities or may prefer to head out on one of a number of exciting shore excursions.   Port of Palamós As well as serving as a commercial

Ferrol

Ferrol Shore Excursions

25 September, 2017

Located in Galicia on the Atlantic coast of north-west Spain, the city of Ferrol has a history dating back to prehistoric times and a long association with the sea. The Phoenicians are known to have set up cod-salting stations here long before the Romans established the Bay of Ferrol as a fishing port. In subsequent centuries the port grew into a major fishing port and developed as an important naval shipbuilding centre. The presence of the shipyards of the state-owned shipbuilding company, Navantia, in Ferrol ensures that this role continues to this day. The city’s other claim to fame is

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