Mediterranean cuisine is renowned for encompassing some of the world’s favourite dishes, with incredible flavours and fresh ingredients characteristic of the food. The fare is even regarded as extremely healthy, making it a favourite among foodies.

While recreating meals at home and trying local Mediterranean restaurants can be enjoyable, the only way to appreciate authentic Mediterranean food is by exploring the region, tasting at the likes of Italian delicatessens, French Michelin-star restaurants and Moroccan cafes.

Mediterranean cruises from travel providers like Cruise Kings offer the ideal way to get a true taste of the cuisine, allowing you to visit multiple destinations across the region to develop a thorough understanding of the techniques and flavours, and truly taste Mediterranean food at its best.

Here you can find some of the top gourmet experiences that you can enjoy as part of a Mediterranean cruise. Turn your holiday into a foodie tour that you will never forget.

Parisian Michelin-star restaurants

Paris is renowned being home to plenty of Michelin-star restaurants, with eateries across the city boasting finesse in dining quite unlike anywhere else. Your gastronomical experience wouldn’t be complete without a trip to at least one.

One of the many standout eateries is the three-starred Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée, which boasts a spectacular crystal-clad ceiling alongside its incredible menu. Find out more and reserve your table here.

Try authentic Moroccan food

Tagine is Morocco’s most famous dish, and with good reason. Boasting rich flavours, beautifully tender meat – preferably lamb, and delicious vegetables, trying an authentic version of this meal is a must. Look out for small, charming restaurants off the beaten track.

Cruises often offer you the opportunity to stop at Casablanca, a thriving, chic city home to numerous stylish restaurants, quaint cafes and amazing bakeries. Try the famous Patisserie Bennis Habous for traditional Moroccan sweets and biscuits.

Mediterranean seafood                                                                                         

Wherever you visit along the Mediterranean on your cruise, as soon as you alight the liner, you are likely to spot amazing seafood restaurants with the freshest ingredients possible. Look out for venues where you can dine outside and enjoy the sea-salt air, incredible views and sound of the crashing waves for an unforgettable multi-sensory dining experience.

Greek delicatessens

You might stop in Athens or Olympia during your trip, and while there are incredible ancient sights to behold, you mustn’t forget to visit a delicatessen, where you can try fantastic cured meats, delicious feta, Greek olives, beautiful salads and tasty tzatziki.

When in the capital city, make your way to the Monastiraki neighbourhood where you will find street food vendors handing out pastries, hot lunches, intriguing teas and souvlaki. Stop for a moment to enjoy the aromas before taking your pick.

Venetian dining

Venice is one of the most incredible places to dine in the world, with a multitude of canal-side eateries offering just-caught seafood, impossibly thin pizzas and handmade pasta dishes. With a glass of Italian wine and some candlelight, what more could you ask for?

Try to get a seat by the Grand Canal where you can look out to the striking Rialto Bridge, watching as people glide past in gondolas; stop in a luxurious restaurant in the impressive and romantic Piazza San Marco, such as the Gran Caffe & Ristorante Quadri; or explore narrow cobbled streets and find those less frequented gems where the food is to die for.

Going on for the last decade, Croatia has been the place to visit. The “unspoilt Mediterranean” paradise complete with 2,500 miles of coastline and clear waters has been a hidden gem. Not so hidden anymore, of course, the country and its Dalmatian Coast have become popular with backpackers, holidaymakers and festival goers alike.

It may no longer be undiscovered, cheap and is home to overt tourism but it’s still a great place to visit. Having joined the European Union at the start of the year, there is hope for the country to enjoy the stability it has lacked for more than two decades. The interest in trips to Croatia continues to grow and the weather is warm for longer than the rest of Eastern Europe, so where do you need to go? Check out icelolly.com for great deals.

Dubrovnik

We’ll start with the obvious, an amazing medieval city that is so well preserved you are unlikely to see anything else like it. Often referred to as ‘The Pearl of the Adriatic’, the marble streets allow you a wonderful chance to enjoy the beauty of this city. The 13^th century was the high point as Dubrovnik was a major power and the monuments and churches reflect this golden era for Gothic architecture. With character in abundance, you will enjoy the amazing medieval city walls, the palaces of Rector and Sponza while the cable car gives you great panoramas of the city.

Island Hopping

The coastline comes complete with magnificent islands of all shapes and sizes. The various boats, catamarans and ferries available means that you should at least have a cruise out at some point.

Hvar is the number one destination, a luxurious island with fields of lavender, heather and rosemary is charming in words let alone first hand. Cres is a large undeveloped island ideal for wandering around is blissful isolation while the Kornati National Park boasts 147 islands and reefs complete with evergreen forest and caves. Aside from this, you have Brac with Croatia’s most famous beach, Vis a mysterious island, Mljet which is covered in forest, Elafiti Islands, Orebic and Rab. Some are easier to reach than others and it’s worth looking in to.

Plitvice

Croatia’s largest national park, this is natural beauty at its best. With colours changing on an almost daily basis depending on the water minerals and sunlight, it is finding and discovering places like this that whets the appetite of travellers. It should certainly be a to-do on a trip to the country.

Zagreb

The country’s capital, it is an economic powerhouse in Eastern Europe that is the industrial and cultural centre of Croatia. Cosmopolitan and stylish, it is a welcoming and charismatic city for those who don’t wish to spend their trip by the beach.

Split

The second largest city in the country, it doesn’t have the pull of Dubrovnik or the charm of Zagreb but it does offer a relaxing setting. It owes its beginnings to a Roman Emperor, Diocletian, who built a palace that the city is built around. The palace is a must see while the centre plays host to a market and a wealth of restaurants and cafes to enjoy.

There are so many different areas in the UK and Ireland waiting to be explored that it’s impossible to decide where to go first. Tourists are simply fascinated by the culture and history they find here and many of them are actually Brits falling in love with their own lovely country.

So what are the top destinations for a fantastic city break in England and Ireland? You’ll find bellow a few suggestions that will surely make it on your next holiday bucket list.

Liverpool

One amazing city break choice for an England getaway is definitely Liverpool. This place is simply breathtaking; from a magnificent display of world-class museums to an outstanding nightlife filled with bars and clubs, everything in Liverpool will dazzle you. The most important places to visit are the monumental Royal Liver Building and the breathtaking modern Museum of Liverpool that dominate the city. If you’re travelling by car don’t hesitate to leave your vehicle at one of the Liverpool airport parking areas. Your car will be safe and you’ll have plenty of time to explore the city. While in Liverpool, you should take a walk around Hope Street and admire the Anglican Cathedral that thrones majestically over the city. End your evening in a nice restaurant in Tate Liverpool.

Brighton

Known as the ‘London by the sea’, Brighton is a fantastic resort with plenty of activities that entertain tourists from all over England as well as from around the world. The sunny beach view attracts countless people and the weather is simply to die for. Bars and restaurants can be found during the whole holiday season. If you live too far north in the UK and want a fun and cheap way of getting all the way down south to Brighton – you should check out RideShareApps.com

London

It’s impossible to make a top UK holiday city breaks and not mention the startling capital of England – London.  This city has so many activities and sights to explore that you’re guaranteed not to get bored at all. You can choose from a variety of accommodations while unveiling attractions such as world-class theatres, galleries, shopping, restaurants and of course, the London Eye and the Madame Tussaud’s, which are among the top choices for most travellers.

Dublin

If Ireland is your dream holiday destination, then head off towards Dublin. This amazing Irish capital is a city that has so much to offer – an exciting nightlife with trendy bars, traditional pubs accompanied by good live music plus lots of family and children attractions. It’s a popular destination all year round so you won’t regret having this lovely city break. Since you can’t really enjoy the delicious Irish beer if you’re driving your car, it’s better to leave it somewhere safe and explore the surroundings by foot. Look for parking at Dublin special offers and avoid unnecessary holiday expenses.

 

For travellers seeking out of the ordinary fun, Paris provides an abundance of activities to fulfil diehard thrill seekers. Our friends at Hostelbookers.com have listed their Top 5 places of where to go to find activities to indulge in for those seeking adventure in the City of Light.

Aerokart’s Free-fall Wind Tunnel

This simulated sky dive is placed in a tunnel that creates winds up to 155 mph. This is one of the most realistic free-fall experiences in the world. You are given brief training before taking the dive and proper attire is provided. You are also instructed about various positions to use during the fall and ways to communicate while inside the tunnel. There will be physical requirements and reservations are needed.  But for anyone holidaying with an adventurer and are not so into taking big risks yourself there is also a racetrack with go-karts for adventure on the ground. Visitors can find this adventure at 199-203 route de Pontoise.

Dans Le Noir

“Paris is a feast” said Hemingway and this one is specifically for adventurous foodies! At Dans Le Noir you can get back in touch with your lost senses.  Choose from a decadent menu for seafood and meat lovers such as grilled octopus and whiskey marinated filet mignon but vegetarians are most welcome to feast on grilled Portobello mushrooms and vegetables. Dinners include a starter, entree, and dessert. The ultimate foodie can opt in for a surprise menu, which is actually recommended when dining in the dark. Of course this is the whole point since the French emphasize using all the senses when experiencing great food. Dans Le Noir is located at 51, rue Quincamopix.

Montparnasse Tower

For those who love venturing to new heights (see what we did there) the tower provides a spectacular view of the city. With 59 floors and reaching close to 700 feet at the roof, the tower provides a stunning 360 degree view of Paris as far as the eye can see. The elevator, reportedly Europe’s fastest, will get you to the top in a mere 38 seconds. After experiencing the city at massive heights, enjoy dinner at the 360 Café a panoramic bar or stop at beautifully designed Le Ciel de Paris for gourmet dining. The tower is located at 33 Avenue du Maine.

Carisiolas Adventure Park

Play among the tree tops at this unique adventure park that resembles a medieval forest. There are several activities to enjoy for all ages and different levels of thrill seeking. Activities include quad rides, a Tyrolean jump, and a medieval village to explore. The great part about Carisiolas is that there is fun to be had for the adult as well as the child. The park is located in Crisolles, a little more than an hour north of Paris. For those who have already been to Disneyland, it would make an equally great day trip while visiting Paris.

Friday Night Skate
Every Friday evening thousands of roller skaters journey through Paris on a course that is around 25 kilometres. The event can get pretty raucous, especially near the front. But it’s a great physical activity and a way to be involved with thousands of locals as well as travellers. However it must be said this is an event for experienced skaters only. Being able to nimbly manoeuvre and quickly stop is necessary to thoroughly enjoy this activity. The skate starts at 10 pm at the Montparnasse Train Station and ends at the same place.

Photo credit: Bob Hall