The latest Pocket Guide from Berlitz, Mediterranean Ports of Call, has been introduced in response to the steady growth in Mediterranean cruising. Yet the new Guide reveals that some port authorities, strangled by official bureaucracy, have been slow to respond to the increase in demand for cruising, scarcely distinguishing between cruise ships and ferries, and assuming that all cruise passengers want the same holiday experience. Thus, some ports such as Athens, Barcelona, Cannes, Nice, Portofino and Venice already suffer from congestion. And companies have now started to woo not only North Americans and Europeans en masse, but also, increasingly, to cater to individual nationalities.
More than 50 cruise companies and tour operators offer ocean-going Mediterranean cruises of between three – 30 days using some 100 vessels.
Berlitz Ports of Call Mediterranean looks at Portugal, Spain, Gibraltar, France, Italy, Malta, Croatia, Greece, Turkey, Cyprus, Morocco, Tunisia, Libya and Egypt. It covers all the major sights, area by area, in an easily navigable format. A guide is given to dozens of destinations from the bustling Catalan capital, Barcelona, to Riviera harbours, historic Italian cities, Greek Islands and vibrant North African ports.
Attractions described range from Giza's Pyramids to Pisa's Leaning Tower, and from Florence's museums and churches to the medina and mosques of Tunis. There’s also savvy cruise advice such as tips on choosing a cruise, preparing for a trip, life on board ship and life on shore, as well as information on practical subjects such as opening times and money matters for each country.
Special features on topics such as flamenco and gondolas are also included. Maps show the Eastern Mediterranean, Western Mediterranean, Venice, Athens, Barcelona and Rome, and there are dozens of colour photographs throughout.
The Berlitz Pocket Guide to Mediterranean Ports of Call (ISBN 981-246-492-1) costs £5.99 and is available in bookshops or on line on berlitzpublishing.com
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