MSC Cruises: 21 nights from Genoa with MSC Poesia (Nov 13, 2024)

Marseille

The oldest and largest French city after Paris, Marseille is infused with a sensitive and irrepressible energy.
Prepare yourself for a seduction of heart and soul that you will not be able to resist. Free of mass tourism but always lively, this is a port city with the right balance of tradition and modernity, nature and culture. Its unique location, exuberant mood and multicultural diversity make it one of the most delightful cities in France.

Marseille is the largest city in southern France and the country's first port. For this reason throughout the year cruise companies such as MSC Cruises and Costa Cruises offer various itineraries that depart from Marseille. The port is located 2.5 km from city center, so you can even admire the luxury of visiting the Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde Basilica, walking along the Canebière to admire restaurants and shops, admiring the If Caste on the homonimous islet, the Saint-Jean fortress and its breathtaking view on the
sea. In short, a cruise that sets sail from Marseille is the best choice that you can make and doing it online gives you a series of guarantees you can't give up: first of all the best price, secure payment, availability seven days a week and above all quality. On the website, after choosing your itinerary, departure date and cabin, you just need to click the bottom to receive the recapitulation of your trip and be able to directly book your cruise. If you want to departure with a group, booking online is undoubtedly
the best solution. The only worry for you and your group of friends or relatives will be to choose between the multiple offers that will be proposed to you.

Tarragona

Tarragona is a city in Catalonia, Spain. Every tourist should visit this city to dive into history and enjoy its unique attractions. It’s located on the Mediterranean coast, this city preserves Roman heritage and Catalan culture.

The first thing that catches your eye in Tarragona is its stunning Roman amphitheater, which is located right by the sea. Built in the 2nd century AD, the amphitheater still impresses with its scale and atmosphere. You can feel the spirit of history, imagining the gladiatorial games and theatrical performances that once took place.

Equally impressive is the Roman Forum, the ancient city's central square, surrounded by the ruins of temples and public buildings. In the evening, when the ancient columns and arches are illuminated, the forum has a special magic and charm.

Stroll along Rambla Nova, Tarragona's main street, and enjoy the view of the sea from the Balcony of the Mediterranean, a viewpoint offering breathtaking panoramic views of the coast. It is believed that if you touch the railing of this viewpoint, you'll be blessed with good luck.

However, Tarragona is not only famous for its Roman monuments. The city boasts numerous unique museums, such as the National Archaeological Museum of Tarragona, where you can see artifacts uncovered during excavations. Art enthusiasts should not miss the Museum of Modern Art, which features works by Catalan and Spanish artists.

One of the most unusual places in Tarragona is the Les Ferreres Aqueduct, also known as the "Devil's Bridge." A walk along its top offers unforgettable views of the surrounding landscapes.

Don't forget to visit the Tarragona Cathedral, it’s a magnificent example of Gothic architecture. There are unique relics and works of art. If you climb its bell tower, you will have a breathtaking view of the city and sea.

Tarragona is also renowned for its culinary delights. Local restaurants offer traditional Catalan dishes, such as calçotada (grilled green onions) and fresh seafood from the Mediterranean.

 

 

 

 

Every fall, Tarragona hosts the "Santa Tecla" festival, which lasts for over ten days and includes colorful parades, concerts, theatrical performances, and fireworks. This festival is one of the year's most vibrant events, drawing thousands of visitors.

Tarragona is a place where everyone will find something to enjoy, whether you're a history buff, an art lover, or simply someone wanting to soak in the beauty of the Mediterranean coast. A trip to Tarragona will leave indelible impressions and offer a wealth of unforgettable moments.

Valencia

Welcome to Valencia, it’s the Mediterranean gem where history, culture and nature merge into stunning beauty and harmony. This magnificent city is located on Spain’s eastern coast, captivating with its vibrant streets, amazing festivals and rich historical heritage, making you want to buy a vacation house.

Valencia is renowned for its magnificent architectural landmarks, with the iconic Cathedral of the Holy Spirit standing out as a symbol of the city. One of Valencia's most famous symbols is "La Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias" (The City of Arts and Sciences) - a modern complex of architectural masterpieces designed by the great architect Santiago Calatrava. This complex includes museums, an aquarium, cinemas, an opera house and much more.

Valencia is a true paradise for food lovers. As the birthplace of paella, here you can savor the best examples of Spanish cuisine, fresh seafood and flavorful tapas. You should also try horchata, a traditional drink made from almonds, sugar and water.

Additionally, the city is famous for its celebrations and festivals, such as the renowned Las Fallas Festival. During this event, enormous cardboard and wooden figures are erected throughout the city and then burned in a festive bonfire. This festival attracts thousands of tourists from around the world.

Valencia is also a perfect starting point for Mediterranean cruises. Aboard a cruise liner, you can enjoy luxurious amenities and entertainment while traveling to the most beautiful places in the Mediterranean.

 

Cadiz

Cadiz is a port city with wide boulevards, squares and gardens with an atmosphere rich in history

Cadiz is an elegant city offering buildings dated back to XVIII and XIX Centuries. The City has a long and charming history: discover its monuments, the museums and all the amazing places where you can taste good food and have a drink. What makes Cadiz special it’s the people that are open, have a great culture and are independent. The majority of them enjoy life and the company of their friends in the many bars and squares of the city.

Lisbon

Perched on steep slopes overlooking the Rio Tejo, Lisbon offers all the pleasures one would expect from Portugal's main attraction. The capital of Portugal, Lisbon (Lisboa in Portuguese) has experienced a great development in recent years, with a thriving contemporary culture. Perched on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, Lisbon is one of the rare European cities that faces the ocean and uses water as a defining element of the city. Lisbon enchants travellers with its white limestone buildings, intimate alleys and an old-world charm that makes it a popular year-round destination.

Las Palmas

Located in the Atlantic Ocean 200 km from the African Coast, Gran Canaria has one of the most beautiful tropical landscapes. The island has wide and beautiful golden sand beaches, endless dunes, large indentations with vegetation and charming villages. In this majestic area, you can visit towns that has all kinds of services and amenities, such as in Las Palmas, with large shopping areas and a lively nightlife. You will have the opportunity to practice any water sport: diving, surfing and windsurfing.

Conversely, those who prefer other sports will have the opportunity to go hiking, climbing, or cycling. The island is also an ideal destination for golf lovers, as it has a wide range of excellent courses. Gran Canaria has excellent cuisine and the variety of fun traditional festivals, and theme parks. In short, it is an ideal place for a great island vacation.

Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the capital of Tenerife, is located in the north-east of the island. Its pleasent climate and commercial areas make the city the perfect place for walking and enjoying long hours of relaxation. There are lots of things to visit in the city such as its avenues, parks and Henry Moore's most famous sculptures, hidden treasures and historic buildings such as the Church of the Conception or the Carta Palace.

Do not miss the opportunity to taste local cuisine. Santa Cruz de Tenerife is a beautiful port located in Tenerife, the largest of the western islands of the Canary Islands archipelago. In the area around the port, there are wide avenues, squares, exotic green areas and some examples of modern architecture. At the heart of the city, near the sea, there is Plaza de España, built in the mid-20th century and once the site of the San Cristobal Castle (16th century).

The oldest part of the city is rich in religious monuments. The construction of the Church of San Francisco, one of the best examples of the Baroque style, began in the 17th century. The Church of Pilar, dated back to the 18th century, stands on the remains of an ancient temple. The city has also some green areas filled with exotic tree species. The Garcia Sanabria Park houses an important outdoor Sculpture Museum.

Another not to be missed place is the Maritime Park, a recreational area designed by architect César Manrique and located in the old Canary Islands commercial basin. Also known as the Black Castle, this circular defensive bastion was built in the first half of the 17th century with volcanic stones. From a naturalistic point of view, Tenerife is an island of contrasting landscapes. The wide beaches of fine sand in the south of the island give way to lush vegetation in the north.

Every year, the outfits of the island's capital prepare to host Carnival, declared International Tourist Interest and one of the most spectacular in Spain. Its privileged location makes it possible to enjoy beautiful beaches such as Las Teresitas, get to know the city of San Cristóbal de La Laguna, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, or visit Teide National Park, the symbol of the island.

Salvador

Salvador, the capital of the state Bahia in Brazil, is a lively city that vibrates to the rhythm of samba and candomblé, offering a rich and variegated cultural mosaic. This historic city, renowned for its breathtaking beaches, colonial architecture and vibrant nightlife, is a stop not to be missed on Salvador cruises. Its unique atmosphere, where tradition and modernity are linked together, offers visitors an unforgettable experience, immersed in Afro-Brazilian history and culture.

Explore the historic center: the Pelourinho
The heart of Salvador is the Pelourinho, its historic city center, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walking around the clobbed streets, you can admire colorful colonial houses, Baroque churches and lively squares. The Pelourinho is also the stage of recurring open-air musical performances and folkloric dances, offering visitor an authentic taste of local culture. Cruises that stop in Salvador allow you to immerse in this rich human cultural heritage, letting passengers living unique moments.
Immerse youself in Afro-Brazilian culture Salvador is considered Afro-Brazilian cultural capital of the country. Here, visitors can explore museums dedicated to African art, attending candomblé cerimonies or simply enoying the local cuisine, that fuses African, Indigenous and Portuguese flavors. Enjoying a cruise that includes Salvador offers the opportunity to discover these deep cultural roots, enriching the trip with meaningful and authentic
experiences.

Discover Paradise Beaches
In addition to its cultural richness, Salvador amazes with its enchanting beaches. From Praia do Forte to Itapuã, the coastlines around Salvador invite relaxation and recreation, with crystal-clear waters and fine sand. Cruises stopping in Salvador allow travellers to enjoy these natural wonders, offering a perfect balance of culture, adventure and relaxation. Opting for a cruise that stops in Salvador means choosing a journey rich in history, culture and natural beauty. The city offers a complete travel experience, capable of satisfying every type of traveller, from the passionate historian to the adventurer, from the bodybuilder to the seeker of relaxation on the beach. Salvador promises to leave indelible memories in the hearts of those who visit it, making it a must-see destination on cruises along the Brazilian coast.

Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro (whose name means January River in Portoguese) is a city in Brazil and the capital of the homonymous confederate state. Its population is almost 6,186,710 inhabitants (according to 2009 IBGE census), and its surface is 1,256 km2 while the population in the metropolitan area is almost 12 million habitants. Rio is the Brazil's second largest city after São Paulo and it was the capital of the state from 1763 until 1960, after Salvador da Bahia and before Brasilia.
The city is famous for its tourist attractions including: the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, Art Nouveau statue of Jesus called Cristo Redentor located on Mount Corcovado, the Pão de Açúcar (Sugar Loaf) with its cable car, and its annual carnival, the most famous in the world. In Rio de Janeiro there is the largest forest within an urban area, theTijuca forest.

Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires, located along the banks of Rio de la Plata, is the capital of Argentina. In this city history, tradition, culture and modernity are perfectly mixed together creating a unique and not to be missed landscape and atmosphere suitable for everyone's needs and taste, even the most extravagant ones. The history of the city has been mainly characterized by foreign invasions, immigrations, many coups d'état and the phenomenon of desaparecidos that left behind signs that are still visible today.

Strolling along tha barrios, the administrative areas in which the city is divided, it is possible to see the signs of these phenomena and immerse yourself in its rich history. For example, the barrio called Boca is the perfect example of the phenomenon of foreign invasions because this place is inhabited by Genoese people that reached the city searching for fortune. If you want to immerse youself in the local culture, tango certainly plays an important role. Buenos Aires is the tango capital of the world, and this traditional dance has become a symbol of Argentine culture throughout the world. If you are an architecture and art lover, do not miss the opportunity to visit the many museums of the city such as National Museum of Fine Arts and Museuem of Modern Art, and the residential district of the Recoleta that, located at the heart of the city, has buildings and luxury houses that perfectly represent the typical local architecture.

The city is also famous for its lively nigthlife and its tasty food. Do not miss the opportunity to taste typical local dishes such as asado, empanadas and churrasco in one of the restaurants located in the city! Another typical activity consists of strolling along the street drinking the most famous drink of the country, the mate. This is an infusion prepared from the leaves of Mate herb, flavored with sugar or with orange or lemon peels. For local people, mate is not only a drink but also a symbol of socialization, friendship and intimacy, among those who share the tasty brew. One of the best ways to visit the city is aboard a cruise. The port of Buenos Aires is the main port of Argentina and one of the most important of Latin America. Its importance is linked both to trade and tourism. Choosing a cruise that depart from Buenos Aires or that has this city as stop is the best choice if you want to discover the coast of South America and its hinterland.

Rich History of Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires, the vibrant capital of Argentina, boasts a rich history that blends European elegance with Latin American passion. Founded in the early 16th century by Spanish conquistadors, the city has evolved into a cultural melting pot influenced by waves of immigration. From colonial architecture to tango music and art, Buenos Aires preserves its heritage while embracing modernity.

Pleasant Climate and Seasons

Buenos Aires enjoys a temperate climate with distinct seasons offering diverse experiences for visitors. Summers are warm and humid, perfect for exploring parks and outdoor cafes. Winters are mild, ideal for strolling through museums and historic neighborhoods. Spring and autumn bring pleasant temperatures, making it a great time to enjoy outdoor activities.

Top Attractions and Places to Visit in Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires is a city brimming with cultural landmarks and attractions. The iconic Plaza de Mayo is the heart of the city, surrounded by historic buildings like Casa Rosada and the Metropolitan Cathedral. Recoleta Cemetery is a must-visit for its elaborate mausoleums, while the colorful neighborhood of La Boca offers tango shows and street art. Don't miss the grand Teatro Colon for world-class opera and ballet performances.

Local Cuisine: Authentic Flavors of Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires is a paradise for food lovers, offering a mix of traditional Argentine dishes and international cuisine. Indulge in juicy steaks grilled to perfection, savory empanadas filled with meat or cheese, and decadent dulce de leche desserts. Sip on mate, Argentina's national drink, or enjoy a glass of Malbec wine from nearby vineyards. Visit local markets like San Telmo for fresh produce and artisanal products.

Embark on an Unforgettable Cruise from Buenos Aires

To elevate your Buenos Aires experience, consider booking a cruise departing from this bustling city. Cruises from Buenos Aires offer the opportunity to explore the stunning coastline of Argentina, visit exotic destinations like Patagonia or Antarctica, and witness breathtaking natural wonders. Booking a cruise from Buenos Aires guarantees unforgettable moments and a unique perspective on South America's beauty from the sea.