Cruising the Mediterranean is a dream holiday for many people. Recently Alan and I were lucky to cruise from Rome to Barcelona on the lovely Azamara Quest. Every day was spent in port, cruising to the next port of call during the night. Having all day to explore on land was a great way to enjoy the local sights and discover new experiences.
It was so delightful to wake up at sun rise as we sailed into the pretty ports of the Italian and French Rivieras. In port we enjoyed the passing parade of water craft from our well-appointed balcony stateroom. The cruise felt like we were on a floating hotel taking us from one beautiful location to another each day.
At Livorno, our first port of call Alan and I caught the train to Florence for the day. The journey through the Tuscan hills was almost as delightful as the beautiful city of Florence.
Santa Margherita was the second stop of our cruise. This charming town was a favourite retreat for the well-heeled gentry of the early 1900’s. This delightful port is perfect for exploring on foot. While here Alan and I did a bike ride to Portofino. The five kilometre narrow winding road that hugs the coast, has all manner of transport and was sometimes a little hairy but we live to tell the story. The Italian gem of Portofino offers stunning views of the beautiful Mediterranean.
Next stop was Monaco, famous for the glamorous Monte-Carlo Casino, the Grand Prix and its princely family. The Principality of Monaco is the second smallest country in the world. The kingdom is about half the size of New York’s Central Park. A magnet for high-rollers and hedonists since the early 20th century, it’s also one of the world’s most notorious tax havens. The super yachts are a spectacle on their own; some have helicopters while all have runabouts that you and I would be proud to own!!!
While anchored off the port of Monaco we joined the White Party on the pool deck. All guests wore white, the tables and chairs were also covered in white and after a delicious dinner the dancing and fun began. The captain delayed the departure so everyone could enjoy the balmy evening whilst the lights of Monaco twinkled in the distance.
The next morning, we arrived in stunning St Tropez best known as a glitzy playground for the rich and famous, Bridget Bardot and the spaceship like yacht moored at Vieux Port. It was one of my favourite ports and I will always remember it for its expensive coffee, delicious gelato and fabulous shopping!!
Marseille was probably the biggest surprise of the voyage. I had always had the impression Marseille had nothing much to offer but I was very wrong. With more than 2600 years of history, the city is amazing – the Old Port, Old Marseille – Le Panier with tiny little streets and squares to the magnificent Notre Dame de la Garde. There were plenty of WOW moments.
The last port of call was beautiful Barcelona. Once again, we took the opportunity to test out our bike riding skills in the city. It was a fabulous way to explore, see the sights and soak up the culture. Barcelona has fantastic cycleways all though the city which makes bike riding a pleasure. Then there’s the tapas bars, the wine and Gaudi!
Apart from the stunning ports of call, delicious food, attentive and friendly crew, another highlight was the fabulous AzAmazing evening. We visited the Sant Marcal Cerdanyola Castle located in the rolling hills on the outskirts of Barcelona. The castle was built in the 11th century and is still owned by the same family. In the magnificent gardens of the castle we enjoyed a passionate flamenco performance of the classical Spanish opera, Carmen. These nights are exclusive to Azamara guests and are an ideal way to immerse you in the local culture, cuisine and history.
Azamara Quest is a charming mid-sized vessel and perfect for travellers who want to really immerse themselves in the destinations visited. With just 694 passengers you never feel lost in the crowd. The Azamara Quest has an intimate and up-market vibe.
On board there is a range of boutique amenities from comfortable public areas to a sumptuous spa. With six dining venues, including chic establishments like the Italian restaurant Aqualina and the exclusive Discoveries the choice of dining is a delight.
Azamara Quest cabins are modern, comfy and stylish. Some suites feature exclusive high-end perks such as an English-trained butler service. Azamara’s friendly ships are an altogether wonderful place to call your home away from home. Alan and I had a perfect holiday and will definitely cruise with Azamara again.
