10 nætter fra Barcelona, Spain med Seabourn Ovation

Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia, is said to have been founded by the Phoenicians, and was once the rival of the powerful states of Venice and Genoa for control of the Mediterranean trade. Today, it is Spain’s second largest city and has long rivaled, even surpassed Madrid in industry and commerce. The medieval atmosphere of the Gothic Quarter and the elegant boulevards combine to make the city one of Europe’s most beautiful. Barcelona’s active cultural life and heritage brought forth such greats as the architect Antonio Gaudi, the painter Joan Miro, and Pablo Picasso, who spent his formative years here. Other famous native Catalan artists include cellist Pau Casals, surrealist Salvador Dali, and opera singers Montserrat Caballe and Josep Carreras. Barcelona accomplished a long-cherished goal with the opportunity to host the Olympics in 1992. This big event prompted a massive building program and created a focal point of the world’s attention.

Mahon is the capital of Menorca, second largest of the Balearic Islands. It stands out from the others because of the abundance of prehistoric structures, and because its culture was influenced by British occupation in the 18th century. The people who built the prehistoric constructions are believed to have been responsible for similar works in Sardinia, and for Stonehenge in England. Believed to have been founded by the Carthaginian General Mago, Mahon was held by the Moors from the 8th to the 13th century and in turn occupied by the English, the French and the Spanish. Mahon was finally ceded to Spain by the Treaty of Amiens in 1802.

Spain’s Balearic Islands are among Europe’s most popular resort destinations. Mallorca is the largest and most developed of these islands. Rome and Carthage battled over this territory and portions of ancient Roman constructions still remain. Founded almost 2,100 years ago, the city of Palma de Mallorca, the island’s busy capital city boasts a considerable store of history. Mallorca welcomes its visitors to an island, which can be both exciting and tranquil. The abundant sightseeing and sunshine are yours to enjoy.

Sete er en fransk havneby ved Middelhavet. Sete har en unik lokal kultur, heriblandt de stærke traditioner, den unikke madlavning og den lokale dialekt. Fra Sete er der desuden adgang til den smukke befæstede middelalderby Carcassonne.

Toulon er en by i det sydlige Frankrig ved en bugt i Middelhavet. Toulon er Frankrigs største marinebase med et stort marinemuseum ved havnen. Det var her, Napoleon besejrede englænderne, der havde okkuperet Toulon, og denne bedrift medførte, at Napoleon blev udnævnt til general. Toulons flag (byvåben) er identisk med det svenske flag. Byen har to gæstehavne, der ligger meget beskyttet for mistralen.

The Principality of Monaco is the epitome of Riviera chic. This tiny enclave of 370 acres surrounds a sheltered harbor that draws yachts from around the world to enjoy the beautiful scenery, mild weather and elegant casino. Glamorous Monte Carlo is one of Monaco’s four quarters, which also include La Condamine, the business district; Monaco-ville, the capital; and Fontvieille, an area built on reclaimed land. Ruled by Prince Albert II, Monaco has a population of over 32,000, of which about 16 percent are citizens, or Monégasques.

Portofino er et lille italiensk fiskeri- og turistområde på den italienske riviera. Byen, der omslutter sin lille havn, betragtes som en af de smukkeste Middelhavshavne. I det sene 1800-tal begyndte først britiske og derefter nordeuropæiske aristokratiske turister at besøge Portofino. Omkring 1950 havde turismen erstattet fiskeri som byens hovedindtægtskilde, og stranden var kantet af restauranter og caféer.

Settled first by the Romans, then ruled by Genoans for nearly half a millennium, Calvi was freed by Corsica’s native son Napoleon in 1791. In 1982 it was given special status and now enjoys a uniquely autonomous position within the realm of France.Ringed with alternating precipitous cliffs and fine sand beaches, the island resembles a mountain thrust up out of the water, but its ruggedness is tempered by brilliant sunlight and groves of olive and orange trees. Napoleon once said that he could recognize Corsica with his eyes closed – by its perfume alone. While touring Corsica, be advised that the roads about this mountainous island are quite winding with many curves.

The rugged Italian island of Sardinia is blessed with a rocky coastline interrupted by soft sand beaches and washed by limpid seas. Olbia is a very ancient town. It was founded by Phoenicians, and later occupied by Greeks and Romans in their turns. The church of San Simplicio dates from the 11th or 12th century, and that dedicated to St. Paul the Apostle is medieval. The town’s Museum of Archaeology can help you visualize the timeline. Everything changed dramatically in the 1960s, when the Prince Karim Aga Khan selected a 20-kilometer stretch of the nearby coastline to develop an exclusive resort complex he called the Costa Smeralda. Today this enchanting shoreline is encrusted with jewel-like resorts and hotels, private villas and beach facilities, yacht marinas and heliports. It is reputedly the most expensive real estate per square meter in Europe. Without doubt it is beautiful, and it is not necessarily that expensive to just look.

Denne antikke by byder dig på et stort udvalg af smukke gamle bygninger. Besøg fx Colosseum, hvor gladiatorer for mange år siden kæmpede for publikums underholdning. Rom er nærmest uudtømmelig, når det handler om historie, arkitetur og spirituelle ting, så gå op opdagelse i en spændende by, som du knapt vil kunne forlade igen!