The Mediterranean is a lavish holiday destination for millions of people each year. With thousands of nautical miles to explore and dozens of countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea, you can certainly be spoiled for choice when narrowing down holiday destinations. Add into the equation the many islands dotted throughout the sea, and you have a whole new headache emerging.
While some people will choose to remain on one of the mainland countries in the Mediterranean and might even have a place they visit annually, nothing stops you from branching out and exploring the many other areas and islands that the Mediterranean provides.
At the same time, there is much more to consider when wanting to make the journey to the Mediterranean in the first place. If you are in the position where you are making plans for your next trip to the Mediterranean, both in 2021 and beyond, then you have found yourself in the right place at the right time.
Detailed below, you will find an insightful and valuable list containing some of the things you will need to consider when travelling to the Mediterranean. Read on for more!
Establish a Timeframe
It goes without saying, but when making plans for anything, you need to have some sort of timeframe to hand. Knowing how long your trip will be is the first step to planning your journey to the Mediterranean and will set the foundation for the rest of your plans. By establishing the length of your holiday abroad, you could also go on to split the journey up into different sections, based on the duration of your trip.
What’s more, you will need to consider the time of year that you intend to visit. While we expect the Mediterranean to offer tropical weather all year round, there are undoubtedly different countries that experience colder weather during the winter; just like here in Blighty! Determining the time of year you want to go and the forecasted weather will also contribute to your plans and make booking much more straightforward.
Particularly if you intend to explore the Mediterranean on a cruise, you will need to assess the times of the year they run. However, cruise ships are not the only way to venture around the Mediterranean, which takes us to the following section.
Explore Travel Options
When exploring the Mediterranean, you are spoiled for choice in how you get around. With an estimated two million people each month disembarking cruise ships in the Mediterranean, this is undoubtedly a popular choice of travel for many. That being said, there are other means of transport that you could consider when making your holiday plans.
If you want to travel by boat but are not keen on going on a cruise, you could consider buying your own boat. There is for instance a wide variety of Beneteau boats on The Yacht Market available for purchase, which is a manufacturer which dominates the industry. You can browse around and find something that suits your individual needs and any budget that you might have. Not only would you be able to travel and explore at your pace, but you would also have a higher level of privacy than you would on a cruise ship. With plenty of places to dock throughout the Mediterranean, you will truly be spoiled for choice in where you venture to!
Travelling along the mainland coast of each Mediterranean country is also an option, as is travelling throughout the countries themselves. Here you would consider the likes of train and road transport. Interrailing has become increasingly popular throughout recent years, with people opting for this means of transportation when wanting to explore and travel to numerous countries in one go. Explore this as a means of travelling throughout the Mediterranean if you are not keen on sea travel.
Research Notable Places to Visit
As there are so many countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea, you are spoiled for choice when choosing a location. Extend that further by narrowing down the hundreds of towns and cities within said countries, and you will be there for hours! However, this is essential to consider when heading to the Mediterranean in 2021 and beyond and should be at the top of your to-do list.
Create an initial list containing the cities or towns that you would like to visit. Establish how you would travel between these places and the costs involved when doing so. If you are planning your trip on a budget, do what you can to remain within this budget; you do not want to put yourself into financial difficulty during this time. The towns and cities are not going anywhere, so nothing stops you from completing more than one Mediterranean trip in the future.
Once you have compiled a list of cities or towns you wish to visit, conduct some research into these local areas. When visiting countries like Italy and Greece, you would naturally expect to be met with many historical and mythological stories. Abundant in history, these places are worth adding to your travel list if you are a history fanatic!
By establishing where you are going and what you will be doing, you will better understand what you will need to take with you on your travels. With many airlines and other forms of travel implementing a weight restriction on how much you can take, you will want to do what you can to minimise over-packing. This takes us to the following and final point in this piece.
Packing The Right Items for Your Travels
Naturally, when contemplating what clothing you will be taking with you, will depend on the time of year you intend to travel and what the weather will be like during this time. This can be the most challenging part of going abroad for many people, but the process can be made much more manageable. Making a list of what you will need to take with you is the best place to start.
Assess what items you can purchase while on your holidays, including the likes of toiletries and other related items. Buying items like these after you have arrived will not only free up some space in your luggage but minimise the chances of anything spilling!
For those reading this with children, you will most likely be going through this process more than once. Figuring out what you will need to take is a piece of cake; it is packing for your children that can be challenging. At the same time, you will want to ensure that you have some room to spare in your luggage for anything you acquire on your travels. While we understand that you will most likely want to pick up some souvenirs for yourself, we also feel confident other people in your lives will also enjoy a travel treat!
This piece has covered but some of the things you should consider and only uncovered the tip of the iceberg. That being said, we hope you are leaving us with a better understanding of what you should do moving forward to create complete and detailed travel plans. One thing we can be sure of; after an incredibly long time without travel, your holiday will be well worth the wait.
Published on Holr Magazine