Cruising: the best way to see Europe

(ARA) - Have you always wanted to visit Europe, but kept putting it off because you didn't think you could afford it? Well, instead of trying to fly from place to place, and find hotels you can afford to stay in along the way, you may want to consider looking into Mediterranean cruises.

Cruising is one of the best ways to stretch your vacation budget beyond your imagination. Since all of your expenses - accommodations, meals and entertainment - are rolled into the price of your ticket, there are no surprises. And this time of year there are plenty of cruise deals to be had; but where should you go? The Mediterranean Sea is, after all, a large body of water.

A good place to start is by considering some of the most popular ports of call. You can't go wrong by planning a trip that calls for stops in any of the cities with access to the Mediterranean. Some of the most popular cities the cruise lines stop at include Venice, Italy, St. Tropez, France and Monte Carlo, Monaco.

Here's an idea of what you'll find to do at each port of call:

* Venice, Italy

Ships generally provide complimentary water shuttles that drop passengers off in the vicinity of St. Mark's Square. From there you can catch a water taxi to a number of amazing attractions. Well worth checking out are St. Mark's Basilica, which dates back to 1094 and represents a range of architectural styles such as Byzantine, Romanesque and Renaissance; the Campanille (bell tower), a 324-foot structure originally built in the 10th century that you can climb to the top of and view the city; and The Grand Canal, the Venetian equivalent of a superhighway that flows through the heart of the city.

* St. Tropez, France

Dating back to the 10th century, St. Tropez is known for its sunny climate and elegant style. Sitting on a peninsula overlooking a bay of the same name as the town, St. Tropez features a splendid mix of Roman, Italian, and French architecture. Strolling the streets is a popular pastime for tourists and residents alike. So is spending time at any of the city's 40 beaches.

* Monte Carlo, Monaco

Another memorable stop is in Monte Carlo, Monaco. Perched on steep hills that tumble down toward the Mediterranean Sea, the city has long been known as a playground for the rich and famous. Not only does Monte Carlo have beautiful beaches , but a world renowned casino and one of the most exciting car races on any continent. Time it right and you may even be there for the Monte Carlo Grand Prix, the only Formula 1 car race in the world where the race cars drive through a populated city, alongside shops, houses and parks, at high rates of speed.

These Mediterranean cities contain only a few of the amazing wonders you can visit while in Europe. Be sure to make note of things you wish you had done during your trip, but didn't have time to fit in -- there's always next time.

Courtesy of ARAcontent