Picture the Mediterranean and you probably see July: packed piazzas, crowded ferries, and a line wrapped around every landmark. But for many travelers, fall and winter are the best times to go. The cities and villages of the coast put on a different face, so you get to experience the Mediterranean in a different light.
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Here are five reasons the quiet season deserves a spot on your travel wish list.
1. Fewer travelers, more of the good stuff
Barcelona, Florence and Dubrovnik feel completely different when you are not shuffling through them shoulder to shoulder. You can stop at any restaurant or café that catches your eye, take your time at popular sites, and snap photos without a crowd in the frame.
2. Easier access to the landmarks
Rome’s Colosseum, the Vatican and Athens’ Acropolis all come with shorter lines in the quiet season, which means more time exploring on your own and less time waiting. In summer, getting into popular attractions can take hours. A travel advisor can help you pick the stops that matter most to you and plan your days around them.
3. Weather that works with you
Walking around ancient ruins and timeless cities is far more pleasant when the sun isn’t beating down. Traveling in the quiet season means skipping the summer heat for a milder, more moderate climate, so you can spend more of your day exploring in comfort. I don’t know if you know this, but A/C is rare in Europe.
4. Holiday magic on the coast
Festive lights and holiday markets turn Barcelona, Sicily and Corfu into some of the most appealing places to be in December. Prefer to celebrate at sea? Viking ocean ships bring gingerbread houses, elegant decorations, a festive Christmas dinner and Christmas carols.
5. Lower airfare and cruise fares
Travelers can expect reduced airfare and cruise fares during the quiet season. With Viking Inclusive Value, your fare includes a complimentary shore excursion in every port, complimentary beer, wine and soft drinks with onboard lunch and dinner, free Wi-Fi and more. Pricing and inclusions vary by sailing and date, so an advisor can compare departures and help you find the right fit.
Two quiet season sailings to put on your radar
Viking’s quiet season Mediterranean collection runs from autumn into spring, and two 8-day itineraries line up neatly with the highlights above.
Iconic Western Mediterranean. This 8-day voyage sails from Barcelona to Rome (Civitavecchia) and visits four countries. Viking offers a 3-night Best of Barcelona extension for this itinerary, with guided visits to La Sagrada Família, the Gothic Quarter and Montserrat before you board.
Journey to Antiquities. This 8-day voyage sails from Rome (Civitavecchia) to Athens (Piraeus) and visits three countries. A 3-night Best of Rome extension before the cruise includes a Vatican Museums visit and a look at the Colosseum, and Viking also offers a 2-night Athens extension for this itinerary.
Extensions are not available on every departure date, and itinerary details and pricing vary by sailing, so check current availability with your advisor.
Make the quiet season work for you
A quiet season trip rewards a little planning. Which ports fit your must-see list? Which sailing lines up with the holiday markets? How should your flights connect with your cruise? Those details are exactly what a travel advisor handles every day, so you can spend your energy looking forward to the trip instead of sorting through options.
Curious whether the Mediterranean in fall or winter fits your travel style? Connect with a MAST Travel Network advisor, and let’s talk through the best time, the best ports and the best way to go.
