The Mediterranean Sea is one of the world's leading cruise destinations. Its routes combine tradition, history, beautiful scenery, and excellent cuisine. The region is ideal for both first-time cruisers and seasoned travelers seeking new experiences.
Article from CruisesNews magazine no. 50 – September 2019
Pullmantur Cruises, a leading cruise line in Spanish-speaking service, presents the Secret Corners of the Mediterranean itinerary, a 7-night route visiting pristine coves with turquoise waters and colorful ports away from tourist crowds.
The Secret Corners of the Mediterranean itinerary will have departures from September to November 2019 aboard the Zenith ship.
The trip will start and end in Barcelona and during the aforementioned days will allow travel to Mahón, one of the most noteworthy cities in the Balearic Islands, Ajaccio, in French Corsica and, already in Italy, to Portovenere, Piombino and Portofino.
Pullmantur Cruises has designed this route to fully immerse cruise passengers in the authentic Mediterranean Dolce Vita. Enjoy gastronomic tours, culinary excursions, wine tastings, and more at every port of call on the Secret Corners of the Mediterranean itinerary.
Barcelona is the embarkation and disembarkation point. In Barcelona, the Pullmantur cruise line suggests visiting the famous Boqueria Market and some of the main shops and restaurants in the Gothic Quarter, most of them over a hundred years old.
After a day at sea, the Zenith arrives in Italy, docking in Portofino, a town near Genoa. During this stop, Pullmantur offers several tour options that will delight any foodie traveler:
• The first option is the tasting of local Italian products and wines in Castle Brown, an imposing building that overlooks the port and from where we will have magnificent views.
The second option is to discover the urban gems of Genoa and its delicious pesto sauce. Although Genoa is known as Italy's main commercial port, it also offers plenty of tourist attractions. It boasts steep, narrow alleyways and Baroque churches, which contrast with the beautiful city center full of avenues, palaces, theaters, and cafes that sprawl across the nearby hills. The highlight of this tour is a visit to Restaurant Zeffirino, a unique, world-renowned establishment where the chef will reveal all the secrets to making an authentic and flavorful pesto sauce, using basil-infused olive oil.
The third option is a culinary tour to sample the delicious artisanal products of Recco, Rapallo, and Portofino. A ferry transfer takes you to the coastal town of Rapallo, where a local guide will meet you at the renowned gourmet shop 'Parla Come Mangi'. There, you can taste extra virgin olive oils and other Ligurian sweets and stroll through the farmers' market. The aroma of Genoese basil is captivating and explains why it's considered the perfect ingredient for pesto. Later, in the town of Recco, you'll stop at 'O Vittorio', a third-generation family restaurant where the owners and a master pastry chef will offer a demonstration of various Ligurian specialties.
Leaving Portofino behind and continuing in Italian waters, the Zenith will stop in Piombino, where Pullmantur immerses the passenger in the authentic and tasty Tuscany, with some of these great gastronomic experiences.
Experience the essence of Tuscany firsthand. The excursion begins with a drive to the medieval village of Suvereto, overlooking the plains of the Cornia River. Visit its town hall and the cloister of San Francesco, both built in the 13th century, where the ancient defensive walls still enclose much of Suvereto. After enjoying free time in Suvereto, visit the vineyards and enjoy a wine tasting.
The magic of Bolgheri delights the palate with the finest wines of Tuscany. Enjoy the freedom to explore the village of Bolgheri, strolling along its narrow cobblestone streets, pausing to admire the historic stone buildings, or stopping in its main square to observe the rhythm of life of its inhabitants. After the visit, a tasting is offered at the nearby Guado al Melo estate, where you will sample a selection of their signature wines, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot.
• The Island of Elba and its Wines. After a boat trip on the island of Elba, the largest in the Tuscan archipelago, this tour offers the opportunity to admire panoramic views, explore small boutiques, and take leisurely strolls through the winding, ancient streets of its picturesque villages. The journey continues to a historic winery dating back to the 17th century, housed in a mansion surrounded by olive groves and overlooking the ocean. Inside the winery, after learning about the winemaking process, you can enjoy a tasting of the delicious Passiti wine, complemented by a selection of light appetizers.
After Piombino, the Pullmantur Secret Corners of the Mediterranean cruise sets course for Portovenere, one of Italy's most important ports included in this itinerary. Founded over 2,000 years ago and declared a World Heritage Site in 1997.
• Journey back to the Middle Ages in the town of Sarzana. The guided tour begins at the Firmafede Fortress and the imposing Cathedral dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, which houses artistic treasures from the Middle Ages and the Baroque period. The town is considered an important crossroads between Liguria, Tuscany, and Emilia-Romagna. In ancient times, it was an agricultural, commercial, religious, and legal center, home to the Bishop's seat and the Court. Another interesting fact about this town is that it was the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte's family. To conclude, enjoy a tasting of local pastries at the town's oldest pastry shop, located in a medieval building.
• Immerse yourself in the essence of Pontremoli and its gastronomy. This welcoming town has become a beautiful place steeped in history and evocative medieval scenes, with its medieval castle and baroque churches. Enjoy a tasting of local wine, olive oil, and the famous street food called farinata, made with chickpea flour. For dessert, savor the traditional Amor pastries before returning to the port.
• The authentic and traditional essence of Portovenere. The views along the way are spectacular, with steep cliffs and lush hills, perfect for taking stunning photographs. A walk through Caruggio leads to Piazza San Pietro, where you'll find its distinctive church of the same name. Next, visit Calata Doria, with its tall houses originally built as defensive towers overlooking the sea, and finally, the Gran Hotel Portovenere (or similar) to sample the famous focaccia and traditional pesto.
And upon returning to the ship, everything is ready to intensely experience the authentic Dolce Vita and savor the genuine Mediterranean.
• In the wine-growing paradise of Cinque Terre, this excursion begins with a coach trip to Manarola, where you can admire the beautiful Groppo hill. There you'll find the renowned Cinque Terre winery, the most productive in the area, where you can discover one of the region's most prized products. After visiting the winery, you'll have the opportunity to taste wines, including the famous Sciacchetrà.
The next destination on this maritime itinerary is the city of Ajaccio, the capital of the French island of Corsica and the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte. Highlights include the Town Hall, the Cathedral of the Assumption of Saint Mary, and the Lantivy Palace, surrounded by a beautiful garden showcasing a variety of Mediterranean and tropical plant species. Interestingly, the palace was built in 1826 by order of Napoleon himself.
The journey will end in Mahón, the capital of Menorca, before disembarking in Barcelona. Menorca's landscapes are among the best preserved in Europe. A prime example is the s'Albufera des Grau Natural Park. Also noteworthy are the island's two main cities: Mahón, the current capital, and Ciutadella, the former capital located at the opposite end of the island. In Ciutadella, visitors can explore numerous churches and elegant palaces, the fish market, and the charming Ses Voltes, one of the area's most distinctive spaces thanks to its arcaded porticoes. At the island's highest point is Monte Toro (358 meters). There, visitors can explore its ancient monastery and enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the island.
…And upon returning to the ship, everything is ready to intensely experience the authentic Dolce Vita and savor the genuine Mediterranean with wine and cheese tastings and dishes inspired by local cuisine, enjoy a Spritz cocktail while watching the sunset, masquerade balls, movie nights and live musical performances.
Zenith
is one of the iconic ships in the Pullmantur fleet. Its nine decks offer numerous amenities: cafes, an internet room, a nightclub, a library, swimming pools, jacuzzis, duty-free shops, and restaurants with ocean views where you can enjoy dishes and creations prepared by the onboard chefs.
When night falls, you can choose between a quiet and intimate atmosphere, perfect for enjoying a pleasant and relaxed conversation in good company, or experiencing live music. The Zenith offers entertainment with one of its wonderful shows or the chance to dance to the latest hits on the dance floor of one of the spacious nightclubs located on the sea.
The Zenith ship features The Waves Premium service, an extra dose of privileges, pampering and details with personalized attention, priority boarding, unlimited Wi-Fi… so that nothing is ever lacking.
extraordinary
all-inclusive experience where the culinary offerings deserve special mention. The cruise line has revolutionized the cruise culinary scene through Pullmantur Gastrolab, an innovative platform led by Jordi Cruz, the three-Michelin-starred chef. This initiative combines the experience and passion of Pullmantur's chefs with the best chefs in contemporary cuisine. Together, they create their specialties using carefully selected ingredients from each island, making dining on board an extraordinary experience.
In addition to the finest cuisine, the All Inclusive package offers premium brand drinks available throughout the day and numerous onboard activities: fitness classes, dance classes, swimming pool, themed parties and the best shows in Spanish.
