A View of the Mediterranean Sea

Known in the Bible as “The Great Sea”, The Mediterranean Sea is surrounded by the Mediterranean regions where several ancient civilizations were located around its shores; thus it has had a major influence on those cultures. It has become a major route for trades, wars and a major source of income for several communities throughout the ages.

Several modern countries have coastline on the Mediterranean Sea. I’ve been to a few of them and I feel compelled to write about them so here we go …

Italy is a peninsula on the Mediterranean Sea. It is one of the most popular countries popular for Mediterranean cruises. Italy is connected to the Mediterranean Sea through the Adriatic Sea. One can’t go on a Mediterranean cruise without a stop in Italy. 

Venice Italy

Spain is another great Mediterranean country. Balearic Sea connects the mainland Spain and its Balearic Islands. Barcelona,  is a major Mediterranean Sea port  city. It is for this reason that many cruise ships depart or stop at this contemporary Spanish city. 

Barcelona Spain

France, perhaps my favorite Mediterranean coastline in France is in Nice. The Promenade des Anglais is a popular place on the Mediterranean where visitors can relax, soak up the sun, and enjoy the sandy beaches just a few steps away. For gastronomic experience, Nice offers some of the best French and Mediterranean dishes.

Promenade des Anglais in Nice France

Monaco,  the second smallest and one of the richest countries in the world. It is the home of  the Grimaldi family and the Monasque sovereigns. It was glamorized by Grace Kelly after she married Prince Rainier III. This country is known for its world class casinos and resorts. The shimmering Mediterranean coastline offers a great view as well as an enjoyable Mediterranean climate. It is a haven for sailors as evident by luxury yachts lining its harbors.

Monte Carlo Monaco

Turkey, I’ve been to a few places in Turkey but one of the famous destinations is Bodrum. It’s nestled in the southern coast of the Bodrum Peninsula and the west end of the Mediterranean,  Bodrum  is one of the popular summer destinations in Turkey.  It’s considered as one of Turkey’s chic seaside beach resorts where every year travelers from all over the world, especially those hailing from Europe, flock the city. The seaside is lined with yachts and boats used for private and charter tours along the Aegean and the Mediterranean Seas.

Bodrum Turkey

Greece,  I had the opportunity to visit one of Mediterranean islands in Greece, the Kos Island. However it was winter when we went so a lot of the establishments were closed down as the summer crowd has gone. Nevertheless, I had a great visit especially the trip to the archaeological site of the old city, which was undergoing restoration and conservation. This island, although  not as popular as Mykonos, is a great place to visit when in Greece.

Kos Island Greece

Morocco, my most recently visited Mediterranean country,  with its coast in the Atlantic Ocean that reaches past the Strait of Gibraltar into the Mediterranean Sea. The Alboran Sea connects Morocco to Spain. Some of its most popular beach destinations can be found in Tangier. More and more resorts are being built on its Mediterranean coasts to cater to the country’s growing visitors.

Casablanca Morocco

Tunisia, one of those “off the beaten path” destinations, Tunisia was surprisingly wonderful especially the places on the Mediterranean coastline like Hammamet, Carthage, Sidi Bou Said, Gammarth, Sousse and more … My husband and I chose  Tunisia for our second honeymoon (seven months after our wedding:) It was great to have a second one considering our wedding was in the middle of the winter so there was no beach time:) Tunisia’s Mediterranean coastlines are a great place for beach enthusiasts. It was worth the risk amidst all the riots in the capital city of Tunis. 

View of the Mediterranean Sea from Cafe des Delices, Sidi Bou Said Tunisia

Port El Kantaoui, Tunisia

Algeria, is the last but definitely not the least. It is from this country where I have truly learned to love the Mediterranean. My husband is from Tigzirt, a town right on the Mediterranean Sea. My first visit was in September 2011. His family home is just a few feet away from the Mediterranean Sea. Every morning I would wake up early to have a glimpse of the sunrise from the balcony. My second visit was in February 2012 for our wedding. We visited Bejaia and Azeffoun, among other villages along the Mediterranean coastline, for our honeymoon. Although it was very cold around that time, I enjoyed the view of the snow-capped mountains towering over the Mediterranean coastline. The third visit was just two months ago. It was the perfect time to visit because the summer crowds have already left. We stayed in the beach house just a few feet away from the sea. We went to the beach almost every day and enjoyed the sunsets in the afternoon. One of the highlights of my third visit to was visiting the island in Tigzirt which offered an incredible view.  The island is accessible only by boat. We also revisited Bejaia on the way to visit the waterfalls in one of the nearby communes. Other cities visited were Annaba, home of the Basilique St. Augustine, and Algiers the capital city and home of Notre Dame d’Afrique. While in Tigzirt, we took some time driving around the vicinity trying to spot the possible place for our future Mediterranean home. 

Tigzirt Algeria

Tigzirt Algeria

Azeffoun Algeria

Petit Paradis Algeria

A visit to an island in Tigzirt Algeria

Mediterranean sunset, Tigzirt Algeria

Algiers Algeria

There are 21 modern states with coastlines on the Mediterranean Sea. I’ve been to nine of them so far so twelve more to go. However, I have no intention of visiting Syria, Libya and Lebanon, so that means I only have 9 more to go! :)