| The Med and the Caribbean: they're the classic cruise | | | | shopping, from countless leather bags to traditional |
| destinations. But if we pinned you down and made you | | | | pottery. |
| choose, which would be your favourite? Both regions | | | | Caribbean cruises: If you're looking for a bargain, you're |
| have so much to offer, whether you want to feel the | | | | in the right place. The Caribbean's duty-free shopping |
| sand between your toes or immerse yourself in local | | | | gives you the perfect excuse to treat yourself to |
| culture. Just for fun, we've taken a look at each | | | | something sparkly, with fabulous jewellery including big |
| destination's best bits, so you could pick if you really | | | | names from Cartier to Tiffany's. Choose from pretty |
| had to. | | | | trinkets in silver, diamonds, or local amber and larimar, |
| Have an adventure | | | | an unusual turquoise stone found in the Dominican |
| Mediterranean cruises: Experience something amazing | | | | Republic. |
| in the Med. Try exhilarating helicopter flights over iconic | | | | Food and drink |
| cityscapes and island scenery. Explore a subterranean | | | | Mediterranean cruises: Home to freshly caught |
| world in Majorca's beautiful Caves of Drach. Climb | | | | seafood, juicy citrus fruit, tasty olives and ripe |
| active volcanoes like Mounts Etna and Vesuvius in | | | | tomatoes, not to mention the local wines; every place |
| Italy. And discover breathtaking scenery on an | | | | you visit in the Med has its very own culinary style. |
| enlightening jeep safari. | | | | Enjoy leisurely meals in Spanish tapas bars, Italian |
| Caribbean cruises: The Caribbean is home to some | | | | trattorias, Greek tavernas and French bistros, and be |
| amazing wildlife, so make the most of it. Swim with | | | | sure to sample the ice cream in every port you visit. If |
| dolphins for a real once-in-a-lifetime experience. | | | | your cruise offers them, wine tasting tours and |
| Journey to the bottom of the sea on a fascinating | | | | cookery classes are a great way to discover local |
| submarine tour or go whale watching and hope to see | | | | flavours. |
| these amazing creatures leap out of the water. Head | | | | Caribbean cruises: Caribbean cuisine has a totally |
| into the rainforest on a canopy adventure or climb | | | | tropical taste, made with only the freshest ingredients |
| Jamaica's famous Dunns River Falls. | | | | and a pinch or two of spice. Think tasty fish caught |
| Uncover the past | | | | that very morning, dishes with a kick like barbecued |
| Mediterranean cruises: The Med positively bubbles | | | | Jerk chicken and delicious exotic fruit from pineapple to |
| over with ancient history. See dramatic ruins sitting | | | | papaya. Try a bit of everything, from lobster in |
| side-by-side with contemporary life in Rome, from the | | | | exclusive restaurants to conch fritters from roadside |
| Colisseum to the Roman forum. Explore the amazing | | | | stalls, and wash it all down with the famous local rum. |
| remains of Pompeii and Herculaneum, cities devoured | | | | Hit the beach |
| by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius over 2,000 years | | | | Mediterranean cruises: Whether you want to pose on |
| ago. Or visit the many historical sites of Greece and | | | | the shores to be seen on or relax in secluded coves, |
| Cyprus, most famously Athens' Acropolis. | | | | the Med has the beach for you. Expect golden sands |
| Caribbean cruises: From pirates to colonialism, the | | | | made for your bucket and spade and wide |
| Caribbean has a multi-layered history of its own. You'll | | | | promenades perfect for a seaside stroll. Mediterranean |
| often find yourselves following in the footsteps of | | | | cruises offer some of the best beaches in the |
| Christopher Columbus, in places like the Dominican | | | | business, including those on the French and Italian |
| Republic's capital, Santo Domingo, which he founded. | | | | Rivieras and the Balearic and Greek islands. |
| The islands are dotted with colonial forts and | | | | Caribbean cruises: This is what people come to the |
| reminders of the slave trade, including the sugar | | | | Caribbean for. The islands' beaches are what paradise |
| plantations where Africans were forced to work. | | | | is made of, with their sugary white shores, swaying |
| Cultural gems | | | | palm trees and turquoise seas. Find pure escapism on |
| Mediterranean cruises: Home to so much of the | | | | the pink sands of the Bahamas, catch a boat to sandy |
| world's iconic art and architecture, the Mediterranean | | | | islets like the Dominican Republic's Cayo Levantado |
| has more than a few cultural wonders to keep you | | | | and enjoy the party atmosphere of the beaches of |
| busy. Feast your eyes on the Michaelangelos and da | | | | Jamaica and Barbados. |
| Vincis in Florence's Uffizi Gallery, admire Barcelona's | | | | Make a splash |
| dazzling structural design, wander around Dubrovnik's | | | | Mediterranean cruises: You'll find plenty of fun-filled |
| city walls and visit the glamorous casinos of Monte | | | | water parks all over the Med, so you can whizz down |
| Carlo. | | | | slides, float around lazy rivers and splash about in |
| Caribbean cruises: With colourful resorts, vibrant towns | | | | wave pools to your heart's content. Make the most of |
| and a carnival spirit, Caribbean cruises will introduce | | | | the beautiful blue sea and take a tour on a catamaran, |
| you to the laidback lifestyle of these feel-good islands. | | | | spend a day sailing or try out the watersports closer |
| Experience the British traditions of Barbados, covet the | | | | to shore, from windsurfing to parasailing. |
| pretty pastel-coloured buildings of the Bahamas, and | | | | Caribbean cruises: See colourful fishes darting beneath |
| soak up the reggae rhythms of Jamaica, the proud | | | | you on a glass bottom boat, as you float above |
| home of Bob Marley. | | | | intricate coral reefs. Or jump into the clear, warm |
| Retail therapy | | | | waters of the Caribbean and swim with them |
| Mediterranean cruises: The Med's filled to the brim with | | | | yourselves: this part of the world is famous for its |
| stylish shopping. Take a day trip to Milan and spend a | | | | snorkelling and scuba diving. For an adrenaline rush, try |
| fortune in the designer boutiques, poke around quirky | | | | river tubing and float along in an inflatable dinghy. |
| shops in Barcelona or bargain-hunt in Ibiza's bohemian | | | | No, we can't decide either. Looks like we'll just have to |
| markets. From the Greek islands to the French Riviera, | | | | try both. |
| Mediterranean resorts are home to quaint seaside | | | | |