Cruising is a fantastic way to see the world while traveling in luxury. When you go on a cruise, the vacation is about much more than the destination. It’s about the journey. While there are many beautiful ports all over the world and plenty of cities you can arrive at by sea, there is also a lot of history to take in. Many ancient civilizations were built next to the sea, as this was the only way to travel to different countries before the advent of the transport we use today. If you love to cruise, and have a keen interest in history or are studying a military history degree, here are the world’s best historical cruise ports that you just have to visit.
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Dubrovnik is a beautiful seaside city, straight off the boat. Its ancient wall is still in place, as are the orange-tiled roofs of the main buildings. The city is also home to some gorgeous renaissance architecture, and the old town is a UNESCO world heritage site, still surrounded by its original medieval wall. Cruises to Dubrovnik are commonplace and many people spend time Island hopping around Croatian Islands once they have docked.
Venice, Italy
It’s thought that the entire city of Venice will be under water within the next hundred years. So, few people in the future will get to explore this historic city first hand. Back in the middle ages, the city of Venice was a hub of import and export from its dock; a true maritime powerhouse of its day. Now, the city still displays the remnants of its riches and is filled with historical arts and culture.
Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon is absolutely packed with history and a must for anyone studying an online military history degree. More than 2,000 years ago, Lisbon was under the rule of Julius Caesar, then, centuries later, it was captured by the Moors. The city is now home to two world heritage sites, Belem Tower and the Jeronimos Monastery, and is very proud of its history.
Beijing, China
From the port of Tianjin, take a short trip into the center of Beijing to explore its forbidden city. A must for any history buff, the forbidden city was closed to the public until 1949. It’s now a museum where you can explore royal palaces, artwork, and artifacts from China’s royal and military history.
St. Petersburg, Russia
Many cruise liners travel to St. Petersburg and often stay docked for up to three days to give you lots of time to explore all that the city has to offer. St. Petersburg is filled with regal architecture, gorgeous cathedrals, and bountiful museums, so there is plenty to keep you busy. Visit the Hermitage Museum, which was once the private museum of Catherine the Great and is home to over three million pieces of art from throughout history.
Many of the larger ports throughout the world are surrounded by beauty and history. Cruising can be a wonderful way to see all the world has to offer and take time to relax and process everything you have learned along the way.