There's so much more to a cruise holiday in the Mediterranean than sand and sea, this stunning region has heaps of history waiting to be uncovered...

If you think of a traditional holiday in the Mediterranean, you're probably picturing expansive beaches with golden sand and a blue sea that's inviting you in for a refreshing dip. But there's so much more to the Mediterranean, with its plethora of unspoilt beauty and the chance to discover the story of the ancient civilisations who once lived in the region.

Founded in 753BC and built on seven hills, Rome was the heart of the Roman Empire, and home to the Colosseum, still an evocative sight almost 2,000 years after it was built. Constructed by the Flavian dynasty between AD72 and AD80, it is the largest ancient amphitheatre ever made, and was capable of holding around 50,000 spectators, who would come to watch gladiatorial battles. Visitors to Rome will also want to explore the Roman Forum, a plaza surrounded by the the ruins of a number of temples and government buildings, some of which were built by Julius Caesar.

Further north in Italy is Pisa, where there's more to see than just its Romanesque leaning tower (actually completed in the 14th century). The city was once a major Roman port, before the Arno River silted up, leaving it around six miles inland. The Museum of Ancient Ships displays the finds from excavations that took place in 1998 – over 30 vessels dating from the 2nd century BC to the 5th century AD, when the Roman Empire collapsed. The ships, along with objects found on them, provide an evocative sense of what life would have been like for those ancient sailors.

Nudging up against the toes of Italy's 'boot', Sicily boasts a similarly rich history. The Valley of the Temples in Agrigento (actually a ridge, despite its name) is one of the most significant examples of the region's ancient Greek architecture. Its seven temples include the Temple of Concordia, the largest and best-preserved Doric temple in Sicily.

Sicily is also where you can find the world's largest collection of ancient Roman mosaics, at the Villa Romana del Casale, an elaborate Roman villa just outside Piazza Armerina. Despite dating back to the early 4th century AD, the artworks are remarkably vivid and well-preserved, due to a landslide that covered the remains, and were designated a World Heritage Site in 1997.

Head further into the Mediterranean – for example, with Ambassador Cruise Line – and you'll reach Athens in Greece, where an outcrop above the city is the location for the Acropolis, an ancient citadel that is also now a World Heritage Site. Dating back to the 5th century BC, the Athenian statesman Pericles transformed this rocky hill into a unique paean to the arts. Its numerous monuments include the Parthenon, a temple to the goddess Athena.

Equally stunning and yet even older again are the Pyramids of Giza in Cairo, Egypt – three pyramids constructed around 2500BC that, in ancient times, were among the Seven Wonders of the World. The largest of the three, the Great Pyramid, was built for the king Khufu. The length of each side is a staggering 230 metres and its original height was 147 metres – taller than the London Eye. It is perhaps the largest building ever constructed and, according to the ancient Greek historian Herodotus, it took 100,000 men a total of 20 years to build it.

Yet the natural landscapes of the Mediterranean are just as remarkable as its ancient monuments. The Amalfi Coast, for instance, is one of Italy's most enchanting destinations, with its lush woodland and mountains that tower resplendently over the shoreline. Its picturesque locations include Atrani and Conca dei Marini – both members of the The Most Beautiful Villages of Italy association.

Other striking coastal locations across the Mediterranean that you will want to consider – which can be reached with Fred.Olsen Cruise Lines – include the hidden coves of Turkey's rugged coast, the pine-clad cliffs of Sardinia, picturesque Greek islands or the timeless beauty of the Croatian coastline, with its crystal-clear water and hundreds of tiny islands.

Or then there's Toulon on the French Riviera, which sits against the backdrop of rugged limestone mountains that can be accessed by cable car for panoramic views of the stunning coast. Barcelona – one of the many destinations served by Regent Seven Seas Cruises – is also a must-visit for anyone who enjoys a panoramic view. Venture up to Gaudí's Park Güell for an impressive vista across the city's rooftops out towards the Mediterranean. Just as magical as the views is the park itself, with the hillside melding into twisting stones columns and curving colonnades.

Further south down Spain's Mediterranean coast is Valencia, which, like Barcelona, features a charming old town, as well as stunning landscapes further afield, including the Albufera Park wetlands reserve – proof indeed that even the Mediterranean's cities are able to boast scenic beauty all of their own.

With its combination of unbeatable landscapes, beautiful coastlines and the chance to see the very places where ancient civilisations built incredible monuments – whether to gods, to kings or simply to the arts themselves – a voyage around the Mediterranean gives you the chance to experience some of the most stunning sights in history.