Classica sailing on September 28th, 2013

About Trieste

Trieste is a city and port in northeastern Italy right on the border with Slovenia. Trieste is located at the head of the Gulf of Trieste on the Adriatic Sea. It is capital of the autonomous region Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Trieste province. Trieste flourished as part of Austro-Hungarian Empire during the period 1857 - 1918 when it was Central Europe's prosperous Mediterranean seaport and its capital of literature and music. Today, Trieste is a border town par excellence. The population is an ethnic mix of the neighboring regions; The dominant local Venetian dialect of Trieste is called Triestine. This dialect and Italian is spoken in the city center whilst Slovenian is spoken in several of the immediate suburbs. Italian and the Slovenian language are considered autochthonous to the area. There is also a fair number of German-speakers too.

Trieste Activities

• The Castle of Miramare was built from 1856 to 1860 to a design by Carl Junker on the orders of Archduke Maximilian. The Castle gardens provide a setting of outstanding beauty with a variety of trees, chosen by and planted on the orders of Maximilian, that today make a remarkable collection.
• The Castle of San Giusto - in which several rooms, including the Sala Caprin, are open to the public - houses a Museum displaying historical weapons and is regularly used for the staging of exhibitions, events and, in the summer, open-air shows. A walk on the Castle ramparts and bastions gives a complete panorama of the city of Trieste, its hills and the sea.
• n the 6th century a great hall of worship of the Cathedral of San Giusto was built on Roman propylaca, using part of the existing structure. Perhaps the entrance to a monument, this was commonly known as the Capitoline Temple, as a pyramidal altar with the symbols of the capitoline triad (Jove, Juno and Minerva) had been found inside it. Among the works of historical interest in the basilica are the apsidal mosaics depicting Our Lady of the Assumption and San Giusto, laid by master craftsmen from Veneto in the 12th-13th centuries. The small 14th-century church of San Giovanni (the old baptistry) on the left and San Michele al Carnale on the right, by the entrance to the Museum, complete a fine Medieval churchyard.
• The Roman Theatre lies at the foot of the San Giusto hill, and faces the sea. The construction partially exploits the gentle slope of the hill, and most of the construction work is in stone. The topmost portion of the amphitheatre steps and the stage were presumably made of wood. The statues that adorned the theatre (which was brought to light in the '30s) are now preserved at the Town Museum. Three inscriptions from the Trajan period mention a certain Q. Petronius Modestus, a person who was closely connected with the development of the theatre, which was erected during the second half of the 1st century.
• In the whole Trieste province there are 10 speleological groups. The Trieste uphill (Altopiano Triestino), the geographical area of the Carso placed in the Italian territory, guess approximately 1500 caves of different size (67 more than 99 m deep). Among the most famous there is the Cave of Trebiciano (350 m deep) where at the bottom flow the Timavo River and the Grotta gigante the world biggest tourist cave.

About Ancona

The tiny republic of San Marino crams enough sights in its 23 square miles to fill your day here. From the fortresses on the three peaks view the Appenine Mountains and the coast, look across the sea to Dalmatia. Add to your stamp collection. Sample the pleasant local wine, Moscato.

About Dubrovnik

This remarkable city on the Adriatic coast is an enduring example of strength and beauty. Dubrovnik is once again welcoming visitors, who are delighted to discover that it is still one of the finest examples of a walled medieval city.

Dubrovnik Attractions

The old city of Dubrovnik and the walls that surround it have been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Portions of the wall date back to the 13th century. The ramparts are intact and encircle the old city with a circumference of more than 1.5 miles. Don't miss the chance to take a walking tour along its length for a spectacular view of the city it surrounds.

Dubrovnik Activities

• Drive along the coastline to one of the finest botanical gardens in Croatia, the Arboretum.
• Spend the day touring the city's rich religious and cultural history. Visit the large Onofrio Fountain, the Franciscan Monastery, and the Rectors' Palace.
• Visit Lopud Island, the home of many great sailors and sea captains throughout history. With its mild climate, subtropical vegetation, charming footpaths, beautiful scenery, and sandy beaches, it is the perfect spot to relax.
• Visit the 15th-century Rectors' Palace that was once the seat of Dubrovnik's Republic government. The elected Rector was not permitted to leave this building during his one-month term without permission from the Senate. Today, the palace is a museum with furnished rooms, Baroque paintings, and historical exhibits that will give you a taste of how the ruling class and the aristocracy used to live in Dubrovnik.
• Take a side trip to the seaside resort of Cavtat. The original town grew up around the ruins of an ancient settlement by the Greeks from Epidaurus. Over the years, Cavtat has become a popular destination for yachting and sailing enthusiasts.

About Corfu

Regarded by many as the most distinctive of the Greek Isles because of its lush vegetation, hidden beaches, and near-mountainous scenery, Corfu has always attracted visitors - Venetians, Gauls, Austrians, and the British, who introduced cricket here. Shop for silver in the old Venetian quarter of Kerkyra, in main town, or visit the beach at Paleokastritsa and see if you agree that it is indeed the loveliest in the Mediterranean.

Corfu Attractions

Don't miss this opportunity to tour the Achilleion Palace, built by the Empress Elizabeth of Austria in 1891. View her breathtaking gardens as well as a spectacular panoramic view of the Ionian Sea. The Achilleion Palace also houses the Terrace of the Muses, which was built as a tribute to the nine muses of Greek mythology.

Corfu Activities

• Go off-roading to see Corfu's beautiful landscape up close.
• Take a scenic drive through the wonderful Corfiot countryside, full of olive groves, pine, cypress, lemon and orange trees.
• Hike to the top of Mount Pantokrator where you'll get a perfect view of Corfu's lush greenery and memorable views firsthand.

About Argostoli

Argostoli the capital of Kefalonia situated on a peninsular is a busy working port with ferries, private yachts and freight ships coming and going all year round. If you need to buy something this is where you will find it amongst the cosmopolitan pedestrian shopping streets, supermarkets, speciality shops and all manner of other businesses. This is where all the main business is done throughout the year especially when the winter comes and the island almost goes into hibernation! Argostoli still lives on.

About Kotor

Montenegro is a country with deep blue sea, crystal clear rivers, mountains that reach the sky, dense forests, and beautiful lakes. It is bordered on the southeast by Albania. On the south, it is separated from Italy by the Adriatic Sea. Its western neighbors are the former Yugoslav republics of Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The old town of Kotor is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in this area of the Mediterranean. It has succeeded in maintaining its original form, typical of towns from the 12th-14th centuries. The only car in the old walled section is a replica of a small Fiat Cinquecento with a mini-trailer, used to collect the trash. The narrow streets and squares, along with numerous medieval monuments, helped earn Kotor a place on UNESCO's World Heritage list.

About Split

World famous Roman core of the Old City makes Split one of the most interesting places to see. Roman core belongs to the UNESCO protected heritage of the world. Today, Split is a popular vacation spot, a sophisticated centre of activity in Dalmatia, boasting numerous art galleries, concert halls and theatres.

Split Activities

• The most important attraction and a must see is the Old Town within Diocletian's Palace. Its sights are covered on both tours, but if you decide to explore independently be aware that sightseeing has to be on foot.
• Located in Gripe Fortress on a hilltop east of the Old Town, the Maritime Museum features an interesting exhibit of wartime maps, photos, artifacts and scale models. Captions are in Croatian.

About Trieste

Trieste is a city and port in northeastern Italy right on the border with Slovenia. Trieste is located at the head of the Gulf of Trieste on the Adriatic Sea. It is capital of the autonomous region Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Trieste province. Trieste flourished as part of Austro-Hungarian Empire during the period 1857 - 1918 when it was Central Europe's prosperous Mediterranean seaport and its capital of literature and music. Today, Trieste is a border town par excellence. The population is an ethnic mix of the neighboring regions; The dominant local Venetian dialect of Trieste is called Triestine. This dialect and Italian is spoken in the city center whilst Slovenian is spoken in several of the immediate suburbs. Italian and the Slovenian language are considered autochthonous to the area. There is also a fair number of German-speakers too.

Trieste Activities

• The Castle of Miramare was built from 1856 to 1860 to a design by Carl Junker on the orders of Archduke Maximilian. The Castle gardens provide a setting of outstanding beauty with a variety of trees, chosen by and planted on the orders of Maximilian, that today make a remarkable collection.
• The Castle of San Giusto - in which several rooms, including the Sala Caprin, are open to the public - houses a Museum displaying historical weapons and is regularly used for the staging of exhibitions, events and, in the summer, open-air shows. A walk on the Castle ramparts and bastions gives a complete panorama of the city of Trieste, its hills and the sea.
• n the 6th century a great hall of worship of the Cathedral of San Giusto was built on Roman propylaca, using part of the existing structure. Perhaps the entrance to a monument, this was commonly known as the Capitoline Temple, as a pyramidal altar with the symbols of the capitoline triad (Jove, Juno and Minerva) had been found inside it. Among the works of historical interest in the basilica are the apsidal mosaics depicting Our Lady of the Assumption and San Giusto, laid by master craftsmen from Veneto in the 12th-13th centuries. The small 14th-century church of San Giovanni (the old baptistry) on the left and San Michele al Carnale on the right, by the entrance to the Museum, complete a fine Medieval churchyard.
• The Roman Theatre lies at the foot of the San Giusto hill, and faces the sea. The construction partially exploits the gentle slope of the hill, and most of the construction work is in stone. The topmost portion of the amphitheatre steps and the stage were presumably made of wood. The statues that adorned the theatre (which was brought to light in the '30s) are now preserved at the Town Museum. Three inscriptions from the Trajan period mention a certain Q. Petronius Modestus, a person who was closely connected with the development of the theatre, which was erected during the second half of the 1st century.
• In the whole Trieste province there are 10 speleological groups. The Trieste uphill (Altopiano Triestino), the geographical area of the Carso placed in the Italian territory, guess approximately 1500 caves of different size (67 more than 99 m deep). Among the most famous there is the Cave of Trebiciano (350 m deep) where at the bottom flow the Timavo River and the Grotta gigante the world biggest tourist cave.