Far from taking a backseat to its western counterpart, the Eastern Mediterranean is quickly becoming one of Europe’s premier cruise destinations and holiday options. Many of Europe’s most prized ancient sites fall within its borders, as well as a slew of unique cities, intriguing landscapes and, of course, idyllic beaches. The region generally encompasses the Adriatic coasts of Italy, Croatia, Montenegro, and Albania; Greece and the Aegean Sea; Cyprus; and the Mediterranean coasts of Turkey.
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Aghios Nikolaos
The port of Aghios Nikolaos is a picturesque village spread around Mirabello Bay. This charming small town has developed into a popular holiday resort thanks to its beautiful beaches and its convenience as a center from which to explore eastern Crete.
Al Manamah
Al Manamah is the capital of Bahrain it is considered an oasis from the surrounding desert landscape. A designated capital of Arab culture, this one-time pearl-trading center is no mirage—attractions like the Al-Fateh Mosque (one of the largest in the world), the Corniche al-Fateh (seaside promenade), and the UNESCO World Heritage Site Bahrain Fort are the real deal.
Almeria
Almeria, despite its rugged landscape and shortage of fertile soil, has managed, with a good irrigation system, to become an important growth area and it is well known for the quality of its oranges and white grapes, most of which are exported from its port. As you drive through the province you will see an endless sea of polythene tunnels, crammed with produce. The area is almost totally dependent on this industry. The province of Almeria may initially appear to be a barren desert-like landscape but on close inspection you will find it to be the Andalucian province with the longest stretch of beaches. Empty beaches and tiny hidden coves with perfectly clear water. Because of the diverse landscapes, the range of sports activities is endless from water sports to hiking, paragliding, horse riding and golf.
Amorgos
Amorgos is the easternmost island of the Greek Cyclades island group, and that lying closest to the neighboring Dodecanese island group. Due to the position of Amorgos across from ancient beaches of Ionian towns, such as Militos, Alikarnassos and Ephesos, it became one of the first places from which the Ionians passed through to the Cyclades Islands and onto mainland Greece. The existence of three independent cities with autonomous constitution and the same currency, which have been preserved to this day, the size and artistic works of the walls surrounding the city of Arkesini, the ancient towers to which skeletons were raised to this day all over the island, the ancient tombs, the stone tools, the inscriptions, the vases and other antiquities are all powerful proof of the size of the ancient civilisation of Amorgos.
Ancona
Ancona is a city and a seaport in the Marche region, in central Italy.Ancona is the capital of the province of Ancona and of the region. The city is located 280 km (170 mi) northeast of Rome, on the Adriatic Sea, between the slopes of the two extremities of the promontory of Monte Conero, Monte Astagno and Monte Guasco. Ancona is one of the main ports on the Adriatic Sea, especially for passenger traffic, and is the main economic and demographic centre of the region.
Annaba
Annaba is in the extreme northeast of Algeria. It is close to the border with Tunisia and can even be visited as a day trip from there. Annaba was first settled by Phoenicians as Hippo Regius and allied with Carthage. Today Annaba is a very European city. The green main street, the Cours de la Revolution has a vibrant afternoon and early evening life. One of the main sights in town is surprisingly enough a Basilica. The basilica of St. Augustine brings your mind to the contemporary Sacre Coeur in Paris.
Antalya
All of the right elements come together to make this sun-drenched Mediterranean town on the Turkish Riviera a major holiday resort. The beautiful crescent bay, dramatic cliffs and jagged mountains contribute to a stunning backdrop. It is an attractive city with shady palm-lined boulevards and a prize-winning marina. In the picturesque old quarter, narrow streets and old wooden houses huddle against the ancient city walls.
Athens (Piraeus)
Piraeus is the port of Athens. Serving as the gateway to the past and civilization as we know it, Athens is far more than the Acropolis. Nowhere on earth are mans past accomplishments more dramatically displayed as a backdrop to a modern metropolis. Spend time exploring ancient ruins, viewing incalculable treasures or just relax as another day evolves in the cradle of civilization.
Bari
Fairy-tale houses that look like chanterelle mushrooms. Alberobello´s little round houses with the cone-topped roofs are called trulli - and they are unique. Their orgins are ancient - some date from 3100 B.C. And they are only found here.
Bizerte
Bizerte is at one and the same time the most French and the oldest city of Tunisia. This is the place for the Phoenician colony called Hippo Diarrythus, established around 1000 BCE. But today's Bizerte bears a character of being the last place the French left. Bizerte served as a French base for five years into the Tunisian independence. The French only left after perhaps 1000 young Tunisians had died in attacks towards the military base the French wanted to keep here.
Bodrum
Spread out between two crescent bays, Bodrum exudes an "artsy" ambiance. With its gleaming white houses and colorful flower gardens it is one of the prettiest resorts on the South Aegean coast. Recently, it has become very popular with the jet set crowd, while at the same time maintaining an intimate air; there are strict zoning laws preventing over development.
Canakkale (Troy)
As your ship threads her way toward Canakkale along the narrow Dardanelles Straits, you will appreciate the city´s position as a crucial link between Asia and Europe. It has been an active trading port and military center since Sultan Ahmet II built his fortress there in 1452, and it still bustles with ships, freighters, ferries, and small Turkish boats called caiques - all easily viewed from outdoor cafes along the harbor. Ancient Troy lies close by, these excavations may be the high-light of your call.
Cephalonia
The largest of the seven Ionian islands (700 sq km2 about). It's highest peak is Ancient Mount Aenos, 1628 m (5341feet) In Greece's west coast, Cephalonia has only 32,000 resident islanders. With Lefkas to the north and Zakynthos to the south the island is firmly on a tourist trail and grows each year as more accommodation becomes available and big tour operators move in. Despite the annual influx of visitors, mainly Italians, the island is so big it is still possible to get away to places where you are unlikely to meet a soul for days. Vast tracts of forest cloak the rugged limestone landscape, with ten peaks topping 5,000 feet.
Chania
Chania is a city of unique beauty, filled with an abundance of fragrant flowers, and boasting a rich cultural heritage. In a tradition of hospitality, we welcome you to our website. Ancient and modern monuments, the Venician Harbour and the Old Town, colourful neighbourhoods, a traditional lifestyle and the friendly inhabitants warmly invite you on a step by step journey to become acquainted with the city, promising you unforgettable moments.
Cinque Terre
The Ligurian coastal region between Cinque Terre and Portovenere is a cultural landscape of high scenic and cultural value. The form and disposition of the small towns and the shaping of the landscape surrounding them, overcoming the disadvantages of a steep and broken terrain, graphically encapsulate the continuous history of human settlement in this region over the past millennium.
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.
Corinth Canal
This is perhaps the Mediterranean´s most unique experience: Very few ships are able to navigate this extremely narrow passage that separates mainland Greece and the Peloponnesian peninsula. You can almost reach out and touch the walls of the canal while sailing through it! And where else will you find a drawbridge that does not open but actually sinks into the water to let ships pass over it?
Crete
Crete is one of the 13 regions of Greece. It is the biggest island in Greece and the second biggest (after Cyprus) of the East Mediterranean. To the north Crete borders with the Sea of Crete, to the south it is bordered by the Libyan Sea, to the west the Myrtoon Sea, to the east the Karpathion Sea. Its population is 650,000 people (as of 2005). The island lies approximately 160 km south of the Greek mainland. Crete is extremely mountainous and is defined by a high mountain range crossing it from West to East, formed by three different groups of mountains. These are: the White Mountains, the Idi range and the Dikti mountains. These mountains gifted Crete with fertile plateaus like Lasithi, Omalos and Nidha, caves like Diktaion and Idaion cave, and gorges like the famous Gorge of Samaria.
Dardanelle Straits
Called the Hellespont in ancient times, this 40-mile strait joining the Mediterranean to the Sea of Marmara has a rich history as Europe´s sole link to the Bosporus and Black Sea.
Delos
A religious center as early as the third millennium BC, Delos is the legendary birthplace of Apollo and Artemis, children of Zeus. The archaeological pearl of the Aegean and sacred to ancient Greeks, the ruins found here are among the best preserved and most interesting in Greece. They include a town of the Hellenistic period comparable to Pompeii, sacred caves, Panhellenic shrines and the temples of Apollo.
Dernah
This small town has everything. A traditional centre, which will survive because the locals are themselves working preserving their cultural inheritance. Stunning nature, with the Wadi Derna, a dry river, with green vegetation, and even production of bananas. Beaches of first rate quality, and a little harbour.
Dikili
The tiny port of Dikili lies on the northwest coast of the Aegean Sea. Its closest landmass neighbor is the Greek island of Lesbos, which is connected to Dikili by a local ferry service. Although Dikili is off the beaten tourist path, it plays host to a number of cruise ships that call here each year, using the port as a starting point for excursions to ancient and modern Pergamum, or Bergama, as the modern town is called today. The port itself offers at most a very relaxed atmosphere. However, there are few tourist facilities for guests not participating in one of the tours.
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.
Elaphonissos
This tiny exotic island with its enchanting beaches and crystal clear waters is located off the southeast coast of the Peloponnese. Elaphonisos, the island with unparalleled landscape, golden sands, blue waters and towering sand dunes.
Ermoupolis
Ermoupoli, also known with its formal name as Ermoupolis, latinized Hermoupolis, is a city in Greece. It is the capital and main city of the island of Syros and the Cyclades prefecture. Ermoupoli was founded during the Greek Revolution in the 1820s, as an extension to the existing Ano Syros township. It soon became the leading commercial and industrial center of Greece. The renowned Greek Steamship Company was founded in the city in 1856. Thousands of ships were built in the various Syros shipyards. Eventually Ermoupoli was eclipsed by Piraeus in the late 19th century. In the following decades the city declined. Recently its economy has greatly improved, based on the service industry.
Famagusta
Famagusta is a city on the east coast of Cyprus and is capital of the Famagusta District. It is located in a bay between Capes Greco and Eloea, east of Nicosia, and possesses the deepest harbour in the island.
Fethiye
Fethiye is located on the Lycian and Carian border and was called Telmessos in ancient times. The city was very prominent and a centre of prophecy, pledged to Apollon. That the city life was rich and highly cultured during the Hellenistic and Roman periods is evident from the existing monuments. Today the majority of ancient ruins in Telmessos are rock-tombs, Lycian-type sarcophagi, the fortress and the Roman Theatre.
Fiskardon
Having exported chaos, drama, tragedy and democracy before most nations stayed up late enough to want souvlaki, Greece boasts a legacy that's unrivalled.
Gythion
Truly one of the world’s original great urban centers, the port city of Gythion was founded by the ancient Phoenicians prior to 400 B.C. Gracing the isolated southern edge of the Peloponnese, the city has a rich political and cultural heritage which is still in evidence today.
Hydra (Idhra)
Known variously as Hydra, Ydra, and Idhra, this island is one of the most fashionable in Greece. It has long been a haven for artists who are attracted by the clear light and lively atmosphere of the harbor. In the 18th-century, the isle was home to fabulously rich sea captains who sailed as far afield as America. Today their stately, Italian-style mansions and villas have been restored to their former grandeur. Be prepared to walk a bit on Hydra, as no cars are allowed here.
Iraklion (Heraklion), Crete
Iráklion, the capital city of Crete, rests on the side of a hill overlooking the Cretan Sea. The city is named after Hercules (Herakles, or in Modern Greek, Iraklís). Though a bustling metropolis, Iráklion is also the gateway to the nearby stunning ancient ruins of advanced civilizations. Bask on the glorious north coast beaches, socialize and people-watch in the cafés and restaurants of Platía Venizélou (Fountain Square), discover Crete's astonishing Minoan sites, and more. An abundance of new adventures are waiting for you.
Istanbul
Istanbul is not only where Europe meets Asia; it's where history, built upon empire after empire, meets modern-day commercialism. Explore Old Istanbul's mosques, hippodromes and opulent palaces. Discover remnants of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires. Test your bargaining savvy with the merchants at the Grand Bazaar and visit the awe-inspiring Ayasofya (Church of Holy Wisdom). Istanbul is the perfect place to step far back in time and admire incredible cultural accomplishments. Don't forget your camera!
Itea
Itea is the port gateway for a visit to Delphi, one of the world’s most intriguing and best-preserved ancient sites. Located deep in the Parnassos Mountains, Delphi was once believed to be the center of the world. More important, it was the site of the ancient Delphi Oracle. Beginning in the 8th century BC, pilgrims from all walks of life made great physical sacrifices to climb the 2,000-foot mountain to seek guidance from the Pythian priestess, who was an intermediary for those looking for advice and guidance from the Oracle. The recipients expressed their thanks with generous offerings, which were stored in various treasuries and brought great wealth to Delphi. In the 2nd century BC, during the Roman occupation, valuables gradually began to disappear. Today, ruins of many ancient temples and other monuments remain, along with various masterpieces of ancient art. Delphi is of great appeal for its historical significance as well as its physical beauty.
Ithaca
Home of Odysseus, and perhaps Homer, this tiny island attracts sailors and holidaymakers from all over the world. It is very beautiful, and is surrounded by some of the clearest waters in Greece. Because it is small and a bit difficult to reach, it does not get the mass tourism that the neighbouring islands do. Therefore many celebrities like spending their holidays here - either on their yachts or renting a house.
Izmir
The beautifully-restored ruins of Ephesus near Izmir bring history to life. Ephesus is where Paul preached to the Ephesians, where St John wrote the Gospel and where the Virgin Mary died.
Kalamata
Kalamata is famous as the town of olive trees, and as the gateway to Mani. The airport, railway terminus, major sea port, and bus station make it a transportation hub and gateway to all the surrounding area, and a good portion of the southern Peleponese. It has ferry service regularly in the summer to Crete. It is possible to get transportation anywhere in the area, and often ad hoc tours to places off the main tourist routes. There is nowhere in the southern Peleponese that has more transportation options.
Katakolon
Katakolon is the gateway to Olympia, site of the first Olympic games which began in 776 B.C. Olympia was a sacred precinct built exclusively for the quadrennial games dedicated to Zeus during which all hostilities were ceased in the name of athletic competition. Much was destroyed when the games were outlawed as a pagan festival in 393 A.D., but visitors can still see the Temple of Zeus and the 45,000 seat stadium. The Archaeological Museum houses sculptures, including the famous "Winged Victory."
Kepez
Kepez is a seaside town in the Cannakale province of Turkey. From here you can visit the ancient city of Troy, where excavations have revealed the ruins of nine cities built on the same site from the 13th century BC onwards. A replica of the famous Wooden Horse stands on the site.
Khios
Khios, or Chios, is known as the fragrant flower of the Aegean. From the first inhabitants from the Early Neolithic Era and Early Bronze Age to the tourist that arrive nowadays, Everybody who came to Chios has fallen in love with this Greek Island. Maybe because of the Islands jasmine, wild tulips, the mastic tree and intoxicating fragrances. Or the medieval villages, which still has their unique atmosphere.
Kithera
Kithera is the birthplace of Aphrodite, and the goddess of love chose an appropriate place to make her appearance because Kithera is love at first sight. It´s beautiful, remote and blessedly undisturbed. So relax, unwind and enjoy a perfect Ionian Island day.
Koper
Koper is a coastal town and municipality and the largest commercial port in Slovenia, on the coast of the Adriatic Sea. Koper rose from an ancient settlement built on an island in the southeastern part of the Gulf of Koper in the northern Adriatic. In the time of Ancient Greece, the town was known as Aegida, later it became known by its Latin names Capris, Caprea, Capre or Caprista, from which the modern Slovenian name stems.
Kos
Kos is known as the home of Hippocrates, father of medical science. The town is an archeological repository of Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic, and Roman ruins.
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.
Kusadasi
The gulf city of Kusadasi has miles of isolated beaches and is a rather lively resort. A tour of nearby Ephesus establishes the areas early religious importance and is considered one of the seven wonders of the world for its ruins. Among the most visited sites are the home where the Virgin Mary lived until her death, the Temple of Hadrian, the Fountain of Trajan and the Street of Curates.
Kuwait City
Kuwait and its capital, Kuwait City, are perhaps best known for two things: oil and the Gulf War. While the oil still flows, the war is long over, giving Kuwait a chance to enjoy boom times. Hotels are sprouting up at a phenomenal rate. Over 25 new properties are planned or under construction, which will add over 3,000 rooms to Kuwait’s inventory. No wonder there is an increasing demand for accommodations – there is certainly plenty to see and do. The National Museum, stripped and burned during the war, today welcomes visitors interested in surveying an impressive collection of Islamic art. On nearby Failaka Island, day-trippers can view ruins dating from the Bronze Age to Hellenistic Greeks. For a taste of modernity, visitors are invited to Entertainment City, a complex featuring themes of “Arab World,” “Future World” and “International World.” There is also the Scientific Center, where technology is utilized to help glimpse the worlds of sea, coast and desert.
Latakia
The modern city still exhibits faint traces of its former importance, notwithstanding the frequent earthquakes with which it has been visited. The marina is built upon foundations of ancient columns, and there are in the town, an old gateway and other antiquities, as also sarcophagi and sepulchral caves in the neighborhood. Notable points of interest in the nearby include the massive Saladin's Castle and the ruins of Ugarit, where some of the earliest alphabetic writings have been found. There are also several popular beaches.
Lavrion
No longer a place to be avoided, the port of Lavrion is changing faster than any town in Greece, opening tavernas, cafes and becoming an important ferry boat hub for the Cyclades Islands and home port for several cruise ships and sailboat companies.
Lindos
Resting 4,000 feet above the sea, Lindos' Acropolis is considered to be one of the most beautiful sites in all the Aegean. The top of this ancient site can be reached on foot along the narrow streets lined with souvenir shops, or you may hire a donkey to you half way. Near the top, a long staircase leads you to a Byzantine Church and the Sanctuary of Athena Lindia, dating from the 4th century BC.
Luxor
Luxor is a city in Upper Egypt. As the site of the ancient Egyptian city of Thebes, Luxor has frequently been characterised as the "world's greatest open air museum", the ruins of the temple complexes at Karnak and Luxor standing within the modern city. Immediately opposite, across the Nile River, lie the monuments, temples and tombs on the West Bank Necropolis, which include the Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens. Thousands of international tourists arrive each year to visit these monuments, their presence forming a large part of the economic basis for the modern city. As a result, Luxor represents an excellent base for touring Upper Egypt, and is a popular holiday destination, both in its own right and as a starting or finishing point for Nile cruises.
Molyvos
Molyvos is the tourist capital of Lesvos but don't let that scare you away. It is Greek Island tourism at its best with all of the good qualities and few of the bad and attracts visitors who are sensitive to culture and tradition but are still there to have a good time.
Monemvasia
Often called the "Gibraltar of Greece", the stone fortress-town of Monemvaisa rises from the sea, connected to the mainland by a man-made causeway. The most important Byzantine trading post for many centuries, Monemvasia was captured and recaptured by the Venetians and the Turks until the Greek uprising of 1821.
Mudanya (Bursa)
Known as "Green Bursa", this province stands on the lower slopes of Uludag. The title "Green" of Bursa comes from its gardens and parks, and of course from its being in the middle of an important fruit growing region.
Mykonos
Beautifully reflected in a golden light, the white-washed fishing lodges, charming chapels and windmills of Mykonos present visitors with a picture-perfect enchanted island. Spend private time on one of many beaches or wander through the Venice Quarter where tiny cottages perch precariously on cliffs above the sea.
Mylos
To most people, the island of Milos is known as the place where the statue of Venus, now in the Louvre Museum in Paris, was discovered. It is only recently that tourism has noticed the beautiful beaches of this Cycladic island, its rocks and clear waters. Milos is "the Island of Colors" thanks to its splendid, manifold beauties of volcanic origin. Milos is the most western island of the Cyclades.
Mytilini
Officially named Lesbos, more often called Mytilini after its principal city, the island is the third largest in Greece, famed for its olive oil. Its undulating hills are said to support 11 million olive trees, which glisten silver in the sunlight, while the higher peaks are swathed in deep pine forests. The island has long been a cradle of poetry and art. For the most part, Lesbos is an island of quiet villages. Mytilini is the capital of Lesbos, the wooded Aegean isle. One of the world's oldest cities, its roots stretch back into the dim world of the myths. Even in very ancient times Mytilini was famous for its history and its commercial importance and activity. It was the birthplace of leading figures in the intellectual world, such as Sappho, the world's greatest lyrical poetess; Pittacus, one of the Seven Sages of antiquity; the poet Alcaeus and many, many more. It is also the birthplace of the worst terrorists the Aegean has ever encountered, the Barbarossa Brothers - Greeks who turned pirates for the Sultan.
Navplion
Navplion is a quaint resort town on the picturesque Peloponnese Peninsula. Explore the city's many restored Venetian buildings or view the nearby ruins of such ancient Greek centers as Corinth and Mycenae, once the most powerful city in Greece.
Naxos
The excitement is great, always: whether or not it is the first time you have come to this little peninsula, a clot of lava congealed by the waters, stretching out info the Ionian Sea, between a little stream and the mythical Akesines to the southeast and the magnificent, deep bay to the northeast. Here is Cape Schiso; here is the landing place of Theocles the founder and of the apoikoi from Euboea and of the Cyclops driven with their ships onto these fertile and beautiful lands by a slight easterly wind. Here there was Naxos, the first Greek colony in Sicily: at this precise geographical point in the world, 2700 years ago, there began thegreat adventure of a people that, in the spare of a few decades, was to create an unparalleled and envied myth and whose cities, for over five hundred years, were to rival, in splendour and beauty, the most splendid and beautiful ones in the homeland.
Neapolis
Neapolis is the southernmost town of mainland Greece in Peloponnese, in the area refered to as Vatica in the Peninsula of Epidayros Limira in Laconia. Neapolis has grown since the mid-19th century from a quiet small fishing village to a busy summer resort and is today a major port and the commercial centre and the hub of the social and night life of the whole Vatica region. It is a lively market town of many facets yet peaceful and easygoing, with something to please every visitor. Its warm and hospitable inhabitants are chiefly seamen, fishermen, farmers and merchants. Neapolis is particularly known for its Vatica onions, its excellent olive oil and its fishing. Water sports, broad sandy beaches and secluded caves, beautiful fishing villages, taverns and waterside cafes, mountain springs amidst plain and walnut trees, numerous archaeological sites and Byzantine monasteries and churches are among the region's many attractions.
Opatija
Croatia's oldest resort has a grandiose charm that echoes an era when Hapsburg emperors vacationed here. There are beautiful parks, graceful old Austrian villas and lovely fountains. The location, at the foot of Ucka Mountain, on the eastern coast of Istra, is enhanced by a temperate climate and year-round cultural offerings that include concerts, operas and art exhibits, as well as sporting events. A walk along the coastal promenade, held to be the loveliest on the Adriatic, is sure to inspire a stop at one of the panoramic terrace restaurants or belle epoque cafes to savor some of the area's seafood treats and sip the local malvasia wine.
Palermos Bay
No description available.
Paphos
Paphos is a charming long stretched resort town. The main town is located on a hill, 43 m. above sea level and lies separated from lower Paphos and its historical harbour.
Paros
Unbeknown to many, the island of Paros is a popular summer destination. The charm of the island with its beautiful coastline, sandy beaches, terraced interior hills and several lovely villages and towns keeps attracting more and more visitors each year.
Patmos
The Holy Isle of Patmos, one of the smaller Dodecanese Islands, occupies a narrow strip of land with numerous rocky hills and scant vegetation. The interior is sparsely populated with mostly shepherds and fishermen. In contrast, the waterfront areas see plenty of tourists during the summer months. There are only two main villages, Chora and Scala; whitewashed houses face Scala harbor or are scattered over the hillsides. The island's mild, healthy climate, year-round sunshine, delightful coves and numerous chapels combine to form a picture of unique beauty.
Paxoi
Many have probably never even heard of this little island, but it is a lovely place for anyone who wants a really quiet, relaxing holiday. A very pretty, green and mountainous little pearl, Paxoi offers quite a few things to see, wonderful beaches and very hospitable people.
Piran
Piran is an old Mediterranean town situated at the tip of the Piran peninsula along the Gulf of Piran. The town resembles a large open-air museum, with medieval architecture and a rich cultural heritage. Narrow streets and compact houses give the town its special charm. Piran is the administrative centre of the local area and one of Slovenia's major tourist attractions.
Ploce
Ploce is a town and a notable seaport in the Dubrovnik-Neretva county of Croatia. Ploce harbor was first mentioned on November 6, 1387, but the building of a larger port waited until the modern times. The work on the present harbor area first began in 1939 but it was all destroyed in World War II. It was rebuilt beginning with 1945 and the village of Ploce grew to 480 inhabitants by 1948. After the Adriatic road and Neretva railway lines were built to the port in the mid-1960s, the town experienced a steady growth.
Pylos
Also called Navarino, this attractive port on the Peleponnese peninsula east of Athens contains a Mycenaean castle from the 13th century BC, supposed to be the home of Homer’s King Nestor. It is the site of the maritime battle between Athens and Sparta in 425 BC. It was under Ottoman rule from the 15th through the first half of the 19th century, when the bay again was the site of a great marine battle known as the Battle of Navarino.
Rab
When we say Rab, we have in mind the whole island, its 93.6 square kilometers and the localities of Lopar, Mundanija, Supetarska Draga, Kampor, Palit, Banjol, Barbat . . . but the crown of it all is its most beautiful place, which has also given its name to the island, the town of Rab - the closely huddled Mediterranean urban complex which once reminded a literarily-minded visitor of a large white ship, swinging at anchor in the port, with four masts - the four tall belfries of Rab. On the other hand, the buildings which have sprung up outside the historical centre make up the new Rab, a modern vision of its present and future. Traces of its recent, painful and glorious past, are present both in old and new Rab - for this area, too, like all of the country, witnessed the decisive moments of the National Liberation War and eventual victory, the suffering during the occupation and the mass participation of the islanders in the partisan units.
Rhodes
Rhodes, the largest of the Dodecanese Islands, is truly a vacation destination with something for everyone: sunshine, spectacular beaches on the Aegean Sea, a medieval walled city, an ancient acropolis, and much more. In ancient times, the people of Rhodes chose Helios, the Sun, as their divine patron. With an average of three hundred plus days of sunshine a year, it's safe to say that Helios continues to smile upon Rhodes today.
Rijeka
Rijeka is the principal seaport of Croatia, located on Kvarner Bay, an inlet of the Adriatic Sea. Rijeka has good ferry connections with the surrounding islands and cities within Croatia, but no direct foreign connections. There are daily coastal routes to Zadar, Split, and onwards to Dubrovnik, where more international connections are offered. Pula offers more direct southward connections from northwestern Croatia.
Rimini
This little seaside town has it all: sun, sea and sand-plus all the attractions of a typical Italian city: 16th-century churches, a graceful clock tower, world-class museums and beautiful fountains.
Rovinj
In the past 40 years Rovinj has developed from a fishing village into a real tourist center thanks to its picturesque surroundings, its pleasant Mediterranean climate and its cultural-historical values.
Sami
On Kefalonia, Sami isn't one of the most stunning places to visit. However, around Sami, especially if you came here for walking, there are many things to enjoy. Sami has quite a history, and walking is about the only way to discover all the interesting places.
Samos
This hilly Aegean island, legendary birthplace of the goddess Hera, rests along a narrow strait across from the Turkish coast. Stroll through the streets of Old Town, lined with Turkish-style houses. Visit the Archaeological Museum, housing artifacts from the Heraioin, and be sure to view the lighted harbor at night. Also explore the 6th century AD Eupalina Tunnel, and enormous aqueduct built through the mountains to supply the city with water.
Santorini
Perched at the very top of precipitous cliffs, Santorini towers above its original harbor and was once reached only by foot or mule. Today a cable car is the best route. The island scenery is unique in all the world with jagged outcroppings of red and black lava and stairways cut deep in the cliffsides. Buried under volcanic ash in a cataclysmic explosion during the 16th century BC, the ruins of ancient Thera are a great "find" for archaeologists.
Sebenik
Sibenik is a port in south-west Croatia, on the Adriatic Sea. Among the city's notable buildings are a Roman Catholic cathedral (begun early 15th century) and a 12th-century fort. Nearby is the Krka National Park with its cascading waterfalls, green pools and swimming holes.
Sibenik
Sibenik is a port in south-west Croatia, on the Adriatic Sea. Among the city's notable buildings are a Roman Catholic cathedral (begun early 15th century) and a 12th-century fort. Nearby is the Krka National Park with its cascading waterfalls, green pools and swimming holes.
Sidi Bou Said
Sidi Bou Said this lovely blue and white village, gaily perched on the cliffs overlooking the Bay of Tunis, is perhaps the most cherished in Tunisia. The legend tells of Saint Louis - coming to wage war he fell in love with a Berber princess and, changing his name became the patron saint of this village where he lived in joy and peace. Visit Sidi Bou Said, fall under its charm and the story will seem most logical.
Sifnos
A surprisingly green island for the Cyclades, Sifnos offers a good variety of peace and quiet and things to do. Even though it is a popular island, both amongst Greeks and foreigners, it has kept its originality and is resisting the commercialisation many other islands have suffered.
Sinop
The provincial capital of Sinop (pop. 26,00) enjoys a charming position on the central section of the Boztepe peninsula. It is both the most northerly point on the Turkish Black Sea coast and also the best protected harbor. It is now a place of little consequence compared with its importance in antiquity when it was a busy commercial city situated at the northern end of important caravan routes from Cappadocia and the lands of the Euphrates. Nowadays, however, communications with the Anatolian Plateau are rendered difficult by the intervening barrier of the West Pontic Mountains. The sandy beaches, with hotels and small airport, to the west of the town are well known. Sinope was an important Black Sea center in the eighth century B.C. when it was a Greek colony. In 413 B.C. the Cynic philosopher Diogenes (the one who lived in a tub and not to be confused with Diogenes of Apollonia) was born here.
Siros
The great thing about this island is that it has everything a Greek island should have: nice beaches, taverns and bars, but it has not been too adjusted to tourism. The reason is that it is the administrative centre of the Cyclades, so the economy is doing well enough for people not to be too desperate for tourism. The most striking feature of the island is the Venetian influence. Just like most of the Cycladic islands, the Venetians came here in the beginning in the 13th century, and were to stay until the Turks took over in the 16 the century.
Skiathos
Introduction Skiathos is only 46 sq km, but many people choose to return for their holidays year after year for the simple fact that it has amongst the best beaches of the Greek islands, a large variety of taverns, bars and places to stay and the fact that it is absolutely gorgeous. It is a lush, green island with over 60 beaches and depending on where you stay, you can have a quiet, relaxing holiday or a more active one doing excursions, sports and enjoying the nightlife.
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.
Symi
Symi may be popular with day visitors from Rhodes, but travelers staying longer will fall in love with this lovely picture postcard island. You’ll arrive by boat at the port of Yialos, and discover that no modern construction has been allowed to spoil the tiny town’s original charm nor the panorama of its neoclassical red-roofed houses that climb steeply up the horseshoe-shaped island. You’ll certainly want to visit the 18th century monastery of Panormitis, or take little boats to Symi’s best beaches
Syracuse
Syracuse is an industrial port (chemicals, salt) in eastern Sicily population (1992) 126,800. It has a cathedral and remains of temples, aqueducts, catacombs, and an amphitheater. Founded 734 BC by the Corinthians, it became a center of Greek culture under the elder and younger Dionysius. After a three-year siege it was taken by Rome 212 BC. In AD 878 it was destroyed by the Arabs, and the rebuilt town came under Norman rule in the 11th century.
Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki is the capital of Macedonia and second largest city of Greece. It was first established in 316 B.C. by Kassandros and named after his wife, Thessaloniki, half sister of Alexander the Great. It means Victory in Thessaly. It is here that the Apostle Paul first brought the message of Christianity (50 A.D.) and that Demetrius, a Roman officer died in martyrdom (303 A.D.), thus becoming the holy patron of the city. The city was rebuilt in the 1920s and today Thessaloniki is a lively modern city bustling with life and movement. Large avenues, parks and squares, lines of trees that frame commercial streets with showy shop windows. Old houses, neoclassical buildings, stand side by side with modern dwellings which makes a walk through any section of the city an interesting journey.
Tinos
Tinos Greece is one of the biggest Greek islands of the Cyclades. Tinos is famous, among religious, for its huge Church of Panagia (Virgin) which has a miraculous icon and is attracting thousands of pilgrims from all over the country on the 15th of August, feast day of the Virgin. The island has many picturesque mountainous villages, superb dove cotes which are embellishing it and a tradition in marble carving.
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.
Triluke Bay
Triluke Bay is an uninhabited cove on the southern-most coast of Pasman. The cove is protected from all winds but the sirocco sends in a sea and makes it untenable. Good anchorage for vessels of all sizes.
Trogir
The tiny island of Trogir is connected by bridge to the mainland and is known for its churches, monasteries and photogenic stone houses. Narrow cobbled streets and a beautiful visual give you the feeling that you have literally stepped back in time.
Venice
Venice is the essence of romance. Along the Grand Canal, the city's "main street," you will see row upon row of Gothic-Renaissance homes and palaces. Most are hundreds of years old and house priceless works of art. Dozens of delicate bridges lead the visitor from one wonder to the next: The Basilica of St Mark, the Palace of the Doges, and the remarkable collection of modern art assembled by Peggy Guggenheim in the Palazzo Venier dei Leoni.
Volos
Volos is a commercial and industrial city; it is Greece’s third-largest port. Much of it has been rebuilt after a severe earthquake in 1955. The location in the gulf of the same name and near scenic Mount Pelion ensures this town an attractive setting. Interesting sites in the surrounding areas include imposing monasteries perched atop craggy mountains and a fine Archaeological Museum. Volos was founded in the 14th century in an area which has been occupied by man since the Neolithic era. A short distance out of Volos, the second millennium saw the establishment of the Mycenaen city of Iolkos, seat of King Pelias and home of his nephew Jason, who sailed from here with the Argonauts. Remains of Mycenaen buildings have been discovered near the river, where a palace stood around 1400 B.C. The main reason visitors come to Volos is to depart on excursions to the monasteries of Meteora. Their lofty position atop gigantic pinnacles makes them the area's foremost attraction.
Yithion
Yithion guards the road to Mystra, the secret treasure of Greece. Perched in three tiers atop a hill and almost perfectly intact, Mystra enchants you with Byzantine fantisies. Trace the exquiste patterns of frescoes that cover every inch of Mystra´s 14th century churches.
