14 nights. Italy, Malta, Croatia, Montenegro, Greece, Turcaí

Day 1

monte carlo, monaco

Departure: 17:00

1

Day 3

messina, italy

Arrival: 07:00 - Departure: 17:00

Messina is located in the northeast of Sicily, Italy. It's only a 5 km journey across the Straits of Messina to the region of Calabria on the mainland. It's the third largest city on the island of Sicily. Trips by land and sea allow for the exploration of every nook and cranny of the Aeolian Islands, abundant with beaches and small coves where one can pause to explore, even if just for a few hours. The active volcano, Mt. Etna, towers over the landscape and reveals a vegetation interrupted by trails of black, solidified lava flows. Caves and varying environments alternate along its slopes; traverse them to reach the peak, where a large "mouth of fire" awaits. A definite must-see is Pollara Beach on the island of Salina; Pollara was created by a crater formed by the six volcanoes that make up Salina, around 13,000 years ago. The Ancient Theatre, one of the greatest of the Greek-Roman era, is nestled in a spread of olive, orange and almond groves that fill the air with their exotic scents.

Read more

Read less

2

Day 4

valletta, malta

Arrival: 07:00 - Departure: 17:00

The wee capital of Malta, the city is less than 1 sq km in size, but has loads to offer visitors. Valletta is known as one of the most densely packed historic areas in the world, with its 7,000 years of history. It's no surprise then, that the City of Valletta was officially recognised as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1980. Built by the knights of St John in the 16th and 17th centuries for military and strategic reasons, Valletta was later spruced up into a fine example of baroque decorative art – most notably in the magnificent interiors of St John’s Co-Cathedral in the heart of the city. Shady atmospheric alleyways link grand squares, and grand palazzi sit alongside pubs and shops. Recently, the city has seen some major changes to create a more vibrant urbanity, with the renovation of the main City Gate and the design of a new parliament building, as well as the renovation of the bombed-out Opera House. Valletta's natural deep water port, the Grand Harbour, is the biggest and the most impressive harbour in all the Mediterranean and was, for many thousands of years, the epicentre of Malta’s maritime activity. Evidence of this are the 19 historical warehouses still standing dating back 250 years and the historic Quay Wall, where the Knights of St John and European merchants used to unload their goods. The Valletta Waterfront is also the gateway to Malta’s capital city. In fact, as one of the most successful Mediterranean ports, the Port of Valletta welcomes more than half-a-million cruise passengers into this open air museum. Recently, the waterfront has been revitalised into an attractive and vibrant gateway of shops, pubs and restaurants. It’s particularly romantic at night when lit up. There are loads of outdoor pursuits to enjoy thanks to the city’s moderate climate. From diving to sailing, cycling to rock climbing, there are a number of different adrenalin-busting options to satisfy adventurous holidaymakers. Just don't expect Valletta to be buzzing all night, its tranquility is a large part of its charm.

Read more

Read less

3

Day 6

dubrovnik, croatia

Arrival: 07:00 - Departure: 17:00

George Bernard Shaw dubh Dubrovnik "an péarla de Adriatic, paradís ar an domhan", agus, go deimhin, d'fhéadfadh sé a bheith ar cheann de na cathracha is áille a fheicfidh tú riamh. Tógadh agus cónaíodh go príomha ag Veinéiseacha i Dubrovnik, agus tá draíocht uasal agus aontacht ailtireachta suntasach aige a tharraingíonn na mílte cuairteoirí gach samhradh. Bunaithe sa 7ú haois, sheas Dubrovnik i measc foraoise mór de chrainn dara, as a raibh a ainm aige. Tóg siúlóid ar bharr ballaí an tseanchathr le radhairc ar an seanbhaile agus an cósta máguaird. Díreach roimh dul amach as an seanbhaile trí gheata an iarthair, cas ar dheis chun cuairt a thabhairt ar Mhainistir na bhFrancachán agus na cloistreacha síochánta. Tá an ceann is sine de chógaisí na hEorpa taobh istigh den doras isteach, a bunaithe i 1371. I gcoirnéal thuaidh na seanbhail tá Cloister agus Músaem na nDomhnachánach, le poliptíoch le Titian. Tá Ard-Eaglais iontach de Ghlacadh na Maighdine Mhuire i lár Poljana Marin Držić agus is féidir a stóras a fhiosrú; féach ar an obair le Raphael. Tá uisceanna te, gile ag Dubrovnik; ná bí ag admháil é ó chian agus tóg tumadh ann. Is féidir leis na daoine cróga tumadh agus gréineadh ar na carraigeacha nó snámh timpeall ar bhallaí na cathrach agus daoine eile ag stánadh ón uachtar. Lonraíonn dúnfhallaí ildaite Dubrovnik i solas na maidine luí, ach tráthnóna luath, cuireann uisceanna gorma soiléir na farraige tú i gcuimhne ar shiúl ón gcathair agus a torann turasóireachta. Má tá tú in ann an pléascadh a sheasamh, d'fhéadfadh tú freisin píosa neamh a fháil.

Read more

Read less

4

Day 7

kotor, montenegro

Arrival: 07:00 - Departure: 16:00

Kotor is a coastal town in Montenegro. It's situated in a secluded part of the Gulf of Kotor. It's located on the Bay of Kotor (Boka Kotorska), one of the most indented parts of the Adriatic Sea. Along with the nearly overhanging limestone cliffs of Orjen and Lovćen, Kotor and its surrounding area form an impressive and picturesque Mediterranean landscape. Kotor is part of the World Heritage Site known as the Natural and Culturo-Historical Region of Kotor. MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS • Old Town. The Old Town is the most famous part of Kotor, where the history, culture, and tradition of Kotor are preserved. They are complemented by a multitude of narrow streets, squares, and markets. The main and largest square is Trg od oruzja (Square of arms). The old town of Kotor today is considered to be the best preserved medieval urban entity in the Mediterranean. • Maritime Museum. The memories of those long gone sailing days and years, the successes of the famous Kotor seaman, artists, ship builders, crafts man, states man, and diplomats, intermediaries between west and east, are kept in the Maritime museum, which is housed in the baroque palace Grgurin. • The Island Gospa od Skrpjela. The Island Gospa od Skrpjela is one of two beautiful islands in Kotor Bay, which are situated in the bay across from Perast. That island is also known as "the island of the dead captains". The Island Gospa od Skrpjela is an artificial island, made by seaman from Perast and Kotor, who on their big sail boats brought in large boulders.

Read more

Read less

5

Day 8

corfu, greece

Arrival: 09:00 - Departure: 19:00

With its Venetian fortress, British palaces, and a French esplanade modelled on the Rue de Rivoli in Paris, Corfu might not strike you as Greek at all. The most populated and cosmopolitan of the Ionian Islands, it is teeming with foreigners and foreign architecture. In legend, Corfu was the island where the shipwrecked Odyssey met the lovely Princess Nausicaa. Some locals claim it was also the magical isle conjured up by Shakespeare in The Tempest. Corfu Town, a small and pleasant city, is the largest and most important town on the island. This is where the airport is located and where most ships cruise and long distance ferries dock. The Old Fortress is definitely one of Corfu’s landmarks. Built by the Venetians in 1546 on the site of a Byzantine castle, the fortress is separated from the rest of the town by a moat. The Old Town is a maze of narrow streets dominated by the 16th century fortress. Around every corner you can find a chapel, old mansion or secret garden square. Between the Old Fortress and the Old Town, we find The Esplanade, with its arches and cafes, is considered the most beautiful esplanade in Greece. The Achillion Palace is ideally located in the picturesque village of Gastouri, 10 km south of the city centre. It was the summer residence of Empress Sissi from 1890 until her death in 1898. This beautiful building and its picturesque gardens overlooks the sea and Corfu town. On the north western tip of the island is the lively resort of Sidari. It's actually two small coastal villages connected by a long sweeping sandy beach. The Kanoni peninsula, with the 17th century monastery for women, is one of Corfu's best known landmarks and can be found on numerous postcards from the island. From the islet of Kanoni, it's possible to go by boat to another islet, the Mouse Island or Pontikonisi. Corfu's architecture is very diverse, influenced by the civilizations that once occupied the island. Mass tourism has turned parts of the island into eyesores but a surprising amount of the island still consists of olive groves, mountains or woodland. Corfu Town is a charming and elegant town, built between two fortresses. Corfu is considered one of Greece's most beautiful cities, and it is easy to understand why when you're strolling down the narrow streets and through the alleys, walking over spacious squares, visiting Byzantine churches and Venetian monuments. And of course, Corfu also has its natural beauty; the green-turquoise water that surrounds the town.

Read more

Read less

6

Day 9

katakolon, greece

Arrival: 08:00 - Departure: 17:00

Olympia is a town in Peloponnese. This was the location of the original Olympic Games. The games, held every four years in honour of the Greek god Zeus, lasted throughout the entire Classical Age. The central sanctuary or Altis included temples, altars, shrines, and public buildings for both religious and secular purposes. The flame for each modern Olympic Games is still lit in the town, by a reflection of sunlight in a parabolic mirror, and carried by torch to the place where the games are to be held.

Read more

Read less

7

Day 10

santorini, greece

Arrival: 11:00 - Departure: 20:00

Formed by the massive volcanic eruption which gave rise to the Atlantis legend, Santorini is the most striking island in the Aegean. The island is actually the outer rim of a sunken volcano, its entire eastern coast is a succession of small towns perched on high hills. Fira is the island’s dramatically situated capital. Perched on the cliffs, overlooking the sea, the town of Fira shares with the Parthenon the fame of the best known images of Greece. The narrow streets are filled with souvenir shops, lovely boutiques and a lot of jewellery shops. It has two beautiful churches, the Greek Orthodox and the Catholic Cathedral of St John the Baptist. It also has a small local museum. Nightlife in Fira is also quite lively with good restaurants and bars, plus a few nightclubs. The city is a spectacle in itself, with a climax at sunset. Another great place to enjoy the sunset is the town of Ia, a small village clinging to the rocky point of land at the northern tip of the island, 300m above the sea. The beaches in Santorini are much different than other beaches in Greece due to their special geographical features. Red and black volcanic pebbles lay the shores of Santorini beaches and steep cliffs provide a picturesque ambience. The most famous of Santorini beaches is the Red beach, while particularly popular are Perissa, Kamari and Perivolos. Santorini is a truly wonderful destination. The siting of some of its major towns along the clifftop rim of the caldera is one of the most spectacularly lovely sights in the world. The buildings seem to defy gravity in the way they cling to the cliffs and are stacked one on top of the other like so many sugar cubes. The sandy, multicoloured beaches are simply the icing on the cake.

Read more

Read less

8

Day 11

mykonos, greece

Arrival: 07:00 - Departure: 17:00

Mykonos is a popular tourist destination in the Greek islands of the Cyclades group, situated in the middle of the Aegean Sea. In the 1960s, Mykonos became a bohemian mecca and is now one of the glitziest holiday resorts in the country that happily flaunts its sizzling style and reputation. This central Cyclade was for years the premier Mediterranean resort for gay travellers, though recently Mykonos has tried to reinvent itself for a more varied clientele, though nightlife is still very gay-friendly, it is a paradise for any reveller with loud and long nights. Chora or Mykonos town is the main town on the island. It is filled with narrow, winding streets, whitewashed buildings with blue trim, nice restaurants, clothing and jewellery shops, a fish market and a vegetable market. It is one of the most cosmopolitan and crowded towns of the Aegean. Besides Chora, there is only one other town on the island, Ano Mera. Ano Mera is quieter and less touristy. While you are here, visit the Monastery of Panagia Tourliani, a traditional Greek Orthodox Church which has a beautiful iconostas. The island is dry and barren, but there are some fine, sandy beaches, the two most well-known being Paradise and Super Paradise, but there are many other beaches you can seek out around the island. From the charming port, catch a boat out to the beaches or out to Delos, and you will be travelling from the present into the ancient past, from one set of myths to another.

Read more

Read less

9

Day 12

izmir - turkey

Arrival: 07:00 - Departure: 17:00

İzmir is a city in the western extremity of Anatolia and the third most populous city in Turkey, after Istanbul and Ankara. The metropolitan area of İzmir extends along the outlying waters of the Gulf of İzmir and inland to the north across the delta of the Gediz River, to the east along an alluvial plain created by several small streams and to a slightly more rugged terrain in the south. MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS • Beaches. Izmir has many beaches which are not too far from the city centre. • Konak Square • Asansör • Beaches. • Alsancak. • Karsiyaka • Kadifekale • Teleferik

Read more

Read less

10

Day 13

bozcaada

Arrival: 07:00 - Departure: 17:00

11

Day 14

istanbul, turkey

Arrival: 07:00 - Departure: 00:00

Istanbul owes its historical significance and its incredible cultural and architectural heritage to its perfect strategic location, straddling the Bosphorus straits which separate Europe and Asia Minor. Throughout most of its 2,500-year-long history, the city (first known as Byzantium, then as Constantinople and since 1930 as Istanbul) was a cultural melting pot. Today, its population of over 13 million is almost exclusively Turkish, and many of its people are recent migrants from provincial Turkey, drawn by the promise of jobs and careers in this vibrant, rapidly growing city. Istanbul is no longer the nation's capital, but is Turkey's economic and cultural powerhouse - a status emphasised by its role as a European City of Culture in 2010 and the award of UNESCO World Heritage listing to many of its most important landmarks, which range from stunning Ottoman mosques and Byzantine churches and catacombs to the columns of Hellenistic temples and the remains of massive medieval city walls. But there's more to Istanbul than Byzantine and Ottoman heritage. A rapidly growing economy has contributed to a thriving arts and music scene, with a wealth of new bars, clubs, private art galleries, restaurants and designer fashion outlets.

Read more

Read less

Day 15

istanbul, turkey

Arrival: 00:00

Istanbul owes its historical significance and its incredible cultural and architectural heritage to its perfect strategic location, straddling the Bosphorus straits which separate Europe and Asia Minor. Throughout most of its 2,500-year-long history, the city (first known as Byzantium, then as Constantinople and since 1930 as Istanbul) was a cultural melting pot. Today, its population of over 13 million is almost exclusively Turkish, and many of its people are recent migrants from provincial Turkey, drawn by the promise of jobs and careers in this vibrant, rapidly growing city. Istanbul is no longer the nation's capital, but is Turkey's economic and cultural powerhouse - a status emphasised by its role as a European City of Culture in 2010 and the award of UNESCO World Heritage listing to many of its most important landmarks, which range from stunning Ottoman mosques and Byzantine churches and catacombs to the columns of Hellenistic temples and the remains of massive medieval city walls. But there's more to Istanbul than Byzantine and Ottoman heritage. A rapidly growing economy has contributed to a thriving arts and music scene, with a wealth of new bars, clubs, private art galleries, restaurants and designer fashion outlets.

Read more

Read less