Visit Rhodes, the largest of Greece's Dodecanese islands. Explore the medieval Old Town (UNESCO World Heritage site with the Palace of the Grand Master), see the ancient Acropolis of Lindos (cliff-top ruins with views over St Paul's Bay), relax at Anthony Quinn Bay (a scenic cove named after the actor), and visit the Valley of the Butterflies (a natural reserve with thousands of Jersey tiger moths in summer).
Visit Budva, a historic coastal town in Montenegro. Explore the Old Town (Stari Grad) with its Venetian walls and citadel, relax on Mogren Beach (two connected sandy coves beneath cliffs), and see the Sveti Stefan island-hotel (a 15th-century fortified village turned luxury resort).
Visit Larnaca, a coastal city in Cyprus. Explore the Church of Saint Lazarus (a 9th-century Byzantine church housing the reputed tomb of Lazarus), stroll along Finikoudes Beach (a palm-lined promenade with cafes and views of the Mediterranean), and see the Hala Sultan Tekke (an important Islamic shrine on the banks of the Salt Lake, known for its historical significance).
Visit Nicosia, the capital of Cyprus and the world's last divided capital city. Explore the Venetian Walls (16th-century fortifications surrounding the old town), see the Selimiye Mosque (originally a Gothic cathedral converted after Ottoman conquest), and walk along the Green Line (UN buffer zone splitting the city into Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot sides).
Savor mountain terraces, coastal ruins, and Beirut nights of Lebanon
See Greece's shipwreck beach on Zakynthos
Recall ancient souqs, Roman theaters, and resilient culture of Syria
Visit Dubrovnik, a historic coastal city in Croatia. Walk the ancient city walls (2 km long with views of the Adriatic Sea and red-tiled roofs), explore the Stradun (main limestone-paved street lined with Baroque buildings), and see the Rector's Palace (Gothic-Renaissance palace housing a cultural history museum). Take a cable car up Mount Srฤ for panoramic vistas over the Old Town and Elaphiti Islands.
Explore the largest Greek island, Crete, a land of myth and natural beauty. Visit the Palace of Knossos (3,500-year-old centre of Minoan civilisation, linked to the Minotaur legend), hike the Samaria Gorge (11 km through a Unesco Biosphere Reserve with towering cliffs and wild goats), and relax on Elafonisi Beach with its unique pink-hued sand. Pair ancient history with fresh Cretan cuisine in charming villages like Chania or Rethymno.
Explore the glamorous French Riviera along the Mediterranean coast. Stroll the Promenade des Anglais in Nice (7km waterfront lined with palm trees and belle รฉpoque hotels), visit the Palais des Festivals in Cannes (home of the famous film festival), try your luck at the Monte Carlo Casino in Monaco, and admire the luxury yachts in Saint-Tropez's old port.
Visit the famous Balearic island known for its vibrant nightlife, beautiful beaches, and Mediterranean culture.
Swim in the hidden coves of Croatia's Adriatic coast, exploring secluded beaches and clear waters along the coastline.
Trace Roman coast, Saharan dunes, and caravan towns of Libya
Visit Thessaloniki, Greece's second-largest city. Explore the White Tower (15th-century Ottoman fortress and symbol of the city), see the Rotunda (4th-century Roman monument later converted into a church), stroll through the Aristotelous Square (grand waterfront plaza with neoclassical buildings), and sample local dishes like bougatsa (custard-filled pastry) at Modiano Market (historic covered market).
Visit Podgorica, the capital of Montenegro. Explore the Millennium Bridge (a modern cable-stayed bridge over the Moraฤa River), see the historic Clock Tower in the Old Town, and relax in King's Park (a green space with monuments and city views).
Visit Limassol, a coastal city in Cyprus. Explore the Limassol Castle (medieval fortress where Richard the Lionheart is said to have married), stroll along the Molos Promenade (palm-lined waterfront with sculptures and sea views), and visit the Kourion archaeological site (ancient Greco-Roman ruins with a well-preserved amphitheatre overlooking the Mediterranean).
Journey through Saharan dunes, Roman ruins, and Mediterranean kasbahs of Algeria
Tornatore's tender love letter to cinema and a Sicilian boyhood โ keep tissues nearby for the final reel
Hike the smoking summit of Europe's most active volcano, 3,357 m above the Sicilian coast
Visit Heraklion, the capital of Crete. Explore the ancient Minoan palace of Knossos (Europe's oldest city, with labyrinthine ruins and vibrant frescoes), see the Venetian fortress of Koules guarding the old harbour, and browse the Archaeological Museum (home to the Phaistos Disc and Minoan artifacts). Sample local dishes like dakos (rusk salad) and bougatsa (custard pie) at the central market.
Visit Mdina, the historic fortified city and former capital of Malta. Walk through its narrow, winding streets and see landmarks like St. Paul's Cathedral (built in the 17th century on the site of an earlier Norman church), the Mdina Gate (a Baroque entrance featured in Game of Thrones), and the Palazzo Falson (a medieval palace housing art and antique collections). Enjoy panoramic views of the island from the bastions and sample local pastizzi (savory pastries) at a traditional cafe.
Visit Tirana, the capital of Albania. Explore Skanderbeg Square (central hub with the National History Museum and Et'hem Bey Mosque), take the Dajti Ekspres cable car to Mount Dajti (offering panoramic views of the city and Adriatic Sea), and see the Pyramid of Tirana (former museum turned into a cultural center).
Master Greek, the language of philosophy
Visit Vlorรซ, a coastal city in Albania known for its historical significance and Mediterranean charm. Explore the Independence Monument (commemorating Albania's 1912 declaration of independence), stroll along the promenade with views of the Adriatic Sea, and visit the Ethnographic Museum (showcasing traditional Albanian culture and artifacts). Nearby, discover the ancient ruins of Apollonia (an archaeological site with a well-preserved theater and monastery) and enjoy fresh seafood at local restaurants along the waterfront.
Visit the site of the Colossus of Rhodes
Walk storied hills, old-city souqs, and olive-dotted terraces of Palestine
Explore the beautiful Greek island of Corfu in the Ionian Sea. Wander through Corfu Old Town (a UNESCO World Heritage site with Venetian, French, and British architecture, including the 16th-century Old Fortress), visit the Achilleion Palace (built for Empress Elisabeth of Austria, featuring neoclassical design and statues of Achilles), and relax at Paleokastritsa (a scenic bay with crystal-clear waters, a monastery, and hiking trails).
Experience Croatia's historic coastal region
Discover ancient Greece's legendary citadel
Visit Durrรซs, Albania's second-largest city and main port on the Adriatic Sea. Explore the Roman Amphitheatre (one of the largest in the Balkans, dating back to the 2nd century AD), see the Venetian Tower and Byzantine walls in the historic center, stroll along the Durrรซs Beach promenade, and visit the Archaeological Museum (housing artifacts from Illyrian, Greek, and Roman periods).
Infobox
