A study in contrasts, the Greek island of Syros is as historic as it is modern, as Catholic as Orthodox, and as stately and traditional as it is hip and cosmopolitan. The capital of the Cyclades, the island is known for its own intriguing capital, the thriving port city of Ermoupoli. Ermoupoli is crowned by the bright blue dome of the Orthodox church and paved with marble flagstones that line the main square.
Italy’s easternmost city, Otranto sits just under the heel of the country’s boot, peering out at Albania across the Otranto Strait that separates the Adriatic and Ionian seas. Otranto’s walled Old Town has been recognized by UNESCO for historic sites such as the Aragonese Castle, which has rotating exhibits on the inside and dramatic views of the sea on the outside. Equally impressive is the Church of Saint Peter, with its Byzantine frescoes and architecture, and the Otranto Cathedral, with its rose window and an incomparable mosaic floor.
In the arch of Italy’s boot, tucked between the Mare Grande (Big Sea) and Mare Piccolo (Little Sea), sits the coastal city of Taranto. Founded by Spartans in the 8th century BC, the “City of Two Seas” is also a city of two faces with two bridges – Ponte Girevole and Ponte di San Francesco di Paola – separating the old town from the new. Legend has it that upon arrival at Taranto, Poseidon’s son saw a dolphin jumping out of the sea and took the encounter as a sign from his father that here was the place to build a town.
From spectacular beaches to prehistoric relics to a sublime culinary scene, Sardinia is a treat for any traveler. The National Archaeological Museum in Olbia lends historical context by illuminating the island’s ancient pre-Nuraghic culture as well as more recent naval history. Just outside of Olbia, get a firsthand look at Sardinia’s rich archaeological heritage at the Tomb of the Giants, a Nuraghic monument dating back 4,000 years.
Nestled along the tranquil southern shores of the Venetian Lagoon, Chioggia is a charming Italian gem that beckons travelers with its timeless allure. Known as "Little Venice" for its intricate network of picturesque canals linked by bridges, it offers a captivating blend of historic architecture, vibrant markets and a relaxed coastal atmosphere. The landscape here is considered among the most beautiful on the lagoon, long revered by artists for its light and sunny disposition.
Port Antonio is the ideal town on an ideal island, with the best of everything Jamaica has to offer, from local cuisine to natural wonders. A different side of Jamaica, this rural town runs at a slow pace and operates by its own mysterious rhythms. The beautiful Blue Mountains, nestling centuries-old banana plantations, crash into coral-studded ocean coves. Wander through lush greens of the jungle trails, taking in the misty mountains or sail down a winding river on a bamboo raft.
Beautiful beaches, world-class dining and luxurious resorts galore on the largest of the Cayman Islands. While visiting this nature-lover’s paradise, head out along the Mastic Trail to see beautiful wildflowers and birds, take a leisurely walk through colorful botanical gardens at Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park or swim with the turtles at Cayman Turtle Centre. Take in centuries of history at the Pedro St. James, the 18th-century home and the oldest existing building in the Cayman Islands.
Island luxury and Caribbean life blend together on Great Exuma Island. Enjoy footloose freedom on the ivory sands of Emerald Bay, catching the soft breezes from the Tropic of Cancer with endless nooks and cays to explore. Exuma’s capital, the charming Caribbean city of Georgetown is a favorite spot for yachters, as the home to two major annual Regattas and Lake Victoria, the yachting paradise and a great place for boating, sailing and sea kayaking.
Set on a narrow peninsula on the coast of Slovenia is the charming coastal town of Piran, known by many as the gem of the Slovene Riviera. Half a millennium of Venetian rule has left its mark, as seen from the architecture throughout the town. A maze of narrow cobblestoned streets is outlined by colorful houses with terracotta roofs and surrounded by olive groves and pebble beaches. At the heart of the town, Tartini Square is the perfect place to grab a coffee and people watch while admiring the Gothic style Venetian house, the Teatre Piran and the harbor.
Known as the Isla Bonita, La Palma is the northwesterly most of the seven Canary Islands. Its capital Santa Cruz de La Palma is home to some of the most unspoiled seascapes in the archipelago. Formed by oceanic volcanoes off the northwestern coast of Africa, these Spanish islands are playgrounds for sun worshippers with their stunning black and white sand beaches and vertiginous volcanic peaks rising from the sea.
