MEDD

The dreamy ‘White City’ of Tangier sits where the Mediterranean and the Atlantic meet. Lose yourself in the atmospheric alleyways of its labyrinthine medina; watch the world go by as you sip sweet mint tea at a café in the Grand Socco; stretch yourself out on the fine white sand of the city beach; or explore the Caves of Hercules, with their unique sea window that’s shaped like a map of Africa.

Life in this exuberant city revolves around its outstanding UNESCO World Heritage Site, Diocletian’s Palace. Don’t be mistaken though – this is no quiet palace or stuffy museum – it’s an elaborate ancient complex of 220 buildings that make up the beating heart of this beautiful city. Home to around 3,000 people, Diocletian’s Palace is a precious Roman gem where the locals go about their daily lives undeterred by the fact that they’re living in a historical wonder.

Pine-scented Spetses is an upscale and relaxed island that attracts more affluent Athenians than foreign tourists. With its rich seafaring culture, this little island is also hugely popular with the yachting crowd. This is one of the most cosmopolitan destinations in Greece, with beautiful Neoclassical buildings sitting on its fine squares and horse-drawn carriages roaming its pretty streets.

Dating back to 734BC, Siracusa was once one of the great ancient capitals of Western civilization. Today it’s a lively city with a charming historic center, lovely Baroque architecture and some amazing Greek and Roman ruins, like the monumental Teatro Greco at the Parco Archeologico – one of Sicily’s most impressive archaeological sites. At Siracusa’s heart you’ll find the beautiful island of Ortygia, which was first inhabited by the ancient Greeks.

Beautiful beaches, picturesque villages, tranquil churches and local traditions meet Cycladic chic on Sifnos. Long known for its outstanding cuisine – the island was the birthplace of Nikolaos Tselementes, author of the first Greek cookbook – Sifnos is growing increasingly cosmopolitan. The tranquil port of Kamares boasts some fabulous waterfront cafés, restaurants and stores along its long, lovely beach. Visit the exceptionally pretty village of Kástro, a former Venetian citadel that was built on top of an ancient town.

As the city of Carmen, Don Juan and Figaro, Seville has an undisputed reputation for theatricality and exuberance, which means that it perfectly encapsulates the intensity and passion of the Andalusian spirit. After sailing in via the Guadalquivir River Wander around the exquisite Old Town and you’ll come face to face with Baroque churches, medieval alleyways, aristocratic mansions and a majestic Gothic cathedral – the largest Gothic cathedral in the world.

The largest of the Dodecanese islands, Rhodes is renowned for its sunshine, sandy beaches and spectacular heritage. During two centuries of occupation, the crusading Knights Hospitaller transformed Rhodes Town into a medieval stronghold. Today its Old Town is a wonderful tangle of streets and squares that are bustling with cafés and restaurants. The architecture here is fascinating – a beautiful blend Gothic, Byzantine and Ottoman styles.

The bastions of an impressive 16th century fortress stand guard over Rethymno, one of Crete’s most charming cities. The Old Town is wondrously atmospheric, its cobblestone alleyways leading to pretty churches, Italianate palazzos, Ottoman mosques and charming courtyards that are draped in brilliant bougainvillea. Sun worshipers will find Crete’s longest beach, a 12-kilometer stretch of golden sand, just beyond the marina. If you want to escape the bright Cretan sun, some shady municipal gardens and fine museums provide the opportunity to cool down.

Viewed from mainland Croatia, Rab appears to be barren – a stretch of desolate rock wedged between azure sky and the deep blue Kvarner Gulf. However, the island’s west coast is remarkably green and is covered with forests, olive groves, vineyards and fields. The biggest community is picturesque Rab Town, which sits on a small peninsula that forms a pretty u-shaped natural harbor. A quartet of church towers rise over its historic quarter, where the narrow streets are lined with impressive medieval and Venetian buildings.

Two fortresses – the Ottoman-era Néokástro and medieval Paleokastro – welcome you to the Bay of Navarínou, a natural harbor in the Peloponnese. Established after the 1827 naval battle that paved the way for an independent Greece, Pylos now guards the entrance to this beautiful bay. The area’s many beaches are unspoiled, most notably Voïdhokiliá, a picture-perfect semicircle of white sand that separates the Gialova Lagoon from the sea. A short drive from town takes you to the hilltop ruins of Nestor’s Palace.