Utila is the kind of Caribbean paradise where you may run into quite a few people who came here on vacation a couple of years ago and then never left. Surrender to the relaxed pace of the tiny island on the town’s white sand beaches, and sip cocktails at one of the beachfront restaurants. The pristine waters around Utila are the main draw, and there are plenty of dive shops that will help you see the vibrant coral reefs.
The picturesque resort of Parga offers island-style ambience and historic charm on the Greek mainland. Tiers of colorful houses, a legacy of Venetian rule, rise up over a secluded turquoise bay. In the crystal-clear waters is a tiny tree-covered islet, home only to a gleaming white chapel. From the pretty waterfront, a tangle of cobbled streets lead up to a hilltop medieval castle. The ruins overlook the bay below, the golden sands of nearby Valtos beach, orange and olive groves, and out to the Ionian Sea.
The largest town in eastern Crete, Agios Nikolaos is a cosmopolitan resort whose vibrant seaside ambience centers around three distinctive waterfronts. A narrow channel links the sea with Voulismeni, a deep lake filled with small boats and ringed with cafes, tavernas and bars. This picturesque inner harbor is the heart of Agios. A short walk south leads to the marina district. The town’s northern shores enjoy views of the islets of Mikronisi and sacred Agii Pantes (All Saints), topped by a tiny chapel.
A stunning Aegean setting and an array of sights drawn from 26 centuries of history make Kavala one of northeastern Greece’s most fascinating destinations. From atop the ruins of a Byzantine acropolis, an Ottoman castle guards the small peninsula that holds the old town, called Panagia. Cobbled streets lined with pastel-hued buildings wind up to the bastions, past churches, the Halil Bey mosque and the domed Imaret, once a religious school.
Off the southernmost reaches of the Argolis peninsula, the island of Hydra is renowned as a boater’s paradise and a rare car-free destination. Hydra Town rises up the hillsides that surround the u-shaped harbor like an amphitheater, its aquatic stage flanked by cannons. Donkeys are the lone form of transportation up the steep cobblestone lanes, as even scooters and bicycles are banned. The waterfront area is the island’s center for shopping, dining, nightlife and maritime traffic. The town also features art, history and cultural museums housed in converted 18th-century stone mansions.
The sacred and the secular share Patmos, the holy island of the Aegean where St. John is held to have written the Book of Revelation while in exile. Dominating the island, the Monastery of St. John the Theologian is a castle-like complex wrapped by the white-washed buildings of the historic Chora.
Long at the crossroads of power in the Aegean, Ikaria has a historic legacy that ranges from ancient Greeks to the Ottomans. Following 20th-century wars and hardships, the island today is deeply rooted in community and celebration, an ethos said to support the legendary longevity of Ikarians, along with a diet of local fruit, vegetables, honey, olive oil and free-flowing red wine.
With a fleet of colorful fishing boats bobbing along the quay, pastel-hued buildings and palm-fringed promenade, Sanary-sur-Mer is one of France’s most picturesque ports. The compact town, including its beaches, is easily navigated on foot but its unstudied charm is best captured over a glass of rose at a waterfront cafe. Sanary is also an ideal base for exploring Provence’s Var coast. Next door is Bandol, the coastal town at the heart of a tiny, highly-acclaimed wine appellation.
Rising from the edge of Corsica’s northeast coast, the skyline of Bastia is marked by the graceful twin towers of the Church of St. John the Baptist overlooking the yacht-filled harbor of the Vieux Port. Equally imposing is the Cathédrale Sainte-Marie in the heart of Terra Nova, the walled citadel that once protected the city’s Genoese governors. Both of these areas are filled with Baroque churches and elegant plazas that are delightful places for a stroll, as is the seaside garden that lies between the Vieux Port and Terra Nova.
Puerto Plata may be best known for its over 100 kilometers of beaches. Playa Dorada, named for its golden sands, invites you to relax beside turquoise water, Cabarete beckons kite surfers and windsurfers alike, and Sosua Beach is the perfect place for snorkelers, with its crystal-clear waters and rich submarine ecosystem. More adventures can be found inland by taking the teleférico, or cable car, to the top of Mount Isabel de Torres for breathtaking views over the lush landscape that descends to the sea.
