MEDD

Also known as Derry, Londonderry is one of Europe’s best-preserved walled cities and the only one in Ireland completely intact. Within the 400-year-old walls stand landmarks like the 17th-century St. Columb’s Cathedral, the imposing neo-Gothic Guildhall and the Tower Museum, which illuminates over 14 centuries of history. Evocative murals in the Bogside neighborhood acknowledge the turbulent period of the Troubles in the past, while the modern Peace Bridge symbolizes hope for a harmonious future.

Cosmopolitan in culture, architecture and energy, Thessaloniki has the feel of a big city with the charm and ambience of a much smaller town. Roman, Venetian and Ottoman civilizations have all left their mark here, and the influences of former empires are evident in fifteen UNESCO World Heritage sites, including churches, monasteries and baths spanning the 4th to the 14th centuries. The city’s gastronomy is likewise diverse and well regarded.

A cable car ride to the top of Mont Faron provides the perfect orientation to Toulon with 360-degree views of the city and its environs. Then descend to the scenic waterfront for a stroll along La Rade, where palm-fringed sidewalks are lined with brasseries and bistros serving classics like mussels and fries or ratatouille, each dish paired perfectly with a local Provence rosé.

From museums to mosques and from sand to souks, the bustling capital of Tunis is the perfect introduction to Tunisia on Africa’s north coast. Housed in a 19th-century palace, the world-famous Bardo National Museum tells fascinating tales of the region’s rich history and is especially recognized for its outstanding collections of mosaics. A UNESCO World Heritage site, the Medina of Tunis hearkens back to the 12th through 16th centuries when the city was one of the greatest and wealthiest in the Islamic world.

For picture-perfect whitewashed Greek towns on scenic waterfronts with patios of smiling patrons, nothing beats the laid-back island of Paros. With an exceptional selection of gorgeous beaches and historical sites to explore, the only thing missing is the crowds in this off-the-beaten-track destination. One of the country’s oldest Byzantine churches, the 4th-century Panagia Ekatontapiliani is an Old Town standout that features a tranquil garden with fragrant flowers and lemon trees.

Embraced by beautiful beaches and thousands of years of history, Kos is a tiny but mighty Dodecanese island in the wide Aegean Sea. The charming harbor town is dominated by the 15th-century Castle of the Knights, steps from the famous Tree of Hippocrates where the philosopher and native son is said to have taught. Just outside of town, further tribute to the Father of Medicine is found at the ruins of the Asklepieion, a center of healing dating to the 3rd century BC.

The Arade River meets the Atlantic Ocean at the town of Portimão in the Algarve, Portugal’s southernmost region. Here sandstone cliffs and striking rock formations frame the shorelines, and golf courses are as plentiful as the beaches. The long stretch of golden sand known as Praia da Rocha offers parasailing, kayaking and other watersports. Along the riverfront promenade, open-air eateries serve the local specialty of freshly grilled sardines, and you can learn about Portimão’s history as a fishing port in the award-winning museum housed in a former cannery.

Blessed with sunshine, sand and an astonishing selection of historical sites, Tarragona is a rare combination of natural beauty and rich culture. Vestiges of classical Roman structures dot the length and breadth of the city, a UNESCO World Heritage site known in ancient times as Tarraco. The Paseo Arqueológico takes you on a stroll along the Roman walls that encircle the Old Town.