MEDD

Gallipoli means ‘Beautiful City’ in Greek—and this gorgeous little town on the Salento Peninsula certainly lives up to its name. Surrounded by water and accessible only by sea or via a 16th century bridge, the town’s historic heart sits on a small island that juts out into the Ionian Sea. This is a place that displays its proud seafaring heritage at every turn, and you’ll see fishermen fixing their nets at the harbor and the freshest seafood dishes adorning the menus of the Old Town.

Known as the ‘Pearl of the Atlantic’, the volcanic island of Madeira is bursting with exotic colors. The capital city of Funchal is a place to lose yourself in old alleyways, street cafés and pretty squares. See Gothic and Romanesque styles blend at Funchal Cathedral; explore the Contemporary Art Museum, which is housed in the mighty 17th century São Tiago Fortress; or join the locals in the Mercado dos Lavradores, which is adorned with beautiful hand-painted tiles. In the evening, check out the funky Zona Velha.

Green, forested Kefalonia is an Ionian idyll amid cerulean seas: an island of hidden coves and beaches and scenic villages and vineyards. On its northeastern shore, the tiny port of Fiskardo welcomes luxury vessels to its pretty, curved harbor that looks out over the legendary island of Ithaka. Colorful Italianate villas line Fiskardo’s waterfront, creating a beautiful setting for the village’s impressive line-up of chic cafés, restaurants and boutiques.

Simple seaside pleasures – a waterfront promenade, open-air cafés and some gorgeous beaches – are the focus of life in the resort town of Kuşadası. This modern port is the gateway to Ephesus, one of the great cities of antiquity, which lies just 10 miles inland. Founded by the Ionian Greeks, Ephesus flourished as a provincial capital of Imperial Rome. Wandering around its agoras, baths, libraries and mosaic-adorned houses is an experience you’ll never forget.

Over the centuries Romans, medieval Catalan kings and the French Royal Navy have all sailed into the deep, natural harbor of Port-Vendres in Roussillon – the French part of Catalonia. Just up the coast from this working fishing port, you’ll find the colorful seaside village of Collioure, which has inspired artists like Henri Matisse and Picasso and is one of the most picturesque resorts on the Côte Vermeille.

The second largest of Spain’s Balearic Islands, Menorca boasts more beaches than Majorca, Ibiza and Formentera combined.  What’s more, this ecologically-minded island has managed to remain utterly unspoiled, as UNESCO declared it a Biosphere Reserve in 1993, and it remains protected to this day. Take a stroll in the town of Ciutadella, the island’s former longtime capital, and you’ll find a beautiful historic quarter where the narrow medieval streets invite exploration.

The white peaks of the Lefka Ori mountain range create a dramatic backdrop for Crete’s former capital of Chania. This city’s rich cultural heritage showcases everything from Byzantine monasteries to medieval churches and Turkish baths. At the heart of its enchanting Old Town you’ll find the Venetian harbor, with its landmark lighthouse and colorful waterfront palazzos. Behind that you’ll discover a maze of alleyways lined with fascinating cafés, galleries, bars and restaurants.

Located on Turkey’s sun-drenched Aegean coast, the town of Bodrum effortlessly blends seaside chic with ancient history and a relaxed beach scene. The town is the hub for boating on the peninsula, and traditional wooden gulet boats will take you along the coastline to idyllic hidden coves to swim in sparkling turquoise waters. Bodrum’s 15th century St. Peter’s Castle stands guard over the old bazaar district’s narrow cobbled streets, quaint cafés, artisan workshops and bougainvillea-draped whitewashed walls.

Sitting on a spectacular stretch of coastline on the ‘heel’ of Italy, Bari is Puglia’s bustling capital. The city’s historic Bari Vecchia district is a labyrinth of charming medieval streets where you’ll see local women selling homemade orecchiette pasta and the faithful making their pilgrimages to the 12th century Basilica San Nicola. Head out of town and explore fascinating heritage sites like Alberobello, a village of unique domed trulli structures; or relax on one of the many sandy beaches that sit beneath the region’s ancient clifftop villages.

Amorgos is a fashionable yet decidedly low-key island in the eastern Cyclades. Its pristine beaches are wonderfully secluded and many of them can only be reached by foot or by boat. The island boasts some world-class dive sites, as well as numerous picturesque trails along its rugged coastline. Make your way inland and you’ll find the quintessentially Cycladic town of Hora. Lose yourself in its narrow streets, charming squares and bougainvillea-draped whitewashed buildings.