An Extended Journey from Adriatic Heritage to Aegean Grace

Located at the head of the Adriatic Sea between the mouths of the Piave and Po Rivers, an intricate web of 118 tiny islands and canals make up the enchanting city of Venice in Italy. Considered to be an extremely beautiful and romantic destination, it is not surprising that Venice has played an important role in the history of symphonic and operatic music. One must take a gondola ride along some of the over 150 canals, including the Grand Canal. Read more about Venice, Italy

The popular tourist spot of Rovinj, a city in Croatia, is situated on the north Adriatic Sea on the western coast of the Istrian peninsula. Delicately poised between a medieval port and a modern tourist resort, it has managed to preserve its character by keeping major development well away from its historic centre. The Old Town is perched on an elevated peninsula surrounded by spacious Venetian terracotta-roofed houses, elegant piazzas, and crowned by the Church of St. Read more about Rovinj, Croatia

Dubrovnik, a Croatian city on the Adriatic Sea coast, is a prominent tourist destination. The city joined the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 1979. An outstanding feature of the Old Town of Dubrovnik is its intact city walls that run uninterrupted for 1,940m encircling the city. Read more about Dubrovnik, Croatia

Brindisi is an ancient city that sits on the boot's heel of long-legged Italy. It is one of the three main towns of the Salento Peninsula, and is sometimes called the Gateway to the East. It is also home to the end of the famous Apian Way, and while much of it is now paved, the end of this historic trading route, now enhanced with great steps and two imposing Roman columns, is still able to be appreciated. Read more about Brindisi, Italy

The village of Fiskardo is the northernmost port of the Ionian island of Kefalonia, a short distance from Ithaca, in Greece. Part of its intrigue is the fact that it was the only town on the island not to have been devastated by the earthquake in 1953. Hence all the traditional and Venetian buildings have been preserved, and this results in its unique beauty and atmosphere. Read more about Fiskardo, Greece

Milos Island lies in the Aegean Sea mid-way between Athens and Crete. It is also known as the Island of Colours because of its colourful beaches, rocks and waters, due to the island's volcanic origins. It is also where the centre-piece of the Louvre in Paris, Aphrodite of Milos (Venus de Milo), was found. Read more about Milos, Greece

Athens, the capital and largest city of Greece, is also one of the world's oldest cities with an unparalleled history that spans around 3,400 years. Experiencing long periods of sunshine throughout the year, and known as "the cradle of Western civilisation", it is a 'must-see' destination for world travellers. The city contains a fascinating variety of different architectural styles, ranging from Greco-Roman through Neo-Classical, to Modern. Read more about Athens, Greece

The Greek Island of Patmos is possibly best known as the place where the apostle John received his vision and wrote the Apocalypse, and is subsequently sometimes called the Jerusalem of the Aegean. Whether you are interested in history and religion or not, the Monastery of St. John is regarded as a 'must see'. Read more about Patmos, Greece

Istanbul (Byzantium from 660 BC, Constantinople from 330 CE, and Istanbul since 1930) is the largest city in Turkey and the fifth largest city proper in the world. It has dominated the Straits of Bosphorus, in the NW of the country, for 25 centuries, and as Constantinople was the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire. It was a metropolis of stunning splendour when the great capitals of Europe were mere villages and is the only metropolis in the world that is situated on two continents. Read more about Istanbul, Turkey

Istanbul (Byzantium from 660 BC, Constantinople from 330 CE, and Istanbul since 1930) is the largest city in Turkey and the fifth largest city proper in the world. It has dominated the Straits of Bosphorus, in the NW of the country, for 25 centuries, and as Constantinople was the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire. It was a metropolis of stunning splendour when the great capitals of Europe were mere villages and is the only metropolis in the world that is situated on two continents. Read more about Istanbul, Turkey

Kusadasi is a resort town on Turkey's Aegean coast and the centre of the seaside district of the same name. While best known as a starting point for visiting Ephesus, once one of the most beautiful cities in the world with a history dating from 3000 BC, there’s also a delightful range of activities in town. Places of interest include: the City Walls, of which one gate remains to-day; the peninsula at the end of the bay with its castle and swimming beaches; several aqua parks with wave-pools and white-water slides; Ladies Beach, once segregated but now open to all; and Dilek Peninsula National Park. Read more about Kusadasi, Turkey

Mykonos is the principal town of the island of the same name, which is part of the Cyclades, and could well be described as the most sophisticated of the Greek Islands. Visited by innumerable international celebrities - you may even see some enjoying a coffee on the sidewalk - it is not surprising that it is considered by many to be one of the top tourist destinations in the world. It is also an island with beautiful landscapes, scores of churches, some fascinating monuments, and windmills. Read more about Mykonos, Greece

Athens, the capital and largest city of Greece, is also one of the world's oldest cities with an unparalleled history that spans around 3,400 years. Experiencing long periods of sunshine throughout the year, and known as "the cradle of Western civilisation", it is a 'must-see' destination for world travellers. The city contains a fascinating variety of different architectural styles, ranging from Greco-Roman through Neo-Classical, to Modern. Read more about Athens, Greece