Iconic Treasures Of The Adriatic

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. They are usually all found together in the same areas, as a walk through the old neighbourhoods of the famous historic triangle will reveal. Read more about Athens, Greece

Hydra is one of the Saronic Islands of Greece, located in the Aegean Sea between the Saronic Gulf and the Argolic Gulf. In ancient times the island was known as Hydrea, which was a reference to the (now depleted) springs on the island. There is one main town, known simply as Hydra Port. It consists of a crescent-shaped harbor surrounded by restaurants, shops, markets, and galleries that cater to tourists and locals. Read more about Hydra, Greece

The scenic seaside Greek town of Katakolon, with a population around 3,000, is your typical small-town cruise port with delightful cafes along the waterfront, shops that sell T-shirts, hats and jewellery, and a small beach that draws swimmers and sandcastle-builders. But that's not why ships make the town a destination. They arrive because Katakolon serves as the cruise gateway to ancient Olympia, just 40 km away, the birthplace of the Olympic Games. More than 3 million people annually visit the site and its companion facility, the Archaeological Museum of Olympia, a treasure trove of pieced-together sculptures and statues that once adorned the ancient structures. Read more about Katakolon, Greece

Corfu Island, located just off the west coast of Greece, boasts some of the most stunning scenery in the Greek Isles. With its impressive landscapes, rich vegetation, long golden beaches, the elegant capital Corfu Town, and many traditional villages, it is not surprising that this island receives many visitors each year. The capital is possibly most impressive, due to the Venetian, French and English civilisations that are remembered for the architectural elements they have left behind. Be sure to visit the Achillion Palace with its picturesque gardens overlooking Corfu Town, and at least one of the many Greek churches and monasteries. Read more about Corfu, Greece

Otranto is a town on the east coast of the ‘heel’ of Italy, Salento Peninsula in the province of Lecce. It has a small harbour facing the Strait of Otranto that connects the Adriatic Sea with the Ionian Sea, and that separates Italy and Albania (just 75 km apart). Five kilometres to the SE of Otranto is the lighthouse Faro della Palascìa, that marks the most easterly point of Italy, on the 'heel' of the Italian mainland. Otranto was a town of Greek origin, but over the centuries its strategic location has seen it come under Roman, Byzantine, Turkish and French rule. Read more about Otranto, Italy

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. This complex structure, one of the most beautiful and strongest fort systems in the Mediterranean, consists of a series of forts, bastions, towers and detached forts, originally used to protect the vulnerable city. Read more about Dubrovnik, Croatia

Mljet is a small island in the Dalmatia region of Croatia, the most southerly and easterly of the larger Adriatic islands. It is elongated, 36km by 3km, one of many such islands along the coast. The more prominent Croatian tourist destination of Dubrovnik lies 30km to the ESE. Mljet has a population of just over a thousand people. Read more about Mljet Island, Croatia

Korcula is a Croatian island in the Adriatic Sea lying just off the Dalmatian Coast. The greenest, most independent and most interesting of Croatia's 1,000 or so islands, Korcula is very much a law unto itself, as you might expect from a community that has resisted the sieges of centuries. Korcula Town is a mini-fortress enclosed with honey-coloured stone walls built in the 14th century, with round defensive towers. The town contains hidden treasures, from icons to Tiepolos, as well as architectural delights in every narrow, cobbled street. Read more about Korcula, Croatia

Hvar is a Croatian island in the Adriatic Sea located off the Dalmatian coast. The climate is characterised by mild winters and warm summers, and this, together with beautiful beaches and Mediterranean vegetation, make it a most attractive tourist destination. Hvar town features a large public square - St Stephen’s Square - that is open to the sea, and in season the port is filled with large yachts. The many renaissance and baroque palaces dominate the city that itself is surrounded by fortification walls dating from the 7th century. Read more about Hvar, Croatia

Trogir - aka Tragurium, Tragurion, Trau - is an historic town and harbour on the Adriatic coast in Split-Dalmatia County, Croatia. It is situated on a small island between the Croatian mainland and the island of Ciovo. In the 3rd century BC, Trogir was founded by Greek colonists, then conquered and almost completely demolished in 1123 by the Saracens, but recovered to experience powerful economic prosperity in the 12th and 13th centuries. The town has a fascinating 2300 years of continuous urban tradition. Read more about Trogir, Croatia

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. Euphemy from the 18th century, whose bell tower dominates the scene. Read more about Rovinj, Croatia

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. Be amazed at the numerous bridges – such as the Rialto bridge – and absorb the glorious renaissance architecture with its panorama of superbly detailed facades. Read more about Venice, Italy