Ode To The Aegan

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

Rijeka (aka Fiume, Reka, Rika, all meaning ‘river’) is the deep water seaport of Croatia, located in an inlet of the Adriatic Sea. Historically it has been subject to many fierce and horrible disputes. The city’s economy depends on ship building, though this is now turning towards services and tourism. Read more about Rijeka, Croatia

Igoumenitsa, with its large port and strategic location, is one of the fastest-growing cities in Greece. Just out of Igoumenitsa are small towns and beaches well away from the tourist trail. The mountains of the region are beautiful and there is much to take in if scenery and peace is what you are seeking. Read more about Igoumenitsa, 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. Read more about Katakolon, Greece

Gythion is a port in the NW of the Laconian Gulf, the largest and most important town on the Mani Peninsula in southern Greece. It is well known as being the port for Sparta some 40 km away. Today's Sparta is a modern city with little ancient history, as the Spartans lived a rather austere life and did not build grand structures as did the Greeks. Read more about Gythion, Greece

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

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