Adriatic & Aegean Icons – Rome to Istanbul

Travel to Rome and revel in the magnificent monuments, from the ancient Roman Forum and Coliseum to the splendor of St. Peter’s Basilica with Michelangelo’s Pietà and his breathtaking frescoes in the Sistine Chapel. Or enjoy a drive through the lush farmlands of the Roman countryside to lovely medieval Castelgandolfo.

Spend a day exploring the fabulous ruins of ancient Pompeii or Herculaneum with their stunning temples, frescoes and mosaics. Explore fascinating Naples and its famed museums, visit charming Sorrento or take a boat trip to the beautiful Isle of Capri.

Enjoy magnificent panoramic views on the way up to the town, where you can stroll down medieval lanes past stunning palaces. See the famed Greek theater and its fantastic view of Mount Etna. Or take a trip to the volcano itself and get a first-hand look at cones, craters and lava streams from previous eruptions and a fantastic view over the Gulf of Catania. Venture into the countryside and its lovely hill towns, one with a Norman castle built of black lava, and visit beautiful old Catania.

The town of Zakinthos, on the Ionian island of the same name, curves around a scenic bay and melds into the surrounding fertile plains. While Zakinthos is modern, some of the architecture bears a Venetian influence, especially its fortress and historic Saint Mark’s Square. Many of the icons and frescoes salvaged from the island’s medieval churches are now exhibited in the Byzantine Museum. Be sure to leave time for the beaches and look for Caretta-Caretta sea turtles, as Zakinthos is their primary nesting ground.

Tour the National Museum of History with archaeological artifacts going back as far as 100,000 years or jump ahead a few millennia and relive the Byzantine era at the Fortress of Justinian. Examine everything from modern art to 800-year-old religious icons at the National Art Gallery or climb the city’s clock tower for fabulous views.

Kotor is a beautiful walled medieval city of twisting, pink-paved streets, markets and architecture reflecting Byzantine to Venetian influences. Stroll through the compact old town, admire the impressive walls and tour the imposing St. Tryphon Cathedral, consecrated in 1166.

Enjoy a walk through this famous walled medieval city and its exquisite Venetian monuments. See the Franciscan monastery and explore the Rector’s palace and the cathedral. Or explore the countryside with a visit to lovely Cavtat, an enchanting seaside resort that began life as a Greek and then Roman colony. Then visit a local family in a Konavle Valley village and enjoy their hospitality over a traditional welcome of brandy and figs with a serenade by local musicians.

Tiny, red-tile roofed Hvar is tucked into a protected cove on Hvar Island, one of the more fertile areas on Croatia’s beautiful Dalmatian Riviera. Vineyards, fragrant herbs and fields of lavender blanket the countryside, and it’s ingredients like these that have turned Hvar into a glamorous resort city favored by those seeking fabulous beaches in a quaint setting. The 16th-century, Venetian-built fortress overlooking the city is a reminder that invaders have long favored the island. Another intriguing site is Hvar’s Franciscan Monastery and its museum full of religious artifacts. For a pleasant respite, relax in the Pjaca, the limestone town square.

Travel through the scenic countryside to beautiful Urbino, birthplace of Raphael, and visit the magnificent Palazzo Ducale, designed by Renaissance masters, and see the treasures in the palace’s art museum, including significant works by Raphael. Or visit the tiny independent country of San Marino, nestled in the mountains, and explore it on your own.

Originally built on an island surrounded by swampland that was later drained, Koper was known as “Goat’s Island” when it was under Venetian rule. Today the once fortified Old Town of Venetian-influenced Koper has retained much of its grand architecture from the 15th to 18th centuries. The Praetor’s Palace, a blend of Gothic and Renaissance styles, proudly rises above the gray limestone main square. Nearby the Postojna Caves are the most popular underground attraction in Europe, and the Predjama Castle was carved out of a limestone cliff.

Trieste is the capital city of the Friuli Venezia Giulia region in northeast Italy. A port city, it occupies a thin strip of land between the Adriatic coast and Slovenia’s border on the limestone-dominated Karst Plateau. Italian, Austro-Hungarian and Slovenian influences are all evident in its layout, which encompasses a medieval old city and a neoclassical Austrian quarter.

Sometime around 300 A.D., Roman Emperor Diocletian built his retirement palace on one of the loveliest spots on the Adriatic Sea. Today his palace has become a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the heart of Split, the city that grew up around it. Split is now Croatia’s second largest city, and much of it sits on a beautiful peninsula on the island of Ciovo, a jewel on the Dalmatian Coast. Many intriguing relics from the Roman, Greek colonial and Medieval periods can be found in Split’s archaeological museum, which was founded in 1820, making it Croatia’s oldest museum. One of the top outdoor attractions is the green oasis of Marjan Forest Park with its Split Zoo. There are also plenty of fine beaches nearby.

The walled city of Korcula is a medieval gem. Walk through the 14th century gate into the Old Town, and it’s like stepping back in time. Supposedly the birthplace of Marco Polo, Korcula features a wealth of Venetian-style architecture, including the Cathedral of Saint Mark and the Bishop’s Palace. For a glimpse of ancient Korcula, note the prehistoric artifacts exhibited in the town museum. There is also an inspirational Museum of Icons full of Byzantine religious paintings, many collected by 18th century sailors. Korcula’s best sand beach is Banje; Luka Korculanska beach attracts those who prefer pebbles.

Immerse yourself in this island of glorious scenery and beaches, serene monasteries, beautiful palaces, traditional mountain towns and Corfu’s lovely old Venetian quarter. Or visit the ornate Achilleion Palace, built by Empress Sissi of Austria and filled with dramatic sculptures of the Greek hero Achilles.

Visit ancient Olympia where the Olympic Games began in 776 B.C. and stroll around this deserted sanctuary, admiring the temples, altars and treasuries, and stand on the ground where ancient athletes practiced before competing. Or enjoy a pleasant drive through the countryside past quaint villages to a local vineyard and sample the wines, local cheeses and other foods.

Visit the beautiful whitewashed hilltop towns of Oia and Fira and their breathtaking views of the caldera below. See the stunning artifacts in Fira’s museum, including recent finds from the excavation of Akrotiri, thought by many to be the legendary city of Atlantis, or visit a winery. Stroll through the winding streets with fantastic views around every corner.

Climb up the magnificent Acropolis and stand in awe of the Parthenon, the beautiful temples and the view over Athens stretched out before you. See city highlights including the new and old Olympic stadiums. Journey to Cape Sounion and the temple of Poseidon overlooking the sea, or visit ancient Corinth and the narrow Corinth Canal cut through miles of solid rock.

Meander through the ruins of ancient Ephesus and marvel at the famed Library of Celsus, the huge amphitheater, the marble roads with their chariot marks, the amazing mosaic sidewalks and the superb, rarely opened Terrace Houses. Or journey to three monumental cities of antiquity – Priene, Miletus and Didyma – renowned for their majestic temples and impressive, beautifully preserved stadiums.

Indulge your eyes and senses in this magnificent city astride two continents. Visit beautiful Topkapi Palace, the awesome Hagia Sophia and the impressive Blue Mosque. Cruise the Bosphorus to see the city and its surroundings from another perspective. Visit one of the many museums or stroll through the spice market and the famous Grand Bazaar.

Indulge your eyes and senses in this magnificent city astride two continents. Visit beautiful Topkapi Palace, the awesome Hagia Sophia and the impressive Blue Mosque. Cruise the Bosphorus to see the city and its surroundings from another perspective. Visit one of the many museums or stroll through the spice market and the famous Grand Bazaar.

Indulge your eyes and senses in this magnificent city astride two continents. Visit beautiful Topkapi Palace, the awesome Hagia Sophia and the impressive Blue Mosque. Cruise the Bosphorus to see the city and its surroundings from another perspective. Visit one of the many museums or stroll through the spice market and the famous Grand Bazaar.