Trieste, Bari, Corfu, Argostoli/Kefallonia, Katakolon (Ancient Olympia), Kotor, Split

Trieste is a city and port in northeastern Italy, near the borders of Slovenia. It is located on the homonymous gulf, in the Adriatic Sea, in one of the richest regions of Italy.

Bari, the capital of Apulia and an important touristic destination and commercial harbor, lies on a fertile coastal plain facing the Adriatic Sea. A cultural crossroads since ancient times, it is a city where two souls meet: the old town, surrounded by an imposing wall and crossed with winding narrow streets (Barrivecchia) and the modern city, built at the beginning of the 19th Century. In the old city you’ll come across architectural masterpieces created over the centuries by Romans, Byzantines, Normans and Swabians.You can marvel the majestic Castello Svevo (Swabian Castle), the imposing Saint Nicholas's Basilica, the Cathedral and the famous Teatro Petruzzelli, considered the temple of opera in Bari. Bari is an ideal starting point for excursions to Alberobello, a small town in Puglia in southern Italy, famous for its trulli: white, cone-roofed houses, a unique UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Fortresses flank your entrance to magnificent Corfu, one of the most beautiful of the Ionian Islands. Lose yourself in the Venetian old town or head north of the island, for dramatic seascapes. Explore the legacies of Greek, Roman and Venetian Empires or simply marvel at nature’s treasures that are hidden in this beautiful island, swathed in emerald green, lapped by turquoise waters and fringed with golden sand. The once pastel colours on Venetian buildings may have faded, but the welcoming scent of eucalyptus, fig and lemon trees are fragrant as ever. 

Greece's best-kept secret, Argostoli is the capital and largest town of Kefallonia Island. It is a natural harbour, surrounded by low hills that reach the sea. At the edge of the bay next to Argostoli lies the lagoon of Koutavos, with lush vegetation and a forest with very tall eucalyptus trees. Argostoli's attractions are mostly within walking distance of the port. A couple blocks south of the square is the main shopping street, Lithostroto, which is a pedestrian-only cobble shopping area. There are two nice small museums, the Archaeological Museum with artifacts from Mycenean to Roman times and the Korgialeneio History and Folk Art Museum, which includes many displays showing the island prior to the earthquake. Discover enticing beaches, tasty white wine, visit the fishing village of Fiskardo where you may while away the afternoon schmoozing with the locals.

Katakolon Port occupies the north-west part of the Peloponnese. To the west it is washed by the Ionian Sea. It is the current harbor of the regions capital city Pyrgos and serves as the gateway to the site of ancient Olympia, one of the most important archaeological sites in the world and birthplace of the Olympic Games. Visitors can see the remains of the original Olympic stadium, the Bouleuterion and the Temple of Zeus, enjoy free time in modern Olympiato shop or visit the Museum of the Olympic Games. 

Kotor, which was first settled during the days of ancient Rome, is located along one of Montenegro's most beautiful fjord-like bays. It is a precious gem, with a well preserved urban center, which hosts ample medieval architecture and numerous monuments of cultural heritage that have designated the town, a UNESCO “World Natural and Historical Heritage Site". Walking along the streets and alleys, you will enjoy a fairy-tale setting, where medieval spires rise dreamily over orange rooftops beside mountainous scenery. 

Split, built under the orders of the Roman emperor Diocletian, who lived out his last days after abdicating in AD 305, is located between Venice and the Ionian Islands, on the Dalmatian coast and is one of the most important ports of Croatia. Today, the remarkable residence of the Roman Emperor, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, awaits your discovery. The white limestone palace, part luxurious villa, part military camp, is enclosed by imposing walls and connected by roads linking the eastern Silver Gate with the Iron Gate to the west. Within its premices, you can see an octagonal domed mausoleum, temples and a monumental court accessing the imperial apartments.

Trieste is a city and port in northeastern Italy, near the borders of Slovenia. It is located on the homonymous gulf, in the Adriatic Sea, in one of the richest regions of Italy.