From the Adriatic to the Aegean: Southeastern Europe

Napolean called Piazza San Marco “the world’s most beautiful drawing room”, and it’s easy to see why. Explore wonders like its namesake basilica, a gilded Italo-Byzantine edifice. Lined with cafés, this square is also a favourite among Venetians.

Instead of streets, Venice has waterways, the most important of which is the sinuous Grand Canal. Locals get around by water taxis and vaporetti, but there’s nothing like the romance and serenity of gliding at water level on a traditional gondola.

Built in the 1300s and now a museum, this architectural masterpiece was the Doge of Venice’s home and seat of government. Every tour includes passing through the Bridge of Sighs to reach a former prison, of which the libertine Casanova was an inmate.

There’s more to Venice than the main island. Murano is famous for blown-glass pieces and their artisans. Burano captivates with its colourful homes and lace-making heritage. Mostly a nature reserve, peaceful Torcello has a 7th-century cathedral.

Built in 305 CE, this enormous fortress dominates the city’s historic core and is one of the best preserved monuments from the Roman era. The UNESCO site feels like an open-air museum as you wander through its gates, courtyards, vestibules and more.

Lined with palm trees, with Diocletian’s Palace on one side and the crystal-clear Adriatic on the other, the Riva esplanade is a popular spot for strolling, shopping, socialising over a coffee, and simply enjoying this city’s relaxed pace of life.

The hills and forests of Marjan, just west of the Old Town, are a nature lover’s paradise with trails and lookout points. Cultural heritage also abounds. Explore the hillside church, archaeological museum and palace of sculptor Ivan Mestrovic.

Marjan peninsula also boasts several lovely beaches, such as Kasjuni and Bene. Whether rocky, pebbly or sandy, these stretches of land attract swimmers and sunbathers. Bacvice Beach, near the city centre, is a cove with white sand and shallow water.

This district along the Miljacka River immerses visitors in authentic local life. After exploring centuries-old mosques, synagogues and churches, enjoy a Bosnian coffee at one of its many cafés.

The Tunnel of Hope was a lifeline during the Bosnian War (1992-1995), a way for supplies to get in and people to get out during the Siege of Sarajevo. This poignant museum preserves what remains of this important underground passage.

Established just after WWII, this important museum features the works of modern Bosnian-Herzegovinian artists, collections from former Yugoslavia, photographs, religious icons, and a collection of works by Swiss painter Ferdinand Hodler.

Named for its entry point to the city’s Catholic quarter, this pedestrian bridge is historic for being the place where Archduke Ferdinand was assassinated, the spark that led to WWI. This graceful structure offers picturesque views of the Miljacka.

Meaning “summit city”, the Acropolis was the natural place for ancient Greeks to build a temple to their patron goddess, Athena. Walk around the Parthenon to admire its columns and perfect proportions. This rocky hill also affords stunning views.

This vast archaeological site is akin to a grassy city park, but with millennia-old ruins. In the former heart of Greek commercial and political life, walk in the footsteps of ancient philosophers as you meander through markets, temples and theatres.

With a maze of marble-paved pedestrian streets and charming tavernas at every turn, Plaka is ideal for a stroll or meal after exploring the Parthenon just up the hill. As Athen’s oldest neighbourhood, it also brims with cultural artefacts.

Of Athen’s seven hills, Lycabettus is the highest. Whether you arrive by foot, car or funicular, the view from the top is simply breathtaking, especially at sunset. At the summit is the picturesque St George Chapel, bright white against the blue sky.

Ammoudara is a long stretch of sand facing the Sea of Crete. The clear, shallow waters are ideal for swimming, while decent waves make it a popular spot for water sports. In the late afternoon, you have front-row seats to a spectacular sunset.

The capital of Crete has been settled by Minoans, Venetians, Turks and others, giving it a rich heritage. Explore the Old Town and port, with its magnificent fortress, then learn more about the region at the Heraklion Archaeological Museum. 

The largest Minoan archaeological site in Crete is also its best preserved. Located just south of Heraklion, the complex layout of the palace likely inspired the legend of King Minos and the labyrinth that he built to contain his son, the Minotaur.

Ag Nik is located on the western shore of beautiful Mirabello Bay. It also has an inland lagoon, Lake Voulismeni, in which the goddess Athena supposedly loved to bathe. Its effortless charm and natural grace attract Cretans and globetrotters alike.