20 nights. Greece, Malta, Spain, France, Italy

Day 1

athens (piraeus), greece

Departure: 18:00

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Day 2

santorini, greece

Arrival: 08:00 - Departure: 18:00

Formed by the massive volcanic eruption which gave rise to the Atlantis legend, Santorini is the most striking island in the Aegean. The island is actually the outer rim of a sunken volcano, its entire eastern coast is a succession of small towns perched on high hills. Fira is the island’s dramatically situated capital. Perched on the cliffs, overlooking the sea, the town of Fira shares with the Parthenon the fame of the best known images of Greece. The narrow streets are filled with souvenir shops, lovely boutiques and a lot of jewellery shops. It has two beautiful churches, the Greek Orthodox and the Catholic Cathedral of St John the Baptist. It also has a small local museum. Nightlife in Fira is also quite lively with good restaurants and bars, plus a few nightclubs. The city is a spectacle in itself, with a climax at sunset. Another great place to enjoy the sunset is the town of Ia, a small village clinging to the rocky point of land at the northern tip of the island, 300m above the sea. The beaches in Santorini are much different than other beaches in Greece due to their special geographical features. Red and black volcanic pebbles lay the shores of Santorini beaches and steep cliffs provide a picturesque ambience. The most famous of Santorini beaches is the Red beach, while particularly popular are Perissa, Kamari and Perivolos. Santorini is a truly wonderful destination. The siting of some of its major towns along the clifftop rim of the caldera is one of the most spectacularly lovely sights in the world. The buildings seem to defy gravity in the way they cling to the cliffs and are stacked one on top of the other like so many sugar cubes. The sandy, multicoloured beaches are simply the icing on the cake.

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Day 3

mykonos, greece

Arrival: 08:00 - Departure: 18:00

Mykonos is a popular tourist destination in the Greek islands of the Cyclades group, situated in the middle of the Aegean Sea. In the 1960s, Mykonos became a bohemian mecca and is now one of the glitziest holiday resorts in the country that happily flaunts its sizzling style and reputation. This central Cyclade was for years the premier Mediterranean resort for gay travellers, though recently Mykonos has tried to reinvent itself for a more varied clientele, though nightlife is still very gay-friendly, it is a paradise for any reveller with loud and long nights. Chora or Mykonos town is the main town on the island. It is filled with narrow, winding streets, whitewashed buildings with blue trim, nice restaurants, clothing and jewellery shops, a fish market and a vegetable market. It is one of the most cosmopolitan and crowded towns of the Aegean. Besides Chora, there is only one other town on the island, Ano Mera. Ano Mera is quieter and less touristy. While you are here, visit the Monastery of Panagia Tourliani, a traditional Greek Orthodox Church which has a beautiful iconostas. The island is dry and barren, but there are some fine, sandy beaches, the two most well-known being Paradise and Super Paradise, but there are many other beaches you can seek out around the island. From the charming port, catch a boat out to the beaches or out to Delos, and you will be travelling from the present into the ancient past, from one set of myths to another.

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Day 5

valletta, malta

Arrival: 08:00 - Departure: 18:00

The wee capital of Malta, the city is less than 1 sq km in size, but has loads to offer visitors. Valletta is known as one of the most densely packed historic areas in the world, with its 7,000 years of history. It's no surprise then, that the City of Valletta was officially recognised as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1980. Built by the knights of St John in the 16th and 17th centuries for military and strategic reasons, Valletta was later spruced up into a fine example of baroque decorative art – most notably in the magnificent interiors of St John’s Co-Cathedral in the heart of the city. Shady atmospheric alleyways link grand squares, and grand palazzi sit alongside pubs and shops. Recently, the city has seen some major changes to create a more vibrant urbanity, with the renovation of the main City Gate and the design of a new parliament building, as well as the renovation of the bombed-out Opera House. Valletta's natural deep water port, the Grand Harbour, is the biggest and the most impressive harbour in all the Mediterranean and was, for many thousands of years, the epicentre of Malta’s maritime activity. Evidence of this are the 19 historical warehouses still standing dating back 250 years and the historic Quay Wall, where the Knights of St John and European merchants used to unload their goods. The Valletta Waterfront is also the gateway to Malta’s capital city. In fact, as one of the most successful Mediterranean ports, the Port of Valletta welcomes more than half-a-million cruise passengers into this open air museum. Recently, the waterfront has been revitalised into an attractive and vibrant gateway of shops, pubs and restaurants. It’s particularly romantic at night when lit up. There are loads of outdoor pursuits to enjoy thanks to the city’s moderate climate. From diving to sailing, cycling to rock climbing, there are a number of different adrenalin-busting options to satisfy adventurous holidaymakers. Just don't expect Valletta to be buzzing all night, its tranquility is a large part of its charm.

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Day 7

ibiza, spain

Arrival: 13:00 - Departure: 23:00

Port de Sant Miguel is a small beach resort with a white sandy beach on the north west coast of Ibiza. This small settlement was once the fisherman’s port for the nearby village of Sant Miquel de Balansat. The resort is situated in a small sheltered inlet surrounded by steep cliffs which are topped with pine woodland and scrub. At the head of the cove is a small sandy beach. Behind the beach there are a number of shops, bars and restaurants. (Note: The text is already in English and does not require translation. English is spoken in Ireland with some regional dialects and accents, but the written language remains the same.)

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Day 8

valencia, spain

Arrival: 09:00 - Departure: 18:00

Valencia values its huertas, or orchards, of citrus fruit trees, which thrive despite the dry conditions. Here visitors will discover monuments to water, or fountains, and celebrations of vegetation, or gardens. This provincial capital, the third largest city in Spain, also boasts a range of museums and ancient monuments and buildings, all with a distinctly Moorish and nautical feel. Valencia is the birthplace of both paella and orxata de chufas, and it provides the most genuine setting for tasting them. From the Old Town rises the Gothic and neoclassical Seu, Metropolitan Cathedral. Its tower, the Micalet, offers a sweeping view of the historic city centre. The interior of the cathedral is notable for its cool simplicity and simple, yet beautiful, six-panel altarpiece. The Museu de la Seu, the Cathedral Museum, holds among other lesser treasures, two large Goyas and one of Spain’s several supposedly authentic Holy Grails. Nearby is the Llotja de la Seda, the former silk exchange, with its handsome pillars. Whether you prefer the modern or the old, Valencia has everything to offer. You can lose yourself at night in the historic centre and walk in front of the illuminated cathedral or visit La Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, the City of Arts and Sciences, the city's avant-garde side.

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Day 9

palma de mallorca, spain

Arrival: 08:00 - Departure: 16:00

Palma de Mallorca is the only true city on the island. A city located on the island of Mallorca, one of the Balearic Islands off the east coast of Spain. The city has become a destination in its own right, rather than simply a stop-over for package holidaymakers on their way to the many beach resorts on the island, thanks to its increasingly cosmopolitan atmosphere, its cutting-edge galleries and museums, a thriving cultural scene and an ever-growing number of chic boutiques, trendy bars, nightclubs and restaurants. Palma de Mallorca is a fantastic place to visit. It boasts a rich architectural diversity as the city has many different styles all blended together. The remnants of Arab and Jewish cultures, the Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture of its churches, convents and manor houses, in addition to its comprehensive infrastructure of cultural attractions, make Palma a unique cultural destination. Don't miss the chance to stroll down the narrow streets, take a good look at the interior courtyards and look up to see the impressive architecture on the heights of the various buildings where Gaudi and his disciples left their mark. The city's heritage is a faithful reflection of the peoples and cultures that have passed through the island over the centuries. As a versatile, cosmopolitan city on the beachfront, Palma, the capital of the Balearics, has something for everyone.

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Day 10

provence(marseille), france

Arrival: 12:00 - Departure: 19:00

Marseille is the second largest city in France, the biggest Mediterranean port and the economic hub of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. Marseille is set in a beautiful location, nestled between rugged limestone hills and a sweeping bay, and is rich with history, which wasn’t always pleasant. Marseille is a popular holiday destination, as it has 300 days of sunshine a year. Today Marseille still retains traces of its tumultuous past, this ancient city is today very active and attractive. It has a powerful charm which encourages visitors, to wander through its old districts around le Vieux Port, in the gardens with the ancient ruins or the gardens of Longchamp Palace and, of course, on the esplanade of Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde Cathedral, which overlooks the entire city Marseille is atmospheric and charming and a real must.

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Day 11

savona, italy

Arrival: 08:00 - Departure: 16:30

Savona is a seaport and comune in the northern Italian region of Liguria, capital of the Province of Savona, in the Riviera di Ponente on the Mediterranean Sea. MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS • The Cattedrale dell'Assunta • The Cappella Sistina. • The Sanctuary of Nostra Signora della Misericordia. • The Torre Leon Pancaldo • The Palazzo Della Rovere • The Palazzo Gavotti Savona is a seaport and comune in the northern Italian region of Liguria, capital of the Province of Savona, in the Riviera di Ponente on the Mediterranean Sea. PRÍOMHATTRACTIONS TURASÓIREACHTA • An Cattedrale dell'Assunta • An Cappella Sistina. • Sanctuary of Nostra Signora della Misericordia. • An Torre Leon Pancaldo • An Palazzo Della Rovere • An Palazzo Gavotti

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Day 12

Civitavecchia (Rome), italy

Arrival: 07:00 - Departure: 17:30

Modern and old, past and present go hand in hand, all the time. Whether you're in Rome for 3 days, 3 weeks or 3 months, be ready to step into the world’s largest open air museum. Rome will charm you and it will hardly leave you unmoved. It will surprise you, as it has so much to offer to any visitor, and its beauty has merely been slightly obscured by the passage of time. Rome is one of the world's most photogenic cities - not surprising when you remember what's here - The Vatican, the Trevi Fountain, St Peter's Square, Spanish Steps, Colosseum... Whether you spend your time sightseeing, or lounging in cafés watching the world go by, it will be your turn to star in your very own Roman Holiday. If you can plan to stay for as long as a week, you won't run out of things to do and you'll still feel like you're leaving too soon.

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Day 13

naples/capri, italy

Arrival: 08:00 - Departure: 16:00

Capri is a stunning picturesque retreat located 5 km from mainland Italy in the Bay of Naples. It's a renowned beauty spot and coastal resort since the time of the emperors. It's a very popular destination due to what it has to offer and that is its rural charm, slow pace of life and unforgettable views. Capri has constant sunshine and enjoys its well deserved reputation as a Garden of Eden. Capri town is the main settlement on the island and can be reached via a funicular railway that runs from the dock in Marina Grande. The town's main square, Piazza Umberto, is a bustling central area that contains a few shops, cafes and restaurants and is where the funicular railway ends. Surrounding the square are the ''Torre dell'Orologio'', or Clock Tower and the island's main church, San Stefano. Anacapri is the island's second largest settlement and lies a couple of miles west of Capri town. Anacapri offers visitors many art and craft shops and also the opportunity to enjoy a trip on a chair lift up to the summit of Mount Solaro.

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Day 14

cagliari, sardinia, italy

Arrival: 09:00 - Departure: 18:00

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Day 15

sicily (palermo),italy

Arrival: 08:00 - Departure: 17:00

Life in Palermo is intense. People and buildings are tightly packed into every available space and chaotic markets make the narrow footpaths impassable. Lush gardens exist along poor narrow streets, and drying laundry resembles the festive banners of a public celebration. Stroll along via Roma up to Corso Vittorio Emanuele, admiring the squares and the exuberant cathedral. The Palazzo dei Normani is an extraordinary fusion of styles, its Byzantine mosaics are a reminder of the city's Golden Age. The ruins of the Church of San Giovanni degli Eremiti stand around the corner, with its pink domes shielding an exotic cloister garden. The National Gallery of Sicily, housed in the Palazzo Abatellis, has a superb collection of paintings and sculpture. In the mornings, don’t miss the massive open-air Capo market. Most of Palermo’s nightlife occurs in the beach district of Mondello. There you can join the strolling crowds of young Italians sampling fish from seaside kitchen stalls and eating gelato.

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Day 16

valletta, malta

Arrival: 10:00 - Departure: 19:00

The wee capital of Malta, the city is less than 1 sq km in size, but has loads to offer visitors. Valletta is known as one of the most densely packed historic areas in the world, with its 7,000 years of history. It's no surprise then, that the City of Valletta was officially recognised as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1980. Built by the knights of St John in the 16th and 17th centuries for military and strategic reasons, Valletta was later spruced up into a fine example of baroque decorative art – most notably in the magnificent interiors of St John’s Co-Cathedral in the heart of the city. Shady atmospheric alleyways link grand squares, and grand palazzi sit alongside pubs and shops. Recently, the city has seen some major changes to create a more vibrant urbanity, with the renovation of the main City Gate and the design of a new parliament building, as well as the renovation of the bombed-out Opera House. Valletta's natural deep water port, the Grand Harbour, is the biggest and the most impressive harbour in all the Mediterranean and was, for many thousands of years, the epicentre of Malta’s maritime activity. Evidence of this are the 19 historical warehouses still standing dating back 250 years and the historic Quay Wall, where the Knights of St John and European merchants used to unload their goods. The Valletta Waterfront is also the gateway to Malta’s capital city. In fact, as one of the most successful Mediterranean ports, the Port of Valletta welcomes more than half-a-million cruise passengers into this open air museum. Recently, the waterfront has been revitalised into an attractive and vibrant gateway of shops, pubs and restaurants. It’s particularly romantic at night when lit up. There are loads of outdoor pursuits to enjoy thanks to the city’s moderate climate. From diving to sailing, cycling to rock climbing, there are a number of different adrenalin-busting options to satisfy adventurous holidaymakers. Just don't expect Valletta to be buzzing all night, its tranquility is a large part of its charm.

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14

Day 17

catania,sicily,italy

Arrival: 07:00 - Departure: 17:00

Catania is the second largest city in Sicily. Buried seven times by fierce eruptions of the Etna volcano and several earthquakes, much of its monuments have been destroyed. Nonetheless, the old town is well maintained, so much so, that it was declared a World Heritage Site in 2002. In the city centre, visitors will be able to enjoy the major feature of the city: its baroque architecture. The main examples are the Cathedral Square, Piazza del Duomo, with the Elephant Fountain, the adorned Cathedral, founded in the 11th century on the ruins of the ancient baths and the impressive 13th century Ursino Castle. The remains of the Roman and Greek heritage can still be witnessed at the former Acropolis of Katane that includes the Roman Theatre, built by Greeks and reconstructed by Romans, the Odeon and the Amphitheatre. Chaotic, noisy and boisterous, Catania’s nightlife is buzzing, hundreds of bars, clubs and eateries are at hand where to get infected with the joie de vivre of the city’s population.

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Day 18

taranto, italy

Arrival: 09:00 - Departure: 17:00

Taranto is a coastal city in Apulia, Southern Italy. It's the capital of the Province of Taranto and is a significant commercial port as well as the main Italian naval base and is the third-largest continental city of Southern Italy. Taranto has a beautiful Cathedral and a stunning fishing port, with fantastic theatres, nightlife and gorgeous cuisine- scrumptious. It's at the historic crossroads of the Magna Grecia and the Appian Way. It has a large, natural harbour of turquoise waters and its climate is mild and moderate most times of the year.

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Day 19

argostoli, greece

Arrival: 09:00 - Departure: 16:00

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Day 20

mykonos, greece

Arrival: 12:00 - Departure: 22:00

Mykonos is a popular tourist destination in the Greek islands of the Cyclades group, situated in the middle of the Aegean Sea. In the 1960s, Mykonos became a bohemian mecca and is now one of the glitziest holiday resorts in the country that happily flaunts its sizzling style and reputation. This central Cyclade was for years the premier Mediterranean resort for gay travellers, though recently Mykonos has tried to reinvent itself for a more varied clientele, though nightlife is still very gay-friendly, it is a paradise for any reveller with loud and long nights. Chora or Mykonos town is the main town on the island. It is filled with narrow, winding streets, whitewashed buildings with blue trim, nice restaurants, clothing and jewellery shops, a fish market and a vegetable market. It is one of the most cosmopolitan and crowded towns of the Aegean. Besides Chora, there is only one other town on the island, Ano Mera. Ano Mera is quieter and less touristy. While you are here, visit the Monastery of Panagia Tourliani, a traditional Greek Orthodox Church which has a beautiful iconostas. The island is dry and barren, but there are some fine, sandy beaches, the two most well-known being Paradise and Super Paradise, but there are many other beaches you can seek out around the island. From the charming port, catch a boat out to the beaches or out to Delos, and you will be travelling from the present into the ancient past, from one set of myths to another.

Read more

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Day 21

athens (piraeus), greece

Arrival: 06:00