7 nights. Greece, Italy, Malta, Croatia

Day 1

bari, italy

Departure: 20:00

Despite being a large, modern city, Bari has managed to maintain the unique ambiance of a small town. This city blends ancient structures and stern gothic castles with new shopping centers and restaurants, enhancing Bari's attractiveness and elegance. Take a stroll through the city center's narrow streets to reach the Bari Cathedral. Constructed in the 12th century, its crypt is a masterpiece of Baroque art. In these winding streets, another excellent example of Baroque architecture stands - the beautiful San Nicola church, built a thousand years ago. The Castello Normanno Svevo, constructed in 1132, is one of the city's most notable landmarks. The Archaeology Museum is another point of interest in Bari, as excavations in the old city continue to this day, providing the museum with a steady stream of new exhibits. While the daytime is typically reserved for leisurely walks in shaded valleys, Bari transforms into a bustling discotheque at night. Trendy bars, pubs, and clubs are ready to entertain guests until the break of dawn.

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Day 2

corfu, greece

Arrival: 09:00 - Departure: 16:00

With its Venetian fortress, British palaces, and a French esplanade modeled after the Rue de Rivoli in Paris, Corfu might not immediately strike you as Greek. As the most populated and cosmopolitan of the Ionian Islands, it is teeming with foreign visitors and architecture. According to legend, Corfu was the island where the shipwrecked Odysseus met the beautiful Princess Nausicaa. Some locals even claim it was the magical island imagined by Shakespeare in The Tempest. Corfu Town, a quaint and enjoyable city, is the largest and most significant town on the island. This is where you'll find the airport and where most cruise ships and long-distance ferries dock. The Old Fortress, built by the Venetians in 1546 on the site of a Byzantine castle, is undoubtedly one of Corfu’s landmarks. Separated from the rest of the town by a moat, the fortress dominates the Old Town, a labyrinth of narrow streets. As you wander, you'll discover chapels, old mansions, and hidden garden squares around every corner. Between the Old Fortress and the Old Town lies The Esplanade, considered the most beautiful esplanade in Greece, with its arches and cafes. The Achillion Palace, located in the picturesque village of Gastouri, 10 km south of the city center, was the summer residence of Empress Sissi from 1890 until her death in 1898. This stunning building and its scenic gardens offer a panoramic view of the sea and Corfu town. On the northwestern tip of the island, you'll find the bustling resort of Sidari, which is actually two small coastal villages connected by a long, sweeping sandy beach. The Kanoni peninsula, home to a 17th-century women's monastery, is one of Corfu's best-known landmarks and is featured on numerous postcards from the island. From the islet of Kanoni, you can take a boat to another islet, Mouse Island or Pontikonisi. Corfu's architecture is incredibly diverse, reflecting the various civilizations that once occupied the island. While mass tourism has marred parts of the island, much of it remains covered in olive groves, mountains, and woodland. Corfu Town is a charming and elegant town, nestled between two fortresses. Considered one of Greece's most beautiful cities, it's easy to see why as you stroll down the narrow streets and through the alleys, traverse spacious squares, visit Byzantine churches, and admire Venetian monuments. And of course, Corfu also boasts its natural beauty; the green-turquoise water that surrounds the town.

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Day 3

siracusa - sicily

Arrival: 10:00 - Departure: 20:00

Syracuse was the most prominent of Sicily's Greek cities, once only rivaled by Athens. Its historical sites surpass many in Greece. With its hot and dry climate, this provincial capital embodies the timeless beauty of Sicily. Visit the island of Ortigia, the charming historical center, to see the Temples of Apollo and Athena. The latter, now the city's cathedral, boasts a richly decorated baroque façade, added in the 18th century. Across the street, the National Archaeological Museum houses some extraordinary Greek vases. Another museum in the Palazzo Bellomo boasts an impressive collection of paintings and sculptures, set among miniature courtyards, fountains, and elegant stairways. For the major attractions, head across town to the archaeological park, Neapolis. Here you'll find the Greek theater, where classical Greek plays are still performed. The numerous well-preserved reminders of its ancient grandeur make Syracuse a city perfect for lingering and romance.

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Day 4

valletta, malta

Arrival: 08:00 - Departure: 18:00

The small capital of Malta, Valletta, is less than 1 square kilometer in size but offers a wealth of experiences for tourists. Known as one of the most densely packed historical sites in the world, Valletta boasts 7,000 years of history. It's no surprise that the city was officially designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1980. Constructed by the Knights of St John in the 16th and 17th centuries for military and strategic purposes, Valletta was later transformed into a stunning example of baroque decorative art, particularly evident in the beautiful interiors of St John’s Co-Cathedral in the city center. The city's narrow, shady alleyways connect grand squares, and magnificent palaces coexist with bars and shops. Recently, Valletta has undergone significant changes to enhance its urban appeal, including the renovation of the main City Gate, the construction of a new parliament building, and the restoration of the bombed-out Opera House. Valletta's natural deep-water port, the Grand Harbour, is the largest and most impressive in the Mediterranean. For thousands of years, it has been the hub of Malta’s maritime activity. Evidence of this includes the 19 historical warehouses that still stand, dating back 250 years, and the historic Quay Wall, where the Knights of St John and European merchants once unloaded their goods. The Valletta Waterfront serves as the entrance to Malta’s capital city. As one of the most successful Mediterranean ports, the Port of Valletta welcomes over half a million cruise passengers into this open-air museum each year. The waterfront has recently been revitalized into a lively hub of shops, bars, and restaurants, and is especially romantic when lit up at night. The city’s moderate climate allows for a variety of outdoor activities, from diving and sailing to cycling and rock climbing, providing plenty of options for adventure-seeking tourists. However, don't expect Valletta to be bustling all night - its tranquility is a significant part of its allure.

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Day 6

split croatia

Arrival: 08:00 - Departure: 17:00

Split is the second-largest city in Croatia and the largest city in the Dalmatia region, with approximately 250,000 residents in its urban area. It is located on the eastern shore of the Adriatic Sea and extends over a central peninsula and its surroundings. As an intraregional transport hub and a popular tourist destination, the city is connected to the Adriatic islands and the Apennine peninsula.

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Day 7

Trieste, italy

Arrival: 09:00 - Departure: 17:00

Trieste is a city located in the northeastern part of Italy. It was once a significant and influential hub of politics, literature, music, art, and culture under the rule of the Austrian-Hungarian empire. However, its prominence declined towards the end of the 20th century, and today, Trieste is often overlooked as tourists flock to larger Italian cities like Rome and Milan. Despite this, Trieste remains a charming and underrated city, boasting a serene and lovely atmosphere reminiscent of Eastern Europe, numerous pubs and cafes, stunning architecture, and a beautiful view of the sea. For a time, it was even home to renowned Irish writer James Joyce. Trieste is the most cosmopolitan city in the region, balancing a rich history as the "Little Vienna on the Sea" with its modern, international identity. A trip to Trieste is a journey through the city's history, literature, and art, from its Roman roots to its medieval marvels, and up to its Habsburg grandeur. The city's architectural wealth is impressive, with Neoclassical, Art Nouveau, Eclectic, and Baroque styles coexisting harmoniously alongside Roman ruins, 18th-century buildings, and Hapsburg-style structures. Coffee is a staple product of Trieste. Since the 18th century, it has been a Free Port for coffee importation, making the port of Trieste the most significant in the Mediterranean for coffee trade. The beans that arrive here are destined not only for local coffee roasters but also for those worldwide. Moreover, coffee in Trieste is intertwined with literature. The city is home to numerous literary cafes—historic establishments with a retro charm—frequented by poets and writers such as James Joyce, Italo Svevo, and Umberto Saba.

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Day 8

bari, italy

Arrival: 14:00

Despite being a large, modern city, Bari has managed to maintain the unique ambiance of a small town. This city blends ancient structures and stern gothic castles with new shopping centers and restaurants, enhancing Bari's attractiveness and elegance. Take a stroll through the city center's narrow streets to reach the Bari Cathedral. Constructed in the 12th century, its crypt is a masterpiece of Baroque art. In these winding streets, another excellent example of Baroque architecture stands - the beautiful San Nicola church, built a thousand years ago. The Castello Normanno Svevo, constructed in 1132, is one of the city's most notable landmarks. The Archaeology Museum is another point of interest in Bari, as excavations in the old city continue to this day, providing the museum with a steady stream of new exhibits. While the daytime is typically reserved for leisurely walks in shaded valleys, Bari transforms into a bustling discotheque at night. Trendy bars, pubs, and clubs are ready to entertain guests until the break of dawn.

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