Barcelona, the self-confident and progressive capital of Spain, is a tremendous place to be. Though it boasts outstanding Gothic and Art Nouveau buildings, and some great museums – most notably those dedicated to Picasso and Catalan art – it is above all a place where there's enjoyment simply in walking the streets, stopping in at bars and cafés, drinking in the atmosphere. A thriving port and the most prosperous commercial centre in Spain, it has a sophistication and cultural dynamism way ahead of the rest of the country. In part this reflects the city's proximity to France, whose influence is apparent in the elegant boulevards and imaginative cooking. But Barcelona has also evolved an individual and eclectic cultural identity, most perfectly and eccentrically expressed in the architecture of Antoni Gaudí. Scattered as Barcelona's main sights may be, the greatest concentration of interest is around the old town (La Ciutat Vella). These cramped streets above the harbor are easily manageable, and far more enjoyable, on foot. Start, as everyone else does, with the Ramblas.
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Oct 16, 2028 - Barcelona
Barcelona, the self-confident and progressive capital of Spain, is a tremendous place to be. Though it boasts outstanding Gothic and Art Nouveau buildings, and some great museums – most notably those dedicated to Picasso and Catalan art – it is above all a place where there's enjoyment simply in walking the streets, stopping in at bars and cafés, drinking in the atmosphere. A thriving port and the most prosperous commercial centre in Spain, it has a sophistication and cultural dynamism way ahead of the rest of the country. In part this reflects the city's proximity to France, whose influence is apparent in the elegant boulevards and imaginative cooking. But Barcelona has also evolved an individual and eclectic cultural identity, most perfectly and eccentrically expressed in the architecture of Antoni Gaudí. Scattered as Barcelona's main sights may be, the greatest concentration of interest is around the old town (La Ciutat Vella). These cramped streets above the harbor are easily manageable, and far more enjoyable, on foot. Start, as everyone else does, with the Ramblas.
Oct 17, 2028 - Sete
Situated at the Golf du Lion in South France, Sète has been an important port for three hundred years and today is the country’s second busiest port after Marseilles. Upper town straddles the slopes of Mont St. Clair, which overlooks the vast Bassin de Thau, a breeding ground of mussels and oysters. Lower town is intersected by waterways lined with tall terraces and seafood restaurants. Surrounding hills offer great hiking opportunities, and other interesting destinations include the university city of Montpellier and Agde. In Sète, pedestrian streets allow visitors leisurely strolling, and scattered café tables invite visitors to relax, sip an apéritif and people-watch. The sailor’s cemetery located on Mont St. Chair overlooks the harbor. The poet Paul Valéry, a native of Sète, is buried in the cemetery and the town honors him with the Musée Valéry, located across from the cemetery. The museum features a collection of modern French paintings and a room dedicated to singer and songwriter Georges Brassens, born and raised in Sète.
Oct 18, 2028 - Cannes
One visit to this sun-kissed stretch of the French Riviera is enough to explain why stars of the silver screen chose Cannes to host the world's most important film festival. The palm-fringed coastal boulevard hugs the curve of the beach, and is lined with luxury hotels and casinos. With Aérospatiale and Sophia-Antipolis, the leading European technical park, the future is being built here and experienced daily. Thanks to the International Film Festival, which each year attracts stars from all round the world, Cannes is the best known French town after Paris. Prestige and international expertise function together to meet business and leisure travel requirements which represent the major economic activity in Cannes. In the heart of this site of great natural beauty stands the 'Palais des Festivals' Congress Centre, equipped with all ultra-modern facilities, which has enabled Cannes to become one of the world's most important conference towns in the world.
Oct 19, 2028 - Alghero
Alghero is the tourist capital of the so-called Coral Riviera. Its Spanish heritage is reflected in many buildings, including the church of San Francesco and the towers and bastions remaining from Spanish fortifications. With its 22 impressive columns, the Church is an outstanding example of Catalan-Gothic architecture. Grottoes and caves attract the adventurous visitor; fishing boats and pleasure craft crowd the colorful harbor; and the crystalline sea is ideal for coral and lobster fishing. Old Town is the site of seven defensive towers that dominate the walls surrounding Alghero. One of the most prominent is Porta Terra, known also as Jewish Tower. At Via Umberto stands Alghero’s 16th-century cathedral. One of the finest examples of Alghero’s Catalan-Gothic architecture is Palazzo d’Albi on Piazza Civica. Nearby stands the elegantly austere palace Palaua Reial. Two-story massive stone towers of Nuraghe Palmavera are characteristic of the island’s numerous prehistoric settlements.
Oct 20, 2028 - At Sea
Oct 21, 2028 - Trapani
Trapani was founded in antiquity on Sicily's western coast by the Sicanians. Trapani is an unusual Sicilian city for its westward position, which affords spectacular views of some of the Mediterranean's most beautiful sunsets. The oldest parts of the city have been modernized in many respects, but Trapani shows its medieval past. The Annunciation Sanctuary was built in the fourteenth century in Romanesque Gothic style and still retains splendid medieval elements such as the facade's portal and rose window, though the church's interior has been modified. The Pepoli Regional Museum is renowned for its medieval and modern collections, including articles from the Bourbon era, though it also houses ancient finds. Giudecca Palace is a Catalan Gothic structure built in the sixteenth century. The Church of Saint Mary of Jesus has a splendid Renaissance Gothic facade. The Church of Sant'Agostino is Romanesque Gothic with a beautiful rose window. The Cathedral and Collegio Church were built in Baroque style during the seventeenth century.
Oct 22, 2028 - Valletta
Valletta is the capital of Malta. This remarkable fortified city with its massive bastions followed the most advanced Renaissance ideas in town planning, with streets laid straight on a grid looking over the Grand Harbour. Outside the 'City Gate' is the famous Triton Fountain. 'City Gate' has public buses and vendors selling soft drinks and all sorts of traditional fresh Maltese bread and sweets. Freedom Square shows an extraordinary capital with buildings of fine architecture of different tastes and styles ranging from the Mannerism to Baroque to Rococo to Neoclassicism. Valletta is a fascinating city for wandering around looking at what used to be the Knight's own cathedrals and Auberges. The city's backbone is Republic Street, which runs straight through the city center to Fort St. Elmo. Valletta has several narrow, steep side streets decorated with traditional Maltese pastel colored balconies and a statue on almost every street corner. There are plenty of shops, cafes, and restaurants to choose from.
Oct 23, 2028 - At Sea
Oct 24, 2028 - Heraklion
Heraklion, the capital of Crete and its principal commercial port, is just three miles away from the fantastic ruins of the Palace of Knossos. Discovered in 1899 by Sir Arthur Evans and partially reconstructed, the elaborate Palace is believed to be the mythical Labyrinth of King Minos and the seat of ancient Minoan culture. The Archaeological Museum in Heraklion displays many of the treasures found during the excavations.
Oct 25, 2028 - Santorini
Santorini is everything that has made the Greek islands legendary. The world famous island of Santorini is the southern most island of the Cycladic group in the Aegean Sea, and is located north of Crete. Its population is distributed among thirteen villages and just exceeds nine thousand. The marvelous dry climate and unbroken sunshine create year around conditions which are perfect for observation, photographs and videos under an extraordinary variety of natural lights and colors.
Oct 26, 2028 - Athens (Piraeus)
Piraeus is the seaport for Athens, the capital of western civilization, which boasts a fantastic mix of classical ruins and vivacious modern life. Climb the hill of Acropolis to wonder at the Parthenon, join the lively Athenians in Constitution Square, and find a welcoming taverna for spirited bizouki music, plenty of ouzo to drink, and energetic Greek dancing. Piraeus is the largest harbor in the country. The white chapel of St. George at its summit has a theater bearing the same name. The hill of Nymphs is the site of a planetarium, which is located above magnificent Thesseio temple. Among all of these hills, Acropolis is the one that glorified Athens and the whole Greek world and became the symbol of the western civilization. Bays and small rocky or sandy coves dot the area and during the summer are filled with Athenians and foreigners enjoying their beauty.