7 nights. Greece, Malta, Italy, 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: 08:00 - Departure: 13:30

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

valletta, malta

Arrival: 09:30 - Departure: 20:00

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 4

siracusa - sicily

Arrival: 08:00 - Departure: 18:00

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 6

zadar, croatia

Arrival: 09:00 - Departure: 19:00

Zadar is a city in Croatia, situated on the Adriatic Sea. It ranks as the fifth largest city in Croatia and serves as the hub of contemporary Zadar county and the broader northern Dalmatian region. Zadar is positioned across from the islands of Ugljan and Pašman, separated by the narrow Zadar Strait. Despite the destruction it suffered during World War II, Zadar has managed to preserve a rich heritage of global significance, evident at every turn. The Roman Forum, dating back to the 1st century, is a popular spot for locals to walk, relax among the ruins, and enjoy a pleasant summer day. The 9th-century St. Donatus Church is one of the best-preserved pre-Romanesque structures in the world and a symbol of the city. The reconstructed Romanesque St. Grisigono Church from the 12th century is a striking example of the integration of various monuments into one. This church was constructed on the ruins of an older one and was rebuilt after being bombed in World War II, incorporating a destroyed Benedictine convent at its rear. The Romanesque St. Anastasia's Cathedral from the 13th century is truly awe-inspiring. Visitors can climb the tower for a stunning view of Zadar and the surrounding islands. The Sea Organ is a favorite among both locals and tourists. This artificial organ on Zadar's Riva uses the movement of the waves and 35 pipes to produce a musical soundscape. The Sea Organ is the creation of Croatian architect Nikola Bašić, who also designed the nearby Greeting to The Sun. The city is renowned for its artists and galleries, with approximately a dozen major galleries and numerous smaller shops lining the side streets. It features a main street, Spire Brusine, for high-end daily shopping for locals and tourists who love to shop. This street runs through the heart of the old town. Zadar's sunsets are also legendary, making it an ideal location for romantics of all ages to relax and unwind.

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Day 7

marghera - italy

Arrival: 09:00 - Departure: 17:00

Mestre is the core and the most densely populated urban region of Venice's mainland, belonging to the territory of the Metropolitan City of Venice, in Veneto, northern Italy.

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Day 7

venice, italy

Arrival: 17:30 - Departure: 19:00

Perhaps no city is as extraordinary as Venice, a metropolis constructed on stilts, a maze suspended over a lagoon. Venice has been referred to as Europe's living room, and indeed for centuries, the city was a haven for ideas and idealists, a junction of the Byzantine and Roman worlds. Today, Venice is a different kind of living room. Affluent visitors scramble into gondolas to marvel at the Byzantine palaces while being serenaded by accordionists and art enthusiasts strain to catch a glimpse of Renaissance masterpieces. No monument is as unforgettable as the city itself, so use the major attractions only as a pretext for exploration. Venice revolves around Piazza San Marco. The best feature of the mosaic-covered Basilica di San Marco is the Pala D’Oro, a dazzling gold Byzantine bas-relief. The Torre dell’Orologio, to the left of San Marco, is a beautifully adorned clock tower. For culture enthusiasts, check out the Accademia for the finest Venetian paintings. Some say that the tourist Venice is indeed Venice, but there are other versions of Venice as well. To discover them, stray from the major attractions and into the quieter outlying residential neighborhoods, you won’t be disappointed, this labyrinth of stone and color radiates charm from every brick.

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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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7 nights. Greece, Malta, Italy, Croatia

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