An Extended Journey of
Spectacular Serenity, Mountain Views
& Mythical Spirit

Civitavecchia

Rome is like a living museum, liberally
dotted with fascinating ruins, ancient relics and archaeological
sites. Centuries are peeled back from the Eternal City with each
new vista in this great metropolis of fearsome gladiators and
gorgeous art. Vespas, sports cars and nippy Fiats speed past trendy
sidewalk cafes, bistros and nightclubs, revealing the Rome of
Fellini's La Dolce Vita, while the stark facades of the Stadio
Olimpico reminds visitors of Mussolini's attempts to reinvent the
architecture of the Caesars.

For a taste of the Baroque, visitors need
only climb the famous Spanish Steps, walk through the Piazza Navona
or toss a coin into the beautiful Trevi Fountain. Renaissance
splendour is best revealed in the Vatican Palace, specifically
Michelangelo's efforts on the roof of the Sistine Chapel. From
early Christian Basilicas and the Roman Forum to the Colosseum and
the Pantheon, the sequence of history trails back to the dizzying
heights of the empire.

It may sound like a city of contrasts, but
Rome's timeless magic lies in its ability to blend the old with the
new. Empires have risen and fallen, old gods have been replaced
with the new, but Rome nonetheless remains.

Capri

Capri, an island in Italy’s Bay of Naples, is famed for its rugged landscape, upscale hotels and shopping, from designer fashions to limoncello and handmade leather sandals. One of its best-known natural sites is the Blue Grotto, a dark cavern where the sea glows electric blue, the result of sunlight passing through an underwater cave. In summer, Capri's dramatic, cove-studded coastline draws many yachts

Naples

Italy's third-largest city thrives on the
chaos that prevails amid its busy streets. This is the place where
pizza was allegedly invented, its restaurants continuing to serve
some of Italy's finest cuisine.

Sheltered by the Bay of Naples and
dominated by the slopes of Mount Vesuvius, Naples is imbued with
the best of nature's bounty. The city juxtaposes superb museums,
Renaissance structures and Baroque churches, against crumbling
tenement blocks and poor neighbourhoods. Noisy markets sell a
collection of items, from high-quality fresh produce to fake
designer goods.

Roads are characteristically hectic with
gung-ho moped drivers weaving wildly through the streets and
frustrating traffic jams clogging the city's arteries. Despite
these less refined elements, Naples is a fascinating destination
and a great base from which to explore popular attractions like the
Amalfi Coast, Pompeii and Herculaneum.

The city's transport hub is located around
the immense Piazza Garibaldi, on the east side of Naples. Southwest
from here is the Piazza Bovio, and branching to the left of it, the
Piazza Municipio and nearby Piazza del Plebiscito. On the watery
edges are the Molo Beverollo and the Stazione Marittima, the point
of departure for ferries. From the reaches of Spaccanapoli, one can
explore the historic part of Naples with its numerous palaces and
churches.

Capri

Capri, an island in Italy’s Bay of Naples, is famed for its rugged landscape, upscale hotels and shopping, from designer fashions to limoncello and handmade leather sandals. One of its best-known natural sites is the Blue Grotto, a dark cavern where the sea glows electric blue, the result of sunlight passing through an underwater cave. In summer, Capri's dramatic, cove-studded coastline draws many yachts

Calvi, Corsica

Calvi is a charming coastal town located on the northwest coast of the French island of Corsica. It is situated in the Haute-Corse department and is known for its stunning beaches, ancient citadel, and vibrant summer atmosphere. With its blend of history, natural beauty, and modern amenities, Calvi is a popular destination for tourists seeking a relaxing beach getaway with a touch of culture.

One of the main highlights of Calvi is its beautiful sandy beaches. The soft, golden sand stretches for miles, and the crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean Sea offer the perfect spot for swimming, sunbathing, and water sports. The Plage de Calvi is the main beach in the town, and its proximity to the city center makes it easily accessible for all visitors. With its numerous beach clubs, restaurants, and sunbeds, it is a great place to unwind and soak up the sun.

Another must-visit attraction in Calvi is the Citadel. Perched on a rocky hill overlooking the town and the sea, the Citadel is a well-preserved fortress dating back to the 13th century. Inside its walls, you can explore narrow winding streets, historic buildings, and picturesque squares. The views from the top are simply breathtaking, offering panoramic vistas of the coastline and the surrounding mountains.

Calvi is also known for its vibrant nightlife, especially during the summer months. The town comes alive with bars, clubs, and live music venues, offering a variety of entertainment options for visitors. The port area is particularly lively, with numerous waterfront bars and restaurants where you can enjoy drinks and delicious local cuisine while watching the sunset.

For those interested in history and culture, Calvi has plenty to offer. Aside from the Citadel, there are several other historical sites worth exploring, such as the Church of Sainte-Marie-Majeure, which features beautiful Baroque architecture, and the Oratorio Saint-Antoine, a 16th-century chapel adorned with exquisite frescoes. Additionally, the Calvi Cathedral, with its stunning interior and imposing exterior, is a must-visit for history buffs.

Nature enthusiasts will also find plenty to do in Calvi. The surrounding area is rich in natural beauty, including the Scandola Nature Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its impressive cliffs, unique rock formations, and diverse marine life. Excursions to the reserve can be arranged from Calvi, giving visitors the chance to explore this stunning natural wonder.

In terms of accommodation, Calvi offers a wide range of options to suit different budgets and preferences. From luxurious beachfront resorts to cozy bed and breakfasts, there is something for everyone. It is recommended to book accommodation in advance, especially during the peak summer season, to ensure availability.

Getting to Calvi is relatively easy. The town has its own airport, Calvi-Sainte-Catherine Airport, which is well connected to several major French cities. Alternatively, you can reach Calvi by ferry from other ports in Corsica or mainland France.

In conclusion, Calvi is a captivating destination that combines stunning beaches, a fascinating history, and a lively atmosphere. Whether you're looking to relax on the beach, explore historical sites, enjoy vibrant nightlife, or experience the beauty of nature, Calvi offers something for everyone. With its picturesque scenery, rich culture, and warm Mediterranean climate, it is no wonder that Calvi is a popular choice for travelers seeking an unforgettable vacation.

Villefranche-sur-Mer

The city of Villefranche-sur-Mer is located on the French Riviera, in the southeastern part of France. It is a commune in the Alpes-Maritimes department and the capital of the canton of Villefranche-sur-Mer. The city has a population of about 30,000 people and is a popular tourist destination.

Villefranche-sur-Mer is located on a bay of the Mediterranean Sea and is surrounded by mountains. The city has a mild climate, with average temperatures of around 20 degrees Celsius in the summer and 10 degrees Celsius in the winter.

The city is home to a number of historical and cultural attractions. The Old Town is a maze of narrow streets and alleyways, lined with colourful houses and shops. The Citadel, a medieval fortress, overlooks the town and offers panoramic views of the surrounding area. The Church of St. Pierre, a Gothic church from the 13th century, is also worth a visit.

If you are looking for a place to enjoy the outdoors, Villefranche-sur-Mer is the perfect spot. There are numerous hiking and biking trails in the area, as well as several beaches where you can relax and soak up the sun.

Whether you are looking to explore history and culture or simply enjoy the outdoors, Villefranche-sur-Mer has something to offer everyone.

Marseille

Marseille is France's second largest and
most ancient city. It was founded by the Greeks in 600 BC and was
later conquered by the Romans after becoming a thriving port and
centre for trade. Today it is littered with ancient sites and
artefacts, mostly Roman additions to the original Greek
settlement.

Marseille is down to earth and lacks the
pretentiousness of most other French cities. There are plenty of
attractions to explore, including the colourful harbour and
pedestrianised squares. The city is also divided into
arrondissements in the style of Paris, which makes it relatively
easy to get around on the metro.

The Old Port area is filled with
restaurants, bars, hotels, office blocks and a daily fish market at
the Belgian Quay, giving it a lively and sophisticated air. There
are also a number of decent museums, galleries, theatres and shops
dotted about the city that are worth visiting. Marseille is also
famed for its Opéra: an Art Deco opera house, situated in the heart
of the city, which still hosts performances even though it was all
but destroyed by fire in 1919. La Plaine is a trendy area filled
with cafes, bookstores and fountains, with a bustling market on
Thursdays and Saturdays, while Noailles' bazaar is a multi-ethnic
area filled with Indo-Chinese and Arabic shops.

The outgoing, friendly inhabitants of
Marseille are a cosmopolitan bunch, with diverse backgrounds
including a number of Italian, Spanish and North African
communities. There is far less of the style and image consciousness
evident in the rest of the Cote d'Azur, creating a more North
African flavour and a vibrant atmosphere. Marseilles also acts as a
good base for exploring the nearby natural beauty of the calanques
(or Mediterranean fjords) and some excellent beaches.

Mahón, Menorca

Despite its popularity as a beach holiday paradise,
the Balearic Island of Minorca remains one of the loveliest, most
unspoilt islands in the Mediterranean. The local population support
the control of resort development and the woodlands and fields of
its hilly rural interior remain largely untouched by the tourism
trade.

This is the result of a thriving local industry that
is less dependent on tourism for its survival than many of the
other islands are. Minorca is therefore a great option for
travellers wanting a more authentic Spanish beach resort holiday.
Minorca is only nine miles (15km) wide and about 32 miles (52km)
long, and boasts stretches of varied beaches, from silver-sanded,
gently curving bays to rugged, rocky inlets.

Aside from beaches and resorts, the island also has
plenty of interest for history buffs and culture connoisseurs, with
several attractions to visit, including a world famous pipe organ
and several mysterious, prehistoric archaeological sites related to
the second millennium BC Talayot culture. The more recent history
of the island is a saga of British, French, and Spanish attempts at
control and colonisation, each of which have left their influence
on the local culture and architecture.

Small as it may be, Minorca has a reliable and safe
public transport system. Buses run from the Placa de s'Esplanada in
Mahon regularly throughout the town and between other towns such as
Fornells, Es Mercadal, Alaior, Ferreries, Ciutadella, and Cala en
Porter. Taxis can also be hailed from the Placa de s'Esplanada in
Mahon. Rental car agencies can be found throughout the towns and at
the airport.

Barcelona

The enchanting city of Barcelona is a visual delight, and has an
atmosphere that combines elegance and sophistication with
provincial charm. In exploring its streets you'll discover medieval
romance in its Gothic quarter and the awe-inspiring delights of the
fantastic and sometimes outrageous Art Nouveau architecture of
Gaudi and his contemporaries.

The funicular up to Tibidabo, or the cable car up Montjuic, both
offer breathtaking views over this attractive city. Its skyline is
perhaps most famous for Antoni Gaudi's masterwork, the still
incomplete church of the Sagrada Familia, as well as the city's
huge Gothic cathedral. The artistic legacy of Barcelona is one of
the city's most appealing attributes, with museums containing
extensive collections of the works of Miro and Picasso. Barcelona
is also a shopper's paradise, with the city's flair for style
reflected in its numerous boutiques and markets, open late into the
evenings. As the sun sets, and the city's many bars and restaurants
open, the night truly comes alive. Dinner is served at any time
between nine o'clock and midnight, and the festivities around the
bars and nightclubs carry on well into the early hours of the
morning.

Barcelona is the commercial centre of the popular holiday region
known as the Costa Brava, the northernmost Mediterranean seafront
in Spain, as well as the Costa Dorada to the south. The coast is
dotted with popular resort towns, many retaining their age-old
charm, which can be easily reached from the city.

Ibiza

Ibiza is the third largest of the Balearic Islands,
covering just 225 square miles (585 square km), but in recent times
it has become the best known of the archipelago and a hugely
popular destination for young revellers, middle-class European
package tourists, and gay travellers, whose collective character
imbue the island with a chic and trendy atmosphere that is well
expressed by its famously frenetic nightlife.

Ibiza has plenty to offer besides nightclubs, as its
jagged coastline contains dozens of dreamy white sandy beaches,
hidden coves and bays, villages of white-washed houses tumbling
down cliff sides, and a green, hilly interior landscape decorated
with fig and olive trees.

The island's main town is the port of Ciudad de
Ibiza, known as Eivissa to the locals and Ibiza Town to the Brits.
Located in the south, it is the centre of the island's nightclub
scene and has a lively marina and quaint old quarter with some
great restaurants. It lies close to the beautiful beaches of
Figueretes, Es Cavallet, and Ses Salines.

San Antonio is the main resort town of the island and
is somewhat blighted by high-rise hotels and apartment blocks,
though it is making efforts to clean up its slightly tarnished
image and its popularity is still legendary.

The main attractions for many British holidaymakers
are the two clubs of Es Paradis and Eden but there are also some
beautiful coves nearby with glorious beaches. It's best to get
there early in the summer months to reserve a spot. Just three
miles (5km) offshore is the 'satellite' island of Formentera, a
little haven reached by ferry, with less crowded stretches even in
the height of the sweltering summer season.

There is good public transport between Ibiza Town and
San Antonio, and to and from the main beaches and resorts. Taxis
are good value and the best way to get around in the evening,
although there is also a 'disco bus', travelling from San Antonio
to the main clubs in Ibiza Town during the peak season. Cars and
scooters can be hired by the day or week for those wanting to
explore the island. Ferries run from San Antonio and Ibiza Town to
nearby beaches between May and October.

Tunis

Tunisia's capital and largest city stretches along the coastal
plains and surrounding hills of the Gulf of Tunis. Steeped in a
rich and fascinating history, it is home to the famous ruins of
Carthage, the ancient enemy of the Romans. The ruins are a UNESCO
World Heritage Site and have witnessed the passage of the
Phoenicians, Romans, Vandals, Byzantines, Turks, Spanish, and
French over the last 3,000 years. History buffs should not miss the
opportunity to visit them.

Other attractions in Tunis include the National Museum of Bardo,
which tells the stories of Tunisia's history from the Phoenicians
right through to modern-day times, and the old Medina. The Medina
co-exists with the modern architecture of the new city (Ville
Nouvelle) and is linked by labyrinths of alleys and covered
passages, infused throughout by the magical aromas, vibrant
colours, and sounds of bustling souks.

The modern city of Tunis is located just through the Sea Gate (
which has remained unchanged since it was
erected in 1848. It is where the grand Avenue Habib Bourguiba, seen
as the Champs-Elysees of Tunisia, crosses through the middle.
Colonial architecture can be found here illustrating the history of
this culturally diverse and historic city.

The spicy foods and flavours of local dishes may blow the socks
off of some tourists though, to others, the fragrant heat of the
fiery red chilli paste known as
is an essential accompaniment to one's Tunis
experience. Tunisian coffee, much like the Turkish variety, is
world-renowned for its rich flavours and energising properties.

Valletta

Valletta, which is the capital of Malta, embraces the famed
charm of an Italian city, its many Baroque palaces set on narrow
steep streets that form a grid pattern. Grandmaster Fra Jean de la
Valette, together with the Knights of the Order of St John, founded
and carefully planned the city.

As the saying goes, the city was 'built by gentlemen for
gentlemen', with the first stone being ceremonially laid in 1566
after Ottoman forces withdrew their siege of the Maltese Islands
and the Knights of St John took over. The purpose of the city,
built in a short span of 15 years on a plateau between two harbours
on Malta's northeast coast, was primarily to fortify the island.
Secondly, it was to provide palaces, inns for the eight Knight's
groupings, churches for worship, and gardens for recreation. These
grand remnants of the Knight's occupation still adorn Valletta in
the form of some splendid Baroque buildings and fortifications.

But the majestic architecture manages not to overwhelm the
island's carefree personality. Valletta balances its sombre
grandeur and religious tone with colour and jollity. The city has a
fun but not raucous nightlife, along with some great restaurants
and magnificent chances to see the sights. It's a very safe and
friendly city, welcoming of tourists, and well-equipped to host
them.

Giardini Naxos

The quaint Sicilian commune of Giardini Naxos is situated on the coast of the Ionian Sea on a bay which lies between Cape Taormina and Cape Schisò. Now it is a tourist destination, its attractions including beaches, the panoramic view of the bay and surrounding hills, and its small fishing port. It attracts foreign visitors and Italians alike, many of whom own summer residences in the comune. The seafront is lined with hotels, smaller pensions, pubs, restaurants and pizzerias. Fishing is still part of the local economy and provides many wonderful opportunities to eat out.

The town of Taormina is situated in the hills above Giardini Naxos and can be easily accessed by car and bus. Giardini Naxos also has several churches and an archaeological park.

Sorrento

Sorrento is a coastal town in southwestern Italy, facing the Bay of Naples on the Sorrentine Peninsula. Perched atop cliffs that separate the town from its busy marinas, it’s known for sweeping water views and Piazza Tasso, a cafe-lined square. The historic center is a warren of narrow alleys that's home to the Chiesa di San Francesco, a 14th-century church with a tranquil cloiste

Civitavecchia

Rome is like a living museum, liberally
dotted with fascinating ruins, ancient relics and archaeological
sites. Centuries are peeled back from the Eternal City with each
new vista in this great metropolis of fearsome gladiators and
gorgeous art. Vespas, sports cars and nippy Fiats speed past trendy
sidewalk cafes, bistros and nightclubs, revealing the Rome of
Fellini's La Dolce Vita, while the stark facades of the Stadio
Olimpico reminds visitors of Mussolini's attempts to reinvent the
architecture of the Caesars.

For a taste of the Baroque, visitors need
only climb the famous Spanish Steps, walk through the Piazza Navona
or toss a coin into the beautiful Trevi Fountain. Renaissance
splendour is best revealed in the Vatican Palace, specifically
Michelangelo's efforts on the roof of the Sistine Chapel. From
early Christian Basilicas and the Roman Forum to the Colosseum and
the Pantheon, the sequence of history trails back to the dizzying
heights of the empire.

It may sound like a city of contrasts, but
Rome's timeless magic lies in its ability to blend the old with the
new. Empires have risen and fallen, old gods have been replaced
with the new, but Rome nonetheless remains.