Italy & Croatia

The off-the-path Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy offers adventure for every taste. Explore the ancient town of Ravenna, best known for the seemingly endless Byzantine mosaics adorning its churches and monuments. Plus a powerhouse collection of eight UNESCO sites. Or venture to nearby Bologna to wander its portico-lined streets teeming with medieval relics— not to mention some of Italy’s most delectable cuisine. In this part of Italy, you can do a bit of it all. From sunning along the beaches of Punta Marina to engine revving at the Lamborghini Museum, and catching cutting-edge modern art at the MAMbo to taking a hands-on lesson in Bolognese cooking.

Thick 16th-century stone walls encase the entire Old Town of Dubrovnik. But there are no boundaries on the endless adventures you’ll discover amongst its orange-roofed ramparts. With a made-for-TV appeal – Game of Thrones was actually filmed here – the city commands your attention with the perfectly preserved Rector’s Palace, elaborate Onofrio’s Fountain and baroque St Blaise’s Church, named after the city’s patron saint. You can browse museum collections showcasing Croatian artwork, period furniture and ship-building traditions. Stand in awe of the Franciscan Monastery library’s 30,000 volumes. Or to get your heart pumping, go cliff diving into the sea and kayak crystal blue waters, with the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’ shimmering in the distance.

Looking at a map of Europe, you might be forgiven for missing Kotor — a tiny port in the already-tiny country of Montenegro. But from the moment your Kotor cruise docks, you’ll enter a larger-than-life world of mighty forts and towering sea cliffs, the air filled with the refreshing smell of the ocean. With a Montenegro cruise, you can explore the attractions inside Kotor’s fortified Old City, one of the Mediterranean’s best-preserved medieval towns. Don’t miss the Cathedral of St. Tryphon, an ornate church first consecrated in 1166. Then, scale St. John’s Fortress — the hilltop fortifications, dating back to the 6th century, offer the best views of the city, the harbor and the surrounding mountains.

Perched above the Adriatic Sea, Corfu, Greece is the second largest Ionian island, and its size is rivaled by its tremendous history and dynamic cultural identity. Cruise to Corfu and walk through the narrow streets of Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and marvel at the Italianate architecture left from centuries of Venetian rule. A number of scenes from the James Bond film “For Your Eyes Only” were filmed in the capital city of Corfu, and you’ll understand why when you see the epic coastal roads and immense fortresses buttressing the town. With its rich combination of old fishing villages and immaculate beaches, Corfu is the perfect place to get lost in time during your vacation.

Extravagant and vibrant, Palermo invites you into an array of flavours, colours and bustling streets. Set in a peaceful bay surrounded by Sicily’s fertile basin Conca d’Oro, named for the golden colour of the orange groves, the city bears traces of historic invasions by the Arabs, Greeks, Romans, Spanish and Normans. Head to La Vucciria market to sample almonds, marzipan, spices, peppercorns and candied fruits. Then, explore the historic centre – visit the Cathedral, which dates back to 600 AD and features Gothic, Moorish and Baroque architectural elements. Then, take the short drive to Mt Pellegrino, where you can trek up the granite cobbled hiking path and take in the refreshing greenery of the natural reserve.

The lively cliffside village of Salerno is a gateway to the many historical and scenic coastal towns with cruises to the Amalfi Coast. Take a stroll by the water along the city’s modern promenade, or pop into a cafe for a refreshing limoncello. Break a sweat with a hike up Mount Vesuvius before you wander through the ancient city of Pompeii. Or take a drive along the coast on the winding roads, and bask in views of steep cliffs over crystal blue water.

With 28 centuries of celebrated history, Rome holds the edge when it comes to unrivalled adventures. The city that sparked the world’s largest empire is very much alive today with a jumble of ancient ruins, world-renowned art and vivacious street culture. Here you can live ‘la dolce vita’, recalling the glory days of Ancient Rome and twirling forks full of pasta in a trattoria. Ride past centuries-old basilicas in a three-wheeled Ape Calessino, or stand in awe of paintings by Italian masters at Villa Borghese. Whether it’s Vatican City’s spiritual allure, Trastevere’s backstreet charms or the Colosseum’s embattled legacy – The Eternal City endures with endless adventures.