Dalmatian & Amalfi Coasts Voyage

A key commercial center with a Venetian past, Koper is Slovenia’s only deep-water port. Stroll the narrow streets of the “old city” to the Praetorian Palace, which could easily be the setting of a Renaissance drama, sip a coffee in the square, then visit the Cathedral of St. Nazarius, the largest in Slovenia.

Hvar frequently appears on lists of the world’s most appealing islands. Its fertile plains and fresh water springs support glowing fields of lavender, fruit orchards, ancient olive trees, and vineyards, which you are invited to visit, producing some award winning “garage” wines, which you are encouraged to taste. Or perhaps you prefer an espresso while people watching in the town square, followed by a stroll through picturesque streets that reveal centuries of Dalmatian history. Of note is the handmade agave lace, now on the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage, made by Benedictine nuns in their secluded convent.

To visit Dubrovnik is to step back in time to the Middle Ages. The town is one massive museum, its thick walls constructed from the 13th to the 17th century encircle the entire city, and contain within them a treasure trove of striking architecture – squares, fountains, palaces, churches, and monasteries, all built from the same stone, line streets free of motor vehicles. Once the only city-state on the Adriatic to rival Venice, Dubrovnik has long been a center for Croatian culture, and home to artists and scholars of all disciplines. It is possible to circumnavigate the city atop the medieval walls.

Kotor’s beautiful bay has long attracted passing ships that stopped to trade, plunder, or conquer, and merchants, pirates, and soldiers of numerous empires have walked this maze of cobblestone streets before you. One of Europe’s best-preserved cities of medieval or Renaissance vintage, its walls were constructed right into the steep slopes of the mountain behind it, providing protection and making it an amazing sight on approach from the sea. Venetian ramparts enclose a rich history, with churches of varying styles, and a Romanesque cathedral built on the foundations of an earlier church, and a still earlier Roman temple.

One of the most beautiful islands in all of the Mediterranean, Corfu is said to cast a spell upon those who land upon its shores, which is perhaps why Shakespeare set his magical play, The Tempest, here. Millions of silvery olive trees grace the hillsides, the scent of lemon blossoms perfumes the air, and picturesque views of sapphire bays set against verdant hills capture your attention. A leisurely stroll through the narrow alleyways of Corfu old town will reveal many local treasures – old churches, a Byzantine cathedral, small enticing shops, and tavernas offering local wines and fresh seafood.

Renowned for its sheer cliffs and striking beauty, the town of Amalfi on the Gulf of Salerno is known for its photographic splendor and its close proximity to Sorrento, Positano and Isle of Capri. This enviable area of Italy also produces the most beautiful handmade paper. For a most interesting afternoon, take a tour the Museo della Carta, the paper museum, and take home the most beautiful souvenirs. Amalfi is also the burial place of Saint Andrew; the town’s cathedral is named in his honor.

A warming sun and gentle sea breezes have been attracting visitors to this fair spot for two millennia. Its reputation as a playground of the ancient rich and famous resulted in the building of lavish villas and palaces, an emperor relocated to the Isle of Capri nearby, and over the centuries it has been a haven for artists and artisans, writers and poets, politicians and philosophers, and all manner of aristocrats. You will be a welcome addition. The massive eruption of nearby Vesuvius in 79 AD caused considerable damage, but the resulting volcanic ash is responsible for Sorrento’s modern day fertility, thriving olive orchards, and excellent wine.

Rome has something special to offer to all visitors, no matter their interests and tastes. Whether you daydream about fighting with gladiators in the Coliseum, debating with togaed senators in the Forum, tossing a coin in a fabled fountain, or being awestruck by the magnificence of St Peter’s Basilica and Michelangelo’s masterpieces, Rome seems to live up to its sobriquet – the Eternal City. When you need sustenance, today’s Rome will provide delizioso pasta e vino. Or perhaps you draw strength from a little retail therapy – the Italians are also renowned for their sense of style.