MEDD

Nestled on the eastern edge of the beautiful Amalfi Coast, the town of Salerno offers a blend of rich history and modern Italian charms. The historic city center is a maze of cobbled streets, vibrant piazzas and landmarks like the 11th-century Salerno Cathedral, a pilgrimage site believed to house relics of Saint Matthew in its elaborate crypt adorned in brilliant frescoes. The palm-lined waterfront promenade of Lungomare Trieste invites a seaside stroll, while the hilltop Castello di Arechi provides sweeping views from above.

Nestled along the famously scenic shores of Spain’s Costa del Sol, the fashionable town of Marbella is a seaside resort with the stunning Sierra Blanca mountain range for a backdrop.

Surrounded by endless beaches on the Costa de la Luz, Cádiz is an elegant seaport and also one of the oldest inhabited cities in Europe, having been founded by the Phoenicians circa 1100 BC. Playa de la Caleta and Playa de la Victoria are among the best beaches in Spain, and the city’s wealth of history and culture is equally appealing. The gates of Las Puertas de Tierra guard the ancient center of Cádiz, an enchanting array of distinct barrios like La Viña, the historic fisherman’s neighborhood, and Santa María, where the origins of the flamenco song developed.

With rich cultural attractions and world-class museums, the compact city of Porto spreads upward from both sides of the Douro River, making it easy to explore on foot with a vigorous hike. A UNESCO World Heritage site, the historic Ribeira quarter on the waterfront is a maze of cobblestone streets and picturesque squares that tell a 2,000-year history in architecture.

Also known as Derry, Londonderry is one of Europe’s best-preserved walled cities and the only one in Ireland completely intact. Within the 400-year-old walls stand landmarks like the 17th-century St. Columb’s Cathedral, the imposing neo-Gothic Guildhall and the Tower Museum, which illuminates over 14 centuries of history. Evocative murals in the Bogside neighborhood acknowledge the turbulent period of the Troubles in the past, while the modern Peace Bridge symbolizes hope for a harmonious future.

Cosmopolitan in culture, architecture and energy, Thessaloniki has the feel of a big city with the charm and ambience of a much smaller town. Roman, Venetian and Ottoman civilizations have all left their mark here, and the influences of former empires are evident in fifteen UNESCO World Heritage sites, including churches, monasteries and baths spanning the 4th to the 14th centuries. The city’s gastronomy is likewise diverse and well regarded.

A cable car ride to the top of Mont Faron provides the perfect orientation to Toulon with 360-degree views of the city and its environs. Then descend to the scenic waterfront for a stroll along La Rade, where palm-fringed sidewalks are lined with brasseries and bistros serving classics like mussels and fries or ratatouille, each dish paired perfectly with a local Provence rosé.