CORFU Greece That classic holiday combination of endless sun, sea and sand make Corfu one of the most popular, as well as one of the largest Greek islands, but it offers a lot more besides. Head inland, through heavily- scented pine woods, and you will fi nd tiny villages like Sokraki where only Greek is spoken and time appears to have stood still. And the capital, Corfu Town, is Greece’s largest ‘living’ medieval town, home to cobblestone streets and alleyways, historic buildings, statues and fountains. The stand-out is the Venetian-built Old Fortress, now a UNESCO World Heritage site. For the best beaches, head for Paleokastritsa, Glyfada or, if it is history you want, head for Gastouri to visit the lavish 19th century Achilleion Palace.
DUBLIN Ireland
The Irish capital, Dublin, has undergone an incredible transformation in the last decade with many modern buildings springing up to add to its historical and cultural appeal. A visit to the Guinness Storehouse and Brewery provides an insight into the history of Ireland’s favourite tipple. Grafton Street is a shopper’s paradise. The library at Trinity College is home to the 8th century Book of Kells, with the National Museum housing exhibits dating back from the Irish Bronze and Iron ages. The city’s literary heritage is celebrated at the adjoining National Library with works of famous Irish writers such as Beckett, Joyce, Swift and Yeats collected together.
DUBROVNIK Croatia Sailing into the beautiful 12th century Croatian walled city of Dubrovnik is one of life’s great experiences. The spectacular Old Town, with its pretty harbour, towering ramparts, creamy stone pavements and red-roofed buildings, is crammed with architectural wonders like Onofrio’s Fountain, the 14th century Franciscan Monastery and the world’s oldest pharmacy (est. 1391). Visit too, the magnifi cently gothic Sponza Palace and the 18th century baroque Church of St. Blaise, Dubrovnik’s patron saint. You will fi nd pretty restaurants and cafés tucked away on Dubrovnik’s narrow side streets – worth exploring as they also contain offbeat shops and art galleries.
NEW FOR 2012 DURRES Albania Durrës has long been a favourite seaside resort for Albanian families. Beyond the beach however, you’ll fi nd a fascinating city of antiquities, museums and theatres. Founded in the 7th century BC, the port became an important merchant centre on the route linking Rome with Byzantium. Ruins dating back to Roman times can be still be seen today including the amphitheatre, one of the largest in the Balkans seating up to 20,000 spectators; an early Christian chapel with rare wall mosaics; and baths. The remains of its fortress date back to the early Middle Ages with the archaeological museum exhibiting further reminders of the past. The city, which is also home to King Zog’s palace, remains an important seaport connecting travellers to Western Europe via ferry routes to Italy.
EDINBURGH (from Queensferry) Scotland This handsome capital has an eclectic mix of medieval and Georgian architecture. One of the city’s most obvious attractions is Edinburgh Castle, fi rst founded in the 7th century. It’s still the headquarters for several of the British Army’s Scottish regiments and, at 1pm each day, the sound of a cannon fi red from the castle’s battlements reverberates throughout the city. The castle sits at one end of the Royal Mile with the Palace of Holyroodhouse at the other. Founded as a monastery in 1128, Holyroodhouse is the offi cial Scottish residence of Queen Elizabeth II.
EIDFJORD Norway The Norwegian port of Eidfjord is just a small sleepy village but it stands on the edge of huge scale attractions including the largest high mountain plateau (Hardangervidda) and Norway’s largest national park. But Eidfjord has attractions of its own including a 14th century church and Viking burial place. A couple of miles away is the Hardangervidda Nature Centre, which is an unusual adventure centre with all kinds of interactive ways of illustrating the rich natural, cultural and historical heritage of the region.
ELBA Italy Steeped in history running way back to the Romans and Etruscans – Greek mythology even has it that Jason’s Argonauts came this way too – Elba has prospered ever since the medieval Medicis arrived. You will see an imposing Medici fort, as well as a Martello Tower and second fort (Stella), looking down on you as you cruise into the harbour. Touring around Elba, you can enjoy beautiful scenery and discover hidden coves and beaches. You can even take a cable car to enjoy the panoramic views from the top of 1,018 metre Mount Capanne. A visit to Napoleon’s ornate summerhouse and gardens at San Martino should also be on your wish list.
EPHESUS (from Kusadasi) Turkey Kusadasi is a bustling, successful port that provides excellent access to the extraordinary remains at Ephesus. Enter the magnifi cent site of the Ancient City at the Magnesia Gate. Whilst Ephesus is now deserted and in ruins, the past glories come to life as the impressive array of temples, agoras, porticoes and fountains come into view. Of particular interest are the Odeum, the Celsus Library, the temple of Hadrian, the Fountain of Trajan and the Great Theatre. Built over a 2nd century tomb believed to hold St. John the Evangelist, St. John’s Basilica was once topped with eleven domes and rivalled Istanbul’s St. Sophia Basilica in scale.
FLAMM Norway Sailing through Norway’s beautiful Sognefjord, the longest and deepest fjord, is one of the most memorable experiences and a sensational approach to the tiny village of Flamm. One of the most unique attractions of this port is the extraordinary Flamm Railway. A masterpiece of engineering, this rises more than 865 metres above sea level in just 12 miles and the views are just as dramatic as the journey. There are a variety of other boat and road trips which promise more fantastic scenery along with visits to farms, mines, villages and isolated mountain lodges.
FLORENCE (from Livorno) Italy Founded in the 16th century, Livorno remains a busy port and town. Its centre, which is walkable from the port, has some pretty bars, cafés and classy shops, but many of Livorno’s visitors head straight for Florence. This elegant city is compact enough to be walkable, and with the Arno River running through it, you should be able to keep your bearings fairly easily. Be certain to visit the Uffi zi Gallery and cross the gold and silver merchants-lined Ponte Vecchio on your way round the many attractions of this startlingly beautiful Renaissance city.
FOYNES Ireland Foynes (Faing in Irish) is home to Irish Coffee which warmed fl ying boat passengers when Foynes was the stepping stone between Europe and North America (when the famous Pan Am Clippers used Foynes as their gateway to Europe and back to the US). The Foynes Flying Boat Museum, housed in the original terminal building, recalls that nostalgic era. Further afi eld are the ruins of a medieval church look out from the hill of Knockpatrick, south of Foynes, and 5 miles to the southeast is the 13th century Old Abbey convent of the Augustinian Canonesses.
GEIRANGER Norway It is just nine miles long but the snaking Geirangerfjord is the most photographed of all Norway’s fjords. As you arrive at your anchorage off Geiranger, just marvel at the views as spectacular waterfalls cascade down from the steep rocky peaks. Geiranger welcomed its fi rst cruise ship in 1869 and its appeal for visitors has hardly changed since then. It is still just a small village resort and the ideal base for walking, kayaking or river rafting tours into a surrounding area full of natural beauty and magnifi cent scenery. There are superb views from the Dalsnibba mountain plateau overlooking the fjord.
GIBRALTAR Britons love visiting the ‘home from home’ Mediterranean port of Gibraltar – and not just because it has some excellent pubs and tax free shops. Gibraltar also offers wonderful views of Algeciras Bay and the Moroccan mountains from the Rock Restaurant, served by cable car from the Grand Parade. Birdwatchers can spot more than 230 species and there are clearly marked nature trails you can follow to discover the country’s fl ora and fauna. Alternatively spend a day at the beach – Catalan Bay is the prettiest, with colourful fi shing boats and excellent seafood restaurants.
GLASGOW (from Greenock) Scotland Originally a small salmon-fi shing village, the 19th century Industrial Revolution turned Glasgow into a prominent city. In 1990 it was voted European City of Culture and today it’s known for its fabulous designer shops and unique culture. Art lovers will certainly enjoy this city. Visit the Glasgow School of Art, a building that’s reputed to be the greatest architectural work of Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Nearby, the 18th century Hunterian Art Gallery houses Scotland’s largest print collection, while the Burrell Collection contains a number of important artistic artefacts donated by Sir William Burrell, a wealthy shipowner and collector.
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