Cruises - Azores Cruise Club

64
EaSTErn MEdiTErranEan &
ThE BlaCk SEa porTS of Call
Mytilene, Lesbos
With its museums, tavernas and an Ottoman castle draped around a hill,
Mytilene is a mixed bag ready to be explored. The town offers up provincial Greek
life at its best. Sip espresso in a kafenion as old men click their worry beads.
Nibble on salted sardines at a sidestreet taverna. And drink ouzo by the harbour.
• Soak up the sun on Thermi Beach. This pretty stretch of sand is surrounded
by olive groves and traditional restaurants, which serve Greek specialities like
cheese and sardines.
• Taking up a big chunk of Mytilene is an imposing Venetian fortress. Take a walk
along the ramparts and feel every inch king of the castle.
naples, Italy
Get past Naples’ chaotic main streets and you’ll find your fair share of ornate
and historic buildings. But it’s beyond the city that the real treasures lie.
• Visit the time-frozen cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, whose citizens were
stopped in their tracks by the famous eruptions of 79 AD.
• Call in at the cliff-top town of Sorrento. Pull up a chair on the cobbles of
Piazza Tasso and sip a cappuccino in the sun.
nessebar, Bulgaria
Nessebar is often referred to as Bulgaria’s Dubrovnik, thanks to its terracotta
rooftops and millennia-old history. Set on a peninsula that juts out into the
Black Sea, this ancient seaside town is haloed by some of the best beaches in
the country. Plus, it’s got enough nightspots to give neighbouring Sunny Beach
a run for its money.
• The grand Renaissance buildings in Nessebar’s cobbled old town are really
impressive.
• Nessebar is one of Europe’s oldest towns, and it’s earned itself a place on
the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage list.
patMos town, Patmos
One of the most northerly Dodecanese islands, Patmos has plenty in the way
of traditional Greek charm. We’re talking whitewashed villages, pine-clad hills
and a swathe of sandy beaches. Plus, if you’re a big fan of history, you’ll love
Patmos Town. St John was said to have taken refuge here back in biblical times,
when he penned the Book of Revelation.
• As you walk back down the cobbled path from the monastery, take a look inside
the Cave of the Apocalypse. This ancient grotto is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
and it’s said to be where St John saw visions of Christ.
piraeus (for Athens), Greece
Trip over reminders of the past in ancient Athens, where cultural treasures
twinkle back at you at every turn. It’s a real gold medal winner of a city. Scale the
heights of the sun-bleached Acropolis for awesome views, then take a look at the
Parthenon, perched atop Athens’ most famous hill.
• Explore Plaka, the Medieval quarter at the foot of the Acropolis. The 19th-century
lanes are crammed with tavernas, and twist and turn to meet the equally
atmospheric Monastiraki street markets.
• From old to new – take a wander round the up-market Kolonaki district,
which is packed with chic boutiques and ritzy restaurants.
rhodes, Greece
Basking in more hours of sunshine than any other Greek island, Rhodes is loved
for its fascinating past, not to mention its glittering sandy beaches. Wander your
way around the pretty village of Lindos. The architecture here is a fusion of
Gothic, Byzantine, Greek and Middle Eastern, and the most famous monument is
probably the ancient acropolis.
• Spend some time getting to know Rhodes Town. Go yacht-spotting in Mandraki
harbour and venture inside the ancient walls of the citadel to discover the
Medieval city left behind by the Knights of St John.
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Calls cost 10p per minute plus network extras. The cost of calls was correct at the time of publication.
See page 3.