Mediterranean
In the Mediterranean you can witness the myths and wonders of the Adriatic and Greek isles, tour the ancient shores of Black Sea ports, capture the exclusive allure of the Italian and French Rivieras, and retrace the steps of the conquistadors while hearing whirling castanets along Iberian shores.
To find out how you can design a unique trip to the Mediterranean, Bob and Debbie will be happy to share their personal experiences to help you create one all your own. Contact us for more information »
Greece
Greece is a legendary, must-see destination. Perhaps there is no other place as widely known for its abundant history and wide-reaching influence. Come join the travelers who’ve journeyed to its shores and cities for millennia, or return to explore Greece once again.What Can I Do?
- Explore the centuries-old city of Athens to see the Parthenon, Acropolis and Temple of Poseidon
- Browse the marketplaces where merchants still sell wares similar to those sold in the times of Plato and Aristotle
- See the Agora, an ancient marketplace, and relax in the picturesque Plaka
- Walk through ancient Olympia, the birthplace of the world’s first Olympic Games in 776 B.C
- Swim in the beautiful waters off Crete
- On the island of Crete, explore the Palace of Knossos, Kritsa village (renowned for its traditional weaving) and the famous frescoes in the church of Panagia Kera
- In Santorini relax and enjoy Greece’s most spectacular island, where white-washed houses rest on cliffs above the azure waters of the Aegean Sea.
- Visit Corfu for a stroll among olive groves and fragrant lemon trees
Italy
Italy is a place of great history, lore and intrigue. Visit the sites of famous artists and scholars. Walk the same steps where Roman legions once marched. Wander through the countryside and experience the essence of Italian food and wine. whether it’s your first or your fifth trip to the epicenter of Mediterrnean culture, Italy will continue to delight you.
What Can I Do?
- In Rome, explore the ancient ruins and visit the Vatican to see St. Peter’s Basilica and the famous Sistine Chapel
- Visit the Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Square and take a gondola ride through the Grand Canal in Venice
- Walk through the streets of the volcanically preserved city of Pompeii
- See an opera in Sorrento
- Sneak into the sea caves of the Blue Grotto
- View Michelangelo’s David and stroll the Ponte Vecchio in Florence
- Go to the Tuscan countryside to visit the walled town of San Gimignano
- In Sicily, explore ancient Palermo and walk the medieval hilltop village of Erice. Discover Marsala wine, learn how olive oil is produced, and wander the ruins at Agrigento’s Valley of the Temples
- Stroll through the old town to the fifth-century BC cathedral in Syracuse
Portugal
Its enviable coastal location allowed Portugal to flourish as a colonial power. As a result, its riches are apparent in the architectural remnants of its esteemed past.
What Can I Do?
- In Oporto, explore a centuries-old Celtic settlement and the 19th-century Stock Exchange Palace, and then cruise under a bridge designed by Gustave Eiffel
- Visit a former 18th-century aristocratic mansion on a wine estate
- Wander imposing castles, tranquil monasteries and quaint fishing villages to get a true feel for this culturally diverse nation
- In Lisbon, visit St. George’s Castle, the Moorish Alfama Quarter and Jeronimo’s Monastery
- Travel to Cascais and Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Compare the ancient citadel at Obidos with the gilded church of San Francisco in Oporto
Turkey
Turkey has been a melting pot for many civilizations, partly due to its geographic value as a land and sea mass between Asia and Europe. It’s a country of great history, culture and art spanning more than 10,000 years, with its bustling capital Istanbul serving as one of the most unforgettable urban experiences in the world. As the sponsors of their Olympic bid invited, “Let’s meet where the continents meet.”
What Can I Do?
- Explore Istanbul’s magnificent Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace and sixth-century Basilica Cistern
- In Cappadocia, visit the rock-carved churches at Gôreme and the underground village of Kaymakli
- Discover ancient Ephesus, the best-preserved classical city in the eastern Mediterranean, and the seaside town of Bodrum with its Museum of Underwater Archaeology
- Relax on the “Turkish Riviera” along Turkey’s southwest coast, an area rich in archaeological sites and scenic beauty
- See cliffside tombs at Myra and visit the charming fishing village of Kalekôy. Explore Xanthos, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Admire the magnificent façade of the Celsus Library at ancient Ephesus
- Watch whirling dervishes in Konya
Spain
With centuries of seafaring might, the riches of both the seductive beauty of flamenco dance and the majestic spectacle of bullfighting, and the dynamism of its truly modern cities, Spain offers much to even the most seasoned of travelers.
What Can I Do?
- View the works of Picasso and Gaudí on display in Barcelona and Madrid
- Visit the Moorish Mezquita mosque in medieval Córdoba and the magnificent Alhambra in Granada
- Walk through the beautiful gardens of the Generalife Palace
- Watch a flamenco dance performance in Seville and sample the signature sherry in a bodega in Jerez
- In the Castile region, visit the fairy tale Alcázar Castle in Segovia
- Follow a portion of the 1,000-year-old pilgrims’ route to Santiago de Compostela.
- Enjoy wine tastings in Haro, capital of the Rioja wine region
- Absorb the stunning facade and then wander through the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao
- In Toledo, peruse steel workshops that carry swords similar to those carried by the Crusaders en route to battles in the Holy Land
