Dalmatia's charm and the magic of the Greek island

Dubrovnik, Croatia's stunning port city, is a blend of rich history, dramatic architecture, and vibrant culture, making it a must-visit destination. Don't miss a stroll along the city walls for breathtaking views and savor local dishes like "peka" and "black risotto." The best time to visit is in late spring or early fall when the weather is pleasant and the crowds are thinner.

Hvar port, with its rich history and stunning coastal charm, is a must-visit destination in Croatia. Don't miss indulging in local specialties like pašticada and the breathtaking views from the fortress. The best time to visit is during the late spring or early fall when the weather is delightful and the crowds are manageable.

Zadar, a historic port city on Croatia's Dalmatian coast, is a captivating blend of ancient architecture and vibrant culture. Must-do experiences include visiting the Church of St. Donatus and enjoying the enchanting music of the Sea Organ. The best season to visit is during the warm summer months when the city comes alive with festivals and outdoor activities.

Opatija is the Habsburg-era jewel of Croatia's Kvarner Gulf, where a twelve-kilometer seaside Lungomare connects grand nineteenth-century hotels and swimming coves along the Adriatic's most elegant coastal promenade. Visit May through September via Azamara or Windstar for botanical garden strolls, Istrian truffle dining, and a resort town that pioneered Adriatic seaside tourism and still practices it with imperial grace.

Trieste, a historic port city in Italy, is renowned for its rich cultural tapestry and stunning architectural heritage. Must-do experiences include sampling local delicacies like ćevapi and sachertorte, and exploring the vibrant Mercato Coperto. The best time to visit is during the spring and early autumn, when the weather is pleasant and the city is alive with activity.

Monopoli is a 2,500-year-old whitewashed port town on Puglia's Adriatic coast, where 20 churches fill a medieval labyrinth above tiny swimming coves of crystalline water. Must-dos include the morning fish market at the old port, tasting burrata and crudo at harbour-side restaurants, and swimming at the hidden calette beaches. Visit June or September for warm seas and luminous Puglian light.

Where Homer placed the island of the Phaeacians and four centuries of Venetian rule left their most enduring Mediterranean legacy, Corfu is a singular island of extraordinary historical depth and natural beauty. The UNESCO-listed Old Town — its narrow Kantounia alleyways, the elegant Liston arcade, and twin Venetian fortresses — is the finest preserved Venetian streetscape in Greece. Beyond the town, secret coves, olive groves of immense antiquity, and mountain villages offer weeks of unhurried discovery. May through June and September offer perfect conditions: warm sea temperatures, clear skies, and the island before or after its summer crescendo.

Lefkada is an Ionian island connected to mainland Greece by a causeway, famous for its dramatic white cliffs and beaches like Porto Katsiki that rank among the Mediterranean's most spectacular. Must-dos include swimming at the cliff-backed western beaches, tasting savoro fish and local Vertzami wine, and sailing to the unspoiled nearby islands of Meganisi and Kastos. Visit June or September for warm seas, pleasant temperatures, and fewer crowds.

Argostoli is the capital of Kefalonia, the largest Ionian Island, renowned for dramatic geological wonders, pristine beaches, and the literary fame of Captain Corelli's Mandolin. Must-dos include visiting the subterranean Melissani Lake, admiring the cliffs of Myrtos Beach, and tasting Robola wine with fresh-grilled fish. May through October offers warm weather and calm seas, with June and September providing the best balance of conditions.

Nafplion, the first capital of modern Greece, is a refined Peloponnesian port town where Venetian architecture, Byzantine churches, and neoclassical elegance converge along one of the Mediterranean's most beautiful waterfronts. Climb the 999 steps to the Palamidi Fortress for commanding views of the Argolic Gulf, then descend for an afternoon tasting Agiorgitiko wines in the nearby Nemean valley. The best months to visit are April through June and September through October, when mild temperatures and fewer crowds allow the town's intimate charm to shine.

The port that launched Athenian democracy's naval supremacy at the Battle of Salamis, Piraeus remains Greece's maritime heartbeat — and the most convenient gateway to both the Acropolis and the Aegean island chains. Dine on grilled sea bream at a Mikrolimano harbourside taverna, visit the extraordinary bronze Piraeus Apollo, and set sail for Hydra or Santorini by afternoon. Late April through June and September offer the Aegean at its most golden and uncrowded.