Exploring the Balkans & Adriatic with Venice

A city influenced by the Greeks, Romans and Aragonese, and mighty Mount Etna which looms large over it, Catania – Sicily's second largest city – is truly unique, in its history, culture and its appearance. 

Catania has suffered through the years, having survived many powerful earthquakes and volanic eruptions from its volatile natural neighbour, but by no means unscathed. Swathes of the city has been destroyed and rebuilt, with much of the original architecture replaced with Baroque monuments and sweeping piazzas, notably the Cathedral and Castello Ursino, which remain the highlight of the UNESCO-listed historic centre today. 

There are sights to behold at every turn, whether its from street level, walking over city pathways that have existed for nearly 3000 years, or from one of the city's domes, overlooking the impressive skyline. During a visit, the Bellini Museum is a highlight well worth taking in, while sampling local culinary delights and the buzz of the busy markets is a must. Opt to travel further afield to the fashionable resort of Taormina for sunshine and scenery; or perhaps take a cable-car ride up to the hissing craters of Mount Etna.

Perched between mountains and sea on Croatia's Dalmatian Coast, Dubrovnik is the 'Pearl of the Adriatic'. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the historic maritime city of Dubrovnik is one of Croatia’s most popular and interesting tourist destinations. Although severely damaged by an earthquake in 1667, and the focus of ongoing sieges and wars over the centuries, the city has managed to preserve many stunning monuments from the Renaissance (Sponza Palace), Gothic (Rector’s Palace) and Baroque (St. Blaise Church) periods.

The visit typically starts at the Ramparts – the huge stone walls that encircle the Old Town that offer wonderful views of the Adriatic’s blue waters and the surrounding Baroque palaces, fountains and sculptures. The Onofrio Fountain at Pile Gate - built in 1438 for people with the plague to wash at, and Fort Lovrijenac – built to protect the city from Venetian invasion, are also worth discovering.

The Old Town is famous for its limestone thoroughfare, the Stradun, and the squares off it, which are festooned with popular open-air bars and cafés. Fresh local seafood tops the menu in Dubrovnik, while the cable car up to Mount Srđ is another popular distraction.

The exuberant city of Split, on Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast, has the perfect balance of modernity and tradition. It is known for its fine beaches and the fortress-like, UNESCO-listed Diocletian’s Palace – a hugely-impressive 4th century Roman monument.

Life in Split has been buzzing along for millennia. Within its white stone walls, maze of alleys and atmospheric courtyards numerous shops, lively bars and cafés, and two vibrant markets can be found.

The wonderfully picturesque Narodni Trd is a pretty square overlooked by the Venetian-style city hall and Romanesque clock tower. The octagonal St Domnius Cathedral is another well-preserved Roman building well worth seeking out. Roman heritage is still evident in the Old Town, close by the waterfront, which has the remains of the Diocletian’s Palace – essentially the most magnificent retirement home for the Roman Emperor, Diocletian.

Split has a gem of a seafront that combines honeycombs of unique historical buildings with a sublime, palm-lined Riva waterfront. The Marjan, a glorious wooded peninsula, has fine secluded beaches among fabulous olive groves.

The walled port of Zadar lies on the dramatic northern Dalmatian coast. Located between Rijeka and Split, it is quieter than its neighbouring resorts on the south coast and rich in history and natural beauty.

The capital of Dalmatia for many centuries, Zadar has an old network of narrow streets in which you can lose yourself marvelling at the roman ruins and Romanesque churches.  The Zadar region oozes natural beauty and boasts 200 hidden islands and islets, bays and isthmuses that create an opportunity for all types of water sport activities.

Exploration of the archipelago is a must and a short boat ride will take you to the islands of Dugi Otok, Pašman and Ugljan.

If you want to explore further afield, Zadar is also the perfect base from which you can explore this part of Croatia and especially its national parks. It’s barely an hour from Krka National Park for some swimming and walking or Paklenica National Park if you fancy a spot of hiking or rock climbing.

Rijeka, Croatia's third largest city, is a historic gem on the beautiful Kvarner Riviera. While its known for its commerce and industry, as the home of its country's busiest port, the city has beauty and a rich history to behold beyond the boats, cranes and warehouses of its industrial zone. 

A maze of quintessentially-Croatian narrow streets lined with terracotta-topped buildings tell tales of an eventful past, which had seen the Romans, Illyrians, Habsburg Empire and many other powers impose their influences here. As you explore, fine examples of architectural delights from this eras present themselves; highlights include the City Tower, Roman Arch and the Church of St Vitus from the 17th century.

For an in-depth delve into Rijeka's history, there are many museums to visit, including the Torpedo Factory, where the first European prototypes of a self-propelling torpedo were created by Giovanni Luppis, and where the remains of the factory can still be seen. Get a feel for the local culture during a visit too; the city is a very much at the heart of Croatian arts and entertainment, and home to The Croatian National Theatre as well as the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art.

Venice, the capital of northern Italy’s Veneto region, remains a city unrivalled in its marriage of serenity and spectacle, legend and romance. With tranquil waters that stretch along 150 canals and audacious historic architecture, it’s no surprise that the city of Venice is lauded as one of the must-see global destinations.

With no cars, Venice is a gondola-ride into the past through its web of narrow cobbled streets and under 500 ancient bridges that entangle the city centre. The fittingly-named Grand Canal epitomises the grandeur of this magnificent city: stunning Venetian architecture reflects on its surface, while at one end, the magnificent Palazzo Ducale and Basilica di San Marco offer a jaw-dropping finish to any trip along this majestic canal.

Away from the water, neighbourhood churches are lined with Veroneses and priceless marbles, and the great piazza San Marco – the place Napoleon once referred to as the ‘drawing room of Europe’ – is a total showstopper. From the lavish 14th century Doge’s Palace, to the stunning mosaic-decorated interior of the famous basilica, the square boasts some of the city’s best sights. All of which glistens in the shadow of the impressive clock tower, Torre dell’Orologio.

This lagoon-based city produces wining and dining specialities all of its own: a sunny morning spritz in a campi (square); a seafood lunch in a bacaro (bar); a happy hour selection of cicheti (Venetian tapas); or a traditional Venetian meal at a canal side restaurant with a glass of the city’s beloved Prosecco – all are truly unforgettable experiences. Venice is a city of trendsetters. From controversial artwork in the Punta della Dogana to showrooms of local artisans and the radical new art at the Biennale, an unconventional, creative vibe can be found everywhere in this magical place.

An island until the 19th Century, Koper is the main port in Slovenia and the gateway to Central Europe. The old town is abundant with architecture and cultural monuments. The richness of the culinary heritage, as well as the hospitality, kindness and attention of the native Slovenians, guarantees a pleasant visit.

Bosnia and Herzegovina only has around 24 kilometres of coastline, an Adriatic stretch flanked by Croatian lands, and Neum is the country's only coastal city. 

Sheltered from the often strong Adriatic winds by the Peljesac Peninsula, this picturesque location boasts a gloriously warm climate, beautiful scenery and soft-sand beaches, making the perfect summer retreat for locals and visitors alike. Perhaps not as well known as other Adriatic destinations, such as Split and Dubrovnik, Neum manages to retain a 'hidden gem' feel somewhat, despite its popularity as a holiday escape. 

The beaches here are of course busier in summer months, but you're always likely to find somewhere to relax and enjoy the sunshine. Or, if you'd prefer to escape some of the crowds, there's always the town itself to explore, amongst its terracotta-topped villas and raking streets. 

The winding, fjord-like landscapes of Montenegro's beautiful, UNESCO-listed Bay of Kotor boast some of the finest scenery in Europe. A mix of soaring mountains, rugged rocky cliff faces and fairytale-esque towns, cities and villages dotted with traditional terracotta-topped houses and ancient architecture line the coast, creating spectacular scenes best admired from the bay's cobalt waters. 

Sail into the Bay of Kotor on a Fred. Olsen Adriatic cruise and you'll have the chance to revel in the incredible sights from the comfort of your smaller cruise ship. Be sure to have your camera to hand to capture the experience, ready to share your memories with friends back home.

Located on the Bay of Kotor, a natural fjord near the coast of the Adriatic Sea, the city of Kotor is the oldest town in Montenegro, with roots embedded deep in the ancient world.  Together with the nearly overhanging limestone cliffs of Orjen and Lovćen, which the city nestled between, Kotor is situated amongst one of the Mediterranean's most impressive landscapes. 

Characterized by cobbled winding streets and squares, this well-preserved medieval old town has earned Kotor’s listing as a UNESCO World Natural and Historical Heritage Site. The ancient architecture includes several Romanesque churches, such as Kotor Cathedral, and the town is a maze of museums, cafe-strewn plazas and Venetian palaces. It's also home to the Maritime Museum, which explores the local seafaring history.

Situated on a small peninsula on the beautiful coast of the Adriatic Sea, and benefitting from shallow, sandy beaches, gloriously clear and inviting blue waters and a hot Mediterranean climate, Durrës is one of Albania's most popular holiday destinations. A wonderful place to live, as well as visit, the city has been inhabited almost 3000 years, is rich in centuries of fascinating history, and captivates with its local culture.

An ancient city, the former Albanian capital is packed with an abundance of interesting places to explore, discover and visit, particularly within its historic heart. The city centre is full of interesting places to visit, including the Ancient City Wall, the Byzantine forum, the Archaeological museum, the Venetian tower, the Monument of Resistance and the Ethnographic museum. Each site has its own deep history, incredible architecture and cultural importance. 

The Strait of Messina is steeped in legend and is famed for its rocks and whirlpools – many of which were personified as female monsters in Greek mythology. 

An extremely busy highway of seafaring traffic, this narrow waterway is seen as being key to the economic success of Messina. The currents, whirlpools, and winds of the strait, which still hamper navigation, gave rise in ancient times to many legends about its dangers to navigators.

Situated just north of Sicily, Stromboli Island is one of the smallest Aeolian Islands, but arguably the most famous thanks to its intense volcanic activity.

One of the Europe's most active volcanos after Mount Etna, Stromboli has been erupting for over 2000 years and almost non-stop since 1932. The island's eruptions are so distinctive that geologists use 'Strombolian' to describe similar eruptions around the world.

Cruising by Stromboli is always a memorable experience and from the comfort and safety of your ship you'll take in unforgettable views of stunning landscapes moulded by unstoppable molten rock and lava flows. Look out for black sand beaches and tiny inhabited settlements dotted along the lower slopes of the cone-shaped island. You may even be lucky enough to witness volcanic activity as you sail by too.

British overseas territory, Gibraltar, on Spain's south coast is dominated by a 426m-high limestone ridge: The Rock. The Rock of Gibraltar is a sentinel that guards the Straits, and the overtly-British town nestled between the European and African continents. Its atmosphere is all the more familiar due to its helmeted policemen, red pillar boxes, fish and chip shops, traditional pubs and Marks & Spencer shops.

Layers of fortifications on The Rock include the remains of a 14th-century Moorish Castle and the 18th century Great Siege Tunnels. The Europa Point Lighthouse and St. Michael’s limestone cave light show are both well worth seeking out.

Resolutely British for nearly 300 years, Gibraltar’s unique history is of interest but it's the camera-loving Barbary Apes that tend to steal the show.

The city of La Coruña is the capital of the province and a busy seaport situated in the Galicia region of northwest Spain. Most famous for its Roman lighthouse, the diverse architectural styles of La Coruña make the city an absolute delight for sightseeing.

La Coruña boasts an impressive seafront promenade, beautiful beaches and a host of attractions such as the Domus Museum, the Casa del Hombre and Torre De Hercules – said to be the only Roman lighthouse in existence – which offers sweeping coastal views from the top of its 60 metre high tower. The Paseo Marítimo, a lovely 13km walkway and bike path, runs from the port, around the peninsula, and along the ocean beaches.

The compact Ciudad Vieja – La Coruña’s old quarter – is a must-visit area. Often referred to as “the city” by the locals, the medieval centre contains remains of the centuries-old Roman wall that once protected it. The arcaded Plaza de María Pita, surrounded by narrow pedestrianized lanes, is a popular spot, and features the Estatua de María Pita, a statue of a 16th century woman who warned the town of an invasion by Sir Francis Drake. The medieval Church of Santiago, the Museum of Sacred Art and the Military Museum are all fine places of interest.   

Beyond the historic city is a proud, modern metropolis, which boasts a superb food scene and a buzzing nightlife. The world’s best picnic food, empanadas, and the locally produced beer, Estrella, both demand trying.  

One of the oldest active Roman lighthouses in the world, and arguably one of the most architecturally impressive too, the Tower of Hercules – located between the Orzán cove and the Gulf of Ártabro – is a sight to behold as you sail into, and depart from, the historic Spanish city of La Coruña.

While the light cast by the tower is visible from 32 miles out to sea, from on board your smaller ship you’ll enjoy a much closer view of this Roman gem, which originally dates from 2^nd century CE and was restored to the glory it is today by order of King Charles IV of Spain in 1788.