The Islands in the Mediterranean

About the destination: Palma de Mallorca, the vibrant capital of Spain’s Balearic Islands, is a city where beach life, history, and Mediterranean charm blend effortlessly. Stroll along the palm-lined seafront promenade, Passeig Marítim, and you’ll see luxury yachts bobbing in the harbor, terraced cafés buzzing with locals and visitors, and the golden silhouette of the city’s Gothic cathedral dominating the skyline. With over 300 days of sunshine a year, Palma is an ideal base for exploring the island or simply soaking up the relaxed coastal atmosphere. At the heart of the city stands La Seu, the magnificent cathedral that has watched over Palma’s bay for centuries. Its soaring buttresses and intricate façade are impressive from a distance, but step inside to admire the colorful stained glass, including one of the largest rose windows in the world, and design elements reimagined by Antoni Gaudí. Just a short walk away, the Royal Palace of La Almudaina and the labyrinth of narrow streets in the old town reveal Palma’s layered past—from Moorish rule to medieval Christian reconquest. Palma is also a city for leisurely discovery. Get lost in the historic quarter among honey-colored stone buildings, hidden courtyards, and boutiques tucked into centuries-old houses. Pause in a traditional café for an ensaïmada, the island’s famous spiral pastry, or sample fresh seafood and tapas at the lively Mercat de l’Olivar. As evening falls, the city’s terraces fill with people enjoying a glass of local wine or a gin and tonic while the sun sets over the bay. Beyond the urban core, Palma offers easy access to some of Mallorca’s most beautiful beaches and scenic routes. A short drive or bus ride brings you to sandy coves with turquoise waters, while inland roads lead to charming villages such as Valldemossa and Deià in the Tramuntana mountains. Whether you’re drawn by culture, cuisine, nightlife, or nature, Palma de Mallorca is a destination that invites you to slow down, explore, and savor the Mediterranean way of life.

About the destination: The tiny capital of Malta, the city measures less than 1 sq km, has a lot to offer visitors. Valletta has been described as one of the most concentrated historic areas in the world, thanks to its 7,000 years of history. No wonder, the City of Valletta was officially recognised as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1980. Built by the knight of St John in the 16th and 17th centuries for its military and strategic reasons, Valletta was later embellished into a fine example of baroque decorative art – most notably in the magnificent interiors of St John’s Co-Cathedral in the heart of the city. Shady atmospheric alleyways link grand squares, and glorious palazzi sit alongside bars and shop. Lately, the city has undergone some major changes to create a more vibrant urbanity, with the renovation of the main City Gate and the design of a new parliament building, as well as the renovation of the bombed-out Opera House. Valletta's natural deep water port, the Grand Harbour, is the biggest and the most impressive harbour in all the Mediterranean and was, for many thousands of years, the epicentre of Malta’s maritime activity. Proof of this are the 19 historical warehouses still stand dating back 250 years and the historic Quay Wall, where the Knights of St John and European merchants used to unload their wares. The Valletta Waterfront is also the gateway to Malta’s capital city. In fact, as one of the most successful Mediterranean ports, the Port of Valletta welcomes more than half-a-million cruise passengers into this open air museum. Recently, the waterfront has been revitalised into an attractive and vibrant gateway of shops, bars and restaurants. It’s particularly romantic at night when illuminated. There are tons of outdoor pursuits to enjoy thanks to the city’s moderate climate. From diving to sailing, cycling to rock climbing, there are a number of different adrenalin-busting options to satisfy adventurous holidaymakers. Just don't expect Valletta to be buzzing all night, its tranquility is a large part of its charm.

About the destination: Formed by the massive volcanic eruption which gave rise to the Atlantis legend, Santorini is the most striking island in the Aegean. The island is actually the outer rim of a sunken volcano, its entire eastern coast is a succession of small towns perched on high hills. Fira is the island’s dramatically situated capital. Perched on the cliffs, overlooking the sea, the town of Fira shares with the Parthenon the fame of the best known images of Greece. The narrow streets are filled with souvenir shops, lovely boutiques and a lot of jewellery shops. It has two beautiful churches, the Greek Orthodox and the Catholic Cathedral of St John the Baptist. It also has a small local museum. Nightlife in Fira is also quite lively with good restaurants and bars, plus a few nightclubs. The city is a spectacle in itself, with a climax at sunset. Another great place to enjoy the sunset is the town of Ia, a small village clinging to the rocky point of land at the northern tip of the island, 300m above the sea. The beaches in Santorini are much different than other beaches in Greece due to their special geographical features. Red and black volcanic pebbles lay the shores of Santorini beaches and steep cliffs provide a picturesque ambience. The most famous of Santorini beaches is the Red beach, while particularly popular are Perissa, Kamari and Perivolos. Santorini is a truly wonderful destination. The siting of some of its major towns along the clifftop rim of the caldera is one of the most spectacularly lovely sights in the world. The buildings seem to defy gravity in the way they cling to the cliffs and are stacked one on top of the other like so many sugar cubes. The sandy, multicoloured beaches are simply the icing on the cake.