Dalmatian Gems, Malta & Italy

Nestled among the myriad islets of the Istrian coast in the Gulf of Venice, the charming harbor of Rovinj is comprised of candy-colored buildings, fringed with marinas and dominated by the fairytale spire of the Cathedral of Saint Euphemia, modeled on St. Marks' in Venice. The old town is a treasury of historic monuments - a 13th-century Romanesque baptistry, a baroque City Hall, and an 18th-century monastery - all tucked among cobbled streets that invite exploration. Known as the "Montmartre of Istria," this is an artists' colony with many galleries.

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Occupied successively by the Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, Arabs, French and British, Malta has been of strategic importance throughout history. A British Crown Colony until 1964, Malta received the George Cross for its valiant resistance to German occupation in WWII. The island's rich heritage is reflected in the architecture of Valletta, the current capital, and Medina, the capital until 1565. In Valletta the Knights of St. John built such masterpieces as St. John's Co-Cathedral and the Palace of the Grand Masters, along with the fortifications that guard the town's magnificent harbors.

Lipari is the largest of the seven major islands making up the Aeolian Islands. They were originally named after Aeolus, the mythical god of wind who the ancients believed made his home in a cave here. Recently renamed the Lipari Islands, they were created by volcanic eruptions thousands of years ago and have a primitive rocky beauty accented by Mediterranean greenery. Their natural beauty and easy lifestyle have made the islands increasingly popular for those who wish to escape the modern world and its stresses. The crystal clear aqua-blue waters and the volcanic beaches are some of the most inviting in Italy. Many are inaccessible except by fishermens' boats. An abundance of fish and shell fish makes for some very good restaurants specializing in seafood.

With an idyllic cliff-top location on the Bay of Naples, Sorrento has inspired legends for centuries. In Greek mythology, the Sirens were said to live here, luring sailors onto the rocks. Today, citrus trees scent the air and add zest to the city's limoncello liqueur. Sorrento is an ideal place to savor the local color, and to shop for embroidered linens, cameos and Capodimonte ceramics, all of which can be found in Old Town and along the pedestrian-only Via San Cesareo.

Originally built by Emperor Trajan who had a villa here, Civitavecchia has flourished as a major port for Rome since the 13th century. Today it is an important ferry terminal and for many travelers the gateway to the Eternal City, Rome. The Renaissance fortifications that surround the harbor area were begun by Bramante and completed by Michelangelo in 1535.