Nautica - August 13, 2023

Venice enchants you from your first glimpse as your ship glides through the Grand Canal. A world power in the middle ages, its affluence lives on in its beautiful old buildings like those surrounding Piazza San Marco. Be sure not to leave without a romantic ride along the canals in a gondola.

This natural harbor on the Adriatic coast of Montenegro was an important artistic and commercial center with famous masonry and iconography schools in the Middle Ages. A large number of its monuments, among which four Romanesque churches and the town walls, were heavily damaged by an earthquake in 1979 but the town is now completely restored.

Argostolion is the capital town of Kefallinia, one of the seven islands comprising the Estanisa, an island group in the Ionian Sea.

With the smoking cone of Mt. Etna as a backdrop, the chic resort of Taormina, is absolutely stunning. The town's ancient Greek theater is a wonder. Built in the third century B.C., with apparently perfect acoustics, it is still used today for open-air concerts. Spend some leisurely time along the Corso Umberto, where there are many interesting places to shop and dine.

Located on the Amalfi coast, Positano is serves as the port of Capri and is a very popular health and seaside resort because of its beaches, palm trees and citrus groves. You can also visit the Church of Santa Maria Assunta with its impressive cupola, or stroll the city's streets, gazing at the numerous white houses with vaulted roofs and garden terraces.

Civitavecchia is just moments from Rome, Italy's Eternal City. One of the most geographically perfect ports in the world, Civitavecchia boasts a number of compelling area attractions. Stroll through the streets of the medieval town of Tarquinia. View the resplendent Madonnina at the Resort of Pantano.

Often called the "Pearl of the Riviera," this charming hideaway on the Ligurian Sea is a favorite vacation spot of many wealthy Europeans. Once a quiet fishing village, Portofino is now best known for its chic boutiques, wonderful outdoor restaurants, and beachside cliffs that are speckled with pastel-colored villas. An optional day trip by boat lets you explore the picturesque coastline villages of Paraggi and Santa Margherita.

The world's most famous casino (a must see even if you do not gamble), glittering nightlife, first-class dining and shopping, make it one of the world's most glamorous destinations. The casino is an elaborate Italianate structure capped by four towers and a copper-tin roof.

No introduction is needed for what is perhaps the world's best known and most fashionable resort on the Riviera. Immerse yourself in the splendid scenery of the Cote d'Azur with an excursion to the hilltop villages of Gassin and Il Ramatuelle, and the new town of Port Grimaud, built to resemble an old Mediterranean fishing village.

The most populated city in France after Paris, Marseille has all the sights and sounds of a Mediterranean melting pot, which it has been ever since the Phocaean Greeks invaded around 600 B.C. Its industrial docks rub shoulders with the picturesque old harbor, the Vieux Port, founded by the Greeks 2,600 years ago. Packed with colorful fishing boats and yachts, the Vieux Port is the heart of Marseille.

Barcelona is the cultural heartland of Spain, yet its first language is Catalan, the native tongue of the proudly independent Catalonia region. Stroll down the shady, tree-lined Ramblas between street musicians and elegant bistros. Then perhaps visit the venerable Gothic cathedral, Picasso Museum or enjoy the architectural genius of Antonio Gaudi's Church of the Holy Family.

Toulon, a commercial and industrial city in southeastern France, lies on the Mediterranean Sea. Toulon's harbor serves as the primary naval base of the French Mediterranean fleet. In recent years tourism has become increasingly important. A modern resort area with a beautiful beach and hotels has developed at Le Mourillon, just west of Toulon.

Set in the heart of one of the world's most beautiful bays, Villefranche-sur-Mer sits on the steps of a natural amphitheatre - the terraced hills of the Riviera - gazing out over the sea. The plentiful sunshine of the Cote d'Azur, reflected in the enclosed bay, has given Villefranche-sur-Mer a warmth and climate all of its own and its famous rich, exotic vegetation.

Bastia is steeped in history but inspired by a modern, urban culture. It is a town which came to prominence as Corsica's main port. The focal point is the Place St. Nicholas with its brightly coloured facades, cafes and restaurants. An intriguing quaint labyrinth of narrow lanes weaves amongst the buildings between the old and the citadel quarters.

Located on the Amalfi coast, Positano is serves as the port of Capri and is a very popular health and seaside resort because of its beaches, palm trees and citrus groves. You can also visit the Church of Santa Maria Assunta with its impressive cupola, or stroll the city's streets, gazing at the numerous white houses with vaulted roofs and garden terraces.

The province of Trapani is extremely varied in its cultural and historical trappings. The influence of Italy, mainland Europe, and the Arab world.are present in the architecture and culture, and is especially noticable in the city's town centre. Be sure to visit the Ligny Tower, which dates back to 1761 and houses the Museum of PrehistoryVisit the Pepoli Museum, located within the Carmelite Monastery, for an interesting collection of coral works, which are Trapani's second most-famous feature, after the region's famed wine.

Located in the middle of the Mediterranean, Malta's coastline features many harbors, bays, sandy beaches and rocky coves. After a leisurely stroll through the Barracca Gardens you'll be awarded with a spectacular view of the harbor of Valetta.