Eastern Mediterranean Cruise - from Valletta - 132571

Valletta is the first city in modern times to be built entirely on the basis of the drafts drawn by Jean de la Valetta of the Order of St. John. The capital of Malta is a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. Upon entering the harbour you can see the huge fortifications of the old town with its splendid buildings. The city invites tourists to visit the ceremonial church of San Giovanni and the Hospital of the Grand Master of the Order of St. John, which dates from the 16th century. Republic Street, which is always very busy, is a testament to the convivial nature of the residents and shows how much fun shopping here can be. Other sights include: Baracca Gardens, the National Archaeological Museum, Fort St. Elmo with its Defence Museum and the old palace.

Small, winding streets, a fresh sea breeze and handsome buildings – a description that sums up the unique charm of Monopoli. The small port with a popular name is situated at the Adriatic coast of Apulia in Southern Italy. Still considered an inside tip, Monopoli’s atmosphere is marked by locals. The former fishing village today represents an important port for the area. Ancient buildings like the Castillo di Monopoli with its remained town wall can be discovered. One of the most beautiful buildings is the baroque cathedral on Piazza Vittorio Emanuele. Mural arts can be admired insight of it. Moreover, Monopoli’s long beaches are worth visiting.

The former resort of Saranda at the Ionian Sea has become a popular meeting place, primarily for visitors from Greece. From here, one can visit the town of Butrint, where there has been a settlement since the first century B.C. and which has city walls from various epochs. The extensive excavations from ancient times include theatres, an altar to Dionysos, the Asklepius temple, nymphaeum, Roman houses and baths, early Christian basilica and an early Christian baptistry with one of the most beautiful mosaics ever found. The Lion's Gate and the Venetian fort on the former acropolis are must-sees. A ferry leaves Saranda twice daily for the island of Corfu, which is just 10 km away. But the small harbour town has wonderful beaches of its own and welcomes tourists.

Die Hafenstadt beherbergt den größten Teil der ca. 3.500 Einwohner der griechischen Insel Mykonos. Die Altstadt ist am besten vom Ufer aus zu betreten. Im Zentrum der Stadt befindet sich der Drei-Brunnen-Platz "Platia Tria Pigadia" mit drei Ziehbrunnen, die noch bis in die Fünfzigerjahre des 20. Jh. hinein die Altstadt mit Wasser versorgen. Sehenswürdigkeiten: "Nautiko Moussío", eines der reizvollsten Museen aus dem 19. Jh. zum Thema Seefahrt in Griechenland mit schönem schattigen Garten, das "Haus der Lena", das ca. 200 Jahre alt, mit Möbeln und Kunst ausgestattet ist und einen Einblick in ein Bürgerhaus des 19. Jh. gibt, die kleine "Agios-Nikolaos-Kirche", das Rathaus mit rotem Ziegeldach.

Piraeus, today a modern port town, has been Athens' port since ancient times and used to be connected with the capital by means of city walls. Only remnants of these wall remain. Piraeus has made a name for itself primarily on account of its appealing nightlife and the romantic fish restaruants by the sea. Sights include: the ancient harbour Zea Marina, the remnants of the long walls (5th century B.C.), the Archaeological Museum with ancient shipwrecks, statues of Apollo and Athena, the Hellenic Marine Museum and the Veakio Theatre.