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Eastern Mediterranean & the Black Sea
Rhodes
Odessa, Ukraine
Acropolis, Athens
Rovinj, Croatia
Cyprus
Odessa, Ukraine
Known as the Black Pearl, Odessa was founded in 1794 on the orders of Catherine the Great. Today, beautiful buildings grace wide boulevards and galleries and museums jostle for your attention.
" From old to new - take a wander round the up-market Kolonaki district,
which is packed with chic boutiques and ritzy restaurants.
Port Said, Egypt See page 44 for details Rhodes Town, Rhodes
Basking in more hours of sunshine than any other Greek island, Rhodes is loved for its fascinating past, not to mention its glittering sandy beaches.
" See the famous Potemkin Steps, immortalised by Sergey Eisenstein in his
film The Battleship Potemkin. " Gaze in awe at St. Pantheleimons Church with its five silver onion domes.
Patras, Greece
Prepare to be whisked back in time - Patras is your springboard to ancient Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games.
" Venture inside the ancient walls of Rhodes citadel to discover the Medieval
city left behind by the Knights of St John. Marvel at the mighty Palace of the Grand Masters, a gigantic fortress which dominates the old town, and call in at the 15th-century Hospital of the Knights. " For the best view of the harbour, make your way to the hill of Monte Smith, where youll be torn between panoramic views and ancient ruins.
" See where the Olympic Flame still burns today and run down the track
where the original Olympic champions competed.
Piraeus (for Athens), Greece
Trip over reminders of the past in ancient Athens, where cultural treasures twinkle back at you at every turn. Its a real gold medal winner of a city.
Rovinj, Croatia
This place couldnt be any more charming if it tried. Were talking cobbled streets, pastel-washed houses and a harbour stacked with characterful fishing boats. And its all overlooked by an enchanting hilltop cathedral.
" Scale the heights of the sun-bleached Acropolis for awesome views, then
take a look at the Parthenon, perched atop Athens most famous hill.
" Weave your way through the flower-festooned alleyways up to the towns
crowning glory - the hilltop church of St Euphemia. Climb the bell tower for a birds eye view of the towns terracotta rooftops and yacht-filled harbour. " Take a trip to Porec, one of the most popular towns in Istria. Dont miss the 6th-century basilica, which just happens to be a World Heritage Site.
" Be in Syntagma - or Constitution - Square in time to see the skirted
soldiers perform the changing of the guard. Great place for a coffee, too.
" Explore Plaka, the citys Medieval quarter. The lanes twist and turn to meet
the equally atmospheric Monastiraki street markets.
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