A volcanic archipelago off the western coast of Africa, Cape Verde was once a Portuguese colony before achieving its independence in 1975. Today, it’s home to a blend of both European and West African cultures that can be experienced through both its cuisine and music. Praia, which translates to beach in Portuguese, is the capital of Cape Verde and presides over the southern coast of Santiago where black and golden sand beaches encircle the harbor.
A lively port city on Cape Verde’s São Vicente, Mindelo is characterized by its colorful colonial architecture and soulful Morna music, a bluesy blend of African, Portuguese and Brazilian influences. Situated off West Africa’s coast, the volcanic archipelago of Cape Verde was once a Portuguese colony. As such, the Portuguese Brazilian tradition of Carnival is embraced through the annual festival and a year-round jubilant nightlife scene.
A surprising Spanish port on the North African coast, Melilla’s origins date back to the era of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. The historic center, Melilla la Vieja, is set inside a walled fortress on the Alboran Sea where museums and churches, like the Capilla de Santiago, the only authentic gothic structure on the continent, are ripe for exploration. Hidden beyond the fortress walls, Ensenada de los Galápagos is an enchanting crescent beach sheltered by a dramatic limestone cove.
One of the smallest of Spain’s seven Canary Islands, La Gomera is known as the island lost in time thanks to its emerald cloud forests and volcanic peaks rising precipitously from the sea for an almost prehistoric, untouched appeal. Situated off the northwestern coast of Africa, La Gomera was the embarkation point for Christopher Columbus on his transatlantic voyage to the New World in 1492. In San Sebastián, trace the explorer’s footsteps along Calle Real.
With its unbelievably clear blue waters and sun-bleached rocky coast blanketed in pine forests, Kas is a true jewel of the Mediterranean’s yachting playgrounds. From kayaking atop the sunken ruins of Simena to hiking a portion of the coastal Lycian Way and scuba diving with caretta sea turtles, this seaside town on Turkey’s southwestern coast is an exciting destination for active explorers. One of the best ways to experience Kas is by chartering a sailboat to swim in coves along the Turquoise Coast.
With Catania’s lovely collection of 18th century baroque architecture at the foot of Mount Etna, Europe’s tallest active volcano, this striking port city on Sicily’s west coast is set against the dazzling Ionian Sea. Begin your exploration in Piazza del Duomo, an elegant and spacious square where the whimsical Fontana dell’Elefante, made of black lava rock, sits at its center. Here, you’ll also find the Cattedrale di Sant’Agata with its domed basilica, graceful frescoes and columned facade, originally built in the 1000s with a fascinating history that spans the centuries.
On the eastern coast of Crete lies the island’s capital and largest urban center, Heraklion. A lively port city on the surface, millennia of history lie beneath its modern facade. Turkish fountains lie within the modern bustling city center and Venetian buildings and Minoan fortresses transport visitors back in time. See Minoan art and artifacts at the Heraklion Archeological Museum and explore the impressive Koules fortress for a view of Heraklion’s past before roaming the city’s plazas.
Situated on the heel of Italy’s boot overlooking the glittering Adriatic Sea, Brindisi is a natural port carved into a region known for its whitewashed marble and peaceful beaches. There’s much to explore along the picturesque harbor, from the rudder-shaped Monument to Italian Sailors, which you can scale for panoramic views, to the red stone Castello Alfonsino at the tip of a small island overlooking the channel.
Set along the scenic Turkish Riviera, Alanya is a resort town on the central Mediterranean coast with long stretches of powdery beaches, the most famous of which is named for the Egyptian queen who reputedly swam there. The white sands of Cleopatra Beach slope gently down into crystal blue waters where you could easily spend an entire day, although there is much more to Alanya than its shoreline. The ancient walls of Alanya Castle stretch for miles along a high promontory offering exceptional views of the modern city of Alanya below.
