MEDD

Endorsed by Condé Nast as one of the “10 best places in Europe to visit” in 2021, El Hierro nonetheless remains one of the least visited – and most pristine – of the Canary Islands, with no buildings higher than two stories, no elevators and only one set of traffic lights. A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, El Hierro’s remarkably transparent waters and vibrant undersea life make it a scuba diver’s paradise.

Less than 60 miles from the northwest coast of Africa, Fuerteventura is the oldest and second largest of Spain’s Canary Islands. The Spanish name – derived from the words for “strong” and “fortune” – is an apt description of this island paradise featured on UNESCO’s list of Biosphere Reserves. The surrounding sea is renowned for a diversity of marine life, including dolphins, sperm whales and sea turtles, so keep an eye on the water while relaxing on Fuerteventura’s immaculate beaches.

With more than 1,000 miles of coastline featuring stunning beaches to contrast with its dramatic mountainous interior, Sardinia is the second largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Cagliari is the island’s ancient and present-day capital, having emerged from a long and storied past that has shifted culturally, politically and artistically over its 5,000 years of ever-changing rule.

Small enough to be traversed easily on foot, Trogir sits on a tiny island off the Dalmatian Coast, connected by bridges to both the mainland and the neighboring island of Ciovo. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site for its “beautiful Romanesque churches complemented by the outstanding Renaissance and Baroque buildings from the Venetian period,” this diminutive medieval town holds an abundance of appeal. One of the many impressive sights of Trogir, the 13th-century Cathedral of Saint Lawrence houses the Renaissance Chapel of Saint John and offers sweeping views from its bell tower.

Some may recognize Skiathos as a setting in the movie Mamma Mia! — which gives you an idea of how scenic this island is. The coastline is home to some of Greece’s most beautiful beaches, and that says a lot given this is the Greek Isles. Only accessible by boat, Lalaria is a favorite because of the soaring white cliffs that rise from the pebbly sands and the striking rock formations jutting into the sea. Koukounaries provides a contrast with silky sands, a backdrop of emerald pines and plenty of loungers and umbrellas.

A study in contrasts, the Greek island of Syros is as historic as it is modern, as Catholic as Orthodox, and as stately and traditional as it is hip and cosmopolitan. The capital of the Cyclades, the island is known for its own intriguing capital, the thriving port city of Ermoupoli. Ermoupoli is crowned by the bright blue dome of the Orthodox church and paved with marble flagstones that line the main square.

Italy’s easternmost city, Otranto sits just under the heel of the country’s boot, peering out at Albania across the Otranto Strait that separates the Adriatic and Ionian seas. Otranto’s walled Old Town has been recognized by UNESCO for historic sites such as the Aragonese Castle, which has rotating exhibits on the inside and dramatic views of the sea on the outside. Equally impressive is the Church of Saint Peter, with its Byzantine frescoes and architecture, and the Otranto Cathedral, with its rose window and an incomparable mosaic floor.

In the arch of Italy’s boot, tucked between the Mare Grande (Big Sea) and Mare Piccolo (Little Sea), sits the coastal city of Taranto. Founded by Spartans in the 8th century BC, the “City of Two Seas” is also a city of two faces with two bridges – Ponte Girevole and Ponte di San Francesco di Paola – separating the old town from the new. Legend has it that upon arrival at Taranto, Poseidon’s son saw a dolphin jumping out of the sea and took the encounter as a sign from his father that here was the place to build a town.