Mostar’s Stari Most, or “Old Bridge,” built by the Ottomans in the 16th century, was long considered one of the finest examples of Balkan Islamic architecture.Īrcing high across the Neretva river, it’s one of the most famous sights in the Balkans, and traditionally locals dive from the bridge - today it’s a stop on the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series. There’s a lido, if you want to take a safe dip in the sea, and if history’s more your thing, the archeological museum contains items dating back to the Mycenean age. This was the first capital of modern Greece, so there are things to do in spades. Gorgeous Nafplio straddles the Aegean Sea in the Peloponnese, with its Venetian-built castle thrusting into the water (in fact, there are three castles to visit here) and a pretty Old Town spooling out behind the old walls.
It’s a pedestrianized warren of alleyways and roller-coastering streets, packed full of grand palazzi which were built by the mysterious, mercenary “men of arms” who lived here in the Renaissance period.įind out more about them at the Museo della Battaglia di Anghiari, which traces the history of a momentous medieval battle which took place on the plain outside town. Hovering on a hillside near the Tuscan-Umbrian border, Anghiari is a delight - a tiny walled town curling round itself as it clings to the landscape. Tiny fishing boats bob in the small harbor - with a larger one, where ferries leave for Plymouth in the UK, further out. Today, it’s a center of thalassotherapy, using seawater to treat medical conditions, as well as a beautiful Breton town. Not lovely little Roscoff, though, in France’s Brittany region, which built its fortune on maritime trade, including exporting its famous pink onions to the UK. Like everywhere in Portugal, local bakeries make a mean pastel de nata, but here you should try the local speciality: torta di Guimarães - a pastry filled with squash and ground almonds. Guimarães is crucial to Portugal’s history - it was named the country’s first capital in the 12th century, and its medieval core remains largely intact, full of convents, grand old palaces and a crumbling castle, perched on top of a bluff. Hungry? Stop at the Michelin-starred restaurant Hollands-Venetië.
Take a boat tour around the thatched houses sitting on peat-filled islands. As in Venice, life revolves around the water, here - there are no cars in the center so the only way to get around is on foot or on the water. They call it the Dutch answer to Venice, but Giethoorn lacks one crucial thing that the Italian city has in spades: overtourism.
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