visit Mykonos, perhaps the most
classic Greek island of them all, with
whitewashed houses, blue-domed
churches and windmills set against
a dark blue sea. Then to Turkey and
Istanbul, melting pot of Eastern and
Western cultures and faiths. The Grand
Bazaar, 17th-century Blue Mosque and
Topkapi Palace are the key sights.
Half a day in the Turkish port town of
Kusadasi lets you visit Ephesus, one of
Asia Minor’s best-preserved GreekRoman cities, followed next day by
Athens, full of enticing restaurants and
classical wonders. Maybe sample
ouzo, favourite tipple in Greece’s
capital.
A day at sea gives you time to prepare
for Venice. The ship overnights here.
After disembarking, you’ve two more
nights to spend in this incomparable
maritime city. A walking tour from St
Marks Square shows you the city’s
monuments: St. Mark’s Basilica, the
Doge’s Palace, the Campanile,
Marco Polo’s house and Malibran
Theatre among them. You’ll glide
along intricate Venetian waterways
by gondola, a once-in-a-lifetime
experience for many people.
A first class train journey speeds you to
Verona, where two nights in a four-star
hotel lets you wander this romantic
city, a Roman trade centre since the
3rd century BC.
Another First Class train trip takes you
to Milan, Italy’s capital of fashion and
design. Two nights here includes a fullday visit to one of Italy’s most famous
lakes, Como, with time to explore the
historic towns of Como and Bellagio. A
walking tour of Bellagio includes a