Mantua
Once the location of the town's vegetable market, Piazza delle Erbe is Mantua's most lively piazza. Its 13th-century Palazzo della Ragione sports a 15th…
Must-see attractions in Mediterranean Europe
Northeastern Sardinia
Signposted 2km north of Tempio Pausania along the SS133, this nuraghe is more substantial than the many other ruins that dot the surrounding countryside…
Andalucía
Tabernas' best known and most expensive Wild West park provides good family entertainment. The set itself is in decent condition, and the well-kept zoo…
Merano (Meran)
Clinging to a steep crag high above the Adige valley, the ancestral seat of the counts of Tyrol houses a dynamically curated museum of Tyrolean history,…
Naxos
In Flerio, near Mili, is an ancient marble-working area. There remain two examples of kouroi, large marble statues created in the 7th and 6th centuries BC…
Asturias
Spectacularly positioned on a grassy headland fringed by jagged cliffs, sandy beaches and crashing seas, this delicate little blue-and-white chapel 16km…
Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Concepción
El Hierro
Valverde's church is a simple three-nave, late-18th-century structure crowned by a bell tower with a railed-off upper level that serves as a lookout…
Taranto
Guarding the swing bridge that joins the old and new parts of town, this impressive 15th-century structure, built on Norman and Byzantine predecessors,…
Central Lombardy
With its four stout towers, crenellations, moat and drawbridge, you can almost see the Rocca of Soncino under siege by some enemy of Milan's Sforza clan,…
Göreme
It's posited that Byzantine soldiers carved the 11th-century Azize Barbara Şapeli (Chapel of St Barbara), dedicated to their patron saint who is depicted…
Sumela
One of the classic viewpoints of the main monastery complex is just behind this tiny stone chapel, now used as a little projection room for an Turkish…
Granada
A green reflecting pool announces this small porticoed palace, one of the oldest buildings in the Alhambra, dating from the time of Mohammed III (r 1302…
Sanlúcar de Barrameda
Just off the old town's Calle Caballeros, this rambling palace was the home of the Duques de Medina Sidonia, the aristocratic family that once owned more…
Church of the Panagia Vrefokratousa
Lesvos
A pilgrimage site of national importance, this elegant walled-off church contains a namesake icon depicting the Virgin, which is believed to make miracles…
Basque Country
The portentous Santuario de Loyola is dedicated to St Ignatius, the founder of the Jesuit order. Its domed basilica, laden with grey marble and carved…
Eastern Sardinia
Rising out of the Sarcidano plain, about 10km south of Orroli and off the SP10, is the Nuraghe Arrubiu, which takes its Sardinian name from the red colour…
Trentino & South Tyrol
Part of the larger Parco Faunistico, and with cute displays for kids, this is the place to see the 20-odd population of brown bears of the Parco Naturale…
Trabzon
Recently restored with intricate ceiling paintings and back-lit panels in the spired minbar (pulpit), Çarşı Camii was till recently the largest mosque in…
Venice
The Schola Tedesca has been the spiritual home of Venice’s Ashkenazi community since 1528. By 16th-century Venetian law, only the German Jewish community…
Palma de Mallorca
This grand 18th-century baroque mansion with the typical Palma courtyard of graceful broad arches and uneven stone paving is at once a cultural centre…
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
This pedestrianised street has long been the main shopping artery in Las Palmas. In between purchases, look skyward to enjoy some real architectural gems,…
Göreme
Within Güllüdere (Rose) Valley, this church is easily missed as it's carved out of a nondescript rock facade. Once inside though, the nave is notable for…
Biblioteca Comunale degli Intronati
Siena
Occupying 13th-century buildings once used by the University of Siena, this municipal library was established in the 1750s. Its labyrinthine structure…
Rhodes
Ancient Ialysos was one of three cities that joined to create the new city of Rhodes in 408 BC. Its flat hilltop site, 12km southwest of Rhodes Town, can…
The Bosphorus Suburbs
Not satisfied with the architectural exertions of his predecessor at Dolmabahçe Palace, Sultan Abdül Aziz (r 1861–76) built his own grand residence at…
Rhodes Town
The Jewish presence on Rhodes dates back to the 2nd century BC, while a 13th-century influx of Jewish refugees from Spain resulted in the creation of a…
Evia
With vines trickling down to Edipsos Bay below, this 100-acre family-run winery 16km northwest of Loutra Edipsou specialises in wines produced from unique…
Bay of Naples
The modest Casa dello Scheletro features five styles of mosaic flooring, including a design of white arrows at the entrance to guide the most disoriented…
Costa Daurada & Around
Combining Modernista and Noucentista styles, this majestic medieval-inspired winery with a dramatic vaulted interior dates from 1919 and was designed by…
Central Anatolia
The Ulu Cami (1197) is Sivas' oldest significant building, and one of Anatolia's oldest mosques. Built by the Danışmends, it's a large, low room with a…
Santander
El Sardinero’s 1.5km-long strand of gorgeous golden sand faces the open sea, north of the Península de la Magdalena. It’s backed by some of Santander’s…
Parga
Centuries of turbulent history have made Parga's castle a romantic ruin facing the sea. The site was used for defence since the 11th century; the existing…
Sifnos
Perched on an islet connected to the shore by a tiny footbridge, this handsome whitewashed monastery is considered to be the protector of Sifnos. Built in…
Northwestern Sardinia
Sardinia's top wine producer has been based on this 650-hectare estate since 1899. To learn more about its history and production methods, join the free…
Palma de Mallorca
Gaspar Bennázar (1869–1933) – one of the most influential architects in modern Palma, his native city – played with various styles during his long career,…
Parco Archeologico di Muggia Vecchia
La Costiera Triestina
Above the old fishing port of Muggia, at the top of Monte Castellier (170m), is a small archaeological park with the ruins of the original Roman castrum…
Cyprus
Although not open to the public, the magnificent facade of this mammoth 14th-century church, which has survived intact, gives you a good impression of…
Siena
Sheltering behind an anonymous facade, this Ashkenazi synagogue in Siena's former Ghetto once serviced a community of 500. Sadly, a mere 50 Jews now live…
Museo della Città e del Territorio
Umbria
Housed in the 17th-century Palazzo Eroli, Narni's principal museum packs several wow moments into its small collection. Chief among these are two 15th…
Gazi, Keramikos & Metaxourgio
This city-run gallery has temporary exhibits, sometimes featuring Greek artists but not always. It's definitely worth a peek as it's set in a grand…
