Southern Rome
The Archaeological Park of the Tombs of the Via Latina holds a trove of ancient Roman tombs in a park setting. Following an extensive restoration, the…
Must-see attractions in Mediterranean Europe
Kaş
If you're after a full day on the beach, the best idea is to hop on one of the water taxis in Kaş harbour and head for one of these three beaches on the…
Genoa
Built on the site of the original settlement, and sheltering under the 11th-century Embriaci Tower, this Romanesque church and convent, itself built…
Dodecanese
A stiff switchback climb along the road from Pondamos Beach leads up through Halki’s fertile central valley to Horio. This picturesque ruin was originally…
Nafplio
Whether or not you wish to buy Greece's most popular souvenir item – komboloï (worry beads) – at the gift shop, it's worth popping into the incense…
Livorno
Constructed between 1704 and 1714 but extensively damaged during WWII and subsequently rebuilt, this church was named after the King of Castile. Its…
Corso Magenta & Sant'Ambrogio
Situated over an ancient cemetery where Christian martyrs were laid to rest, this awesome, fascist-style mausoleum honours Milan’s World War I victims,…
El Raval
The best example of Romanesque architecture in Barcelona is the dainty little cloister of this small 11th- or 12th-century church, which was founded in…
Ephesus
This honorary fountain from the early 2nd century AD was once dominated by a huge statue of the great soldier-emperor Trajan (r AD 98–117), grasping a…
Mallorca
Sa Font is one of the few reminders of the Arab presence on the island. This complex qanawat (well and water distribution structure) is difficult to date…
Central Anatolia
Having been shuttered for years, the Gök Medrese was nearing the end of an extensive restoration project on our last visit. Built in 1271 at the behest of…
Catalonia
The 11th-century Romanesque church within Cardona's castle complex has an elegant stone-walled interior and a collection of fine 12th- and 13th-century…
Ermita de la Mare de Déu dels Àngels
Castellón Province
Follow signs from the Plaza Mayor to this loveable chapel perched on a rocky hillside, a 2.5km drive, or somewhat shorter walk, away. It was a monastery…
Calabria
The Chiesetta di Piedigrotta is an underground cave full of carved stone statues. It was carved into the tufa rock by Neapolitan shipwreck survivors in…
Lago Trasimeno
The only of Lago Trasimeno's islands with a permanent, albeit tiny, population, Isola Maggiore was reputedly a favourite with St Francis, who spent time…
Pelion Peninsula
To find out what the Pelion’s historical mansions looked like in their prime – before being transformed into luxurious guesthouses – follow a circuitous…
Mardin
This gracious mosque was built in the 14th century and has been finely restored. Both the external grand gateway, bordered by fine stone carvings, and the…
Northern Malta
The chess-piece-like Red Tower was built in 1649 for Grand Master Lascaris, as part of the chain of signal towers that linked Valletta and Gozo; the view…
Turin
A part-medieval, part-baroque castle built in the 13th century on the site of the old Roman gate, this palazzo is named after Madama Reale Maria Cristina,…
Göreme
The trailhead off Müze Caddesi leads into the narrow gorge of Zemi Valley lined with tall poplar trees and sided by cliffs studded with pigeon houses. If…
Central Anatolia
This little museum does a good job of explaining Alacahöyük's history and significance despite comprising only two rooms. One room is dedicated to small…
Ribera del Duero
This fine, early-13th-century hermitage has a wonderfully lonely aspect and showcases a fusion of styles between late Romanesque and early Gothic,…
Frascati
The former stables of Villa Aldobrandini, restored by architect Massimiliano Fuksas, house Frascati's single museum of note, the Museo Tuscolano…
La Macarena & Alameda de Hércules
Flanked by bars, cafes and restaurants, this tree-lined plaza is a hugely popular hangout, frequented by families, tourists and students. It's also the…
Victoria (Rabat)
Victoria's Archaeology Museum houses some incredible finds. There are some 'fat lady' carvings from Ġgantija Temples and Xagħra, around 3000 to 4000 years…
South Ibiza
From this formidable 18th-century defence tower on Ibiza's southernmost tip (a 20-minute walk from the south end of Es Cavallet or Platja de Ses Salines),…
Meteora & Thessaly
Set behind a pretty rose garden, this excellent museum is just back from the seafront at the southeastern limit of Volos. As well as some amazing…
Western Mallorca
This very small cove, following a shallow curve down a dirt track from the car park above it, is all small pebbles, boulders and serene views. Pinched…
Eastern Mediterranean
South of the Old City, what is also called the St Paul Memorial Museum (St Paul Anıt Müzesi) was originally built in 1850 as a Greek Orthodox church to…
Brescia
Set in a salubrious park atop a hill, Brescia’s impressive castle is a great place for aimless wandering (early mornings are best), soaking up views and…
Museo Nazionale della Residenze Napoleoniche
Elba
Villa dei Mulini was home to Napoleon during his stint in exile on this small isle. With its Empire-style furnishings, splendid library, fig-tree-studded…
Chiesa di Santa Maria di Monserrato
Sulcis
This lovely church, the centrepiece of Tratalias' borgo antico, is a prime example of Sardinia's Romanesque-Pisan architecture. Consecrated in 1213, it…
Centro Storico
Seat of the Italian Senate since 1871, the regal Palazzo Madama was originally the 16th-century residence of Giovanni de’ Medici, the future Pope Leo X…
Sevilla Province
Looming over the western side of town, Constantina's ruined castle is worth the climb for the views alone. Below, you'll see the distinctive Mudéjar bell…
Parque de María Luisa & South of Centre
Housed in the Peruvian Pavilion from the 1929 Expo, complete with carved condors and llamas, this excellent, hands-on science museum has several permanent…
Castilla y León
The 13th-century Romanesque Iglesia de San Miguel sports an unusual, octagonal cupola–bell tower that reveals Mudéjar influences and a lovely circular…
Tyrrhenian Coast
Nestled in the shadow of the castle, picturesque Piazza Duomo is home to this 11th-century cathedral dedicated to St George. Remodelled twice (in 1477 and…
Rethymno Province
Agia Gallini has its place in the annals of Greek mythology as the site where Icarus and Daedalus are believed to have taken their ill-fated flight from…
Southwestern Sardinia
Housed in a yellow 19th-century palazzo in the village centre, the Museo Archeologico provides a good overview of the area's prehistoric past with finds…
Mardin
Built in 1469, two domes stand over the tombs of Kasım Paşa and his sister at this old medrese (seminary) complex, but the highlights are the courtyard…
