With Mount Etna smouldering quietly in the background, glassy Porto Grande Bay gently curling around the city and a beguiling blend of Baroque, Greek, Roman and Medieval architecture packed into the narrow streets, the setting itself does much of the talking. But this diminutive, sun-drenched Sicilian city (a few years ago, it recorded Europe’s highest-ever temperature) is far more than the sum of its historical parts. In its Greco-Roman heyday, Syracuse was the world's largest and most important ancient city – and today, it’s home to some of Europe’s most celebrated archaeological ruins. Where to stay: Located right on the marina, Hotel Astoria is packed with character – but if you’ve got a boat at your disposal, stop off at achingly chic One & Only Portonovi for a night or two on your way in or out of the city.īest for: archaeological enthusiasts Flight time: 3h10 minutes to Catania, which is around an hour’s drive from Syracuse Train time: around 24 hours from London via Paris and Milan and including a sleeper train across the Strait of Messenia to Sicily Timing your visit with the start of the summer yachting season adds an extra layer of fun when glamorous crowds descend on Kotor’s lively waterfront restaurants before cove-hopping along the unspoiled Bay of Kotor. ![]() While you’re here, jump in a boat and zip out into the water to peek inside Our Lady of the Rocks, a beautiful church squirrelled away on a floating island in front of the city – and make time to scramble up Fortress San Giovanni for a birds’ eye view of the old town’s terracotta rooftops. The crystal-clear bay edging Kotor is high on natural drama – flanked by steep, brooding limestone and granite mountains plunging straight into the sea, it could easily masquerade as a Norwegian fjord. Circled by ancient stone walls, its warren of honey-dipped, maze-like streets was intentionally built in such a way to confuse invaders (the Venetian empire ruled her for over 400 years), and there’s a delicious sense that the city was frozen in time. Weighing in at just two-thirds the size of Wales and with a population of less than a million, the tiny Balkan state of Montenegro still flies under the radar for many European visitors – but just a few hours’ drives from better-known Dubrovnik, UNESCO-protected Kotor shares many of its Croatian neighbour’s charms. ![]() Alternatively, fly to Dubrovnik in 2h40min – from here, it’s just under two hours to Kotor by car Train time: Around three days from London via Belgrade, but it’s worth it – the final leg from Belgrade to Podgorica is one of the most scenic train journeys in Europe Best for: yachties Flight time: 2h45 min from London.
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