In the Dalmatian coastline, one of the four historical regions of Croatia

 Always buzzing and exuberant, Split (Croatia’s second-largest city) has just the right balance of  tradition and modernity -- the perfect place to see Dalmatian life as it is actually lived.

====================================================================
(in Dalmatia, on the Adriatic Sea.) Split is a popular tourist destinaton (with a dramatic coastline and turquoise blue waters. The city was founded as the Greek colony of Aspálathos in the 3rd or 2nd century BCE and became a prominent settlement around 650 CE. One of the world's most impressive Roman monuments, Diocletian's Palace was built as a military fortress and imperial residence. For breathtaking views of Split and its surrounding islands, visitors will want to take a trip to Marjan Forest Park. (An excursion through the forest will bring hikers to Bene Beach.) Located on a secluded cove of Marjan Forest Park, that charming beach offers a welcome respite after a busy day of exploring.

+ Due to its many former rulers (Roman, Austrian, and Yugoslav, to name a few), Split is a European city unlike any other. What you get is a one-of-a-kind mix of architecture and history on every cobblestoned corner: ancient ruins, open-air flea markets, and centuries-old cathedrals. A city seemingly frozen in time, it is home to pretty beaches and tranquil turquoise waters, on the Adriatic coast. The Riva, known as Split’s living room, is the city’s seaside promenade and a popular place to have an espresso and people-watch.

+ One of the world's most impressive Roman monuments, Diocletian's Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Built as a military fortress and imperial residence, its labyrinth of streets buzzes with people, bars, shops, and restaurants. For breathtaking views of the city and surrounding islands, take a trip to Marjan Forest Park. Located on the western fringes of the city, the nature reserve has walking trails, scenic lookouts, and even medieval chapels.

+ A major commercial and transportation center, this city is best known for the ruins of the Palace of Diocletian. (Collectively with the historic royal residences, fortifications, and churches in the city, the palace was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979.)

+ Split also has a university and an oceanographic institute. Museums include the Meštrović Gallery, the Archaeological Museum, the Museum of Croatian Archaeological Monuments, the City Museum, the Art Gallery, and the Ethnographic Museum, which is housed in the Venetian Gothic town hall. The Croatian National Theatrewas gutted by fire in 1971 but reconstructed by 1979. The belfry of Our Lady of the Belfry church is the oldest in Dalmatia.

The city’s harbor and port, combined with its central position on the Adriatic coast and its good rail and road connections to the northern parts of the country, have made it important commercially. There is a large shipyard, and plastics, chemicals, aluminum, and cement are produced. Several island ferries depart from Split, and the city has an international airport.

In the city of Funchal, capital of Portugal's Autonomous Region of Madeira

 "Funchal, to whom the captain gave this name, because it was founded in a beautiful forested valley, full of fennel up to the sea ...."

— Gaspar Frutuoso
===================================================================
(in the capital of Portugal's Autonomous Region of Madeira) Should you be looking for a subtropical paradise with stunning natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, Madeira Island is the perfect destination for you. This island in the Atlantic Ocean offers many attractions, from lush forests and volcanic peaks to charming towns and sandy beaches. You can explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Laurisilva, the largest surviving laurel forest in the world, or admire the colorful flowers and exotic fruits at the art deco Mercado dos Lavradores.

+The Madeira Islands, an archipelago of volcanic origin in the North Atlantic Ocean, belonging to Portugal, comprises two inhabited islands, Madeira and Porto Santo, and two uninhabited groups, the Desertas and the Selvagens. The islands are the summits of mountains that have their bases on an abyssal ocean floor. Administratively, they form the autonomous region of Madeira. The regional capital, Funchal, is located on Madeira Island.

+ Featured here, is Funchal, the 6th largest city in Portugal. Because of its high cultural and historical value, Funchal is one of Portugal's main tourist attractions; it is also popular as a destination for New Year's Eve (and it is the leading Portuguese port on cruise liner dockings.)

+ The first settlers named their settlement Funchal after the abundant wild fennel that grew here. The name is formed from the Portuguese word for fennel, funcho, and the suffix -al, to denote "a plantation of fennel"
Funchal, to whom the captain gave this name, because it was founded in a beautiful forested valley, full of fennel up to the sea.

+ This settlement began around 1424, when the island was divided into two captaincies. The zones that would become the urbanized core of Funchal were founded by João Gonçalves Zarco who settled there with members of his family. Owing to its geographic location, the site became an important maritime port and its productive soils attracted new settlers. Its coastal position, the most productive on the island, quickly permitted Funchal to develop an urban core and surpass the populations of other settlements.
In the early 15th century, Álvaro Fernandes became the commander of Funchal. As part of its administrative role, the settlement received its primary lighthouse between 1452 and 1454, when it was elevated to the status of vila and municipal seat. Funchal became an important transfer point for European commercial interests. Christopher Columbus was one of the early settlers, but later many of the merchant families established commercial interests on the island, including: João d'Esmenaut from the Picardy region, the Lomelino from Genoa, the Mondragão from Biscay, the Acciauoli from Florence, the Bettencourts from France, the Lemilhana Berenguer from Valencia, and many others.

In the island of Ibiza in the Mediterranean Sea off the eastern coast of the Iberian Peninsula, Spain

 Ibiza is a Mediterranean island in Spain that offers a blend of culture, nature, and nightlife.

====================================================================
(on the third largest of the Balearic Islands, in the western Mediterranean. Whether you want to dance until dawn at the legendary clubs, relax on the sandy beaches, or explore the historic and scenic sights, Ibiza has something for everyone. You can admire the houses and the ancient walls of Dalt Vila, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, or discover the rural charm and the diverse flora and fauna of the island. (Ibiza is a cosmopolitan and multicultural destination that welcomes visitors with its warm and friendly atmosphere.)
+ Although long known for being the world’s club-scene queen, Ibiza has quietly grown into a dreamy destination for culture-loaded city breaks, romantic country escapes, fun-filled family holidays, outdoor-adventure activities, zen-fueled retreats, and much more. Visiting the Balearics’ endlessly irresistible "White Isle" outside the Mediterranean’s high season (July/August) reveals a slower pace of island life, and each month brings its own beauty, from the winter almond blossom to the September wine harvest.

+ Awash with cobbled streets, intriguing monuments, and laundry-strewn balconies, Ibiza Town’s magnificent fortified historical core was originally settled by the Phoenicians (and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. Wander through the 16th-century ramparts, until you reach the elegant hilltop cathedral (of 14th-century Catalan Gothic origin) and millennium-old castle. Time-travel to Moorish Ibiza at the Centre d’Interpretació Madina Yabisa and don’t miss nearby Ses Feixes, the ingeniously irrigated croplands created in Moorish times. The cutting-edge Museu d’Art Contemporani d’Eivissa, set in a converted 18th-century building, hosts excellent temporary exhibitions, while the neighboring Necròpolis Puig des Molins reveals Ibiza’s Phoenician roots. There are some fabulous restaurants hidden away in Dalt Vila, too, and off Ibiza Town’s yacht-filled waterfront; dive into the island’s rich culinary heritage on an expert-led gastronomy evening with Ibiza Food Tours.

+ The rugged, rustic, under-explored north is arguably the most beautiful part of the island. Sweeping pine-scented hills give way to tiny white-walled villages and cliff-edged coves only reachable by hiking. Mellow Sant Joan de Labritja is the northern hub (with cafes, hotels, and a farmers market), from where you can head out to the candy-striped Portinatx lighthouse, the former smugglers’ hideout, Cova de Can Marçà (great for kids), and a clutch of refreshingly quiet swimming spots (like Port de Ses Caletes, Es Portitxol, or Cala d’Aubarca.) Don’t miss the remote wine-making village of Sant Mateu d’Aubarca or isolated Santa Agnès de Corona, where the almond trees bloom in January/February. A wonderfully rewarding way to explore northern Ibiza is on horseback with Ibiza Horse Valley, which rehabilitates abandoned and mistreated Spanish horses.

In the city of Matera, a rocky outcrop in the region of Basilicata, in southern Italy

 Once 'the shame of Italy, this town is now a must-see destination.

===================================================================
(in the southern region of Basilicata, Italy) The town of Matera is located one hour’s drive from Bari and three hours away from Naples. Its central location makes it a worthy stop as you cross Basilicata into Puglia, or head toward Calabria.

+ With a population of some 60,000, Matera has been around for centuries, and continues to impress with its culture and charm. Its breathtaking location in a ravine enables views of the steep Lucanian gorge and the Mediterranean Sea, which are comparable to those found on a mountaintop palace. From the Castello Tramontano at the bottom of the "Sassi" district, or from the acropolis at the center housing the Cathedral, visitors can slowly take in the majestic sights. The magnificent scenery here features a magical canyon created along the Gravina’s shore, accompanied by verdant hills that divide it from the Murgia plain. Not only are its views captivating but its history spans centuries. Whether you are exploring its unique rock-cut urban core, known as Sassi, or making memories of its culture, this destination will expose you to a remarkable experience that may never be forgotten.

+ A city of ancient origins and stunning beauty, Matera is famous for its Sassi, the cave dwellings that have been inhabited for thousands of years and are now a UNESCO world heritage site. You can explore the Sassi and discover the history, culture, and art of this unique place.. You can also visit the impressive cathedral of Santa Maria Della Bruna, the Casa Grotta, a typical cave house, and the Palombaro Lungo, a huge underground cistern. Matera is also home to more than 100 churches, some of them carved into the rock, that showcase the religious heritage of the city. With a history of continuous occupation dating back to the 10th millennium BCE, it is renowned for its rock-cut urban core, whose twin cliffside zones are known collectively as the Sassi.

+ By the end of the 18th century, a physical class boundary separated the overcrowded Sassi of the peasants from the new spatial order of their social superiors in the Piano, and geographical elevation came to coincide with status more overtly than before, to the point where the two communities no longer interacted socially.

+ Yet it was only at the turn of the 20th century that the Sassi were declared unfit for modern habitation, and the government relocation of all their inhabitants to new housing in the Piano followed between 1952 and the 1970s.The recognition of the Sassi, labelled la città sotterranea ("the underground city"), together with the rupestrian churches across the Gravina as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in December 1993 has assisted in attracting tourism and accelerated the reclaiming of the site. (In 2019, Matera was declared a European Capital of Culture.)

+Today there are many thriving businesses, pubs, and hotels here, and the city is among the fastest growing in southern Italy.

In the city of Turin, the capital city of Piedmont in northern Italy

 "You may have the universe, if I may have Italy."

-- Giuseppe Verdi
====================================================================
(in the capital of the Piedmont region in northwestern Italy) Located at the foot of the Alps, Turin was Italy’s first capital city between 1861 and 1865. It is renowned for its grand Baroque architecture, and the world-famous Shroud of Turin. An important business and cultural hub in Italy. Turin is the home of famous museums and the Italian Alps.

+ Turin is located on the Po River near its junction with the Sangone, Dora Riparia, and Stura di Lanzo rivers. The original settlement of Taurisia, founded by the Taurini (a Celto-Ligurian tribe dwelling in the upper valley of the Po river during the Iron Age and the Roman period), was partly destroyed by the Carthaginian invader Hannibal in 218 BCE. It later became a Roman military colony, known successively as Julia Taurinorum and Augusta Taurinorum, rebuilt by the emperor Augustus.

+ After the decline of Rome in the 4th century, the city became part of the Lombard kingdom and then of the Frankish empire. It was linked to Savoy in 1046 by the marriage of Countess Adelaide to Count Odo of Savoy Occupied by the French from 1536 to 1562, Turin became the capital of the duchy of Savoy in 1563. It was besieged in 1640 and 1706 (during the War of the Spanish Succession) by the French, who were defeated by Eugene of Savoy in 1706, and it was occupied again by the French during the Napoleonic Wars. The ciity became the capital of the kingdom of Sardinia in 1720 and in the 19th century became the political and intellectual center of the Risorgimento, the movement for Italian political unification. Turin sustained heavy air-raid damage during World War II.

+ Having been a bishopric since about 415 and an archbishopric since 1510, Turin is rich in ecclesiastical architecture. Churches include La Consolata, the Waldensian Church, and the nearby basilica of Superga. The Renaissance-style cathedral of San Giovanni Battista houses the Shroud of Turin, a piece of linen long thought to be the burial garment of Jesus. The city also hosts some of Italy's best universities, colleges, academies, lycea, and gymnasia, such as the University of Turin, founded in the 15th century, and the Turin Polytechnic.

+ A ducal and royal city for centuries, Turin has many fine palaces. The Madama Palace, begun in the 13th century, owes its name to the resident widows of the 17th-century dukes of Savoy; it now houses the Museum of Ancient Arts. The Carignano Palace, the birthplace of King Victor Emmanuel II and once the meeting place of the Sardinian chamber of deputies and of the first Italian parliament, now houses the National Museum of the Italian Risorgimento. The Royal Palace houses the Royal Armory, with one of the finest collections of arms in Europe. The Academy of Science , formerly a Jesuit college, now houses the Museum of Antiquities, the Egyptian Museum, and the Sabauda Gallery.

+ Shown here is the Piazza San Carlo at sunrise, in Turin City:

In the island of Ponza, off the coast of Italy's Lazio region

 Ponza (Italian: isola di Ponza) is the largest island of the Italian Pontine Islands archipelago, located 33 km (21 mi.) south of Cape Circeo in the Tyrrhenian Sea.

=====================================================================
(off the coast of Italy's Lazio region) South of Rome and northwest of Naples in the Gulf of Gaeta lie six islands known as Isole Ponziane, or the Pontine Islands. This archipelago in the Tyrrhenian Sea is named collectively after the largest island, Ponza, which is a haven for water sports enthusiasts. Legend tells that the island was named after the Roman governor of Judea, Pontius Pilate, however historians have since disproved this and agree that the name is of Greek origin. (That said, the island has an interesting history.) Ponza was thick with forests when it was first colonized by the Etruscans, who chopped down the trees and terraced the land making it manageable for the growing of fruit and vegetables. Over the years, erosion and development have removed most traces of these ancient terraces, however in some parts of the island extinct stumps from the original trees, some over eight feet wide, still exist. Literary scholars believe the island to be Aeaea, home of Circe, the sorceress who turned men into animals depicted in Homer’s "The Odyssey". Grotta della Maga Circe on the west side of the island, between Spaggia di Chaia di Luna (half-moon beach) and Capo Bianco is said to be the cave in which she lived and from where she’d cast her spells. In fact the island is famed for its grottos, which were created by the Etruscans, and the beauty of these caves has a strange juxtaposition with their names, such as the Cave of Ulysses of the Blood, and the Serpents Grotto.

+ Ponza is approximately five and half miles (~9 km) long and is the island that attracts the most visitors. It has a handful of beaches, but is mostly made up of a rocky coastline which is perfect for exploring by boat. (The island has a wealth of diving companies that offer equipment for rent.) It also has many hotels, apartment rentals, and bed-and-breakfast establishments, and superb restaurants serving local dishes. The other islands in this archipelago are Zannone, Palmarola and Gavi, and (separated by 41 km (~25 mi.)], are Ventotene and Santo Stefano.

In the city of Ypres (also known as leper), a town in the Belgian province of West Flanders

 No matter what you do in the city of Ypres, your thoughts will not be far from the devastation and loss of World War 1 and the city will ultimately always be haunted by its past.

====================================================================
(in western Belgium) Ypres (also known as Ieper) is a place with a haunting past. Expect to be moved when visiting this city, which played such an important role in the First World War -- and saw the loss of a generation of soldiers during the fierce battles that took place here and in the surrounding areas. It is believed that 300,000 soldiers lost their lives on the front line here known as the Salient. As you might expect, there are plenty of war museums, memorials, military cemeteries, and battlefields to tour, learn about, and explore.

+ While visiting Ypres, you should be prepared to see many solemn places but there is also plenty of charm in the city to appreciate too. Surprisingly, much of the medieval architecture remains or has been restored and like many Belgian cities, the market square contains an impressive array of architecture. There is also good food, with particular attention paid to traditional Flemish cuisine (and beer). No matter what you do in the city of Ypres, your thoughts will not be far from the devastation and loss of World War 1 -- and the city that will always be haunted by its past.

+ The Ypres municipality, in the West Flanders province of Belgium, lies along the Yperlee (Ieperlee) River, south of Ostend. Ypres became a major cloth-weaving city in the Middle Ages, and together with Brugge and Ghent. it virtually controlled Flanders in the 13th century. The town was frequently besieged by the French in the 17th century. Ypres was the principal town within an important salient, or bulge, in the British lines on the Western Front during World War I. The Ypres salient was the site of three major battles -- First Ypres (October–November 1914), Second Ypres (April–May 1915; marked by the Germans’ first use of poison gas as a weapon), and Third Ypres (also called Passchendaele; July–November 1917)—with total Allied and German casualties exceeding 850,000. Ypres itself was completely destroyed during the fighting and was subsequently rebuilt in its original style. Its notable structures include the magnificent Cloth Hall (originally from 1214); the Cathedral of St. Martin (13th century), which contains the tomb of Cornelius Otto Jansen, bishop of Ypres and founder of Jansenism; the medieval ramparts, which were rebuilt by Sébastien de Vauban in the 17th century; the Lille Gate; and the Menin Gate, a memorial to the British soldiers who died in World War I. There are 140 cemeteries, mostly containing war graves, in the environs. Ypres is now an agricultural market center and manufactures textiles and building materials. ( "In Flanders Fields, the poppies blow. Between the crosses row on row..." So begins the poem for which the museum, (shown here) that offers a stark portrayal of the realities of combat in Ypres, is named.)

In the Dutch village of Giethoorn, in the northeastern part of the Netherlands

 In the small Dutch village of Giethoorn, the tranquility is almost dreamlike.

====================================================================
(in the northeastern part of the Netherlands, about 85 minutes from Amsterdam, in the province of Overijssel) Giethoorn, a beautiful fairytale village where the locals and visitors navigate it in whisper-quiet ways: by bike, boat, or foot. In this hamlet, a collection of small peat islands are connected by bridges. Despite the fact that there is not much to do here except slip into solitude among thatched-roof farmhouses and footbridges crossing the maze of canals, Giethoorn is visited every year by a million people. The village is so quiet because there are no cars here, due to an absence of roads. The village’s name harkens back to the 13th century: the story goes that its original farmer-settlers discovered a collection of horns belonging to wild goats that appeared to have died in the Flood of 1170. “Goat horn,” or “Geytenhoren,” was shortened to Giethoorn, and the name stuck. Centuries after that flood, water continues to define the village's living history and landscape.

+ Giethoorn is also known as the “Venice of the North,” thanks to canals and quaint bridges throughout the town. The canals are also lined with thatched-roofed, antique cottages -- maintaining the ancient allure you want to get acquained with. Yet, while the cottages offer a rustic tranquility you may wish to experience firsthand, they really are people’s houses (i.e., not museums).

+ Giethoorn, located in the municipality of Steenwijkerland, is about five km (3.1 mi.) southwest of Steenwijk. It remains a popular Dutch tourist destination, both within the Netherlands and abroad. Tourism has an influence on the old traditional town; the village, still only fully accessible by boat, has 176 bridges.

+ Giethoorn used to be a pedestrian precinct, but nowadays exceptions are made. It became locally famous, especially after 1958, when the Dutch film maker Bert Haanstra made his famous comedy Fanfare here. In the old part of the village, there were no roads (though a cycling path was eventually added), and all transport was undertaken by water over one of the many canals. The lakes in Giethoorn were formed by peat digging. Giethoorn was a separate municipality until 1973, when it became part of Brederwiede, which subsequently lost its municipality status in 2001 to merge with Steenwijk.

+ Visitors and residents of Giethoorn village need to park their car outside the village at special car parks. This car-free area is now the commercial heart of the village. You can rent whisper boats, board a guided cruise, or visit a museum here, along with lots of choices of restaurants and cafes. The cycling/foot path known as the "Binnenpad" is like walking onto a film set. (Some 90% of visitors now only make their way to this popular part of the village.)