Lonely Planet - Lonely Planet Mediterranean Europe

Ancient ruins, awe-inspiring art, legendary cities and sun-kissed beaches Mediterranean Europe is a visual and sensual feast. Visit once and youll be hooked for life.

Sveti Stefan beach ( ), Montenegro
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The cradle of Western civilisation, Mediterranean Europe boasts an unparalleled cultural legacy. Prehistoric paintings reveal the preoccupations of Frances primeval cave dwellers; Greek and Roman monuments testify to the power and ambition of the ancient superpowers; Islamic art tells of Moorish sophistication; Gothic cathedrals, Renaissance palaces and baroque facades record the great artistic movements of history. The regions celebrated galleries and museums are pretty special, too, housing a considerable chunk of the Western worlds combined art collection.

The regions passion for the finer things in life extends to the kitchen. Eating well is part and parcel of everyday life on the Med, as well as one of its great pleasures, and it doesnt have to cost a bomb. Picnicking on a loaf of freshly baked bread with cheese and olives and a bottle of wine bought from the local market could well turn out to be a holiday highlight. For dedicated foodies, France and Italy are the obvious destinations, but each country has its own culinary specialities think tapas in Spain, kebaps in Turkey and souvlaki in Greece. And for wine buffs, the Mediterranean cellar is really quite something, with everything from world-famous vintages to thousands of cheerful local labels.

For many holidaymakers the Mediterraneans main appeal is the promise of summer sun and long, lazy days on the beach. Each year about 200 million visitors pour into the region, making it the worlds top tourist destination. While not all head straight for the beach, many do and with good reason. The Mediterraneans beaches are superb, ranging from big, sporty sands on Portugals western seaboard to idyllic Sardinian hideaways and rocky platforms on Croatias craggy Dalmatian coast. But theres more to the Med than the beach, and away from the coast the regions ancient landscape offers some truly spectacular natural sights: snow-clad Alpine peaks, bizarre rock formations, swaths of unspoiled forest and even a stunning fjord in Montenegro.

Capping everything is the fact that Mediterranean Europe is an easy region in which to travel. Sure, services might not always be what youre used to, and some areas can be expensive, particularly in summer, but English is widely spoken, public transport more or less works, and with so many accommodation and eating options to choose from, youre sure to find somewhere to suit your style.

Carnevale revellers, Venice ( ), Italy
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Romes famous seven hills in fact, there are nine offer some superb vantage points. A favourite is the Palatine Hill ( ), a gorgeous green expanse of evocative ruins, towering umbrella pines and unforgettable views over the Roman Forum. This is where it all began, where Romulus supposedly founded the city and where the ancient Roman emperors lived in unimaginable luxury. Nowadays, its a truly haunting spot, and as you walk the dusty paths you can almost sense the ghosts in the air.

Roman Forum ( ) SYLVAIN SONNET / GETTY IMAGES

La Sagrada Famlia, Barcelona, Spain

The Modernista brainchild of Antoni Gaud remains a work in progress more than 80 years after his death. Fanciful and profound, inspired by nature and barely restrained by a Gothic style, Barcelonas quirky temple ( ) soars skyward with an almost playful majesty. The improbable angles and departures from architectural convention will have you shaking your head in disbelief, but the detail of the decorative flourishes on the Passion and Nativity facades are worth studying for hours.

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Venice, Italy

Theres something special about Venice ( ) on a sunny winters day. With far fewer tourists around and the light sharp and clear, its the perfect time to lap up the citys unique and magical atmosphere. Ditch your map and wander Dorsoduros shadowy back lanes while imagining secret assignations and whispered conspiracies at every turn. Then visit two of Venices top galleries, the Galleria dellAccademia and the Collezione Peggy Guggenheim, the latter housing works by many of the giants of 20th-century art.

RUTH EASTHAM & MAX PAOLI / GETTY IMAGES

Eiffel Tower, Paris, France

Seven million people visit the Eiffel Tower ( ) annually, but few disagree that each visit is unique. From an evening ascent amid twinkling lights to lunch in the company of a staggering city panorama, there are 101 ways to do it. Pedal beneath it, skip the lift and hike up, buy a crpe from a stand or a key ring from the street, snap yourself in front of it, visit at night or our favourite experience the odd special occasion when all 324m of it glows a different colour.

MASSIMO PIZZOTTI / GETTY IMAGES

stanbul, Turkey

Straddling Europe and Asia, the curriculum vitae of stanbul ( ) includes stints as capital of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. Its quite simply one of the worlds greatest cities. The historical highlights the Aya Sofya, Blue Mosque, Topkap Palace and Grand Bazaar cluster in Sultanahmet. After marvelling at their ancient domes and glittering interiors, its time to experience this 13-million-strong metropoliss vibrant contemporary life. Cross the Galata Bridge, passing ferries and fish-kebap stands, to Beyolu, a nightlife hot spot full of chic rooftop bars and rowdy taverns.