Attractions
Wine & Dine
You’ll be in foodie heaven in these three countries. They offer a plethora of seafood, regional specialties and decadent sweets. Whether fine dining or sampling street food, one thing is for certain – wherever you go, the food will be plentiful, fresh and tasty. Greece is well known for its diet rich in seafood, olives and vegetables, while Turkey has adopted spices and techniques from Central Asia. Croatia is a pleasant mix of Italian, Hungarian and Mediterranean flavours. While chowing down, don’t forget to drink like a local, with each country boasting its own brands of beer, wine and spirits.
Ancient Ruins
Greece, Turkey and Croatia share fascinating histories and a host of ancient ruins and archaeological sites. Athens is home to the famous Parthenon, Temple of Zeus and Acropolis and it’s almost impossible to walk through the city without discovering yet another archaeological site. Turkey boasts Troy as well as the remains of the Roman cities of Ephesus and Gobekli Tepe. Croatia lays claim to the 4th century Diocletian Palace, the Pula Ampitheatre and the Euphrasian Basilica. Many sites can also be found on the Greek Islands of Delos, Crete and Mykonos.
Turkey’s Grand Bazaar
Serious shoppers will be in proverbial heaven at Istanbul’s famous Grand Bazaar. Located in the historic section of the city, this famous tourist attraction is one of the largest of its kind in the world. It covers 30,700 square metres and comprises 4000 shops. Popular items for sale include carpets and kilms, ceramics, jewellery, textiles and glasswork. Bargaining is a must and is usually a lengthy affair. Once all shopped out, settle at one of the many teahouses inside the bazaar and watch the world go by.
Heavenly Beaches
If nothing else, the mere mention of the Mediterranean, Aegean and Adriatic Seas conjures visions of pristine beaches and deep blue and green water. Every summer tourists flock to these destinations for the ultimate flop and drop holiday. Each country boats their fair share of beautiful beach getaways and while the Greek Islands may snatch the lion’s share of visitors, southern Turkey and Croatia are also popular places to bask in the sun. Turkey’s hotspots include Bodrum, Fethiye and Kusadasi while Zlatni Rat and Grebisce are popular Croatian beaches.
UNESCO Sites
There is no shortage of UNESCO World Heritage Listed Sites to be found in either Greece, Turkey or Croatia. Greece is home to an impressive 18 sites including the Medieval City of Rhodes, the sandstone formations of Meteora and the Old Town of Curfu. In Croatia, the walled city of Dubrovnik takes its place alongside Plitvice Lakes National Park, the City of Trogir and the Cathedral of St James. Some of Turkey’s lesser known sites include Pamukkale, Goreme National Park and the Old City of Istanbul which includes iconic buildings such as the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia.
Fabulous Architecture
It’s difficult to visit these destinations and not be awe-struck by the fascinating examples of Roman, Greek, Byzantine and Gothic architecture. Croatia even boasts examples of the Renaissance and Baroque eras, as seen in the magnificent city of Dubrovnik. Istanbul showcases not only the famous Blue Mosque but an incredible array of palaces built during the prosperous Ottoman Empire. The unique architecture found on the Cyclades Islands in Greece are Venetian inspired and are recognisable by their whitewashed walls, cobblestone streets, windmills, churches and chapels.
Cruising
The Adriatic Cruising Croatia’s magnificent coast is a unique way to discover the country’s magnificent islands. The famous Dalmatian coast boasts over 1000 and the best way to see them is on a mini cruiser, sailboat or yacht. Croatia’s calm, clear waters are perfect for island hopping with many itineraries taking in towns, beaches and hidden caves. Once on shore, explore historic towns on foot or by bicycle. Popular cruising destinations include Dubrovnik, Hvar, Split Korcula and Vis. Cruises can be as active or relaxing as you like and often include swimming and snorkelling stops.
Magnificent Meteora
Situated at the foothills of the Pindus Mountains, these impressive rock formations are home to Eastern Orthodox monasteries and are the second most important complexes in Greece after Mount Athos. The name Meteora means ‘suspended in the air’ and rose to importance in the mid 15th century. Where once the monasteries were only accessible by rope ladders, strips have now been carved into the rocks. Six of the 20 structures can be visited by tourists, although only one is allowed for women. The monasteries are easily accessible from the town of Kalambaka.
Island Hopping in Greece
Greece’s fabulous islands all offer a unique experience, from rest and relaxation to all night partying and many feature historical and archaeological sites. Accessing these islands is a breeze, with ferry services connecting many of the islands within their main group. Island groups include the Cyclades, Ionian and Dodecanese Islands, among others. Since almost all ferries conveniently depart from Piraeus, just outside of Athens, island hopping is a must for any Greek holiday itinerary.
Ballooning over Cappadocia
Take off at sunrise and experience the most popular hot air balloon ride in the world. Drift over fairy chimneys and vineyards. Dip down into apricot orchards and rise and fall over valleys laced with pigeon houses. Even the sight of hundreds of multi-coloured balloons is something to behold. Trips operate year round as the landscape is breathtaking no matter the time of year. Even the snowy, winter landscape is breathtaking from above! Expect the flight to last around 90 blissful minutes.
