Catania, nestled on the eastern coast of Sicily, is a city shaped by fire and stone. Built from the black lava of Mount Etna, it’s a landscape filled with energy and contrasts from its Baroque palaces to its open air fish markets. At the heart of the city stands the Piazza del Duomo, where the iconic Fontana dell’Elefante, which is carved from volcanic rock, greets every visitor who passes by.

Spetses is a small island in the Saronic Gulf, separated from the Peloponnese by a narrow channel and known for its pine-covered hills, neoclassical houses, and maritime traditions. The main settlement, also called Spetses, curves around a sheltered harbor and waterfront promenade, with narrow streets extending into residential neighborhoods.

Plymouth sits on England’s southwest coast, where the River Plym meets the sea, forming a wide natural harbor that has shaped the city’s identity for generations. The waterfront remains central to daily life, with views stretching across Plymouth Sound and boats moving in and out of the marina. Visitors often begin along the historic Barbican, an area of narrow streets and old buildings that survived past conflicts and now house independent shops, galleries, and small cafés.

The turnoff for Locarno is located near Bellinzona, the capital of Ticino. By train, Locarno is well served from Zurich and Milan, as it is by road. Lovers of beautiful landscapes starting out from Geneva and Lausanne owe it to themselves to pass through Simplon and the Centovalli by taking the picturesque little train that links Domodossola to Locarno.

The island of Iona lies just off the west coast of Scotland, easily reached from Oban by ferry. This jaunt in itself is quite stunning commanding a view of the rocky peaks and green slopes of the Mull Mountains. An old village, Iona was founded in 563 AD by Columba and his disciples when they travel from Ireland to the Harbour of the Caracle, built a monastery and introduced the Christian faith here. Iona is still a major center for pilgrimages. Please note that cars are not permitted on the isl