Jeddah to Valletta

As the second-largest city in Saudi Arabia and gateway to Mecca, Jeddah is a dynamic and cosmopolitan commercial hub. It is also an artistic one, with public art on display in its roundabouts. In fact, the collection, which includes works by Alexander Calder and Joan Miró, makes the city the largest open-air art gallery in the world. For shopaholics, Jeddah is a paradise, with Tahlia Street boasting an array of upscale department stores and boutiques carrying names such as Prada and Gucci. And for anyone who appreciates scenic beauty, there are lovely beaches and a picturesque corniche, where locals and visitors alike can be found relaxing and drinking in the views.

As the second-largest city in Saudi Arabia and gateway to Mecca, Jeddah is a dynamic and cosmopolitan commercial hub. It is also an artistic one, with public art on display in its roundabouts. In fact, the collection, which includes works by Alexander Calder and Joan Miró, makes the city the largest open-air art gallery in the world. For shopaholics, Jeddah is a paradise, with Tahlia Street boasting an array of upscale department stores and boutiques carrying names such as Prada and Gucci. And for anyone who appreciates scenic beauty, there are lovely beaches and a picturesque corniche, where locals and visitors alike can be found relaxing and drinking in the views.

Situated at the top of its namesake gulf, Aqaba brings a refreshing release from the rose-colored desert to the north. Its sandy beaches and coral reefs are the most pristine on the Red Sea, and Jordanians hope to preserve them through careful planning. Beyond the modernity of Aqaba itself, the UNESCO treasure of Petra – an ancient rock-carved Nabataean city once lost to the Western world – and the wonders of the Wadi Rum await discovery.

On the Red Sea coast, this small city offers beautiful beaches and glorious weather, even snorkeling and diving among the offshore reefs. More intriguingly, it serves as the gateway to Luxor on the west bank of the Nile River, where the Valley of the Kings reveals the elaborate tombs and underground mausoleums of pharaohs such as Tutankhamun and Ramses II.

On the Red Sea coast, this small city offers beautiful beaches and glorious weather, even snorkeling and diving among the offshore reefs. More intriguingly, it serves as the gateway to Luxor on the west bank of the Nile River, where the Valley of the Kings reveals the elaborate tombs and underground mausoleums of pharaohs such as Tutankhamun and Ramses II.

With its wide stretch of beach and modern hotels located on the shores of the Mediterranean, Alexandria seems more like an ancient Egyptian city. Once the intellectual and cultural center of Greco-Roman civilization, it is the country’s main port and was named after Alexander the Great. This bustling port serves as the gateway to Cairo and the Pyramids of Giza.

Renowned for its Venetian Harbor – to where all the town’s criss-crossing lanes do lead – Chania boasts the legacies of both Turkish and Venetian rule. The maze of narrow alleyways opens onto squares edged by quaint Byzantine and neo-classical buildings. Current-day Chania is home to the Municipal Agora, a marketplace built in 1913 on the site of the old southern Venetian walls.

While the Katakolon’s main street is just a five-minute walk from the pier, you will probably want to venture farther out to see the ancient site of Olympia, the storied place where the Olympic Games originated in 776 BC. A look at the impressive monuments, including the Temple of Zeus, the Temple of Hera and the famous stadium, along with a visit to the nearby Archaeological Museum, offers a fascinating introduction to the Games and ancient mythology. Back in town, stroll the oceanfront walkway, relax over ouzo in an open-air café, or engage in a friendly round of haggling for jewelry and handcrafts, a modern-day sporting event that enjoys widespread popularity.

Winding alleys, gracious piazzas and glorious architecture represent a timeline of several millennia. Founded in 734 BC by the Greeks, the city was a major influencer in the spread of Judaism and Christianity and brims with world-class examples of Greek, Roman and Baroque architecture awash with Italian character. The entire city of Syracuse is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The island nation of Malta is a treasure trove of cultures. Valletta, its fortified main city, rises dramatically from the water. This “City of Knights,” a monument to the past, was founded in 1566 by the Grand Master of the Knights of St. John. Sights not to be missed include the Magisterial Palace and St. John’s Cathedral, which is lavishly decorated with the coats of arms and banners of the crusading knights. Beyond Valletta, the countryside, although austere and rocky, has a special charm. Malta provides an enduring fascination for all visitors.