37 գիշեր, Լոմեից

Rome is the capital city and a special comune of Italy (named Comune di Roma Capitale). Rome also serves as the capital of the Lazio region. With 2,872,800 residents in 1,285 km2(496.1 sq mi), it is also the country's most populated comune. It is the fourth-most populous city in the European Union by population within city limits. It is the centre of the Metropolitan City of Rome, which has a population of 4,355,725 residents, thus making it the most populous metropolitan city in Italy. Rome is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, within Lazio (Latium), along the shores of the Tiber. The Vatican City (the smallest country in the world) is an independent country inside the city boundaries of Rome, the only existing example of a country within a city: for this reason Rome has been often defined as capital of two states.

Rome's history spans 28 centuries. While Roman mythology dates the founding of Rome at around 753 BC, the site has been inhabited for much longer, making it one of the oldest continuously occupied sites in Europe. The city's early population originated from a mix of Latins, Etruscans, and Sabines. Eventually, the city successively became the capital of the Roman Kingdom, the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire, and is regarded as the birthplace of Western civilization and by some as the first ever metropolis. It was first called The Eternal City (Latin: Urbs Aeterna; Italian: La Città Eterna) by the Roman poet Tibullus in the 1st century BC, and the expression was also taken up by Ovid, Virgil, and Livy. Rome is also called the "Caput Mundi" (Capital of the World). After the fall of the Western Empire, which marked the beginning of the Middle Ages, Rome slowly fell under the political control of the Papacy, which had settled in the city since the 1st century AD, until in the 8th century it became the capital of the Papal States, which lasted until 1870. Beginning with the Renaissance, almost all the popes since Nicholas V (1447–1455) pursued over four hundred years a coherent architectural and urban programme aimed at making the city the artistic and cultural centre of the world. In this way, Rome became first one of the major centres of the Italian Renaissance, and then the birthplace of both the Baroque style and Neoclassicism. Famous artists, painters, sculptors and architects made Rome the centre of their activity, creating masterpieces throughout the city. In 1871, Rome became the capital of the Kingdom of Italy, which, in 1946, became the Italian Republic.

Rome has the status of a global city. In 2016, Rome ranked as the 14th-most-visited city in the world, 3rd most visited in the European Union, and the most popular tourist attraction in Italy. Its historic centre is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The famous Vatican Museums are among the world's most visited museums while the Colosseum was the most popular tourist attraction in world with 7.4 million visitors in 2018. Host city for the 1960 Summer Olympics, Rome is the seat of several specialized agencies of the United Nations, such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Food Programme (WFP) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). The city also hosts the Secretariat of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) as well as the headquarters of many international business companies such as Eni, Enel, TIM, Leonardo S.p.A., and national and international banks such as Unicredit and BNL. Its business district, called EUR, is the base of many companies involved in the oil industry, the pharmaceutical industry, and financial services. Rome is also an important fashion and design centre thanks to renowned international brands centered in the city. Rome's Cinecittà Studios have been the set of many Academy Award–winning movies.

Sorrento is a town overlooking the Bay of Naples in Southern Italy. A popular tourist destination due to its variety of small antique shops and location on the Amalfi Coast, it can be reached easily from Naples and Pompeii as it is at the south-eastern end of the Circumvesuviana rail line. The town is most commonly known for its small shops selling an arrangement of ceramics, lacework and marquetry (woodwork).

The Sorrentine Peninsula has views of Naples, Vesuvius and the Isle of Capri. The Amalfi Drive, connecting Sorrento and Amalfi, is a narrow road that threads along the high cliffs above the Tyrrhenian Sea.

Ferries and hydrofoils connect the town to Naples, Amalfi, Positano, Capri and Ischia. Sorrento's sea cliffs and luxury hotels have attracted celebrities including Enrico Caruso and Luciano Pavarotti.

Limoncello, a digestif made from lemon rinds, alcohol, water and sugar, is produced in Sorrento. Other agricultural production includes citrus fruit, wine, nuts and olives.

Амальфи  это город и  коммуна  в провинции Салерно, в регионе Кампания, Италия, в заливе Салерно. Он расположен в устье глубокого ущелья, у подножия горы Монето Черрето (1315 метров, 4314 футов), в окружении драматических скал и прибрежных пейзажей. Город Амальфи был столицей морской республики, известной как герцогство Амальфи, важной торговой державой в Средиземноморье между 839 и около 1200 годами.

В 1920-х и 1930-х годах Амальфи был популярным местом отдыха британского высшего класса и аристократии.

Амальфи - главный город побережья, на котором он расположен, называется  Costiera Amalfitana  (побережье Амальфи) и сегодня является важным туристическим направлением вместе с другими городами на том же побережье, такими как Позитано, Равелло и другие. Амальфи включен в список объектов Всемирного наследия ЮНЕСКО.

Покровителем Амальфи является святой Андрей, апостол, мощи которого хранятся здесь, в соборе Амальфи (Cattedrale di Sant'Andrea / Duomo di Amalfi).

Kotor is a coastal town in Montenegro. It is located in a secluded part of the Gulf of Kotor. The city has a population of 13,510 and is the administrative center of Kotor Municipality.

The old Mediterranean port of Kotor is surrounded by fortifications built during the Venetian period. It is located on the Bay of Kotor (Boka Kotorska), one of the most indented parts of the Adriatic Sea. Some have called it the southern-most fjord in Europe, but it is a ria, a submerged river canyon. Together with the nearly overhanging limestone cliffs of Orjen and Lovćen, Kotor and its surrounding area form an impressive landscape.

Since the early 2000s Kotor has seen an increase in tourists , many of them coming by cruise ship. Visitors are attracted by the natural environment of the Gulf of Kotor and by the old town of Kotor. Kotor is part of the World Heritage Site dubbed the Natural and Culturo-Historical Region of Kotor.

The fortified city of Kotor was also included in UNESCO's World Heritage Site list as part of Venetian Works of Defence between 15th and 17th centuries: Stato da Terra – western Stato da Mar in 201

Koper is the fifth largest city in Slovenia. Located in the southwestern part of the country, approximately five kilometres (3.1 miles) south of the border with Italy and 20 kilometers (12 miles) from Trieste, Koper is the largest coastal city in the country. It is bordered by the satellite towns of Izola and Ankaran, and anchors the Istrian region. With a unique ecology and biodiversity, it is considered an important national natural resource. It is the oldest recorded urban settlement in Slovenia. The city's Port of Koper is the major contributor to the economy of the eponymous city municipality. With only one percent of Slovenia having a coastline, the influence that the Port of Koper also has on tourism was a factor in Ankaran deciding to leave the municipality in a referendum in 2011 to establish its own. The city is a destination on a number of Mediterranean cruising lines. In 2016, the city expects 65 cruise ship arrivals (for example: Norwegian Spirit, MSC Magnifica, Norwegian Jade, MS Rhapsody of the Seas...) with the season spanning from March to December. Koper is the main urban centre of the Slovenian Istria, with a population of about 25,000.

Venice is the most famous and unusual city in the world. It is located in northern Italy on the Adriatic coast. The territory of the city is cut by more than 150 canals and ducts through which more than 400 bridges are thrown.

Venice is a resort city, which is a center of international tourism of world significance, a venue for art and architectural exhibitions, international film festivals. Absolutely unusual atmosphere reigning in the city falls in love with itself at first sight. Narrow streets, with small cozy cafes, sliding gondolas and serenades of gondoliers, set in a romantic mood, and attract lovers from all over the world.

Venice is the most famous and unusual city in the world. It is located in northern Italy on the Adriatic coast. The territory of the city is cut by more than 150 canals and ducts through which more than 400 bridges are thrown.

Venice is a resort city, which is a center of international tourism of world significance, a venue for art and architectural exhibitions, international film festivals. Absolutely unusual atmosphere reigning in the city falls in love with itself at first sight. Narrow streets, with small cozy cafes, sliding gondolas and serenades of gondoliers, set in a romantic mood, and attract lovers from all over the world.

Split – the Pearl of Dalmatia

Split is Croatia’s second-largest city on the Adriatic coast. Its landmark is the Diocletian’s Palace, a UNESCO site, surrounded by narrow streets and the Cathedral of St. Domnius.

Life pulses along the Riva promenade, lined with cafés and restaurants. Nearby are beaches, including the famous Bacvice.

Split is also an important port, offering easy access to Croatian islands such as Hvar, Brač and Korčula. Its Mediterranean atmosphere and Dalmatian cuisine make it a perfect holiday destination.

Dubrovnik is a Croatian city on the Adriatic Sea. It is one of the most prominent tourist destinations in the Mediterranean Sea, a seaport and the centre of Dubrovnik-Neretva County. Its total population is 42,615 (census 2011). In 1979, the city of Dubrovnik joined the UNESCO list of World Heritage sites.

The prosperity of the city was historically based on maritime trade; as the capital of the maritime Republic of Ragusa, it achieved a high level of development, particularly during the 15th and 16th centuries, as it became notable for its wealth and skilled diplomacy.

In 1991, after the break-up of Yugoslavia, Dubrovnik was besieged by Serbian and Montenegrin soldiers of the Yugoslav People's Army (JNA) for seven months and suffered significant damage from shelling. After repair and restoration works in the 1990s and early 2000s, Dubrovnik re-emerged as one of the top tourist destinations in the Mediterranean.

Corfu or Kerkyra is a Greek island in the Ionian Sea. It is the second largest of the Ionian Islands, and, including its small satellite islands, forms the northwesternmost part of Greece. The island is part of the Corfu regional unit, and is administered as a single municipality, which also includes the smaller islands of Ereikoussa, Mathraki and Othonoi. The municipality has an area of 610,9 km2, the island proper 592,8 km2. The principal city of the island and seat of the municipality (pop. 32,095) is also named Corfu. Corfu is home to the Ionian University.

The island is bound up with the history of Greece from the beginnings of Greek mythology. Its history is full of battles and conquests. Ancient Korkyra took part in the Battle of Sybota which was a catalyst for the Peloponnesian War, and, according to Thucydides, the largest naval battle between Greek city states until that time. Thucydides also reports that Korkyra was one of the three great naval powers of fifth century BC Greece, along with Athens and Corinth. Medieval castles punctuating strategic locations across the island are a legacy of struggles in the Middle Ages against invasions by pirates and the Ottomans. Two of these castles enclose its capital, which is the only city in Greece to be surrounded in such a way. As a result, Corfu's capital has been officially declared a Kastropolis ("castle city") by the Greek government. From medieval times and into the 17th century, the island, having successfully repulsed the Ottomans during several sieges, was recognised as a bulwark of the European States against the Ottoman Empireand became one of the most fortified places in Europe. The fortifications of the island were used by the Venetians to defend against Ottoman intrusion into the Adriatic. Corfu eventually fell under British rule following the Napoleonic Wars. Corfu was eventually ceded by the British Empire along with the remaining islands of the United States of the Ionian Islands, and unification with modern Greece was concluded in 1864 under the Treaty of London.

In 2007, the city's old quarter was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List, following a recommendation by ICOMOS.

Corfu is a very popular tourist destination. The island was the location of the 1994 European Union summit.

Արգոստոլիոնը Կեֆալոնիայի մայրաքաղաքն է, Իոնական կղզիների ամենամեծ կղզին, որը գտնվում է Հունաստանում։ Քաղաքը, որը գտնվում է կղզու արևմտյան ափին, հայտնի է իր նկարահայեցային ափամերձների, էքզոտիկ սրճարանների և նեոկլասիկ շենքերի համար։ Արգոստոլիոնում կա նաև բազմաթիվ պատմական հուշարձաններ, այդ թվում՝ Կեֆալոնիայի հնագիտության թանգարանը և Վալիանոս հրապարակը, որտեղ կարելի է տեսնել 1953 թվականի երկրաշարժից հետո մնացած ավերակները, որոնք գրեթե ամբողջությամբ ավերեցին քաղաքը։ Քաղաքում քայլելով՝ այցելուները կարող են վայելել ավանդական հունական ճարտարապետության և արդի կյանքի համադրման մթնոլորտը։

Քաղաքը նաև հիանալի Ausgangspunkt է Կեֆալոնիայի բնական գեղեցկությունները ուսումնասիրելու համար։ Մի քանի կիլոմետր հեռավորության վրա արգոստոլիոնից գտնվում են հայտնի լողափեր, ինչպիսիք են Լուրդասը և Մելիսանին, ինչպես նաև հայտնի Դրակոներա քարանձավը, որտեղ կարելի է դիտել ստալակտիտներն ու ստալագմիտները։ Արգոստոլիոնից նաև հարմար է մեկնել եզակի բնապահպանական տարածքներ՝ օրինակ՝ ծովախեցգետինների պահեստարան, որտեղ ապրում են հազվագյուտ Կարետա կարետա ծովախեցգետինները։ Քաղաքը կատարյալ վայր է մշակութային հանգիստը համատեղելու համար կղզու բնական հրաշքների հետ.

Kuşadası is a resort town on Turkey's Aegean coast, and the center of the seaside district of the same name within Aydın Province. Kuşadası is 95 km (59 mi) south of İzmir, and 71 km (44 mi) from Aydın. The municipality's primary industry is tourism.

Mykonos is a Greek island, part of the Cyclades, lying between Tinos, Syros, Paros and Naxos. The island spans an area of 85.5 square kilometres (33.0 sq mi) and rises to an elevation of 341 metres (1,119 feet) at its highest point. There are 10,134 inhabitants (2011 census), most of whom live in the largest town, Mykonos, which lies on the west coast. The town is also known as Chora (i.e. the Town in Greek, following the common practice in Greece when the name of the island itself is the same as the name of the principal town).

Piraeus is the gateway to Athens , which, in turn, is rightfully considered the center of the centers of the whole world, with the main attraction - the acropolis. Piraeus is an old port city serving the port of Athens, the largest port in Greece to date. Piraeus is part of the great Athens, which boasts an abundance of attractions, including unique monuments of national fine art. More than two hundred museums and galleries, including the University History Museum, the Ceramics Archaeological Museum and many others, will hospitably welcome you within their walls and familiarize themselves with the culture of this area.

Մոնեմվասիա — Էգեյան ծովի ժայռե ամրոցը

Մոնեմվասիան եզակի միջնադարյան քաղաք-ամրոց է, փորված ժայռի մեջ՝ կղզու վրա, Պելոպոնեսի հարավ-արևելյան ափին (Լակոնիա): Մայրցամաքից գրեթե անտեսանելի, նրա անունը նշանակում է «միակ մուտք», ինչը վկայում է նրա ռազմավարական նշանակության մասին Բյուզանդիայի, Վենետիկի և Օսմանյան կայսրության ժամանակաշրջաններում:​

Այսօր Մոնեմվասիան գրավում է այցելուներին իր պահպանված միջնադարյան ճարտարապետությամբ, քարե փողոցներով, բյուզանդական եկեղեցիներով և Էգեյան ծովի հիասքանչ տեսարաններով: Դա վայր է, որտեղ պատմությունը և հանգստությունը միահյուսվում են յուրահատուկ մթնոլորտում:

Santorini, classically Thera, and officially Thira, is an island in the southern Aegean Sea, about 200 km (120 mi) southeast of Greece's mainland. It is the largest island of a small, circular archipelago, which bears the same name and is the remnant of a volcanic caldera. It forms the southernmost member of the Cyclades group of islands, with an area of approximately 73 km2 (28 sq mi) and a 2011 census population of 15,550. The municipality of Santorini includes the inhabited islands of Santorini and Therasia and the uninhabited islands of Nea Kameni, Palaia Kameni, Aspronisi, and Christiana. The total land area is 90.623 km2 (34.990 sq mi).Santorini is part of the Thira regional unit.

The island was the site of one of the largest volcanic eruptions in recorded history: the Minoan eruption(sometimes called the Thera eruption), which occurred about 3,600 years ago at the height of the Minoan civilization. The eruption left a large caldera surrounded by volcanic ash deposits hundreds of metres deep. It may have led indirectly to the collapse of the Minoan civilization on the island of Crete, 110 km (68 mi) to the south, through a gigantic tsunami. Another popular theory holds that the Thera eruption is the source of the legend of Atlantis.

It is the most active volcanic centre in the South Aegean Volcanic Arc, though what remains today is chiefly a water-filled caldera. The volcanic arc is approximately 500 km (310 mi) long and 20 to 40 km (12 to 25 mi) wide. The region first became volcanically active around 3–4 million years ago[citation needed], though volcanism on Thera began around 2 million years ago with the extrusion of dacitic lavas from vents around the Akrotiri.

Agios Nikolaos or Aghios Nikolaos is a coastal town on the Greek island of Crete, lying east of the island's capital Heraklion, north of the town of Ierapetra and west of the town of Sitia.

In the year 2011, the Municipality of Agios Nikolaos, which takes in part of the surrounding villages, claimed 27,074 inhabitants. The town is a municipality of the Crete region and sits partially upon the ruins of the ancient city of Lato pros Kamara.

Agios Nikolaos was settled in the late Bronze Age by Dorian occupants of Lato, at a time when the security of the Lato hillfort became a lesser concern and easy access to the harbour at Agios Nikolaos became more important.

The name Agios Nikolaos means Saint Nicholas. Its stress lies on the second syllable of the word "Nikolaos". Agios Nikolaos or Ayios Nikolaos (alternative romanizations of the Greek Άγιος Νικόλαος) is a common placename in Greece and Cyprus, since Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of sailors and of all of Greece.

Bodrum is a famous Turkish resort on the Aegean Sea, located in the province of Mugla. The city is located in the extreme southwest of the country, on the coast of ancient Caria, which today is called the Turkish Riviera. Bodrum is perhaps the most international of all cities in Turkey. It is famous for its restaurants, night clubs, the atmosphere of eternal celebration and the bohemian lifestyle. This combination is especially attractive for young people from Europe and liberated Turks who come here in the summer to swim, soak up the sun, and “hang out” in open-air pubs, discos and bars. Curious tourists in these parts are attracted by the desire to get acquainted with the millenary history of the region, to see the ancient and medieval monuments located here.

Patmos is a small Greek island in the Aegean Sea, most famous for being the location of the vision given to the disciple John in the Book of Revelation in the New Testament, and where the book was written.

One of the northernmost islands of the Dodecanese complex, it has a population of 2,998 and an area of 34.05 km2(13.15 sq mi). The highest point is Profitis Ilias, 269 metres (883 ft) above sea level. The municipality of Patmos, which includes the offshore islands of Arkoi (pop. 44), Marathos (pop. 5), and several uninhabited islets, has a total population of 3,047 (2011 census) and a combined land area of 45.039 square kilometres (17.390 sq mi). It is part of the Kalymnos regional unit.

Patmos' main communities are Chora (the capital city), and Skala, the only commercial port. Other settlements are Grikou and Kampos. The churches and communities on Patmos are of the Eastern Orthodox tradition. The mayor of Patmos is Gregory Stoikos.

Սիրոսը Կիկլադյան կղզիների գեղատեսիլ կղզի է Հունաստանում, որն առանձնանում է իր հարուստ պատմությամբ և ճարտարապետական բազմազանությամբ։ Նրա մայրաքաղաք Էրմուպոլին Հունաստանի այն քիչ քաղաքներից է, որտեղ բյուզանդական եկեղեցիները համադրվում են նեոկլասիկական շքեղ առանձնատների հետ։ Երբեմնի կարևորագույն նավահանգստային կենտրոնը մինչ օրս պահպանում է իր նրբաճաշակ և մշակութային մթնոլորտը։

Կղզին իդեալական է նրանց համար, ովքեր փնտրում են ոչ միայն լողափային հանգիստ, այլև իսկական տպավորություններ։ Հանգիստ ծովախորշեր, գեղատեսիլ արահետներ և համեղ տեղական խոհանոց՝ թարմ ծովամթերքից մինչև "լագանո"՝ ավանդական ձեթով հաց։ Հետաքրքիր փաստ՝ Էրմուպոլիում է գտնվում Հունաստանի ամենահին թատրոններից մեկը՝ "Ապոլլոն"-ը, կառուցված Միլանի Լա Սկալայի օրինակով։

Piraeus is the gateway to Athens , which, in turn, is rightfully considered the center of the centers of the whole world, with the main attraction - the acropolis. Piraeus is an old port city serving the port of Athens, the largest port in Greece to date. Piraeus is part of the great Athens, which boasts an abundance of attractions, including unique monuments of national fine art. More than two hundred museums and galleries, including the University History Museum, the Ceramics Archaeological Museum and many others, will hospitably welcome you within their walls and familiarize themselves with the culture of this area.

Mykonos is a Greek island, part of the Cyclades, lying between Tinos, Syros, Paros and Naxos. The island spans an area of 85.5 square kilometres (33.0 sq mi) and rises to an elevation of 341 metres (1,119 feet) at its highest point. There are 10,134 inhabitants (2011 census), most of whom live in the largest town, Mykonos, which lies on the west coast. The town is also known as Chora (i.e. the Town in Greek, following the common practice in Greece when the name of the island itself is the same as the name of the principal town).

Patmos is a small Greek island in the Aegean Sea, most famous for being the location of the vision given to the disciple John in the Book of Revelation in the New Testament, and where the book was written.

One of the northernmost islands of the Dodecanese complex, it has a population of 2,998 and an area of 34.05 km2(13.15 sq mi). The highest point is Profitis Ilias, 269 metres (883 ft) above sea level. The municipality of Patmos, which includes the offshore islands of Arkoi (pop. 44), Marathos (pop. 5), and several uninhabited islets, has a total population of 3,047 (2011 census) and a combined land area of 45.039 square kilometres (17.390 sq mi). It is part of the Kalymnos regional unit.

Patmos' main communities are Chora (the capital city), and Skala, the only commercial port. Other settlements are Grikou and Kampos. The churches and communities on Patmos are of the Eastern Orthodox tradition. The mayor of Patmos is Gregory Stoikos.

Քեպեզը Թուրքիայում՝ Չանաքքալեի նահանգում գտնվող ծովափնյա քաղաք է, որը գտնվում է 3 կմ հեռավորության վրա Չանաքքալե քաղաքի կենտրոնից։ 2010 թվականի տվյալներով քաղաքի բնակչությունը կազմում էր 11,744 մարդ։ Քեպեզի հարավում գտնվել է հին Դարդանոս քաղաքը։ Դարդանոսի հյուսիսում գտնվում է Դարդանոսի թումբը, որտեղ 1959 թվականի վերջին պատահաբար հայտնաբերվել է մոնումենտալ դամբարանի մուտքը։ Այն կառուցված է մանրակրկիտ մշակված քարե բլոկներից և բաղկացած է 5,20 մ երկարությամբ ծածկված դրոմոսից, նախասրահից և թաղման սրահից։

Չանաքքալեն, որը թարգմանաբար նշանակում է «կավագործների բերդ», հայտնի է դարձել իր կավագործությամբ։ Դարդանելների նեղուցի ափին գտնվելու շնորհիվ քաղաքը ստացել է «Էգեյան ծովափի դարպասներ» մականունը։ Լեգենդի համաձայն՝ հենց այստեղից է անցել Ալեքսանդր Մակեդոնացին, իսկ հետագայում՝ օսմանյան նվաճող բանակը։

Քեպեզը Թուրքիայում՝ Չանաքքալեի նահանգում գտնվող ծովափնյա քաղաք է, որը գտնվում է 3 կմ հեռավորության վրա Չանաքքալե քաղաքի կենտրոնից։ 2010 թվականի տվյալներով քաղաքի բնակչությունը կազմում էր 11,744 մարդ։ Քեպեզի հարավում գտնվել է հին Դարդանոս քաղաքը։ Դարդանոսի հյուսիսում գտնվում է Դարդանոսի թումբը, որտեղ 1959 թվականի վերջին պատահաբար հայտնաբերվել է մոնումենտալ դամբարանի մուտքը։ Այն կառուցված է մանրակրկիտ մշակված քարե բլոկներից և բաղկացած է 5,20 մ երկարությամբ ծածկված դրոմոսից, նախասրահից և թաղման սրահից։

Չանաքքալեն, որը թարգմանաբար նշանակում է «կավագործների բերդ», հայտնի է դարձել իր կավագործությամբ։ Դարդանելների նեղուցի ափին գտնվելու շնորհիվ քաղաքը ստացել է «Էգեյան ծովափի դարպասներ» մականունը։ Լեգենդի համաձայն՝ հենց այստեղից է անցել Ալեքսանդր Մակեդոնացին, իսկ հետագայում՝ օսմանյան նվաճող բանակը։

Istanbul – the largest city in Turkey, located on the Bosphorus. Until 1930 it was known as Constantinople and served as the capital of the Roman, Byzantine, Latin and Ottoman Empires. The city and its surroundings preserve monuments of ancient civilizations, including temples, palaces and fortifications. Today Istanbul is an important cultural, commercial and industrial hub. Tourists come not only to admire its historic landmarks, but also to shop at world-famous Turkish bazaars, where you can buy spices, jewelry, antiques, colorful hookahs and bargain like a local.

Istanbul – the largest city in Turkey, located on the Bosphorus. Until 1930 it was known as Constantinople and served as the capital of the Roman, Byzantine, Latin and Ottoman Empires. The city and its surroundings preserve monuments of ancient civilizations, including temples, palaces and fortifications. Today Istanbul is an important cultural, commercial and industrial hub. Tourists come not only to admire its historic landmarks, but also to shop at world-famous Turkish bazaars, where you can buy spices, jewelry, antiques, colorful hookahs and bargain like a local.

Mykonos is a Greek island, part of the Cyclades, lying between Tinos, Syros, Paros and Naxos. The island spans an area of 85.5 square kilometres (33.0 sq mi) and rises to an elevation of 341 metres (1,119 feet) at its highest point. There are 10,134 inhabitants (2011 census), most of whom live in the largest town, Mykonos, which lies on the west coast. The town is also known as Chora (i.e. the Town in Greek, following the common practice in Greece when the name of the island itself is the same as the name of the principal town).

Santorini, classically Thera, and officially Thira, is an island in the southern Aegean Sea, about 200 km (120 mi) southeast of Greece's mainland. It is the largest island of a small, circular archipelago, which bears the same name and is the remnant of a volcanic caldera. It forms the southernmost member of the Cyclades group of islands, with an area of approximately 73 km2 (28 sq mi) and a 2011 census population of 15,550. The municipality of Santorini includes the inhabited islands of Santorini and Therasia and the uninhabited islands of Nea Kameni, Palaia Kameni, Aspronisi, and Christiana. The total land area is 90.623 km2 (34.990 sq mi).Santorini is part of the Thira regional unit.

The island was the site of one of the largest volcanic eruptions in recorded history: the Minoan eruption(sometimes called the Thera eruption), which occurred about 3,600 years ago at the height of the Minoan civilization. The eruption left a large caldera surrounded by volcanic ash deposits hundreds of metres deep. It may have led indirectly to the collapse of the Minoan civilization on the island of Crete, 110 km (68 mi) to the south, through a gigantic tsunami. Another popular theory holds that the Thera eruption is the source of the legend of Atlantis.

It is the most active volcanic centre in the South Aegean Volcanic Arc, though what remains today is chiefly a water-filled caldera. The volcanic arc is approximately 500 km (310 mi) long and 20 to 40 km (12 to 25 mi) wide. The region first became volcanically active around 3–4 million years ago[citation needed], though volcanism on Thera began around 2 million years ago with the extrusion of dacitic lavas from vents around the Akrotiri.

Piraeus is the gateway to Athens , which, in turn, is rightfully considered the center of the centers of the whole world, with the main attraction - the acropolis. Piraeus is an old port city serving the port of Athens, the largest port in Greece to date. Piraeus is part of the great Athens, which boasts an abundance of attractions, including unique monuments of national fine art. More than two hundred museums and galleries, including the University History Museum, the Ceramics Archaeological Museum and many others, will hospitably welcome you within their walls and familiarize themselves with the culture of this area.