DESTINATIONS
Mediterranean Odyssey
23 MAY 2010
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En route to the Greek Islands, aboard the Costa Romantica, I watched the Roman battlements of Emperor Trajan’s old port of Civitavecchia fade into the horizon. I awoke to a bright new day in the straits of Messina, slipping between the boot of Italy and Sicily, passing the volcanic island of Stromboli and the mountainous coast of Calabria.
Catania, an old Sicilian port at the very foot of the volcano of Mount Etna, was first port of call on this Mediterranean cruise. Ashore, I strolled through the grand piazzas to the baroque cathedral with sculptor Bellini’s statue and tomb. The Benedictine Monastery of Catania was the highlight of this brief sojourn in Sicily. Early travellers likened the ornate façade, sculptures, balconies, marble staircases, frescoes and cloisters of this immense 18th century complex to the Palace of Versailles.
Rhodes is one of the 12 sparkling islands of the Dodecanese. The old medieval quarter is reached via the Freedom Gate, one of 11 historic stone gateways guarding the ancient citadel of the Knights of St John who made Rhodes headquarters of their fleet for two centuries before being defeated by the Turks after a long siege of the island in 1 522. Odos Ippoton, the Street of the Knights is lined with Gothic inns embellished with the coats of arms and gargoyles of the 7 000 crusaders.
May/June 2010 Issue
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En route to the Greek Islands, aboard the Costa Romantica, I watched the Roman battlements of Emperor Trajan’s old port of Civitavecceccecchia fade into the horizon. I awoke to a brigight new day in the straits of Messina, slipping betweeeen the boot of Italy and Siciiciicily, passing the volcanicic island of Stromboli and the mountainous coast of Calabria.
Credit(s): Photo Reportage: Graham Howe
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Rhodes Habour; the legendary Colossus, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world stood astride the old harbour until 224 BC.
© Graham Howe
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The Chapel on the Quay; an island legend says any woman who drinks from all three fountains in the piazza will marry in a Mykonos chapel within a year.
© Graham Howe
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