Southern Europe includes the European countries that border on the Mediterranean Sea; typically these countries have a warm, sunny climate and lots of coastline. There are many wonderful day trips that can be taken from larger cities in Southern Europe; taking a train or boat to an archeological site or balmy island is fun and educational, and there are many interesting places to visit in this area. Here are ten great day trips in Southern Europe you may want to take.
1 Capri
The Isle of Capri is a beautiful setting for a day trip from Naples or Sorrento on the western coast of Italy. You can take a ferry or hydrofoil from either Naples or Sorrento to arrive at the Marina Grande in Capri. Once on Capri, you can take a boat tour around the island, or visit some of the attractions on land. Walk up to the Gardens of Augustus, near the Piazzetta, which are full of stunning blooms and manicured lawns, and are beside the Carthusian Monastery, an architectural treat. The Faraglioni, three huge rocks rising out of the sea, are a spectacular sight, and you can get a good view of them from the beach or restaurant at La Fontelina. The Blue Grotto, a cave used by the ancient Romans as a meeting place, is a magical place, and if you visit, it’s a place you will remember forever. Capri is a wonderful place for a day trip.
2 Pompeii
All of the citizens of Pompeii perished during a volcanic eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 AD, and the city was preserved in ash. Villas, baths, shops, and other buildings, murals and artwork, jewelry, and more can be seen at the ruins of Pompeii. By walking around the ancient excavation, you can get an idea of how people lived during that time period; unlike other ruins, there’s a complete town still there. There are plaster casts of people and dogs surprised by the sudden eruption, and there are many beautiful mosaics and frescoes to see. Sights and artifacts such as chariot ruts, temples, and gladiator helmets are interesting to view, and the countryside around Pompeii is lovely; you can see Mt. Vesuvius in the background. The town below the ruins has shops and restaurants; there’s a shop that sells fine cameos, and there are colorful strings of lemons hanging outside some of the restaurants. Try a lemon granita, a frozen ice, while you’re in Pompeii. You can reach the site by train from Rome for a day trip to the ancient city.
3 Delphi
After you’ve seen the Acropolis in Athens, take a day trip to Delphi to see the site of the ancient oracle on Mount Parnassos. Known as the “center of the world” in ancient times, Delphi was associated with the Greek god, Apollo, and the sibyls, or female oracles, answered questions for visitors who sought advice from the spirit of Apollo; the answers were complex and could have several meanings. Walk up the Sacred Way on Mount Parnassos to the Sanctuary of Apollo, the theater, the treasury, the Tholos and gymnasium; there’s a stadium at the top of the site if you can make the steep climb. Visit the Delphi Museum next door to see some of the treasures that were removed from the site and other ancient Greek artifacts. Although very hot in summer, Delphi is an extremely interesting site, and can be reached by bus from Athens in about three hours.
4 Rock of Gibraltar
If you’re touring Spain, and are tired of seeing castles and cathedrals, go down to the Rock of Gibraltar for a day trip. Although Britain still has control over the Rock, it’s located at the southern end of Spain, across from Morocco. The Rock, known anciently as one of the “pillars of Hercules,” used to mark the end of the world and is huge; you can cross the border at La Lina, Spain into Gibraltar. Some of the attractions at the Rock of Gibraltar include the Great Siege Tunnels, which were built during the late 1700s to defend Gibraltar and were enlarged during World War II, St. Michael’s Cave, which is on the southern side of the Rock, The Gibraltar Museum, which tells the history of the Rock, and the Moorish Castle. An interesting sight at the Rock is the large number (over 150) of Barbary apes that live there. They are generally in the areas of the Great Siege Tunnels or in the Ape’s Den, and they’re fun to watch, but be careful; they bite sometimes when you get too close. There are large numbers of dolphins and whales in the Straits of Gibraltar, and you can take boat tours out to see them if you’re interested.
5 Monte Carlo
Monaco is located between the Alps and the Mediterranean Sea, and is a beautiful little country. The Grimaldi family has been ruling the principality for more than 700 years, and you can visit their palace for a great view of the Mediterranean Sea and the city. Monte Carlo, Monaco’s capital and only city, is well-known for its gambling casino and its many wealthy guests. The city is striking, with houses that appear to be stacked, spectacular architecture, and amazing views. The Formula 1 Grand Prix race runs right through the streets of Monte Carlo, and water sports are popular too. The arts are well represented in museums, the symphony, ballet and theater, and there are beautiful gardens to tour at the casino and other spots. Looking at the yachts in the harbor and the luxury cars in the casino parking lot is enjoyable, and you can people-watch at Larvotto Beach. Monte Carlo is a good day trip from Nice or other cities on the French or Italian Riverias.
6 Vatican City
Vatican City is located inside the city of Rome, and you can easily spend a day viewing its many splendors. St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, the Vatican Museum, and St. Peter’s Square are the main attractions, and all are within walking distance of each other. St. Peter’s Basilica, designed by Michelangelo and others, is amazing; inside you can see famous works of art such as Michelangelo’s “Pieta,” St. Peter’s tomb in the basement crypt where many of the popes are buried, statues of saints on the roof of the building, the awesome cupola, and more. Since it’s the largest church in the world, the basilica’s size will astound you, and you can climb to the top of the cupola for an incredible view. There is a dress code to enter; you can’t have uncovered shoulders or a shorter than knee-length skirt, so don’t wear shorts and a tank top or you won’t be allowed in. The Vatican Museum has probably the best collection of art in the world; the Sistine Chapel is reached by going through the museum first. The chapel has the amazing ceiling fresco of scenes from Genesis, and “The Last Judgement” on the altar wall, all done by Michelangelo during the Renaissance period. Everything you will see at Vatican City is beautiful and memorable.
7 Murano
While in Venice, you might want to take a day trip to the isle of Murano. Murano, which is actually made up of five little islands connected by bridges, is known for its Venetian glass, and you can watch glassblowers ply their trade in the Glass Museum, and learn all about the history of making glass. Murano is like a miniature Venice, less crowded and cheaper, but having its own Grand Canal and other features of the larger city. Some of the other attractions in Murano include the canals, where you can buy stuff right off the boats, the Romanesque church San Pietro Martire, with paintings by Tintoretto and Bellini, the bell tower and lighthouse. The church Santi Maria e Donato has the bones of St. Donato and “dragon bones,” and is one of the oldest churches in Venice, dating back to the 7th century. To reach Murano from Venice, take a vaporetto, a water bus, or a water taxi, which are more expensive, to the “Museo” stop; it’s right by the Glass Museum.
8 Malta
Malta, an island in the Mediterranean Sea, makes a good day trip from Sicily; you can take a high-speed ferry from Catania and arrive in Malta in 1 ½ hours. Malta is known for its excellent beaches, beautiful, clear water and sunny, dry summers. There are lots of watersports and scuba-diving, and Golden Bay Beach and Ghajn Tuffieha are both great beaches. Get one of the huge fruit salads with ice cream on top from a beach kiosk if you’re hungry; it’s a wonderful snack. From the beaches, you can see some forts left by Crusader knights and the British in World War II. Valletta is the capital of Malta, and was built by the Knights of St. John; the “Malta Experience” is an audio-visual program that will tell you the history of Malta from the Stone Age to the present and is in the Mediterranean Conference Center in Valletta. Ride one of the ancient orange and yellow buses around Malta, or you can take a ferry between some cities, or a boat ride around the island.
9 Assisi
Assisi is a lovely town in Umbria, the central part of Italy. The amazing Basilica of St. Francis has Upper and Lower Chapels that have frescoes by Giotto, and were built back in the 1200s. The church is reached by walking up a very steep hill, and you can imagine how difficult hauling the stones for the building must have been while it was being constructed. The tomb of St. Francis of Assisi is down in the crypt, and there are three gorgeous rose windows at the entrance to the Lower Chapel. A major earthquake hit the church in 1997, but the damage to the building has been repaired. Walking in the town below the church is difficult because the road is so steep, but there are many small shops and restaurants you can visit, as well as other lovely buildings. Assisi is a good day trip from Florence or Rome.
10 Rhodes
Rhodes can be reached by air from many European cities, and by ferry from Piraeus (Athen’s port); hydrofoils come over from Turkey also and many cruise ships dock at Rhodes. Rhodes was a city used by knights on their way to the Crusades in the 14th century, and you can still see some of their fortifications, such as the huge walls around the city, moats, stone towers, and gates guarding the entrance to the city. The Old Town is a fun place, especially at night when all the lights are on, with little cafes, courtyards, taverns, and shops that are filled with people. There’s also a New Market at the Mandraki Harbor, with a Moorish architectural look, and there are lots of shops, cafes, food stalls, and more. Walk through the city and you will see many interesting sights; you can rent a bike, motorbike, or car too if you want to cover more territory.
