To escape European winter, make like a bird and fly south to Faro, Portugal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re not done with your escape from winter just yet, take a hop, skip, and a jump west from Cadiz to Faro. Faro is the principal city of the sun-drenched Algarve, continental Portugal\u2019s southernmost region. It\u2019s known for its temperate wintertime climate, rich history, and spectacular natural surroundings. It\u2019s set in the middle of the network of brackish lagoons, marshes, and sand dunes that make up Portugal\u2019s Ria Formosa Natural Park. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Home to several historic sites, Faro\u2019s small city center is a good place to begin your exploration. The Cathedral of Faro is one of the city’s most notable landmarks, a beautiful Gothic-style cathedral built in the 13th century. The old town of Faro is also worth exploring, with its narrow cobbled streets and charming cafes. As you stroll through the cobblestone streets, keep an eye out for Portugal\u2019s famous azulejo panels, those beautiful blue tiles known around the world. A good place to spot them is the Carmo Church. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of Faro\u2019s chief wintertime attractions is birdwatching. The lagoons and marshes of the Ria Formosa National Park are crisscrossed by a comprehensive network of dirt trails and causeways, making them easily accessible both on foot and by bicycle (boat tours are also available). Keen-eyed wintertime visitors should expect to spot spoonbills, ospreys, black-winged stilts, and even flamingoes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But the Ria Formosa isn\u2019t the extent of Faro\u2019s avian attractions: those who just can\u2019t get enough of our feathered friends should also make a trip to the Ilha Deserta, a nearby island with miles of sand dunes and stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean. The island is home to a rich variety of bird species, including the sandwich tern and the black-headed gull. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Getting to Faro from the airport is easy, with several transportation options available. Faro Airport is located just a few miles from the city center and visitors can take a taxi or use the bus lines 14 or 16.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Live out your White Lotus dreams in Syracuse, Italy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
For many American travelers, The White Lotus may have put Sicily on the map. With its sparkling waters, excellent wine, and rich palazzos, it certainly makes an excellent setting for that thrilling tale of privilege and excess. But that\u2019s not to say these things are unattainable: Monaco this is not. Rather, Sicily is an island with something for everyone, and nowhere is this more visible than in the coastal town of Syracuse. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The ancient city of Syracuse, Sicily, was founded by the Greeks in the eighth century BCE, making it another of Europe\u2019s most venerable cities. It was here that Archimedes conducted his famous bathtub experiment to prove that his king had been cheated by a local goldsmith. Today, the city\u2019s old town occupies a small island, Ortygia, and spills out onto the opposite shore. It\u2019s known for its beautiful baroque architecture, all carved from the cream-colored limestone that is mined in the city\u2019s famous quarries. Visitors to the old town can admire the beautiful Piazza del Duomo, home to the city\u2019s magnificent cathedral, and stop by the famous Fountain of Arethusa, a natural spring bubbling up in the city center that is said to be the source of the goddess\u2019s name. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Though the remains of Greek Sur\u0101\u0301kousai are stunning, a historic tour of southern Sicily is not complete without a day trip to Agrigento, home to the Valley of the Temples, one of the most magnificent collections of ancient Greek temples and ruins in the world. While you\u2019re there, stop by the Scala dei Turchi, a spectacular outcropping of brilliant white stone jutting out into the clear blue waters of the Mediterranean. The same type of stone makes up the famous white Cliffs of Dover. The smooth, grayish mud formed by the dissolving Scala is said to cure skin ailments. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The city of Syracuse is easy to reach from the airport \u2013 there are several transportation options available, especially from the nearby major city of Catania. Catania-Fontanarossa Airport<\/a> is located just a short drive from the city and buses are frequent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What\u2019s more summery than a boat trip? To really escape the winter blues this year, board the Chania ferry in Athens, Greece, and set sail for the island of Crete! Crete, Greece\u2019s southernmost major island, enjoys mild winters and is well-positioned as a weekend winter getaway. Visitors can expect relatively warm weather even in the winter \u2013 they even grow bananas here, the only place in Europe where the crop is commercially grown. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Chania is another of Europe\u2019s most ancient cities: the site dates back to the Bronze-age Minoan civilization. The city\u2019s more recent history is dominated by the Venetian and Ottoman periods, and remains of these are visible all through the old town\u2019s cobblestone streets. The city also boasts a collection of museums that offer a deeper look into the local history, such as the Archaeological Museum of Chania and the Ethnographical Museum of Crete. <\/p>\n\n\n\n But we\u2019re here to escape winter, and what better way to do so than by visiting one of the most gorgeous beaches in Europe? Head over to Balos Lagoon, close to the neighboring town of Kissamos, Greece. It\u2019s located on the far side of one of the long peninsulas that jut out of the western end of Crete. The Balos Lagoon itself is sheltered from the wider Mediterranean by the outcrop of Tigani, creating a calm bay of vivid blue water and white and pink sand. The placid waters are perfect for children and offer great swimming and snorkeling opportunities. If the water is too cold, the peninsula itself has various hiking trails populated by friendly goats and boasting gorgeous views of the surrounding beaches and cliffs. A must-see! <\/p>\n\n\n\n Crete is also known for its delicious cuisine. Local dishes include dakos, a traditional salad made from barley rusks \u2013 dried crusts of bread \u2013 topped with ripe tomatoes, feta cheese, and olive oil. Naturally, seafood is also on the menu in the local tavernas: whole grilled fish, shellfish, and of course, calamari. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Chania can be reached by ferry from Athens\u2019 Piraeus port via an overnight ferry operated by Anek Lines and bookable on Omio. The ferry runs at least once a day year round and multiple times per day during the high season, and takes approximately eight and a half hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Albania might not be the first country that comes to mind when thinking about wintertime escapes, but that\u2019s an oversight we\u2019re interested in correcting here at Omio. Albania\u2019s southern city of Sarande offers stunning beaches, historic ruins, and affordable prices. Those looking for a budget-friendly escape from the wintertime blues should look no further than Sarande. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Sarande\u2019s mild weather makes it a great place for wintertime beach activities. The nearby Ksamil Islands, rocky uninhabited islands that are part of Butrint National Park, offer sandy beaches and pristine waters. The aforementioned Butrint National Park also includes the impressive ruins of Butrint itself, an ancient city located in a marshy delta that is now populated only by tortoises and a few stray dogs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Further historical outings can take interested travelers to the ruins (and beaches!) of Himara, another ancient town, as well as the historic city of Gjirokastra, perched precariously on the hillsides to the east of Sarande. Gjirokastra is known for its Ottoman-era architecture and the prominent role it played in the Albanian struggle for independence. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For another unique day trip from Sarande, take the hydrofoil to Corfu, Greece. Though it may seem strange and retro now, in its day this strange vessel was the peak of maritime technology, and it still skates across the waves just as well as it ever did. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Sarande can be reached by regular buses from Tirana Airport<\/a> in Albania\u2019s capital. Travelers can also reach Sarande from Greece, either by the hydrofoil from Corfu (geographically the closest major airport), or a longer bus from the central Greek city of Ioannina.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When people think about an Italian vacation, their minds probably go to the hills of Tuscany or Rome\u2019s Lazio region. Beautiful locations, to be sure, but in the winter they can be downright chilly. That\u2019s not the case in Puglia, the often-neglected southeastern heel of the Italian boot, and Bari in winter is no exception. Bari has spent its history as a transition point between Italy and Greece, a place where those two centers of Classical civilization met and mixed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Bari boasts an array of great food, from fresh produce and seafood to orecchiette, the \u201clittle ear\u201d-shaped pasta the city is known for. There are plenty of great restaurants, but for lunch at least, those in the know will head to the local fish market, where \u20ac5 gets you a plate of whichever sea creature your heart desires, plus bread and lemon wedges. Just head downtown to the square in front of the Margherita Theatre around lunchtime. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The city\u2019s down-to-earth culinary tradition is somewhat belied by its grandiose architecture. Wandering the streets of Bari Vecchia, as the old town is called, is enough to satisfy even the most discerning of architecture buffs. The Basilica of San Nicola, for example, dates back to the 12th century. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The region surrounding Bari, Puglia, is also home to many unique towns and villages, such as the UNESCO World Heritage Site Matera, with its distinctive and ancient cave dwellings. Puglia is also known for its baroque architecture, which is visible in many of its cities and towns. The nearby city of Lecce is sometimes called \u201cFlorence of the South\u201d for its beautiful baroque churches, palaces, and squares. The town of Martina Franca is famous for its stunning baroque constructions. <\/p>\n\n\n\nAll aboard to Chania, Greece: a maritime winter escape<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Wintertime beach vibes on a budget in Sarande, Albania<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Escape the winter with flair: eat, drink, and be Bari (Italy)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n