The Mediterranean has dazzling landscapes in which crystal blue coves, almond and orange trees, dry stone walls and whitewashed houses abound. But the Mediterranean is above all a state of mind. A swing of thoughts that follow each other better if they are accompanied by sea breeze, bougainvillea, olives and white wine.

To Mediterranean as the canons command, let's go to Croatia by boat, let's eat the sea on the Costa Brava, let's get lost in the colorful Cagliari, let's spend a night in Ibiza and let's get lost -so that nobody finds us- on some Greek island.

Dalmatian Coast: sailing around the islands

The Dalmatian Coast is best known from the sea, so our trump card will always be to hoist sails and jump from island to island on a sailboat along one of the most suggestive coastlines of the Mediterranean. The route must necessarily depart from the cities of Split or Dubrovnik because yes, because they are the ones with the largest marinas and because without visiting these two wonders the Adriatic coast would lose much of its attractions.

An early and windless navigation could lead us to the island of Hvar -hedonistic, boho-chic and very crowded, it must be said- and then head to Korcula, the homeland, as they say here, of Marco Polo. Its typical Dalmatian structure, built on a fortified peninsula, and a myriad of palaces and churches that are crowded together as they can embraced by compact stone walls.

Brac, the most mediatic of the Croatian summer destinations, could be next on the list. Its picturesque wedge-shaped beach, Zlatni Rat, wants to be the paradigm of that Dalmatian Coast that actually lacks large sandy areas, where small stony coves and wooden walkways compensate with their secluded beauty all the discomforts that may entail spreading the towel on hard.

Nisiros (Greece): not all islands are Santorini

In the popular imagination, Greece is perhaps the most evoked of the landscapes of the Mediterranean summer. Its islands offer perfect whitewashed architecture, gardens with bougainvillea and orange trees, honest cuisine from the sea to the table, seascapes of a beauty that hurts to look at, many cats and a history that takes us to the origin of everything we are who were born in the Mare Nostrum.

That's in the imaginary. And then there's the reality of some Greek islands dealing with the arrival of cruise ships, with crowds pouring into every corner, with high prices and with a local population that doesn't know where to get when summer arrives.

But luckily Greece has more than 6,000 islands and, although it is difficult to understand why everyone wants to go to Santorini, Corfu, Mykonos, Rhodes or Crete, luckily for many independent travelers there are places like Skyros, Alonnisos, Amorgos, Poros, Khalki or Nisiros, to mention just a handful. They're not Santorini, but when you have them (almost) alone for yourself, it doesn't matter either.

Sardinia: beautiful Cagliari

It is not usually on the lists of most visited coastal cities, which surprises and comforts in equal parts. It is surprising, because Cagliari is fabulous and has all the things one expects to find when traveling to Italy: vestiges of many cultures -including Roman ruins-, Renaissance architecture in the form of elegant palazzos, castles and churches, and something totally essential: cuisine with roots, such as the tagliatelle vongole e cozze di sardegna in the image; In it, being on a diet is not an option. And it comforts, because it is always good to know that there are still corners that are not filled (too much) when summer arrives.

Cagliari is said to be the most Italian of the Sardinian cities. And it will be true if they proclaim it. Let's get lost, let's get lost in its streets of the medieval center to which there is no lack of castellos, walls and towers. Let's walk through those alleys that narrow, twist, move on stairs and become gardens full of pots.

Cadaqués, to eat the sea

We will talk about Cadaqués and promise not to mention its stony coves, its epic sunrises, or the bars that Dalí frequented. No. Today the protagonist is good eating. This Catalan population, which always had that halo of casual glamour, has been attracting the most select of the Catalan bourgeoisie for decades, which allows itself the luxury of walking in espardenyes and simple cotton dresses.

Perhaps because of its isolated situation, perhaps because of its incontestable beauty, numerous writers and poets sought inspiration in it, from the Nobel García Márquez to less mediatic authors such as the poet Rosa Leveroni. But Cadaqués is also a muse for the artists of cooking well: Mateu Casañas, Oriol Castro and Eduard Xatruch, who were part of the kitchen team of El Bulli for 15 years and who after its closure decided to open their own business in this town. What began as an adventure has been transformed into three venues -Compartir (Cadaqués), Compartir (Barcelona) and Disfrutar (Barcelona)-, two Michelin stars and an appointment to Enjoy as the third best restaurant in the world in the list of The World's 50 Best Restaurants of 2022.

Ibiza, the island of the night

It is the island to see and be seen. Where to stay? In Santa Eulalia is the hotel WIbiza, whose rooms are decorated in the image and likeness of the Balearic landscape, with the colors and textures of the environment.

This summer presents outstanding novelties, some of which revolve around gastronomy, another important point. Two new restaurants are incorporated into its offer. The first, Steps, bets on the vegetables of kilometer 0 to create a menu with many options for vegetarians and vegans that are tasted on its terrace, overlooking the sea. The second, Fire Ibiza, with grilled dishes in a sophisticated atmosphere and accompanied by one of the most complete wineries on the island. The third, the pizzeria pop up Seu Pizza Illuminatti. Everything, seasoned with the best music.

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