Through My Lens: Eastern Mediterranean
From Istanbul to Venice, this Eastern Mediterranean adventure was filled with stunning coastlines, historic cities, incredible food, and unforgettable experiences. Join Jenni as she explores some of the most beautiful destinations along the Mediterranean Sea.
5/8/20246 min read
From busy ports and historic streets to beautiful coastlines and incredible food, my Eastern Mediterranean trip was a bucket list full filler.
Since I travel with my husband and kids we decided that a multi day cruise would be the best way to see as much of the Eastern Mediterranean as possible with out having to pack and unpack multiple times. We decided on a 10 day cruise staring in Istanbul, Turkey and ending in Venice, Italy.
To say our trip was amazing would be an understatement. In this blog, I’m going to highlight my favorite cities that we got to see an experience on this amazing adventure through the eastern Mediterranean coastline
Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul had always been on my bucket list, so it was the perfect place to begin our Mediterranean adventure. We stayed in Sultanahmet at the beautiful Seven Hills Palace & Spa, where the elegant rooms, exceptional staff, delicious complimentary breakfast, and unbeatable location made our stay unforgettable. On our first evening, we explored the historic streets and enjoyed a traditional Turkish dinner overlooking the illuminated Blue Mosque.
With only one full day to explore, we started early at the Blue Mosque, wandering through the lively streets, browsing local shops, and stopping to pet the friendly cats that call Istanbul home.
Next, we visited the Grand Bazaar, a breathtaking maze of colorful shops filled with lanterns, textiles, spices, jewelry, and countless other treasures. To cool off, we grabbed ice cream from a street vendor, where my daughters were delighted by the playful serving performance.
Istanbul quickly became one of my favorite cities. The history, culture, and warm hospitality left a lasting impression, and my only regret was not having more time before boarding our cruise to continue our Mediterranean adventure.
Mykonos, Greece
This charming Greek coastal city felt like stepping into a postcard. Wandering through the old part of town, known as Little Venice, was absolutely magical. The narrow pedestrian-only walkways twisted and intertwined through countless shops, cafés, and restaurants, each corner revealing another beautiful view. The city was alive with vibrant energy — colorful doors, bright shutters, and overflowing flowers creating the perfect contrast against the iconic whitewashed buildings. Every alley seemed more picturesque than the last.
As we climbed to the viewpoint overlooking the city, the scenery became even more breathtaking. From above, the maze of white buildings stretched toward the blue sea, with the windmills standing proudly over the coastline.
This charming Greek city was exactly how I had always imagined a Grecian island destination would look and feel. The beauty, the atmosphere, and the coastal charm completely lived up to the dream — and somehow still exceeded my expectations.
Corfu, Greece
As soon as we stepped off the cruise ship in Corfu, the lively harbor was buzzing with colorful boats and excited travelers. We headed to the stunning coastal village of Paleokastritsa, where we had rented a boat for the afternoon. After negotiating a round-trip taxi, we made our way across the island. Travel tip: Arrange your return transportation in advance, as finding a taxi back from Paleokastritsa can be difficult.
The scenic drive took us through olive groves, flower-filled villages, and winding mountain roads. Before reaching the marina, we stopped at a breathtaking viewpoint overlooking the turquoise waters, dramatic cliffs, and hidden coves of the Mediterranean.
After a quick orientation, we set off by boat to explore Corfu's spectacular coastline. Cruising past towering cliffs and swimming in the crystal-clear water of a secluded cove was easily one of the highlights of our trip.
Back in Corfu Town, we wandered the charming cobblestone streets lined with pastel buildings, cafés, and shops before enjoying an incredible Greek dinner. Corfu's lush landscapes, stunning coastline, warm hospitality, and the best chicken souvlaki I've ever tasted made it one of our favorite stops.
Kotor, Montenegro
Kotor, Montenegro was one of the most breathtaking and unexpected stops on our journey. As our ship sailed into the Bay of Kotor, towering mountains rose dramatically from the calm water, surrounding the bay like a hidden fjord. The combination of rugged peaks, peaceful villages, and sparkling blue water was unforgettable.
We began the day with a boat tour around the bay, passing charming seaside villages, cliffside churches, and quiet coves before stopping to swim in the crystal-clear waters of a hidden sea cave. Experiencing Kotor from the water was truly magical.
Afterward, we explored the beautifully preserved medieval old town, wandering its narrow cobblestone streets, browsing local shops, and relaxing in lively squares surrounded by historic stone buildings.
Kotor's dramatic scenery, rich history, and peaceful atmosphere made it one of the true highlights of our Mediterranean adventure.
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Dubrovnik, Croatia was one of the destinations I was most excited to visit, and it exceeded every expectation. As we approached the massive stone walls surrounding the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old City, it felt like stepping back in time.
Inside the pedestrian-only city, we spent hours wandering the polished limestone streets, admiring the beautifully preserved medieval architecture, browsing charming shops, and discovering hidden courtyards and cafés around every corner.
One of the highlights was walking the historic city walls. The panoramic views of the orange rooftops, ancient stone fortifications, and sparkling Adriatic Sea were absolutely breathtaking and among the most memorable of our trip.
After exploring the Old City, we took a private boat tour along the Adriatic coastline, visiting hidden caves and secluded coves before swimming in the crystal-clear waters of the famous Blue Cave.
Dubrovnik's rich history, stunning scenery, and unforgettable coastline made it one of the true highlights of our Mediterranean adventure.
Koper, Slovenia
Our next port city was Koper, Slovenia, and from there we took a short drive along the coast to the nearby fishing town of Piran. This small seaside town felt like a true hidden gem on the Adriatic. With its pastel-colored buildings, terracotta rooftops, and sweeping views of the sea, Piran was incredibly picturesque from the moment we arrived.
Our taxi dropped us off near the town’s main square, Tartini Square, a stunning open courtyard surrounded by elegant historic buildings and the iconic clock tower. The architecture felt distinctly Venetian, with soft pastel facades and ornate details that reflected the town’s rich coastal history.
From there, we strolled slowly through the narrow stone streets, where every turn seemed to open up to another beautiful view of the water. The town had a peaceful, almost timeless atmosphere. We enjoyed a relaxed lunch overlooking the Adriatic Sea, enjoying the beautiful sea views as we ate.
The marina, filled with colorful fishing boats and sailboats, added even more charm to the scenery. Between the historic architecture, the coastal views, and the calm atmosphere, Piran felt like one of those rare places that is both simple and breathtaking at the same time — making it the perfect place to photograph.
Venice, Italy
Our final stop on our Eastern Mediterranean adventure was Venice, Italy—a city that had been on my bucket list for years.
From the moment we crossed into Venice and boarded a water taxi to our hotel, I was completely captivated. I've always been drawn to places on the water, and Venice is unlike anywhere else, with canals instead of streets and boats replacing cars.
After settling into our charming canal-side hotel, we spent the afternoon wandering through the maze of narrow streets, picturesque bridges, and hidden courtyards. Around every corner was another beautiful view waiting to be discovered.
One of the highlights was taking a gondola ride through the canals. Gliding beneath historic bridges while our gondolier shared stories about the city was an unforgettable experience.
Before sunset, we headed to Punta della Dogana to photograph the Grand Canal glowing in golden light, then enjoyed a delicious Italian dinner overlooking the iconic Rialto Bridge.
The next morning, we explored more of Venice, discovering even more photogenic corners. The most memorable moment came as we walked through a small tunnel toward the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute and heard a violinist playing Andrea Bocelli's Time to Say Goodbye. It was a peaceful, emotional moment I'll never forget.
With its stunning architecture, winding canals, charming piazzas, and endless photo opportunities, Venice is the most unique and beautiful city I've ever visited—and a true dream destination for a photographer.
This Eastern Mediterranean trip was absolutely incredible. Each destination offered something completely unique — from the rich history of Istanbul, to the storybook charm of Mykonos, the lush beauty of Corfu, the dramatic landscapes of Kotor, the perfectly preserved medieval walls of Dubrovnik, the hidden coastal gem of Piran, and finally the unmatched magic of Venice.Our Eastern Mediterranean adventure was truly unforgettable. Each destination offered something unique—from the rich history of Istanbul and the charm of Mykonos to the lush beauty of Corfu, the dramatic scenery of Kotor, the medieval streets of Dubrovnik, the hidden gem of Piran, and the timeless magic of Venice.
What made this trip so special wasn't just the incredible places we visited, but the moments in between—wandering cobblestone streets, sharing meals with waterfront views, swimming in hidden coves, and experiencing it all together as a family.
One unexpected highlight was the friendly cats we encountered throughout our journey. Whether lounging in sunny courtyards or napping in shop windows, they brought a smile to our faces and became a memorable part of each destination.
Looking back, I'm grateful for the beauty, history, and culture we experienced along the way. This journey reminded me why I love to travel—not just to see new places, but to collect moments and memories that last long after the trip is over.