The Eastern Mediterranean and southern Italy, particularly Puglia, share a rich cultural and historical heritage, rooted in Hellenic traditions that have shaped the landscape, architecture and life of the people in these regions for millennia. Puglia has always represented an important cultural and commercial bridge between Italy and the East, witnessing frequent cultural exchanges since Prehistory.
This bond manifests itself with the numerous cruises that depart from the Apulian coasts, to the Greek and Turkish coasts, offering an experience that intertwines history, culture and natural beauty.
Our journey starts from the "pearl of the Gargano", Vieste, where the crystal clear waters of the Adriatic lap golden beaches and majestic cliffs. The Gargano is not just a natural paradise, but a crossroads of cultures, where Hellenic influence permeates local architecture and culture, demonstrating a shared Mediterranean heritage.
Continuing towards the port of Bari, travelers can embark on destinations that embody living testimonies of the intertwining of cultures and histories: from Katakolon, a gateway to ancient Olympia, to Mykonos with its unmistakable white houses, up to Kusadasi, which offers a compelling immersion in antiquity through the ruins of Ephesus. Istanbul, a point of convergence between East and West, constitutes the pinnacle of this journey between cultures, while Corfu, with its emerald waters, closes the circle, taking us back to the heart of Hellas.
In a journey so rich in culture and history, connectivity plays a fundamental role. Smart tools likeeSIM Türkiye they allow travelers to stay connected seamlessly, maintaining their WhatsApp number and staying in touch with the world even when they are unable to access wi-fi networks.
Hellenic culture represents a bridge that connects southern Italy, Greece and Turkey, regions that, despite the geographical distance, share an ancient legacy of commercial, artistic and philosophical exchanges. The foundation of Greek cities in Puglia and the Byzantine presence in the lower Adriatic have left an indelible mark, visible in religious practices, sacred art and popular traditions that still survive today, such as the griko in Salento, testimony to a past where the sea united rather than divided.
After the collapse of the Roman Empire, figures such as Basil I the Macedonian made significant efforts to strengthen the Byzantine presence in Southern Italy, culminating in the reconquest of Bari and Taranto and the reintegration of the whole of Puglia into the Byzantine Empire. During this rule, Puglia saw the arrival of troops and refugees from different regions of the Empire, contributing to a rich cultural mix that profoundly influenced the region.
Crossing these lands is not only a physical journey but also an immersion in the stories handed down for generations. The legends of the Gargano are intertwined with those of ancient Greece, giving life to a mosaic of stories that resist the passage of time. The myth of Diomedes, the legendary Greek hero, still seems to dance in the forests of Gargano, while Saint Nicholas from the Turkish city of Myra is the beloved patron saint of Bari.
This fascinating journey from Puglia to Turkey is an immersion in a glorious past, offering a tangible experience of the common roots of the peoples washed by the waters of the Eastern Mediterranean. Each stage of this itinerary tells a story of interconnection and sharing of values, celebrating a thousand-year history that persists over the centuries. The ancient fusion between cultures is reflected in traditions, celebrations and customs, making this journey a living testimony of unity through diversity.
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