Vista’s Inaugural Season: Top 10 Off-the-Beaten-Path Destinations

Ahead of Vista’s much-anticipated Inaugural Season, we’re spotlighting some of the intriguing destinations she’ll be exploring this summer and fall. Vista’s Inaugural Voyages showcase a number of exciting, off-the-beaten-path destinations and rarely trodden shores across the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Canada, New England and beyond. Discover more about 10 off-the-beaten-path destinations featured in the Inaugural Season below, plus insider’s tips on how to make the most of your experience in each.

Bodrum, Turkey
There is a reason travelers flock to the Bodrum Peninsula, the most obvious being the pristine beaches, charming villages and sparkling resorts. Spend the day discovering the many other reasons for yourself as you explore Bodrum and beyond. After shopping for rugs, jewelry and artisan handcrafts in Bodrum’s Old Town, stop at an outdoor café for some Turkish coffee and firinda sütlaç, a delicious rice pudding. Then gain a deeper understanding of the region’s history by observing ancient artifacts found in the ruins of sunken ships at the Museum of Underwater Archaeology or exploring archaeological treasures in the ancient town of Milas.

Insider’s Tip: In Milas, not far from Bodrum, shop for carpets that have been internationally renowned for centuries. Then compare the Mausoleum of Hecatomnus, dating from the 4th century BC, to a Roman tomb dating from the 2nd century AD.

Kavala/Philippi, Greece
Kavala and neighboring Philippi have many stories to tell. Early in the 7th century BC, mining was the principal activity here. In AD 49, the Apostle Paul established the first Christian church on European soil in Philippi. The Ottomans took over for a time, and then Kavala became a center for the Greek tobacco industry in the late 1800s. The one constant during these centuries of change was the fishermen, who have for all of those years headed out every morning in small boats with worn nets to ply their trade. Tip your hat to these stalwarts at the wharf before heading out to explore the rich past of Kavala and Philippi.

Insider’s Tip: Two streets in Kavala are home to shops stocked full of local products – Venizelou and Omonia. Browse for olive oil and honey, ceramics with traditional Greek designs, and leather goods like handbags, wallets, belts and sandals.

Salerno, Italy
Just east of Italy’s legendary Amalfi Coast, Salerno is within proximity of a bevy of beautiful locales, including Amalfi, Positano, Naples and more. Head northwest to explore the eerie and moving ruins at Pompeii Archaeological Park. Or follow the coastline west and head into the hills to visit Villa Rufolo, an ancient estate with remarkable gardens overlooking the sea in picturesque Ravello. If you don’t feel like driving, take a boat cruise to admire the head-turning natural beauty of the Amalfi Coast. Or stay in Salerno, which offers its own charms, including an impressive cathedral, fortress ruins and a lovely seaside promenade.

Insider’s Tip: Be awed by the hillside setting of Ravello, a UNESCO World Heritage site overlooking the turquoise Gulf of Salerno. Just an hour’s drive from Salerno – and a jaw-droppingly beautiful drive along the Amalfi Coast at that – it’s the perfect spot to order a classic frutti di mare and a glass of wine as a nice breeze ruffles the bougainvillea.

Killybegs, Ireland
Donegal’s scenic fishing village, Killybegs is situated in a region marked by natural beauty and rich in Celtic heritage. Discover thatched Irish cottages and picturesque Gaeltacht villages, not to mention super fresh seafood and beautiful stretches of coastline with Blue Flag beaches. Get a sense of the town’s history and see the world’s largest hand-knotted loom at the former factory of Donegal Carpets, now known as Killybegs International Carpet Making & Fishing Centre. Nature lovers will want to head to hiking trails of dramatic Slieve League Mountains just west of Killybegs – those up for the adventure will be rewarded with stunning views of Donegal Bay, local wildlife and some of the highest sea cliffs in Europe.

Insider’s Tip: The perfect place to shop for an Irish keepsake is Wild Atlantic Crafts, located in the heart of Killybegs. It features a collection of locally sourced crafts, and the handmade items range from art and jewelry to knitwear and even lamps made from reclaimed driftwood.

Stornoway (Hebrides), Scotland
White-sand beaches melt into cerulean seas, thatched-roof croft houses dot the landscape, massive stones carry 5,000-year-old secrets and well over half of the locals speak Gaelic. Exploring Stornoway and the Outer Hebrides, you will feel far removed from the heart of Scotland – both geographically and culturally – because you are. You’ll find the uniqueness of these islands alive and well in a restored crofting village and in the coveted Stornoway black pudding, which enjoys the same protected status as Champagne and Cornish pasties. The icing on the cake is Scottish tablet, a chocolate-free fudge perfected by Hebridean confectioners.

Insider’s Tip: Get an authentic experience of life in a crofting township on a tour of Blackhouse Village near Stornoway. See traditional activities like weaving and tour the meticulously restored buildings with distinctive thatched roofs.

Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts
Only seven miles off the Massachusetts mainland, Martha’s Vineyard has long been an escape for New Englanders and others who want an attitude adjustment. On this island thought to be named after the infant daughter of an English explorer in 1602, you won’t find any wineries, but you will experience a lovely, laid-back atmosphere that draws the rich and famous who want to dial life down to relaxation mode for a bit. Join them in exploring the island’s six small towns – Aquinnah, Chilmark, Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, Vineyard Haven and West Tisbury – and enjoy the beauty of the farms, forests and beaches that fill out the rest of the island tableau.

Insider’s Tip: Small farms dot the western and northern sides of Martha’s Vineyard, and many sell their products to the public. Buy items like hand-knit sweaters made from local sheep’s wool or look for olive oil, honey and sea salt.

Saint-Pierre, Saint Pierre & Miquelon
When you check the price on that bottle of French Champagne and find it in euros, you may wonder if your ship has gone off course. But fear not. You’ve arrived in France’s last foothold in North America. And when in France, do as the French do: sip fine wines and enjoy brie with baguettes fresh from the oven. Still, even as the Citroëns cruise the narrow streets, you’ll find Saint-Pierre inextricably linked to America, for the island became a smuggler’s haven during Prohibition. Uncover the region’s storied past in local museums and historic sites, or cruise the archipelago for a look at the natural beauty of these windswept islands.

Insider’s Tip: You don’t have to travel all the way to France to find your favorite French wines and gourmet foods. In the shops of Saint-Pierre, you can find local delicacies like goat cheese and foie gras as well as jewelry and handcrafts.

Shelburne, Nova Scotia
When you arrive in Shelburne, you’ll feel as though you’ve stepped onto a movie set for a period piece, so beautifully preserved is the historic waterfront and so picture-perfect the sailboats bobbing in the harbor. Though The Scarlet Letter was filmed here over two decades ago, this town is for real, and if you explore its historic sites and museums, you’ll learn about one of the largest communities of British Loyalists and Black Loyalists founded after the American Revolution. Venture outside Shelburne and you’ll find beaches that rival the Caribbean, UNESCO-protected forests, and North America’s best example of a British colonial settlement.

Insider’s Tip: Visit Lunenburg, just northeast of Shelburne, to discover colorful historic buildings, many from the 1700s. You’ll quickly see why this picturesque UNESCO site is called the best example of a British colonial settlement in North America.

Corinto, Nicaragua
You might begin your visit to Corinto with a stroll through the Parque Central to sample the city’s renowned seafood, but the smoldering volcanoes and historic cities in the distance will likely beckon you to explore beyond the town. Cerro Negro is one of the world’s more accessible volcanoes, while the ruins of 16th-century León Viejo are a UNESCO World Heritage site that also attract many visitors. The more modern – yet still centuries old – city of León has its own UNESCO site in its dazzling cathedral. Wander the colorful city streets decorated with lion statues and mural art left over from the revolution.

Insider’s Tip: You’ll find tasty steak, pork and chicken dishes at the local restaurants in Corinto. But it’s lobster, shrimp and fish prepared in soups – or fried, stuffed, grilled or marinated in lime – that locals rave about.

La Coruña, Spain
If you’ve never seen the incredibly ornate Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, you may be eager to rush off to the famed pilgrimage site, less than an hour from La Coruña, as soon as your ship docks. But you’ll find plenty to entertain you if you stay in town. Known as the Crystal City, La Coruña’s harbor sparkles with multistory modernist buildings fronted with glass-enclosed balconies. Stroll past the waterfront and into the past of medieval architecture, Romanesque churches and quaint cafés in the Ciudad Vieja. Return to the present at the first Zara store ever opened and the house of Amancio Ortega, uber-rich founder of the fashion brand.

Insider’s Tip: If you only try one local dish in La Coruña (which, to be clear, would be a shame), make it pulpo gallego. Prepared simply with olive oil and paprika, this delicious Galician octopus is perfectly complemented by a crisp albariño wine.

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