From Fusina, journey to Venice, where you'll witness the Grand Canal, lined with enchanting Renaissance architecture. Art lovers can visit the Peggy Guggenheim Collection or the Doge's Palace, a Gothic masterpiece. Savor Venetian cuisine at a traditional trattoria, sampling fresh local dishes. History enthusiasts can also peruse St Mark's Basilica, a marvelous 18th-century cathedral adorned with sculptures, mosaics and bas-reliefs representing Italian sophistication.

Split is the largest Croatian city on the Adriatic coast. It is famous for Diocletian's Palace, built as the Roman emperor's retirement home; its stone structure, grounds, and cellars are a major highlight. Other sights include the Cathedral of St. Duje, on the remains of an ancient shrine said to be the world's oldest, and the Mestrovic Gallery, featuring works by Croatian sculptor Ivan Mestrovic in his former home and atelier.

Known as the "Pearl of the Adriatic," Dubrovnik was founded in the 7th century by a group of refugees from Epidaurum (today's Cavtat). It is known worldwide for its unique marble-paved squares, tall houses, steep-cobbled streets and fountains. The city walls, once used to as protection against its enemies, now keep motorists at bay in this picturesque town. UNESCO named the Old City a World Heritage Site, and Dubrovnik's beautiful historic sites have been restored to their former glory.

Legendary Corfu is a lush and romantic island, written about by Homer in his famous Odyssey. The island's history is full of battles, indicative of Corfu's turbulent position that lasted until modern times with unification with modern Greece in 1864. Corfu offers a combination of cosmopolitan and time-honored Greece. As well as a flower-strewn countryside and Adriatic-style villages, Corfu has splendid coastal scenery and some excellent secluded beaches.

Discover charming Argostoli, rising from a turquoise bay beside white limestone hills, with colorful fishing boats, a lively open-air market, and a relaxed atmosphere. Visit the archaeological museum for Mycenaean artifacts, see the Venetian St. George's Castle (16th century) in nearby Kastro, and stroll Vallianos Square for local gifts like thyme honey, gold and silver jewelry, leather goods, and Robola Taoussi white wine.

Monemvasia's Old Town sits on a monolithic island nicknamed the "Gibraltar of the East," a natural fortress that preserved it through time. Cross a narrow causeway to the only entrance to this carefully restored medieval walled town. Wander its car-free cobblestone alleys for a rare glimpse of Greece untouched by time and tourism, then dine with a view on local specialties like fresh pasta, cheese pies, and malvasia, its famed sweet wine.

Piraeus is the gateway to Athens, the "Cradle of Western Civilization," famed for its lasting cultural and political influence. Driven by tourism and the 2004 Olympics, Greece has redeveloped many sites. Athens remains a historian's delight, with the Acropolis, Parthenon, Plaka's winding streets, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Temple of Athena Nike, and the Archaeological Museum's renowned ancient artifacts.

Malta's capital and major port, Valletta was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980. Highlights include the 19th-century Mosta Dome, San Anton Palace Gardens in Attard, Lija and Balzan, and the sea views from Dingli Cliffs. Valletta also makes a good base for day trips to Mdina, with St. John's Baroque Cathedral, and Rabat, once part of Roman Melita, with its archaeological sites.

Mallorca, also known as Majorca, is a wind-swept island with steep jagged cliffs and olive groves more than a thousand years old. Mallorca is an island of contrasts. To the south is a busy tourist area with hotels, bars, restaurants, shopping and dazzling night life. To the north are rocky valleys, sleepy villages shrouded in bougainvillea, and breathtaking views. Palma is dominated by the breathtaking Gothic Cathedral, located high above the waterfront on the site of a former mosque.

One of Europe's most visually stunning cities, Barcelona balances the medieval intimacy of its Gothic Quarter with the grace and distinction of the wide boulevards in the Moderniste Eixample. It was the home of architect Antoni Gaudí, whose Sagrada Familia Cathedral, Park Güell and Casa Milà are the most profound statements of Modernisme. View the splendid works at the Picasso Museum and the Miro Foundation, or discover Barcelona's passionate ambiance at a flamenco show.

Experience Costa Brava and understand why Salvador Dalí and others have long been inspired by its beaches and coves. Spend a day in the warm sand of La Fosca or learning about the history of this fishing village in Museu de la Pesca or simply taking in the Mediterranean air while walking down the promenade. Just an hour north of the city, you can visit the extraordinary Dalí Theatre-Museum in Figueres. The museum holds works done from his adolescence to the last years of his life.

Explore glamorous Cannes: majestic hotels, millionaires, movie stars, mega-yachts, and a sparkling Mediterranean setting. Stroll the palm-lined Boulevard de la Croisette, browse haute couture and antiques, enjoy cocktails or lunch at grand hotels and cafés, visit gardens and parks, then hike to Le Suquet for coffee and sweeping harbor views.

Tiny but packed with fun, Monte Carlo blends history, beauty, entertainment, and leisure. Monaco's wealthiest district, it's known as the international capital of luxury, with celebrity sightings, casinos, and nightlife. Yet its old-world charm remains in art and architecture: palaces, cathedrals, and museums in a historic old town. Don't miss the daily changing of the guard and the public areas of the Palais du Prince, home to the royal family and once to Grace Kelly.

Picturesquely set in a narrow cove, this tiny port is famed for its beautiful setting, mild climate, and lush vegetation. Crowded around a small harbor, it is among the most beautiful Mediterranean ports and a longtime haunt of the wealthy, artists, and actors. Don't miss Chiesa di San Giorgio and Castello Brown with its garden and harbor views.

Livorno in Tuscany is a gateway to Florence and Pisa. From the 13th to 16th centuries, Renaissance freedom inspired Dante, Donatello, Michelangelo, Giotto, Botticelli, da Vinci, and Machiavelli. In Florence, see the Galleria dell'Accademia and Michelangelo's David, plus the Uffizi, Italy's famed art gallery. Visit Pisa's Campo dei Miracoli, Siena's medieval charm, and Lucca, where you can bike through the Tuscan countryside.

Rome offers endless choices: enjoy street performers at the Spanish Steps, wine and people-watching in colorful Trastevere, or the city's rich history and architecture. St. Peter's Basilica is a full-day visit, with the Sistine Chapel and panoramic views from the dome. Don't miss the Trevi Fountain, the Colosseum, and Aventine Hill, which overlooks the Imperial Palaces ruins and the Circus Maximus.