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.

Discover chic Positano, with its relaxed sophistication, white Moorish-style houses on steep slopes, and a sparkling bay dotted with colorful fishing boats. Then visit enchanting Amalfi to see the 12th-century Capuchin monastery, the 11th-century Cathedral and cloister, and explore on your own. Browse Positano's boutiques for locally made cotton clothes or find souvenirs in Amalfi. Enjoy fresh seafood, pasta, pastries, and espresso in a stunning seaside mountain setting.

With archaeological sites like Selinunte and Segesta; the mountaintop medieval town of Erice, overlooking the Egadi archipelago; and nearby Marsala, with its House of Mosaics and renowned wine, Trapani lets visitors experience Sicily with all their senses. Don't miss a day trip through the scenic countryside to local olive farms, where cooking demonstrations become delicious repasts and lasting gastronomic memories.

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.

Kotor is a coastal town in Montenegro, located in a most secluded part of the Gulf of Kotor. The old port, surrounded by an impressive city wall built by the House of Nemanjicc, is very well preserved and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Numerous other attractions include the Cathedral of Saint Tryphon in the old town (built in 1166), and ancient walls which stretch directly above the city. Nightlife also attracts tourists to Kotor with pubs, taverns, cafes, and nightclubs.

Found on the northern Dalmatian coast of Croatia, Zadar is rich with thousands of years of history. Ruled at various times by the Romans, Ostrogoths, and Byzantium, the city became a center of commerce and naval power rivaling that of Venice. Today, Zadar's history, culture, and architecture draw visitors from around the world, as does Plitvice National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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.