Monte Carlo offers old-world glitz and modern luxury in tiny Monaco: superyachts, champagne bars, high-end shops, casinos, opera, and palatial hotels. Famous for low taxes and the Formula One Grand Prix through its tight streets, it's a playground of the rich and famous. Don't miss the Royal Palace, the cathedral where Grace Kelly married in 1956, the old town, and the historic fortress.

Saint-Tropez is the glitzy Riviera resort of A-listers, yachts, and fine dining, its glamour boosted by Brigitte Bardot. Beaches and bright light still attract artists, while Quai Jean Jaurès, rue François Sibilli, and Place des Lices mix harbor views, luxury shopping, and pétanque. Pampelonne Beach draws the crowds; La Ponche keeps its old fishing-quarter charm. Above town, the 17th-century citadel and Cap Camarat lighthouse overlook the sparkling Mediterranean.

Ajaccio, Napoléon Bonaparte's island birthplace, is rich in history and charm, with statues, boulevards, and a relaxed Mediterranean vibe. Set between blue sea and snow-capped peaks, it offers the National Bonaparte Museum in his birth house, the Cathedral Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption with his baptismal font, nearby Îles Sanguinaires, and Plage de Capo di Feno. Try wild boar in red wine, lobster, fiadone cheesecake, and Corsican polyphony.

Encircled by dramatic medieval walls above deep-blue waters, Alghero is one of Sardinia's most spectacular old towns. Its cobbled streets, rich history and strong Catalan influence give it great character, while nearby Coral Riviera beaches add to its appeal. Explore the fortified old town, Alghero Cathedral and the Baroque dome of Chiesa di San Michele, then enjoy seafood, porcetto, mirto and pecorino. Relax at Spiaggia di Maria Pia, with pine-scented breezes and coral-rich shores.

Portofino is an exclusive, glamorous town on the Italian Riviera, set on a protected peninsula. Its harbour fills with yachts, while pastel waterfronts, stone streets, and terrace bars create an elegant atmosphere. Surrounded by green hills, vineyards, and olive groves, it's best enjoyed by boat or from the Piazzetta with aperitivo. Highlights include Ligurian wine, focaccia con il formaggio, San Giorgio, and the white lighthouse at the tip of the headland.

Livorno, a historic port and beachy gateway to Tuscany, offers sunset views from Terrazza Mascagni, canals in "Little Venice," markets, fortresses and waterfront charm. From there, explore Tuscany's vineyards and Bolgheri wineries, Prato's textile heritage, Pisa's tower, and Florence's art-filled wonders: Michelangelo's David, the Duomo, and Piazzale Michelangelo.

Rome is one of the world's most thrilling cities, with unmatched history around every corner. Its streets mix ancient ruins with lively cafés, piazzas, and restaurants serving pasta and pizza. Highlights include the Roman Forum, Colosseum, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Vatican City, and the Spanish Steps. Best explored on foot, gelato or espresso in hand, Rome offers a powerful blend of grandeur, beauty, and everyday life.

Sorrento's sun-faded facades spill from green hills to the Bay of Naples, making it a great base for the Amalfi Coast and Capri. Yet the town itself has rustic charm: Piazza Tasso, Corso Italia, San Francesco's cloisters, and small beaches and harbours. Nearby, Vesuvius and Pompeii recall ancient destruction and the frozen casts of its victims. Finish with Neapolitan pizza, local wines like Taurasi and Lacryma Christi, and limoncello.

Perched above the sparkling Tyrrhenian coast in southern Italy, Agropoli charms with its medieval old town, narrow lanes and sweeping sea views. This laid-back gateway to the Cilento region offers a taste of authentic Campania, where coastal scenery, traditional cuisine and nearby archaeological treasures combine for an appealing shore visit.

Dubrovnik, Croatia's walled "Pearl of the Adriatic," is a striking medieval fortress city rising from the sea. Its thick stone walls, old town, baroque churches, fountains and Stradun street have made it a filming location for Star Wars, Robin Hood and Game of Thrones. Once a maritime republic and still scarred by the 1991 siege, it now offers wall walks, Lovrijenac and Srđ views, beaches like Banje, great seafood, and trips to Lokrum.

Split, on the sunny Dalmatian Coast, is a romantic Adriatic city built around Diocletian's Palace, a vast Roman monument and living historic heart. Beyond its stone walls, the old town mixes bars, restaurants and quiet corners. Highlights include St Domnius Cathedral, the palm-lined seafront, Marjan Hill, Sustipan, nearby Hvar and Brač, Krka's waterfalls, and UNESCO-listed Trogir.

Koper, Slovenia's oldest town, blends Venetian old-town charm with a sunny Istrian port vibe. Once an island, it was linked to the mainland in 1825 and is now the country's main port. At its heart is Tito Square, the Cathedral of Assumption with its 1664 bell tower, and cobbled Čevljarska Ulica with shops, bars, and restaurants. Nearby Ljubljana offers parks, boulevards, and the Ljubljana River, while Bled Castle rises from a tiny island on an alpine lake.

Venice is a timeless floating city of canals, bridges and masks, where a lagoon of 100+ islands invites you to travel through history. Drift by gondola or vaporetto past the Grand Canal and the Rialto Bridge, then slip into quiet side streets away from the crowds. In Piazza San Marco, see St Mark's Basilica, the Campanile and the Doge's Palace, linked by the Bridge of Sighs. Take island trips to Murano for glass, Torcello for cathedrals, and Burano for lace and bright painted houses.