Athens doesn't live in the past. Glamorous and forward-looking, it blends galleries, gelaterias, bijoux boutiques, and museums with the wonders of the Acropolis and Parthenon. Wander lively streets and markets, dance at bouzoukia, sing in tavernas, then head to the harbour for dimly lit bars and cold beer. With salty air and fishing boats setting out at dawn, Athens feels both ancient and progressive.

Sail into Santorini when others leave. Romantic and exuberant, explore one of the world's most enchanting islands: whitewashed cliffside houses, paved paths, sugar-white and black beaches, terracotta cliffs, blue-domed churches, an active volcano, and the caldera between Oia and Fira. Cruise sapphire seas, taste local wine and fresh seafood, shop boutiques, then end with a moonlit hilltop dinner and the world-famous sunset.

Discover Valletta, Malta's tiny capital and master of restoration, behind honey-hued fortifications. Step back through hand-carved shelters, subterranean tombs and stone-age temples; uncover war secrets beneath limestone streets; skim Grand Harbour in a dghajsa; and explore museums of art and the "Fat Lady." Beyond history, enjoy lively bars, Michelin-starred Maltese cuisine, and diving on wrecks.

If Sicilians do everything better, Messina is pure mastery: a finer cathedral, a taller bell tower, and a more magnificent astronomical clock. Its fountains are more fabulous, with mythological figures and a sea god statue. Nearby villages offer stunning "The Godfather" filming sites, and wineries thrive in fertile lava fields. End in Taormina, home of the magnificent Greek Theatre, or hike, heli, and summit Mount Etna. Messina is built to impress.

Naples, between Mount Vesuvius and the Phlegraean Fields, is rich in history and Italian culture. See Baroque churches, Renaissance palazzi, and Neoclassical opera houses; ride the funicular to Castel Sant'Elmo for views over the Bay of Naples, Sorrento Peninsula, and Amalfi Coast. Explore the city's underground tunnels, and visit nearby Pompeii, Herculaneum, or Capri.

Rome is more than ancient architecture: it offers hidden gems, fashion, street art, Vespa rides to the Appian Way, and coins tossed into fountains. Visit the Vatican's Sistine Chapel and private quarters by appointment, plus the Colosseum, Caravaggio churches, the Spanish Steps, and the Pantheon. Make pasta, hunt truffles, enjoy gelato and coffee, or unwind in a 3,000-year-old pool. In Rome, old and new blend so you can indulge in it all.

Discover Florence, Tuscany's capital of culture and home of Michelangelo. Explore Renaissance masterpieces at the Uffizi, visit the terracotta-tiled Duomo, and wander the serene Boboli Gardens. At sunset, cross the Ponte Vecchio and savor a refined Tuscan red while reflecting on the Medici legacy.

Villefranche-sur-Mer, a jewel on the Côte d'Azur, charms with pastel houses, flowers, and provincial scenes. Set on a sapphire harbour, it offers the Corniche by Plage des Marinières, a crescent of soft sand on the Mediterranean. Visit its chapels and centuries-old citadel for views of Cap Ferrat, then explore nearby walled towns: art-focused St-Paul-de-Vence and picturesque Èze, once admired by Walt Disney.

Barcelona blends vibrant energy with Catalan tradition: explore the Gothic Quarter and Gaudí's architecture, enjoy tapas and cava in plazas and cafés, relax at the beach, shop along Passeig de Gràcia, and end the night in bohemian bars on La Rambla. A stylish city full of character.

At the meeting point of Europe and Africa, Ceuta is shaped by centuries of exchange. Stroll palm-lined promenades and lively plazas where Spanish, Moorish, and Mediterranean influences meet. See the Royal Walls and surrounding waters, or follow coastal paths along two seas. Markets glow with color and flavor, while the Strait of Gibraltar shimmers nearby. In Ceuta, cultures converge and every step feels like a crossing between worlds.

The Hassan II Mosque rises like a lighthouse over Casablanca's port, with a 690-ft minaret. Africa's largest mosque is one of only two in Morocco open to non-Muslims, showcasing mosaics, marble columns and 50 Murano glass chandeliers. Casablanca blends tradition and modernity: the Habous Quartier's French colonial Art Deco, whitewashed Moorish houses, alleys, souks and olive markets meet cosmopolitan nightlife, restaurants and Parisian-style cafés.

The Hassan II Mosque rises like a lighthouse over Casablanca's port, with a 690-ft minaret. Africa's largest mosque is one of only two in Morocco open to non-Muslims, showcasing mosaics, marble columns and 50 Murano glass chandeliers. Casablanca blends tradition and modernity: the Habous Quartier's French colonial Art Deco, whitewashed Moorish houses, alleys, souks and olive markets meet cosmopolitan nightlife, restaurants and Parisian-style cafés.

Artist César Manrique put Arrecife on the map. See his eclectic works in underground caverns, murals, and his former home in Tahíche, or visit contemporary gallery MIAC and Jason deCaires Taylor's underwater sculptures. Explore Timanfaya's spectral volcanic landscape by 4x4, and catch year-round waves at Playa de Famara, where beginners and pros alike can surf.

Fuerteventura blends ocean and desert: volcanic scenery surrounds former-capital Betancuria and the photogenic stacked stones of Santa María Church. Northward, wind-sculpted hills lead to Corralejo Natural Park's dunes, rust-red peaks, and turquoise shores. On the quieter west coast, clifftop trails reveal black sand beaches and blue seas, ending at the ocean-carved Ajuy Caves.

Set against volcanic hills and Atlantic light, San Sebastián de La Gomera is a place of quiet beauty and historic significance. From this harbour, Christopher Columbus once sailed for the New World, and echoes of that legacy remain in its churches and whitewashed streets. Beyond the town lie lush valleys, dramatic cliffs, and the laurel forests of Garajonay National Park. Here, history and nature meet in a landscape shaped by time, wind, and ocean.

Funchal's ancient streets tumble down the hills. Ride the cable car to Monte Palace's exotic gardens, where peacocks roam above the Atlantic. Descend in a wicker sleigh guided by Carreriros in white and straw hats, a tradition since the mid-1800s. Sip amber Madeira overlooking Praça do Município, then explore lush cloud forests, hiking trails, and black-sand beaches below jungle-covered cliffs.

Funchal's ancient streets tumble down the hills. Ride the cable car to Monte Palace's exotic gardens, where peacocks roam above the Atlantic. Descend in a wicker sleigh guided by Carreriros in white and straw hats, a tradition since the mid-1800s. Sip amber Madeira overlooking Praça do Município, then explore lush cloud forests, hiking trails, and black-sand beaches below jungle-covered cliffs.

Enjoy Lisbon's rich buzz and strong architectural, cultural, and historical ties. Wander cobbled streets, colourful buildings, the river Sado, and nature. Visit Fatima, hill villages, learn Portuguese cooking, and hear Lisbon blues. Escape to Cascais for quiet beaches. Soak up the light and enjoy petiscos and fado.

Enjoy Lisbon's rich buzz and strong architectural, cultural, and historical ties. Wander cobbled streets, colourful buildings, the river Sado, and nature. Visit Fatima, hill villages, learn Portuguese cooking, and hear Lisbon blues. Escape to Cascais for quiet beaches. Soak up the light and enjoy petiscos and fado.

The Rock of Gibraltar rises like a sentinel at the Mediterranean entrance, facing its African counterpart across the Strait. From the summit, Morocco shimmers beyond, dolphins can be seen below, and centuries-old tunnels, UNESCO-listed caves, old batteries, and panoramic lookouts recall its long military history. A cable car reaches the top, where Barbary macaques still roam.

Enjoy the epitome of Spanish charm. Slowly discover Andalusian riches to reveal Picasso's birthplace, the Alhambra in Granada, Mezquita in Cordoba and the Ronda valley. Explore ancient heritage sites, dance the flamenco, dare to hike the Caminito del Rey trail and delve into white villages sprinkled amongst mango groves and avocado orchards. Sip cocktails by day and sangria by night. And as you watch the sun slip down, reflect upon this gateway of delights.

Alicante blends blue-domed cathedrals, cobbled lanes and leafy plazas, and opens onto Costa Blanca beaches, mountains and medieval villages. Stroll El Barrio for tapas and turrón, climb to Santa Cruz's whitewashed houses on Mount Benacantil, and visit the 1,000-year-old Castel de la Santa Bàrbara for sweeping Mediterranean views and the palm-fringed Explanada de España.

Ibiza's magnetic vibe blends relaxed island life with nature and nightlife. Visit Las Salinas, enjoy paella and sangria, browse boutiques, and unwind at fincas, pine valleys, orange groves, almond trees, and orchards. Retreat to spas for yoga, massage, and healing, or relax at private beach events. By night, bars and clubs host world-class DJs. Warm, easy-going, and inspiring, Ibiza has long drawn artists, writers, gurus, and beatniks-some never leave.

Barcelona blends vibrant energy with Catalan tradition: explore the Gothic Quarter and Gaudí's architecture, enjoy tapas and cava in plazas and cafés, relax at the beach, shop along Passeig de Gràcia, and end the night in bohemian bars on La Rambla. A stylish city full of character.