Docking in Civitavecchia puts you just 90 minutes from Rome, a city of legends where history and myth meet. From the Colosseum and Pantheon to the Trevi Fountain and Villa Borghese, every corner tells a story. From St. Peter's Basilica to the Sistine Chapel, Rome's monuments reflect emperors, philosophers, and artists. A city of cinema and la dolce vita, Rome is an experience. Extend it with a stay at Orient Express La Minerva, an elegant retreat in a historic palace.

Ischia is a secluded volcanic island in the Gulf of Naples, prized by wealthy Neapolitans for its celebrated hot springs. Emerald hills, crystalline bays, medieval strongholds, citrus and olive groves, and flower-filled hamlets create a refined haven of natural beauty and mineral-rich wines.

From the sea, Capri's dramatic coastline appears: cliffs, caves, and, in the right light, vineyards and gardens. Long a magnet for the world's elite-Rilke, Wilde, Cocteau, Taylor, Kennedy-Capri dazzles with the blue Grotta Azzurra, the piazzetta's whitewashed houses and luxury boutiques, the Malaparte villa, and Anacapri, refuge to Moravia and Greene. There are many reasons to fall in love with Capri; yours will be one.

From the sea, Capri's dramatic coastline appears: cliffs, caves, and, in the right light, vineyards and gardens. Long a magnet for the world's elite-Rilke, Wilde, Cocteau, Taylor, Kennedy-Capri dazzles with the blue Grotta Azzurra, the piazzetta's whitewashed houses and luxury boutiques, the Malaparte villa, and Anacapri, refuge to Moravia and Greene. There are many reasons to fall in love with Capri; yours will be one.

Lipari, the largest and liveliest island in the UNESCO-listed Aeolian archipelago, rises from the Tyrrhenian Sea in volcanic splendor. Shaped by ancient eruptions, it has pumice cliffs, obsidian flows, black soil, vineyards, capers, and rosemary-scented air. In Lipari Town, whitewashed lanes lead to the ancient citadel, with Greek, Roman, and Norman remains. Rugged beauty and clear shores give it timeless allure.

Near Taormina on Sicily's coast, Giardini Naxos traces its history to 700 BC as an ancient Greek colony. Visit the archaeological park for temples, statues, and echoes of its past; arrive by sea and see the statue of Nike, with medieval Schisò Castle above. It also offers golden beaches and crystal-clear waters for a seaside retreat.

Syracuse, on Sicily's Ionian coast, is a city of myth, history, and timeless beauty. From Archimedes' "Eureka!" to its elegant architecture, the past feels alive here. See the Fountain of Arethusa, the walls of Castello Maniace, and the baroque splendor of Piazza Duomo. Nearby, Neapolis Archaeological Park reveals Syracuse's Greek heritage with its great theater and ancient ruins.

Valletta, Malta's capital, is a small UNESCO World Heritage gem of the Mediterranean. At the city gates, Renzo Piano's modern Parliament opens into history. Inside are St. John's Co-Cathedral, with the tombstones of 374 Knights of Malta and a richly baroque interior, plus the Grandmaster's Palace, Casa Rocca Piccola, and Upper Barrakka Gardens. Valletta blends beauty, history, and wonder at every turn.