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.

Enjoy the exquisite Provençal countryside beyond the resort, with charming villages, narrow stepped streets, lovely churches, and stunning views. Visit a local winery or drive along the rugged coast for landscapes, beaches, islands, and the Massif des Maures. Browse elegant boutiques for French perfume, fine jewelry, fashion, and leather goods. Try local lobster with chilled white wine or lavender ice cream.

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.

Leave town to discover five stunning, colorful cliffside towns on the coast. Hike the trail linking them or take a boat tour to see them from the water. Go ashore to explore a picturesque town and its castle, or visit Porto Venere, a colorful harbor town with breathtaking views and the Church of San Pietro. Once a playground and inspiration for poets from Dante to Byron and Shelley.

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.

Discover Reggio Calabria, where the Ionian Sea meets the Aspromonte. Explore hillside villages, sunlit vineyards, and authentic Calabrian cuisine rooted in tradition. Walk the elegant Lungomare Falcomatà and visit the Museo Nazionale to see the Bronzi di Riace, famed ancient Greek sculptures. Tour the Aragonese Castle and uncover the city's deeper history, from Norman roots to even older origins.

Visit this lovely town's 11th-century cathedral with Roman artifacts and Punic burials, then drive the Costa Smeralda for cliffs, grottoes, beaches and emerald waters. Explore Nuraghic ruins, shop for handwoven rugs, baskets, chests, silk shawls and filigree jewelry, and try mussels, lobster in wine, and seadas with honey.

Sorrento is one of the world's most beautiful towns, with breathtaking coastal views and rich history dating back to the 11th century BC. Overlooking the Bay of Naples, it is a key point on the Sorrentine Peninsula and a top destination in Campania. Also plan a day trip to Capri, one of Italy's most celebrated islands, known for its natural beauty.

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.

Spend a day exploring the fabulous ruins of ancient Pompeii and Herculaneum with their stunning temples, frescoes and mosaics. Explore fascinating Naples and its famed museums, visit charming Sorrento or take a boat trip to the beautiful Isle of Capri.

Messina, Sicily's third-largest city, was a key medieval port for knights heading to the Crusades. Though extensively rebuilt, it still has major landmarks, especially the cathedral with its unusual astronomical clock, the 12th-century Catania Church, and the ornate Teatro Vittorio Emanuele. It's also a starting point for day trips to Mt. Etna's Crateri Silvestri.

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.

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.

Korcula is one of Croatia's most picturesque and less crowded islands, filled with olive groves, vineyards, and quaint villages. It is famed as Marco Polo's birthplace, so many places there bear his name. The town center offers romantic sea views, while sunseekers can take a trip to Orebic across the Peljeski Channel for a wide sandy beach or visit nearby Badija Island and its Franciscan monastery.

Koper charms with its marina, red-tiled roofs, seaside cafes, and old Venetian mansions from its days as a jewel of Venice's overseas empire. Around Titov Square, see the Praetorian Palace in Venetian Gothic style. Nearby excursions include the UNESCO-listed Škocjan Caves or a trip through the Slovenian countryside to Ljubljana, ending with a river cruise past picturesque historic buildings.

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.