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.

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.

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.

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.