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.

Zadar, Croatia's "Capital of Cool," blends Roman, Venetian, Austrian, French and Italian influences with a lively festival scene and easy access to beaches and waterfalls. Explore the old town's stone gates and marble streets, St Donatus Church, and Zadar Cathedral, then shop the market or walk to Kolovare Beach. Nearby day trips include Kornati National Park and Plitvice Lakes. Don't miss the Sea Organ and the Sun Salutation, best at sunset.

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.

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.

Bari, Puglia's historic port and Adriatic gateway, offers a glimpse of everyday life in Italy's unpretentious south. Stroll Bari Vecchia's crooked lanes, past pasta-making doorways and old men playing cards, then see the Cattedrale di San Sabino and the seafront Lungomare. Eat focaccia, orecchiette, olive oil and ricotta. Use Bari as a base for Lecce, Alberobello's trulli, Salento's beaches, Matera's caves, and Polignano a Mare's dramatic beach.

Kotor, Montenegro, is a fortified old town set between Lovćen mountain and the Adriatic at the end of the Bay of Kotor, Europe's southernmost fjord. A UNESCO World Heritage site, it has Venetian-era stone streets, terracotta roofs, cathedral towers, and thick walls. Quieter and often more authentic than Dubrovnik, it's known for cats, the maritime museum, cafés, and the 1,350-step climb to St John's Fortress for sweeping bay views.

Giardini Naxos, on a sweeping Sicilian bay, is a scenic base for sun, sea, and history. It was Sicily's first Greek settlement, with nearby Taormina's hillside town, Roman and Greek ruins, and the famous Greek theatre overlooking the sea and Mount Etna. Etna, one of Europe's most active volcanoes, rises over vineyards, lava fields, cacti, and citrus groves. Enjoy the beach, the views, and a glass of local wine.

Palermo, Sicily's capital, is a fiery, authentic cultural powerhouse. Tree-lined streets, markets, piazzas, baroque domes, and lemon trees give it layered charm, while cannoli, fresh fish, and granita al limone showcase its food. A patchwork of cultures shaped this "most conquered" city, where neglected streets open onto grand cathedrals and palaces. Don't miss Palermo Cathedral, the Norman Palace and Royal Chapel, the opera house, nearby medieval villages, or Mondello's white-sand beach.

Revel in one of the world's most splendid bays in Naples, Italy. Hop on our luxurious cruise and enjoy this city's outstanding attractions such as the Royal Palace, San Carlos, Opera House, the Castel Nuevo and much more!

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.