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.

Trieste is a treasure on a historic frontier of cultures, nestled on the Slovenian border and returned to Italy in 1954. Wealth from trade shaped its grand piazzas and striking architecture, and the Bora wind blows fiercely in winter. Visit Piazza Unità d'Italia, the central square by the sea, sip coffee in Italy's coffee capital, stroll the Canale Grande, see Neptune's fountain at Piazza della Borsa, and don't miss Miramare Castle, Trieste Cathedral, and the old town below.

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.

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.

Valletta, on Malta's Sciberras Peninsula, is a compact Baroque capital ringed by massive defensive walls. Built by the Knights of St John, it holds grand palaces, churches, and the flower-filled Upper Barrakka Gardens, where noon cannon fire echoes across the harbor. St John's Cathedral hides a lavish gold interior and a Caravaggio. Nearby are Mdina's car-free medieval streets, the Hypogeum and Tarxien, and Fort St Elmo. Malta gained independence in 1964 but still shows strong British ties.

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.