Nice's sweeping blue bay still enchants visitors with sun, sea and sophistication. Elegant boulevards, grand buildings, parks and floral displays give the city timeless charm, while the Promenade des Anglais offers a spectacular seafront walk. The old town, flower market on Cours Saleya, Italian influence, Russian Orthodox church, and Colline du Château views all add to Nice's allure.

Marseille, France's second-biggest and sunniest city, offers authenticity and cultural depth over Côte d'Azur glamour. A hub of museums and creativity, its highlights include Le Panier's flower-filled streets, Notre-Dame de la Garde, the zebra-striped Marseille Cathedral, and Palais Longchamp. Don't miss bouillabaisse, olive-oil soap, or Calanques National Park's cliffs, coves, and beaches.

Sete sits on a lagoon by the Mediterranean, with canals, the Canal du Midi ending here, and an August boating festival. Known as the Venice of Languedoc, it offers canal cruises, Mount St-Clair views, Chapel of Notre Dame de la Salette frescoes, fishing heritage, oysters and shellfish, beaches, golf, and nearby Aigues-Mortes and Carcassonne's fairy-tale citadel.

Midi-Pyrénées, France's largest region, stretches from the Dordogne to the Spanish border. Port-Vendres, on the Côte Vermeille just 10 miles (16 km) from Spain, peaked in the 19th century with colonial trade and ferries to North Africa. It's a cruise stop and base for visiting Carcassonne, Collioure, and Banyuls, known for sweet wine and as sculptor Aristide Maillol's birthplace.

Menorca, the quieter Balearic, moves at a mellow pace. Its capital, Mahón, sits on the Med's largest natural harbour and feels unspoiled thanks to UNESCO Biosphere protection. Expect pine-fringed beaches, hidden coves, old towns, fishing villages, wetlands and dunes rich in wildlife, plus fresh fish, an 3,000-pipe organ, scenic bike routes, golf, turquoise seas, and a pomada at sunset.

Mallorca is a rugged Spanish Mediterranean island known for cuisine, culture, and sunlit beaches. Palma de Mallorca, its capital, blends living history, bustling markets, cafes, promenades, and intense flavors. Its old town is cobbled and lively, with the great cathedral, Le Seu, and nearby La Almudaina fortress reflecting Moorish and royal history.

Porto Santo Stefano, on Monte Argentario in southern Tuscany, is a secluded seaside escape once favored by Rome's elite. Linked to the coast by two sandy strips, it has a lively waterfront, luxury yachts, beaches, wild hikes, and fresh seafood. Visit Piazza dei Rioni, note WWII damage, and see the star-shaped Spanish fort, which guards the harbor and offers terracotta-roof views. Nearby coves, olive groves, and trips to Giglio and Giannutri add to its appeal.

Elba, where Napoleon was exiled in 1814, is a scenic Tuscan island in the Tyrrhenian Sea. Its capital, Portoferraio, has a pretty harbour, pastel buildings, and sea views from Villa dei Mulini, now a museum. With mountains, cliffs, beaches, woods, vineyards, and 90 miles of coast, it's ideal for views, cable-car rides to Monte Capanne, seafood, and sweet local wine.

Livorno, a historic port and beachy gateway to Tuscany, offers sunset views from Terrazza Mascagni, canals in "Little Venice," markets, fortresses and waterfront charm. From there, explore Tuscany's vineyards and Bolgheri wineries, Prato's textile heritage, Pisa's tower, and Florence's art-filled wonders: Michelangelo's David, the Duomo, and Piazzale Michelangelo.

Portofino is an exclusive, glamorous town on the Italian Riviera, set on a protected peninsula. Its harbour fills with yachts, while pastel waterfronts, stone streets, and terrace bars create an elegant atmosphere. Surrounded by green hills, vineyards, and olive groves, it's best enjoyed by boat or from the Piazzetta with aperitivo. Highlights include Ligurian wine, focaccia con il formaggio, San Giorgio, and the white lighthouse at the tip of the headland.

Nice's sweeping blue bay still enchants visitors with sun, sea and sophistication. Elegant boulevards, grand buildings, parks and floral displays give the city timeless charm, while the Promenade des Anglais offers a spectacular seafront walk. The old town, flower market on Cours Saleya, Italian influence, Russian Orthodox church, and Colline du Château views all add to Nice's allure.