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.

Saint-Tropez is the glitzy Riviera resort of A-listers, yachts, and fine dining, its glamour boosted by Brigitte Bardot. Beaches and bright light still attract artists, while Quai Jean Jaurès, rue François Sibilli, and Place des Lices mix harbor views, luxury shopping, and pétanque. Pampelonne Beach draws the crowds; La Ponche keeps its old fishing-quarter charm. Above town, the 17th-century citadel and Cap Camarat lighthouse overlook the sparkling Mediterranean.

Encircled by dramatic medieval walls above deep-blue waters, Alghero is one of Sardinia's most spectacular old towns. Its cobbled streets, rich history and strong Catalan influence give it great character, while nearby Coral Riviera beaches add to its appeal. Explore the fortified old town, Alghero Cathedral and the Baroque dome of Chiesa di San Michele, then enjoy seafood, porcetto, mirto and pecorino. Relax at Spiaggia di Maria Pia, with pine-scented breezes and coral-rich shores.

Bastia, Corsica's northern capital, is a busy commerce and freight/passenger port with more industry than tourism, yet it retains old charm and a strong Italian feel. Key areas are Terra Vecchia, with narrow streets and Baroque churches, and Terra Nova, the historic district. Once a Genoese capital, it grew through trade and farming, and the New Port was built in 1862. Place Saint-Nicolas is the hub. Nearby are the Vieux Port, Governor's Palace, and notable chapels.

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.

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.

Salerno, at the north end of the Gulf of Salerno, has an old town above ancient Salernum and Europe's oldest medical school (11th c.-1812). Main sights: the Romanesque cathedral (1085; remodeled) with Paestum columns, sarcophagi, 1099 bronze doors, and the tombs of Gregory VII and St. Matthew; plus a hilltop Lombard castle with wide views. The seafront has a modern promenade, and Corso Giuseppe Garibaldi is the main street. It's a base for Paestum, Pompeii, Amalfi, and Ravello.

Salerno, at the north end of the Gulf of Salerno, has an old town above ancient Salernum and Europe's oldest medical school (11th c.-1812). Main sights: the Romanesque cathedral (1085; remodeled) with Paestum columns, sarcophagi, 1099 bronze doors, and the tombs of Gregory VII and St. Matthew; plus a hilltop Lombard castle with wide views. The seafront has a modern promenade, and Corso Giuseppe Garibaldi is the main street. It's a base for Paestum, Pompeii, Amalfi, and Ravello.

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.

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.

Ringed by turquoise water and a rugged coast, Trapani is western Sicily's revived sailing hub, built on salt and tuna exports and now served by an international airport. Its historic core offers narrow alleys, shops, wine bars, and the Cathedral of San Lorenzo. Facing the Egadi Islands, it's famed for sunsets, salt pans and windmills at Riserva Naturale Saline di Trapani e Paceco, pink flamingos, and easy access to Egadi beaches, especially Favignana.

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.

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.

Palamos is a gateway to Costa Brava and Catalonia, with monasteries in the mountains, surreal art, and beautiful beaches. Its rugged coast of red cliffs, golden sands, and blue coves reflects Spain's Wild Coast, and it's known for rich prawns. Nearby Girona offers a walkable medieval old town, rivers, ramparts, and the vast Gothic nave of its cathedral. Close by, Figueres is home to Salvador Dalí's wild, immersive Theatre-Museum.

Alcúdia is the ideal base for Mallorca's north coast: a 13-km beach from Port d'Alcúdia to C'an Picafort, nearby Playa de Muro, the bird-rich S'Albufera wetlands, and the scenic drive to Cap de Formentor. The walled town is a small capsule of Mallorcan history: founded as a Roman settlement in 123 BC, later reestablished by the Moors, then held by the Knights Templar after the Reconquest. Start at the Church of Sant Jaume and stroll to Porta de Xara with its twin towers.

Malaga, on Spain's sunny Costa del Sol, blends beaches, history, and art. Visit La Malagueta beach, the old town, Moorish Alcazaba fortress, and the cathedral known as La Manquita. See the Picasso Museum and Pompidou Centre, plus street art in Soho. Nearby, explore Granada's Alhambra, Cordoba's La Mezquita, and Seville's cathedral for Andalucía's Moorish Golden Triangle.

Gibraltar is a unique British outpost on Spain's southern tip: a historic peninsula crowned by the iconic Rock of Gibraltar. It mixes red phone boxes, Union Jacks, fish and chips, and sunny Mediterranean views. From one moment you can see Africa across the strait; the next, cross the airport runway. The 400m Rock can be hiked or reached by cable car to see Barbary macaques, the Siege Tunnels, caves, and the Moorish castle. In town, Grand Casemates Square offers a lively, sunlit historic center.

Cádiz, Western Europe's oldest city, holds 3,000 years of history in cobbled streets and shaded plazas. Founded by Phoenicians c.1100 BC and later used by Columbus, it grew rich from New World trade. See the cathedral, with its twin towers, and Torre Tavira, the city's best watchtower. Relax on Playa Victoria, cross the modern Constitución de 1812 bridge, and sample tapas at the lively central market.

Portimão is a beachy paradise in Portugal's Algarve, with easy access to Praia da Rocha: a long, wide beach of soft golden sand, gentle waves, and dramatic rock formations. Stroll the boardwalk to nearby beaches, feast on sardines and local wine, and enjoy the sun-drenched coast, fishing villages, and tiled old towns. The Ribeirinha promenade leads to the beach, while Ponta da Piedade, Silves, and Lagos are all nearby.

Lisbon, Portugal's capital, is a beautiful city of seven hills, fado, pastel houses and azulejo tiles. Wander Alfama's steep cobbled streets, visit the Azulejo Museum, then head to São Jorge Castle or Miradouro da Graça for sweeping views over red rooftops, the Tagus and the suspension bridge. See Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery, and take a trip to nearby Sintra and Pena Palace. Finish with ginjinha and a pastel de nata.