Rome is more than ancient architecture: it offers hidden gems, fashion, street art, Vespa rides to the Appian Way, and coins tossed into fountains. Visit the Vatican's Sistine Chapel and private quarters by appointment, plus the Colosseum, Caravaggio churches, the Spanish Steps, and the Pantheon. Make pasta, hunt truffles, enjoy gelato and coffee, or unwind in a 3,000-year-old pool. In Rome, old and new blend so you can indulge in it all.

Naples, between Mount Vesuvius and the Phlegraean Fields, is rich in history and Italian culture. See Baroque churches, Renaissance palazzi, and Neoclassical opera houses; ride the funicular to Castel Sant'Elmo for views over the Bay of Naples, Sorrento Peninsula, and Amalfi Coast. Explore the city's underground tunnels, and visit nearby Pompeii, Herculaneum, or Capri.

Lipari, largest of the Aeolian Islands, has drawn merchants for black obsidian since Neolithic times. Volcanic fumaroles and thermal springs shape the island, and Quattrocchi viewpoint offers views of Vulcano, smoking Stromboli, and Mount Etna. Pastel houses ring the harbour below a citadel built after pirate attacks in 1544. Visit the Aeolian Archaeological Museum, enjoy pristine beaches, and sample cannoli and arancini.

Ajaccio, Corsica's capital, is a 16th-century citadel on the island's west coast, its name possibly from Ajax or adjaccium ("place to rest"). Napoleon's birthplace, it's worth exploring the old town for Maison Bonaparte, the Baroque cathedral where he was baptised, lively markets for local wine, olive oil, chestnuts and cheese, and the white sands of the Bay of Ajaccio, with views to the Genoese tower at Parata and the Sanguinaire islands.

Megayachts crowd Monte-Carlo, where billionaires gamble and the rich and famous gather. Since 1879, the Opéra de Monte-Carlo has drawn royals and legends. Supercars line elegant streets past luxury hotels and Michelin-starred restaurants. Visit the Oceanographic Museum, the 13th-century Prince's Palace on Monaco's Rock, and the Thermes Marins for Riviera sunshine, wellness, and beauty.

Marseille, France's oldest city, feels youthful: a multicultural port with great museums, galleries, lively squares and bars, plus bouillabaisse. See fountains from Napoleon III's era and city hall from Louis XIV's. Beyond the city, explore the dramatic Calanques coast, and Provence's cypress, lavender, Avignon and Aix-en-Provence, linked to Van Gogh, Cézanne and Peter Mayle. Taste Syrah and the region's terroir, and wander from Marseille's boisterous roots into classic Provence.

Barcelona blends vibrant energy with Catalan tradition: explore the Gothic Quarter and Gaudí's architecture, enjoy tapas and cava in plazas and cafés, relax at the beach, shop along Passeig de Gràcia, and end the night in bohemian bars on La Rambla. A stylish city full of character.