Marseille is bold, alive, and unmistakably southern. France's oldest city, it's a mix of aioli, pastis, and navettes, shaped by the mistral and watched over by the Bonne Mère (Notre-Dame de la Garde). In its neighborhoods, people debate politics, rap, and football. Feel its pulse at La Canebière, the Old Port, and Le Prado; visit the MuCEM, gaze at Château d'If, explore the Calanques, and see Le Corbusier's Radiant City. An ancient, ever-changing mosaic of cultures.

Overlooking the clear Gulf of Valinco, far from the crowds of Bonifacio and Ajaccio, Propriano captures southern Corsica's essence: rugged coves and peaks, a fragrant maquis of immortelle, myrtle, arbutus, and oak, and outstanding beaches. From Carcci to Portigliolo, Capu Laurosu, Lido Puraja, and Mancinu, the coastline is exceptional. It also offers great diving and nearby Filitosa, where ancient granite statue-menhir figures still stand in mystery.

Overlooking the clear Gulf of Valinco, far from the crowds of Bonifacio and Ajaccio, Propriano captures southern Corsica's essence: rugged coves and peaks, a fragrant maquis of immortelle, myrtle, arbutus, and oak, and outstanding beaches. From Carcci to Portigliolo, Capu Laurosu, Lido Puraja, and Mancinu, the coastline is exceptional. It also offers great diving and nearby Filitosa, where ancient granite statue-menhir figures still stand in mystery.

Calvi, on Corsica's northwest coast, is a picturesque town dominated by the Genoese Citadel below Monte Grossu. Inside are Saint John the Baptist Cathedral, Saint Anthony of Padua Oratory, the Salt Tower, Sampiero Barracks, and the house said to be Christopher Columbus's birthplace. Calvi also offers freshwater pools and Bonifatu Forest hikes. Above town, Notre-Dame de la Serra Chapel overlooks Calvi; legend says visiting with your true love brings beauty and a lasting relationship.

Calvi, on Corsica's northwest coast, is a picturesque town dominated by the Genoese Citadel below Monte Grossu. Inside are Saint John the Baptist Cathedral, Saint Anthony of Padua Oratory, the Salt Tower, Sampiero Barracks, and the house said to be Christopher Columbus's birthplace. Calvi also offers freshwater pools and Bonifatu Forest hikes. Above town, Notre-Dame de la Serra Chapel overlooks Calvi; legend says visiting with your true love brings beauty and a lasting relationship.

Nestled between Cap Corse and the Agriates Desert, Saint-Florent is a hidden gem. At Place des Portes, locals play pétanque under shady trees, while the 16th-century Citadel and nearby Cathedral of Nebbiu overlook the village. By the port, fishermen bring in the catch, sunsets light the bay, and evenings invite terrace dining or the night market. Its beaches are beautiful, and you may regret leaving.

Nestled between Cap Corse and the Agriates Desert, Saint-Florent is a hidden gem. At Place des Portes, locals play pétanque under shady trees, while the 16th-century Citadel and nearby Cathedral of Nebbiu overlook the village. By the port, fishermen bring in the catch, sunsets light the bay, and evenings invite terrace dining or the night market. Its beaches are beautiful, and you may regret leaving.

Set on the Gulf of Poets in Liguria, Lerici is a graceful seaside town of pastel houses, narrow lanes, and a castle watching over the harbor. Its sheltered coves and promenade invite relaxed strolls, while ferries and scenic walks link nearby villages and panoramic headlands. From fresh seafood to pesto and focaccia, the town offers a true taste of coastal Italy with a laid-back Riviera rhythm.

Monaco, "The Rock," is a tiny sovereign city-state on cliffs above the Mediterranean. Famous for Prince Rainier's marriage to Grace Kelly, it draws the elite to events like the Monaco Yacht Show, the Rose Ball, and the Formula 1 Grand Prix. Its history lives in the 1646 Chapel of Mercy, the Cathedral, the Belle Époque Casino by Charles Garnier, and the 16th-century Major Ramp. Modern towers and Renzo Piano's sea-built Mareterra district point to the future. Time seems to stand still here.

Monaco, "The Rock," is a tiny sovereign city-state on cliffs above the Mediterranean. Famous for Prince Rainier's marriage to Grace Kelly, it draws the elite to events like the Monaco Yacht Show, the Rose Ball, and the Formula 1 Grand Prix. Its history lives in the 1646 Chapel of Mercy, the Cathedral, the Belle Époque Casino by Charles Garnier, and the 16th-century Major Ramp. Modern towers and Renzo Piano's sea-built Mareterra district point to the future. Time seems to stand still here.