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.

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!

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.

Honey-coloured Siracusa is a stunning UNESCO city of immense ancient history. Its heart is Ortygia, the atmospheric islet where the city began, linked to the mainland by twin bridges. Explore Piazza Duomo and its Baroque cathedral, then the archaeological park with a 5th-century BC Greek theatre, Roman amphitheatre, and the eerie Ear of Dionysius. Don't miss Fonte Arethusa, Ortygia Market, or local u strattu, all shaped by fertile volcanic soil from nearby Mount Etna.

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.

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.

Dubrovnik, Croatia's walled "Pearl of the Adriatic," is a striking medieval fortress city rising from the sea. Its thick stone walls, old town, baroque churches, fountains and Stradun street have made it a filming location for Star Wars, Robin Hood and Game of Thrones. Once a maritime republic and still scarred by the 1991 siege, it now offers wall walks, Lovrijenac and Srđ views, beaches like Banje, great seafood, and trips to Lokrum.

Split, on the sunny Dalmatian Coast, is a romantic Adriatic city built around Diocletian's Palace, a vast Roman monument and living historic heart. Beyond its stone walls, the old town mixes bars, restaurants and quiet corners. Highlights include St Domnius Cathedral, the palm-lined seafront, Marjan Hill, Sustipan, nearby Hvar and Brač, Krka's waterfalls, and UNESCO-listed Trogir.

Zadar, Croatia's "Capital of Cool," blends Roman, Venetian, Austrian, French and Italian influences with a lively festival scene and easy access to beaches and waterfalls. Explore the old town's stone gates and marble streets, St Donatus Church, and Zadar Cathedral, then shop the market or walk to Kolovare Beach. Nearby day trips include Kornati National Park and Plitvice Lakes. Don't miss the Sea Organ and the Sun Salutation, best at sunset.

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.