One of Europe's most visually stunning cities, Barcelona balances the medieval intimacy of its Gothic Quarter with the grace and distinction of the wide boulevards in the Moderniste Eixample. It was the home of architect Antoni Gaudí, whose Sagrada Familia Cathedral, Park Güell and Casa Milà are the most profound statements of Modernisme. View the splendid works at the Picasso Museum and the Miro Foundation, or discover Barcelona's passionate ambiance at a flamenco show.

Ajaccio, on Corsica's west coast, is the island's largest town and the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte. Its Napoleonic legacy is visible in statues and street names. Set among green mountains with palm-lined squares and a bay of pleasure boats, it offers sights like the Musée Fesch, with its fine Renaissance paintings, and Casa Bonaparte, Napoleon's birthplace museum. Enjoy local cafés, wines, artisan cheeses, and Azimuno, a fish soup.

Explore glamorous Cannes: majestic hotels, millionaires, movie stars, mega-yachts, and a sparkling Mediterranean setting. Stroll the palm-lined Boulevard de la Croisette, browse haute couture and antiques, enjoy cocktails or lunch at grand hotels and cafés, visit gardens and parks, then hike to Le Suquet for coffee and sweeping harbor views.

Nestled between Nice and Monaco, this low-key Côte d'Azur gem is one of France's most picturesque medieval villages. Its Old Town spills from green hills to a deep-blue harbor, with cobbled stairways, charming houses, and flowers at every turn. See Jean Cocteau's murals in the 14th-century Chapelle St. Pierre, explore the 16th-century Citadelle St. Elme's galleries and museums, or simply enjoy a superb harborside meal.

Livorno in Tuscany is a gateway to Florence and Pisa. From the 13th to 16th centuries, Renaissance freedom inspired Dante, Donatello, Michelangelo, Giotto, Botticelli, da Vinci, and Machiavelli. In Florence, see the Galleria dell'Accademia and Michelangelo's David, plus the Uffizi, Italy's famed art gallery. Visit Pisa's Campo dei Miracoli, Siena's medieval charm, and Lucca, where you can bike through the Tuscan countryside.

Along Costa Smeralda, this once-modest fishing village is now known for modern shops, seafood restaurants, and ancient Nuragic relics. Stroll the scenic harbor promenade to see the Siren's Song, a bronze sculpture that rises from the sea twice daily with music. Explore the ruins of Pozzo Sacro di Milis, or relax on pristine white-sand beaches with shallow turquoise waters.

Rome offers endless choices: enjoy street performers at the Spanish Steps, wine and people-watching in colorful Trastevere, or the city's rich history and architecture. St. Peter's Basilica is a full-day visit, with the Sistine Chapel and panoramic views from the dome. Don't miss the Trevi Fountain, the Colosseum, and Aventine Hill, which overlooks the Imperial Palaces ruins and the Circus Maximus.