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.

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.

Hvar, a jewel of the Adriatic, offers hidden coves, electric-blue water, sunny beaches, and quiet port towns. It's also known for nightlife in Hvar Town and luxury yachts, but you can easily escape the hedonism to bike coastal paths, boat from pretty harbors, and walk through lavender fields. Historic Stari Grad, said to be Croatia's oldest town, dates to 384 BC; nearby Jelsa is postcard-perfect and peaceful. From Hvar you can also ferry to Brač's stunning Golden Horn beach.

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.

Bari, Puglia's historic port and Adriatic gateway, offers a glimpse of everyday life in Italy's unpretentious south. Stroll Bari Vecchia's crooked lanes, past pasta-making doorways and old men playing cards, then see the Cattedrale di San Sabino and the seafront Lungomare. Eat focaccia, orecchiette, olive oil and ricotta. Use Bari as a base for Lecce, Alberobello's trulli, Salento's beaches, Matera's caves, and Polignano a Mare's dramatic beach.

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.

Gallipoli, whose name means "beautiful city," is a stunning Ionian gem of sea, history, and Baroque charm. Linked to the mainland by a 16th-century bridge and ringed by 14th-century walls, its old town holds the Castello Angioino, the Basilica Cattedrale di Sant'Agata, busy harbours, narrow streets, and fish markets. Puglia also shines in Lecce and Otranto.

Sarandë, Albania's southern harbor, is a 20-minute boat ride from Corfu and enjoys 300+ sunny days a year. It offers turquoise beaches, a lively seafront boulevard lined with bars, restaurants, and shops, and great access to nearby sights: 16th-century Lekuresi Castle with views over Corfu and the sea, the Blue Eye Spring with crystal-clear water, and Butrint, a UNESCO-listed ancient Greek and Roman city with streets, a theatre, a basilica, and mosaics.

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.

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.

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!

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.