Mediterranean from Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy

In ancient times it was said that all roads lead to Rome… but in your case, the seaport of Civitavecchia is your road to Rome. Get there and you’ll find out what made the place so popular. The Vatican's Sistine Chapel by Michelangelo, the Colosseum with its lurid history, and the Trevi Fountain — where a tossed coin promises your return — are not to be missed on any visit to the so-called “Eternal City,” one of the cradles of civilization. Take a walking tour of Rome’s many historical landmarks and enjoy the lively sidewalk cafés, ending the day alla romana strolling through the atmospheric Centro Storico.

The lush and verdant island of Corfu is midway between Greece and Italy, and there lies a long and colorful history. First colonized by settlers from the city-state of Corinth, Corfu has been ruled by the Romans, the Venetians, the French and the English. Whew! Corfu today boasts fortresses bearing the insignia of the Venetian Republic, a lavish esplanade planted by the French during the Napoleonic Wars, and even an English cricket pitch. The island also offers some of the finest coastal scenery in the entire Mediterranean.

Have you cruised a fjord lately? Well, fjord lovers take note: Kotor rests at the edge of the largest in the south of Europe. This body of water is a thing of beauty, but there’s more to Kotor — the city also sits at the base of an amazing mountain that makes for some dramatic overhead views. 360 degrees of beauty! How welcoming to visitors can a place be when it’s ringed by sturdy Venetian fortress walls… ones built all the way up the mountain to keep invaders out, no less? You’d be surprised! The old-town walled section of Kotor today throws its doors open to visitors from around the world who come to seek signs of its history among the local palaces, cathedrals and museums.

Dubrovnik is a beautiful stone jewel, a feather in the cap of the Adriatic Sea. This picture-perfect medieval walled city boasts ancient stone buildings, narrow cobbled streets and fortified ramparts rising above red-tiled rooftops. As a Middle Ages trading center, Dubrovnik was once actually a seaport rival to Venice. Today, the city’s amazing history is reflected in its many monuments and museums. Explore the man-made treasures like Old Town and the city’s famous wall, but don't miss the natural pleasures like Dubrovnik’s nearby beaches. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Old Town remains the world-renown pride of the Republic of Croatia.

Not just one of Italy’s oldest cities, but among the world’s oldest, Naples and its surrounding area has over thousands of years contributed innovations to not only the culinary and visual arts, but the development of everything from language to music. Today, you'll feel the friendly spirit of this sunny metropolis as you sample its historic sights, fabulous shopping galleria and irresistible cuisine. But don’t limit yourself to the city itself — Mount Vesuvius, the spectacular Amalfi Coast, and the romantic isle of Capri's famous Blue Grotto are all just a short distance away. The well-known, buried city of Pompeii is an archeological wonder, and not far from Naples.

In ancient times it was said that all roads lead to Rome… but in your case, the seaport of Civitavecchia is your road to Rome. Get there and you’ll find out what made the place so popular. The Vatican's Sistine Chapel by Michelangelo, the Colosseum with its lurid history, and the Trevi Fountain — where a tossed coin promises your return — are not to be missed on any visit to the so-called “Eternal City,” one of the cradles of civilization. Take a walking tour of Rome’s many historical landmarks and enjoy the lively sidewalk cafés, ending the day alla romana strolling through the atmospheric Centro Storico.