Discover the world’s last colonial empire, turned bustling cosmopolitan city. Lisbon has dozens of Moorish castles, pastel buildings, and white sand beaches to explore. This Atlantic-coast city perfectly encapsulates Mediterranean charm with its wine, food, and architecture.

Get lost in the Western world’s oldest continuously inhabited city. Cádiz continues to charm travelers today with its romantic El Pópulo and Santa María districts, fresh seafood, and the Puertas de Tierra which divides the city into old and new. In Seville, stroll through the ancient city center or see a flamenco show followed by tapas and a glass of delicious wine or sherry.

See the wealth of historical treasures found in the coastal city of Màlaga. Once a major trading port, Màlaga has an eclectic mix of sites influenced by the Phoenicians, the Moors, and the Spanish.

From its ancient natural harbor where Phoenicians would trade to its Roman Empire heyday when it was known as the New Carthage, Cartagena’s enviable position on the Mediterranean has long made it one of the most important ports in Spain. The country’s Naval Headquarters is here, as are Dockyard Gate and Midshipman School. Discover ancient Roman ruins and Modernista buildings, the magnificent Concepcion Castle and a stunning City Hall.

Drenched in year-round sunshine, this beach-loving town boasts one of Spain’s best, San Juan Beach. Sprinkled throughout its Old Town are colorful houses, winding alleyways and a beautiful Renaissance church, while a trek up Mount Benacantil leads to the medieval ruins Castle of Santa Bárabara affording spectacular views of the Mediterranean and surrounding landscape. Closer to shore, the Explanada de Espana is perfect for a stroll overlooking the sea.

Sunbathe in one of Spain’s most exhilarating cities. Valencia is vibrant town with dynamic nightlife, outdoor activities and sports, and its mezcla of architectural wonders. In Old Town, see everything from a 15th-century palaces, to recent wonders of modern art.

Barcelona’s seaside beauty, sprawling beaches, eclectic architecture, world-class tapas and Tempranillo are all reasons to fall in love with the city of Gaudí. Indeed, the treasures here are many and diverse, captivating travelers and experts alike. In fact, nine important sites in the city, seven designed by the famed architect himself, have earned the acclaim of UNESCO.

While the pretty village of Cassis and vineyards of Provence are just a stone’s throw from this seaside metropolis, you will want to linger in Toulon, capital of Var and a major naval center. Discover the narrow streets, lovely squares and elegant fountains in the Old Town. In the Upper Town, you may feel a touch of Paris—its design was overseen by Baron Haussmann, the same visionary who transformed the famous district of parks and wide boulevards in the City of Lights.

Monaco is an ancient principality steeped in rich and colorful history. Its proud monarchy is presided over by Prince Albert, who assumed the throne after his famed father Prince Rainier died in 2005. Today when gazing on its modern skyline, it is hard to imagine that Monaco endured a turbulent past. Once a Greek settlement conquered by the Romans, it was bought from the Genoese in 1309 by the Grimaldis, who still rule as the world's oldest monarchy. Monaco covers less than one square mile and is known primarily for its Grand Casino.

Olbia sits on a large Sardinian bay, with a historic port dating to pre-Roman times and a newer ferry port connected to the city by causeway. Sardinia’s ruins are particularly interesting, remnants of the daily lives and rituals of the Nurarghic people of the Bronze Age. Glimpse more of an ancient past at an archeological museum displaying Roman and medieval ships, embellished glassware and other relics. Beyond town, sandy beaches, holm oak forests and secluded coves invite exploration.

Trapani is a city in western Sicily with a crescent-shaped coastline. At the western tip, offering views as far as the Aegadian Islands, is the 17th-century Torre di Ligny watchtower. It houses the Museo di Preistoria e del Mare, with archeological artifacts. North of the harbor, the Chiesa del Purgatorio church holds wooden sculptures that are paraded around the city during Easter’s Processione dei Misteri.

Venture through Civitavecchia, noted for its fine seafood and beautiful monuments. Then, travel to the Eternal City of Rome, with more than 2,500 years of history and ancient landmarks that will leave you with memories for a lifetime.

As your ship approaches the Sorrento Peninsula, delight in craggy cliffs draped with flowing pink blossoms.Renowned for its serene way of life, this romantic port exudes a special magic. Its dramatic bluffs and surrounding flowered hills bid travelers welcome to a town overflowing with charm and character. It is easy to relax in this languid southern Italian atmosphere.The sensational Amalfi Coast and the haunting ruins at Pompeii are among the region's highlights.

Winding alleys, gracious piazzas and glorious architecture represent a timeline of several millennia. Founded in 734 BC by the Greeks, the city was a major influencer in the spread of Judaism and Christianity and brims with world-class examples of Greek, Roman and Baroque architecture awash with Italian character. The entire city of Syracuse is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Shaped like a scythe, the island of Corfu is considered one of the Mediterranean's best-kept secrets. Its lush interior is covered in cypress and olive trees while the main downtown area has elegant Venetian architecture and a serene atmosphere. Strategically important due to its location, this island has managed to maintain its uniqueness despite numerous invasions by outside forces. Today, the culture of Corfu reflects its turbulent past as well as its origins.

Few places in the world boast such clear architectural accounts of their full histories as does UNESCO-listed Kotor and its bay. Roam the city squares and enjoy sweeping ocean views as you follow footsteps through time, including fortifications dating from the 9th century, significant churches and cathedrals from the 12th-15th centuries, the 17th-century Prince’s Palace and the 19th-century Napoleon’s Theatre.

Celebrated as one of the best sailing areas in the world, Zadar is blessed with beautiful natural surroundings, mild winters and warm summers. Bordered by four national parks – the untouched Kornati Islands, the breathtaking Velebit mountains, the winding Krka River and the peaceful Plitvice Lakes - all ideal for hiking, boating, climbing and even skiing.

Ravenna is a city in Emilia-Romagna, Italy. It's known for the colorful mosaics adorning many of its central buildings, like the octagonal Basilica di San Vitale, the 6th-century Basilica di Sant'Apollinare Nuovo and the cross-shaped Mausoleo di Galla Placidia. North of the center, the Mausoleo di Teodorico built in the 6th century for King Theodoric the Great, is a Gothic, circular stone tomb with a monolithic dome.

Ravenna is a city in Emilia-Romagna, Italy. It's known for the colorful mosaics adorning many of its central buildings, like the octagonal Basilica di San Vitale, the 6th-century Basilica di Sant'Apollinare Nuovo and the cross-shaped Mausoleo di Galla Placidia. North of the center, the Mausoleo di Teodorico built in the 6th century for King Theodoric the Great, is a Gothic, circular stone tomb with a monolithic dome.

In and around the bustling seaport of Trieste are several sights boasting the description of the "world's largest." Not far from the city, for instance, is the famous Grotta Gigante, the largest single-room cavern open to the public. But you needn't venture beyond the beautiful city to experience such an impressive space. In the heart of the city you will find the neoclassic Piazza dell'Unità d'Italia, the largest sea-bordering square in Italy.As for smaller pleasures, Trieste is a haven for antiques shoppers, who will relish shops filled with Biedermeier and Italian Art Nouveau furniture. A much sought-after candy store, La Bomboniera, offers fine chocolates and exquisite pastries. Of course there is what the locals do, daily if possible: sip a cappuccino in a café and then stroll along Trieste's elegant avenues.

Though it has only recently re-emerged as an independent nation, Croatia is by no means a new country. There were settlements along the Dalmatian Coast before recorded time. When Slavic people migrated here in the 6th century, they converted to Catholicism and adopted the local Latin alphabet. The region eventually became part of the powerful Kingdom of Croatia. Medieval Dubrovnik, formerly the Republic of Ragusa, was one of several walled cities established in the 7th century to guard the coastal approaches. Its fortification was completed in the 13th century and has remained relatively unchanged. The city walls are in excellent condition and today prevent invasion by automobiles. Within the walls, the lovely sleek lines of Venetian-style buildings complement a wealth of ancient stone architecture. Nearby islands feature beautiful beaches as well as intriguing ancient ruins.

Shaped like a scythe, the island of Corfu is considered one of the Mediterranean's best-kept secrets. Its lush interior is covered in cypress and olive trees while the main downtown area has elegant Venetian architecture and a serene atmosphere. Strategically important due to its location, this island has managed to maintain its uniqueness despite numerous invasions by outside forces. Today, the culture of Corfu reflects its turbulent past as well as its origins.

Tethered to southern Greece's mainland village of Gefyra by a causeway, Monemvasia rises above the sapphire-blue waters of the Aegean Sea looking like a giant slab of rock, and is often called the Gibraltar of the East. Its medieval Lower Town, encircled by ancient fortress walls, boasts an array of shops and restaurants. Crowning the islet is the Upper Town, offering stunning views of the surrounding area. It is also home to the 12th-century St. Sophia Church.