Mediterranean from Barcelona, Spain

Cruises from Barcelona make for some of the most unforgettable vacations you can imagine. Barcelona looks like a city that should be known for its architecture… and, naturally, it is. From monuments in Romanesque and Renaissance styles to Gothic spires and contemporary curves, there’s little surprise Barcelona was the creative playground of acclaimed architect Antoni Gaudí. But that’s just one reason why cruises out of Barcelona are so seductive. Barcelona’s a feast for the eyes and the palate, alike, and be sure not to miss the chance to try tapas as and visit spots like the La Rambla, Port Vell and especially Gaudí’s Sagrada Familia Cathedral. Fun beach bars overlooking the Mediterranean, sleek Spanish designer stores, and Gaudí’s surreal buildings make Barcelona, Spain a whimsical and unique place to visit. For a Mediterranean cruise, Spain is a great place to start — sample the good stuff on one of Carnival’s cruises from Barcelona.

Marseille is France’s second largest city, its largest port on the Mediterranean and — thanks in large part to Algerian immigration in the 1950s — a melting pot of people and cultures. Marseille’s also a place of striking contrasts: at the picturesque Vieux Port, not far from the iconic fishing boats are sleek pleasure craft. Dominating the harbor is the infamous Chateau d’If, the rocky prison from which Dumas’ Count of Monte Cristo escaped. Marseille is also your gateway to Provence. Explore the countryside around Arles and Avignon, as immortalized by Van Gogh, Cezanne, Matisse and Picasso.

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.

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.