Greek Isles, Turkey & Italy 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.

Salerno is a port city southeast of Naples, in Italy. Atop Monte Bonadies, the centuries-old Arechi Castle has sea views, plus Museo Medievale del Castello, exhibiting medieval ceramics and coins. In town, built on the ruins of a Roman temple, is Salerno Cathedral. It has Byzantine bronze doors, a baroque crypt and a marble altar. The terraced Minerva’s Garden has been growing medicinal plants since the 14th century.

A short distance from the fishing village and seaport of Katakolon you’ll find Olympia, where lies arguably the most important location in all of sports. It’s the site of the original Olympic Games, which went on for nearly 1,200 years, every four years, until a Roman emperor banned them in A.D. 393. The discarded ruins were uncovered only about 150 years ago — and today, Olympia’s importance is much better understood. It’s actually been declared a national park! There’s so much history on display in Olympia at the original sites, such as the Temple of Zeus, the Olympic Stadium and the Olympia Archaeological Museum, which features fine sculptures such as the “Winged Victory” statue of Nike. (Did you know she was the Greek goddess of victory?)

Cruise from Athens, Greece and fall in love with the city’s unique claims to fame. This one-of-a-kind, history-rich destination can boast to not only be the home to the Olympic games throughout the ages… but also the birthplace of democracy. Talk about competitive team sports! To this day, Athens is a city as rich in history as it is immersed in mythology. On cruises from Athens, you’ll see ancient feats of architecture like the Acropolis, Parthenon and Temple of Olympian Zeus mingling with modern museums, cafes and shops across the Athenian landscape. It’s a one-of-a-kind destination, and a must-see stop on any Greek Isles cruise.

Surrounded by mountains on three sides, this booming Turkish city is located on a gulf fed by several streams. Evidence of the city’s rich culture includes the ancient fortress Kadifekale, the fountain-fitted Saat Kulesi clock tower, the ruins of the ancient downtown Agora… and, of course, the eclectic Kizlaragasi Han Bazaar. Izmir is also the gateway to Ephesus, the ancient Greek city built in the 10th century B.C. — home of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

How’d you get so perfect, Mykonos? Check out some pics of the town and you might wonder why the buildings are so perfectly white. Or maybe you won’t wonder, since it’s easy to just get lost in awe of the island’s picturesque beauty, of how perfect it all just happens to be, from the Cycladic architecture with brilliant blue accents to the stoic windmills. Just why Mykonos became one of Greece’s most iconic international travel destinations, a nightlife capital for the rich in the ’60s and ’70s — and today continues to attract seekers of great shopping, dining and strolling — all becomes evident when you visit. Also, don’t miss Mykonos’s neighboring island, Delos, for another side of Greece, the side with archaeological ruins of temples and sanctuaries from ancient times.

Malta is an archipelago in the central Mediterranean between Sicily and the North African coast. It's a nation known for historic sites related to a succession of rulers including the Romans, Moors, Knights of Saint John, French and British. It has numerous fortresses, megalithic temples and the Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum, a subterranean complex of halls and burial chambers dating to circa 4000 B.C

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.