CME Cruise Conference

Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy - Extraordinary architecture, millennia of turbulent history, magnificent basilicas concealing unimaginable riches, and ornate fountains splashing at the heart of sun-drenched piazzas are just some of the many reasons to visit Rome. Art greets you on every corner, from elaborate statues to delicate frescoes. Stroll the ancient center and history comes to life as you explore the Colosseum, the Pantheon and the Roman Forum. Enjoy Italian café culture in Trastevere, where you can wander the narrow streets and soak up a sense of la dolce vita, or throw a coin into the baroque Trevi Fountain to guarantee your return to this vibrant, intoxicating city.

Livorno (Florence/Pisa), Italy - One of Italy's oldest port cities, Livorno is a small but historically rich city. Check out the red-hued Fortezza Nuova, a 16th-century fortress, and the surrounding area known as Nuova Venezia ("New Venice"), and take a mini-sailboat ride through its charming canals. Cruise to Livorno and use the city as your jumping-off point to the beauty of Tuscany: Take the 30-minute drive to Pisa and snap a quintessential picture with the city's famous leaning tower. Or head to Florence — about an hour from Livorno by car or train — where you can see the unmistakable Duomo ("dome") and the Byzantine-style frescoes of Saint John's Baptistery.

Ajaccio, Corsica, France - Ajaccio, Corsica is a gorgeous mix where French and Italian mix harmoniously in Corsican culture. Set between sandy beaches and a backdrop of rugged mountains, it is the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte and monuments and squares here celebrate his triumphs. Walk the trails through the fields, Bike to the beach or into the foothills, visit the market and sample their fresh mediterranean offerings or visit the mountains and delight in the scent of sun-warmed thyme. In short, soak up the experience of mediterranean island life.

Palma de Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain - Floating gemlike off Spain's Mediterranean Riviera, Palma offers pearls, pottery and perfectly sublime sandy beaches. The historic district of the city is a great stop for an inexpensive good meal, a visit to a wonderous cathedral (for those seeking peace, consider visiting the quiet of the Saint Francis cathedral rather than its more touristed big brother. Shopping abounds in this european vacation spot as well as a very beautiful, small modern art museum with free entrance.

Or take a day excursion to visit charming and quiet Valldemosa, where George Sand and Frederic Chopin spent a romantic winter in 1838.

Valencia, Spain - Incredibly, Valencia is a hidden gem of a big city in Spain. Although, it doesn't get the same attention that Barcelona and Madrid get, it competes quite well with those two well known destinations. Food, Shopping, Art and Architecture can be found in abundance; take some time and wander through the winding maze of medieval streets and stubble on your newest favorite shop/bar/restaurant. Too bad cruises don't depart from here; you could certainly spend a few days visiting Valencia's must-sees. One highlight is the City of Arts and Sciences (Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències) designed by architect Santiago Calatrava. This beautiful complex consists of a cinema, garden, theater, planetarium, science museum and more!

Barcelona, Spain -

Barcelona is a one of the world's great cities. Stroll down her tree-lined boulevards, the magnificent Passeig de Gràcia or the more touristed Las Ramblas. On the Passeig, shop a serious fashion district while marveling at examples of Mordenisme architecture, seemingly sculpted from the stuff of dreams (Gaudi's masterpiece of a family home, Casa Batlló is well worth a visit). If a trip on the Passeig hasn't convinced you of Gaudi's genius, a visit to La Sagrada Familia Cathedral will do the trick; this fantastic, soaring marvel will live on in your memory long after you've returned.

Not far from the Passeig and just north of Las Ramblas, the Gothic Quarter (the Barri Gotic) provides an abundance of shopping opportunities for all tastes, and a bit of European history to boot - check out the tranquil Cathedral of Barcelona. To see a bit of local life a visit to a food market is a quick, fun detour: try Santa Caterina near the Cathedral or Mercado de La Boqueria, right off of Las Ramblas.

Barcelona's food is also a highlight: stop into a tapas bar and try a variety of delicacies. "Standard" restaurants of every style are available, too. And, there's music, too! Visit an underground jazz club or the magnificent Palau de la Música Catalana; or stop by the Palau Dalmases for a stunning, flamenco performance (it's near the Picasso museum). Did we mention art? One of the largest collections of Picasso's art is found at the Museau Picasso, and a great collection of contemporary, figurative (i.e not abstract) painting and sculpture is housed at the European Museum of Modern Art just around the corner.

It's probably clear by now that you really can't get it all done in a day (even if all means "just the must-sees"). So, stay for a day or three in the Gothic Quarter or near Plaça de Catalunya and really get a feel for what makes Barcelona such a wonderful place. Partly it's the result of the "accidents" of its history and present: as the regional capital of Spain's prosperous Catalunya region, Barcelona has a "flavor" that is a bit of a mix between Spanish and French (it's located quite close to the French border). Yes, you can practice your Spanish here - it attracts Spaniards from throughout the country - but you'll also see and hear Catalan with it's own charm. You won't regret your time here.

Provence (Marseille), France - Marseille offers an unexpected view of a mosaic of buildings and National Heritage Sites from the terraces of Notre-Dame de la Garde Basilica that towers above and watches over the city.

Alongside the port the towers of Saint Victor Abbey house crypts that already existed when Christianity was introduced into Provence. The columns of the Palais de la Bourse, the noble facades of the Prefecture and the fountains of the Palais Longchamp are part of the triumphant architecture from the 19th Century that is scattered throughout the city and that gave Marseille renewed splendour.

In the old quarter the houses are built on the sunny slopes ; the clock in the Accoules Bell tower, which was the old Sauveterre tower, still marks the hours of life around the Town Hall, while beyond the dome of the Vieille Charite hospice, Pierre Puget's masterpiece, stands out against the sky. The small streets of the Panier quarter lie a little further on.

Monte Carlo, Monaco - The Casino, of course--if only to venture into the enchanting Salon Rose, with its nymphs on the ceiling. A drive along the scenic Corniche which takes you to Nice, undisputed capital of the Riviera.