Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy - Rome, Italy’s capital, is a sprawling, cosmopolitan city with nearly 3,000 years of globally influential art, architecture and culture on display. Ancient ruins such as the Forum and the Colosseum evoke the power of the former Roman Empire. Vatican City, headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church, has St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums, which house masterpieces such as Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel frescoes.

Messina, Sicily - A beautiful sheltered harbor is your gateway to Taormina, a small town at heart despite its major tourist attraction: the sublime Teatro Greco, offering panoramic views of the coastline and snow-capped Mt. Etna.

Valletta, Malta - Tiny Malta abounds in forts and temples. In Valletta, wander through the ornate Grand Master's Palace of the Knights of St. John. Within the thick walls of Medina, the Silent City (no cars), visit the serene Baroque cathedral.

At Sea - Cruising - Cruising

Mykonos, Greece - For pure Mediterranean pizzazz, Mykonos can't be beat. Designer boutiques and beautifully bronzed Greek gods and goddesses lie on Mykonos' beaches. And Mykonos' famous five white churches look down on it all in oblivious serenity.

Rhodes, Greece - The crusader Knights of St. John made Rhodes their headquarters. Explore the massive fortress of the Palace of Grand Masters, and peer into tiny rooms of the Inns which once housed the knights. See where the towering Colossus of Rhodes once stood -- it could be seen for miles at sea!

Santorini, Greece - Here on the island of Santorini, you'll find a classic Greek seascape‐whitewashed houses accented by sea-blue roofs. This is a treasure trove for both professional and amateur archeology buffs, with sites that include tombs that date back to the 9th century and the sanctuary of Apollo.

Athens (Piraeus), Greece - As the capital of Greece and one of Europe’s most bustling cities, Athens is powered by 5,000 years of history. At night, the city of Athens glows from afar, light reflecting off the ancient ruins. Today travelers flock from around the world to experience its history while on cruises from Athens. After all, the art, theatre, architecture, and philosophy of Athens had ripple effects through the fabric of entire civilizations.

Naples, Italy - Capital of Southern Italy, the largest city of Campania, Naples is the third most populated city in Italy (after Rome and Milan), with over a million inhabitants, and is the most important industrial center and trading port for the South. Naples itself can provide a day's fun and entertainment, if its somewhat rundown appearance doesn't dissuade you. Or, join a tour of incredible Pompeii, frozen in time since A.D. 79 when Mt. Vesuvius brought an end to that then-thriving city. Or, take a quick ferry across the bay to the flowery Isle of Capri. Or, (yes, there's more) visit fabulous Sorrento, vacation spot for the well to do.