CME Cruise Conference

Athens (Piraeus), Greece - You'll climb the Acropolis, the site of ancient Athens, crowned by the immortal Parthenon. Its chiseled columns were raised by Pericles, Athens's great general. Rest your running shoes in the temple of Nike. A little shopping and souvlaki in the Plaka and you're practically an (ancient) Athenian!

Santorini, Greece -

Katakolon, Greece - Explore the site of the very first Olympic Games! Ancient Olympia is a short drive from Katakolon to see where the sacred flame is still lit every Olympic year. Wonder at the ruins of the awesome Temple of Zeus.

Catania, Sicily, Italy - Catania is one of the major cities in Sicily and is located on the island's eastern coast between Taormina and Syracuse (see Sicily map). Catania is on a major rail line and has an airport with flights to and from mainland Italy and other European cities. Catania Top Sights: Greek and Roman Archeological Park with remains of an amphitheater, Odeon, Greek acropolis, Roman forum, catacombs, and baths.

Salerno, Italy (Amalfi Coast) - Framed by Mount Vesuvius along a dramatic skyline, the 2,800 year-old port city of Naples is chock full of historical sites, churches, and museums that make it an incredible place for you to explore. And in the region where pizza was first invented, you know the food is going to be incredible. Just 35 miles down the coast, Salerno offers you a rich history but also boasts a marvelous collection of parks, natural wonders, and unique vantage points to take in the beauty of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Two cities. One incredible stretch of Italian coastline.

Ajaccio, Corsica - Ajaccio's monuments and squares celebrate Napoleon Bonaparte, its most famous native son. The elegant city delights with its mix of Italianate charm, Gallic style and Corsican culture against a stunning backdrop of rugged mountains.

Villefranche (Nice), France - Villefranche is your gateway to the one-of-a-kind French Riviera, home to Monte Carlo, Cannes and Nice. Shaded by jagged mountains touching deep blue shores, Villefranche offers sunny beaches, sophisticated resort cities, quaint red-roofed villages and spectacular views.

Sete, France - Located in the Mediterranean Sea, the port of Sete, France is a town with a cosmopolitan flair and down-to-earth ambience. The city is sure to delight its visitors with its sidewalk cafes, lighthouse, canals, and hilltop church.

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 you time here.