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.

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!

At Sea - Cruising - Cruising

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.

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.

Kotor, Montenegro - Looking at a map of Europe, you might be forgiven for missing Kotor — a tiny port in the already-tiny country of Montenegro. But from the moment your Kotor cruise docks, you'll enter a larger-than-life world of mighty forts and towering sea cliffs, the air filled with the refreshing smell of the ocean. On a Mediterranean cruise, you can explore the attractions inside Kotor's fortified Old City, one of the Mediterranean's best-preserved medieval towns. Don't miss the Cathedral of St. Tryphon, an ornate church first consecrated in 1166. Then, scale St. John's Fortress — the hilltop fortifications, dating back to the 6th century, offer the best views of the city, the harbor and the surrounding mountains.

Split, Croatia - The second largest city in Croatia, Split has many attractions but is best known for the many historical landmarks found within and around the walls of Diocletian's Palace and the 1700-year old harbour beneath it. The Old Town which comprises the palace is in a remarkable state of preservation. In addition, the Split-Dalmatia County has numerous museums, old churches and other archeological sites which make it an important cultural attraction. History, culture, scenic countryside and the sunny weather make Split a sought after destination for vacationers and water sports lovers.

Venice, Italy - Venice is possibly the most romantic place you'll ever visit. It seems almost redundant to describe the charms of Venice. The cafes of St. Mark's Square, Palazzo-lined canals plied by gondolas, the elegant Doge's Palace, the Bridge of Sighs and the Church of San Giorgio Maggiore: Venice is one impossibly beautiful sight after next. A great collection of Renaissance era art is housed at Gallerie dell'Accademia. Or, if you prefer modern art, Venice is home to the Peggy Guggenheim Collection. And, if you want to enjoy a truly special meal while here, visit one of the excellent restaurants of the Associazione dei Ristoranti della Buona Accoglienza.

Still not sure how you'll entertain yourself? Here's the New York Times' take on how to get the most out of your time in Venice (published June 12, 2014) 36 Hours in Venice