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.

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.

Olympia (Katakolon), Greece - Experience ancient history and modern charm in Katakolon, a vibrant cruise port on the Greek coast. From here, you can catch a glimpse of Olympia, the birthplace of the original Olympic games and a shrine to the ancient Greek gods. Walk through the Olympia complex to get a historical tour of architectural styles, from the classical ruins to the red-tiled roofs of the traditional homes. Then, stroll through the Katakolon's lively center to discover unique local galleries and shops, and grab a seat at an oceanfront taverna with a glass of white wine and a dish of locally caught calamari.

Siracusa, Sicily, Italy - As your ship pulls into the harbor of Siracusa, it might be tempting to assume this Sicilian port is just another Italian city, but you would be mistaken. Historical icons, like the pre-Roman Empire Greek Theatre, to the piercingly blue, clear waters lapping at the shores of Ortygia island, make Siracusa stand apart from other places to vacation in Italy. A shopping trip through the Old Street Market or a fresh seafood meal along the water further cements the truth: Siracusa is a place of legends to visit with your cruise.

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.

Sevastopol, Ukraine - Sevastopol is both young and ancient. Sevastopol as it is was founded on the 14th of June 1783, but Chersonese, an ancient city, the magnificent ruins of which are located in the territory of modern Sevastopol, is much older. It was founded in the 5th century B.C. Some scholars have thought that Homer's description of the Laestrygonians' harbour in the "Odyssey" was based on Balaklava, also a part of modern Sevastopol. The historians suppose that there was a settlement on this site 30 centuries ago.

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.

Provence (Toulon), France - Situated on the French Riviera, Toulon is more about small-town charm and natural beauty than glitz and glamor. As you pull into the city's huge natural harbor, you'll see towering Mont Faron — after you dock, take the 6-minute cable car ride to the summit, where you'll be greeted to sweeping views of the Mediterranean and the city below. Cruise to Provence to stroll down the Cours Lafayette and take in the smells of oregano, thyme and freshly baked pastries from the local street vendors. Then, explore the city's naval heritage — it's been the French Navy's base for over 500 years — at the Musee de la Marine, or take a boat tour of the Rade de Toulon, the city's military harbor.

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.