Barcelona, Villefranche (Nice), Livorno (Florence, Piza), Civitavecchia (Rome), Salerno-, Messina, Corfu, Kotor, Split, Ravenna

Barcelona is one of the world's greatest treasures, a global capital of commerce, fashion, culture and sunshine. Cruise visitors should start with a walk down Las Ramblas, the glorious tree-shaded thoroughfare at the heart of the city, enjoy a dive in the wonderful beaches nearby, but, most of all, see what visionary architect Antoni Gaudi wrought. Seven of his creations have been honored as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including La Sagrada Familia, the Park Guell and Casa Mila. Time provided, you can also visit the former Olympic Ring on the hill of Montjuic, home to world-class parks, fountains and museums. Barcelona, which nurtured such artistic giants as Picasso, Dali, Miro and Casals, is definitely a traveler's paradise.

Located on the south east coast of France on the Mediterranean Sea, Nice has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate. The blue waters of the Cote d'Azur and the palm-lined promenade make a striking background for this elegant city.

Livorno, Tuscany's second-largest city, is the maritime gateway to the Tuscany region and its two most known cities, Florence (to the west) and Pisa (to the north). Among Livorno's main attractions are the Cisternone, an impressive neoclassical building on Viale Giosue Carducci, designed like a Roman bath, the main city square Piazza della Repubblica with Fortezza Nuova (the castle dating back to around 1576) in the background and a number of interesting shops in the city centre that visitors can explore. Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance, is home to the Duomo, the Uffizi and the Ponte Vecchio. Pisa contains a host of beautiful cathedrals, palaces and bridges over the Arno River, as well as its glorious Leaning Tower, monument to faulty engineering.

Our gateway to the Eternal City, Civitavecchia has served as Rome's seaport since the 13th century, boasting a long and venerable history. Its location near the modern city, made it a perfect vacation resort for emperor Trajan, who built a pleasure villa. while Bernini and Michelangelo designed the harbor fortifications. Yet the Eternal City, the ancient capital of the Western World and the center of Christianity for nearly 2.000 years, is our main reason to be here. YYou can visit the ruins of the Forum and the Colosseum, throw a coin in Fontana di Trevi to make sure you return to Rome one day, take a photo in front of the Vatican, view the splendors of the Sistine Chapel or climb the Spanish Steps, once the heart of Rome's Bohemian Quarter and enjoy a delicious gelato, in the glamorous area.

Founded by Greek colonists in the 8th century BC, Messina is the 3rd largest city on the island of Sicily and the 13th largest city in Italy. The town is amphitheatrically built on top of a hill overlooking the sea and offers great views. While you wander around its alleys, you will see the Cathedral (12th century) and notice especially the Chapel of the Sacrament (late 16th century), with scenic decorations and 14th century mosaics and a bell tower which holds one of the largest astronomical clocks in the world. Among other main attractions are the Palazzo Calapaj, an example of 18th century Messinese architecture, San Ranieri lighthouse (1555), Galleria d'Arte Contemporanea di Messina, hosting notable paintings by Caravaggio and Antonello da Messina, the Fountain of Orion, located next to the Cathedral and the Fountain of Neptune, looking towards the harbour, both built by Giovanni Angelo Montorsoli in 1547 and 1557 respectivelly. Messina is the gateway to Taormina and its views of snowcapped Mt. Etna.

Fortresses flank your entrance to magnificent Corfu, one of the most beautiful of the Ionian Islands. Lose yourself in the Venetian old town or head north of the island, for dramatic seascapes. Explore the legacies of Greek, Roman and Venetian Empires or simply marvel at nature’s treasures that are hidden in this beautiful island, swathed in emerald green, lapped by turquoise waters and fringed with golden sand. The once pastel colours on Venetian buildings may have faded, but the welcoming scent of eucalyptus, fig and lemon trees are fragrant as ever. 

Kotor, which was first settled during the days of ancient Rome, is located along one of Montenegro's most beautiful fjord-like bays. It is a precious gem, with a well preserved urban center, which hosts ample medieval architecture and numerous monuments of cultural heritage that have designated the town, a UNESCO “World Natural and Historical Heritage Site". Walking along the streets and alleys, you will enjoy a fairy-tale setting, where medieval spires rise dreamily over orange rooftops beside mountainous scenery. 

Split, built under the orders of the Roman emperor Diocletian, who lived out his last days after abdicating in AD 305, is located between Venice and the Ionian Islands, on the Dalmatian coast and is one of the most important ports of Croatia. Today, the remarkable residence of the Roman Emperor, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, awaits your discovery. The white limestone palace, part luxurious villa, part military camp, is enclosed by imposing walls and connected by roads linking the eastern Silver Gate with the Iron Gate to the west. Within its premices, you can see an octagonal domed mausoleum, temples and a monumental court accessing the imperial apartments.

Ravenna, the former capital of the Western Roman Empire (402- 476) in Emilia Romana region, is famed for its mosaics which depict a rich cultural heritage. Eight early Christian monuments of Ravenna are inscribed on the World Heritage List, among which, the Basilica of Sant'Apollinare in Classe (549), the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia (c. 430), the Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo (c. 500) and the Mausoleum of Theoderic (520), the Archiepiscopal Chapel (c. 500) and the Baptistry of Neon (c. 430). Ravenna is a port town and cruise destination which serves as a gateway to the Apenine republic of San Marino, the oldest surviving sovereign state in the world and one of the smallest states in the world.