Lisbon, Portimao, Gibraltar, Bonifacio, Livorno (Florence, Piza), Portoferraio, Civitavecchia (Rome)

Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, on the southwest of the country, has been the main gateway for the rest of the planet for more than 19 centuries. Ships captained by Portuguese explorers like Bartolomeu Dias, Vasco da Gama and Ferdinand Magellan, skittered across the globe, hauling treasure home and making Lisbon a global capital. Draped across seven hills, Lisbon was once the center of a vast maritime empire that stretched from the west coast of Africa to the Spice Islands of the East Indies, until 1755, when a violent earthquake destroyed two-thirds of the city, leaving intact only the Alfama, the old Moorish quarter. Today, Lisbon is a stately city of Neoclassical buildings and wide plazas. Eternally linked to the sea, Lisbon's magnificent harbor is spanned by the longest suspension bridge in Europe. Among the city's landmarks are the iconic Castelo de São Jorge, the World Heritage Sites of Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery, both built in Lisbon's native Manueline architectural style.

Portimão is the biggest town in the western Algarve and sits on the bank of the Arade river. It is famous for its cosmopolitan air, clear blue sea and golden sand beaches surrounded by rugged cliffs. Portimão is a mix of late 19th, early 20th century buildings in the older part of the town, and high-rise apartment blocks in various pastel shades of blue, pink and coral around it. The town centre is packed full of shops, offering a wide choice of clothes, gifts, souvenirs, electrical goods and general household items. There are also plenty of bars, restaurants and café’s where you can sit for a bite to eat or a drink and watch the town carry on around you. Browse one of the busy markets, and don't leave without sampling one of Portimao's most tasty and famous residents - the sardine.

Gibraltar is an amazing co-mingling of past, present and future.The Rock of Gibraltar was considerred by the Ancient Greeks as the pillars of Hercules, marking the end of the world. It is at the Top of the Rock where you begin to understand and appreciate Gibraltar’s strategic geographical location and the important role it has played throughout history. The journey to the top of the Rock rewards you with a truly breathtaking view. From a height of 426m you will see the African coastline, where the waters of the Atlantic meet the Mediterranean, Spain’s Costa del Sol and a panoramic view of the City far below, the quays, marinas and bays. Stand on top of the Rock of Gibraltar and you feel as if you were on top of the world.

Bonifacio is located on the Mediterranean Sea. It is the only major port of the Southern Coast of Corsica. The Strait of Bonifacio separates the island from Sardinia. The Citadel of the city is located on the promontory overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.

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.

Elba is the biggest island of the Tuscan Archipelago and Portoferraio is the first town you see on arrival. The island of Elba is famous around the world for harboring French Emperor Napoleon during his exile. Archaeological findings, impressive fortresses and crystal clear sea make Elba renowned.

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.