Barcelona, Spain

On the northeast coast of Spain overlooking the Mediterranean, Barcelona is a vibrant port city, packed with centuries of iconic art and architecture—Gaudí and Picasso both called it home—and lined with sunny white-sand beaches. A top European center for art, architecture, design and cuisine, this stylish city has its own language and culture. The soul of old Barcelona is its Gothic Quarter. If you have extra time in Barcelona, don't miss the Picasso Gallery, where several adjoining 15th-century palaces house over 2,000 pieces of his work. Stroll along Las Ramblas, a wonderfully vibrant part of the city where street vendors and performers vie for your attention. A short trip from Barcelona by car or train, luxury outlets, cava wineries, a mountaintop abbey and the sandy beaches of the Mediterranean coast await.

Alicante, Spain

Named the friendliest city in Spain, Alicante is the capital of eastern Spain’s Costa Blanca holiday region, and the name comes from its endless sequence of white sandy beaches. The city has all the relaxation and fun of the seaside with the history and sights you’d want from a city worth exploring, including a towering medieval fortress and a classic Mediterranean old-town with whitewashed houses and cobblestone streets. Some of Alicante’s best tourist attractions are its excellent beaches. Year after year they receive the Blue Flag award by the European Union, which earns them well deserved international recognition. Alicante is also the perfect destination for the year-round enjoyment of water sports such as jet skiing, sailing, diving, snorkeling, surfing, and windsurfing. You can spend mornings at museums and churches, and afternoons swimming in clear waters or dozing under a parasol.

Gibraltar, United Kingdom

There is really nowhere quite like Gibraltar: a little piece of England looking out from Spain to the coast of Africa with a rock fabled in ancient mythology and the only wild monkey population in Europe. This famous rock is an incredible chunk of limestone towering over the city. The ancients thought it to be one of the Pillars of Hercules, with the other standing across the sea in Morocco. Enjoy a cable car that will take you 1,400 feet to the top, where you can take in the views of the Spanish and Moroccan coastlines. Dating back to the 11th century, the Moorish Castle Complex is made up of various buildings, gates, fortified walls and its most dominant features, the Tower of Homage and the Gate House. Also of note is St. Michael's Cave - a dramatic natural grotto. Gibraltar was handed over to the British by Spain in the 18th century and British it has remained ever since. Visitors can see British policemen, spend British money and enjoy the duty-free shopping. 

Malaga, Spain

Malaga, capital of the province of the same name, is the fifth most populated city in Spain. More than 3,000 years of history have passed since the city was established by the Phoenicians and now is the beautiful, friendly and cosmopolitan city that enchants tourists from all over the world. While the Mediterranean Sea bathes the coastline, the mountains close ranks behind the city to form a beautiful backdrop. Malaga has a natural heritage of beautiful parks and gardens. It is also a great city for shopping, and you will find just about everything from the mundane (clothes, shoes, bags, accessories and gift articles) to the most sublime (crafted products, antiques and works of art). Malaga has become a true City of Museums. There are 37 museums, including Buenavista Palace which houses a permanent collection showing eight decades of work by Pablo Picasso, who was here in 1881.

Marseille / Provence, France

Nice (Villefranche), France

With its mix of real-city grit, old-world opulence, year-round sunshine and stunning seaside with deep blue waters, Nice is the unofficial capital of the Côte d’Azur, jewel of the French Riviera. A magnet for sun seekers and high-rollers since the 19th century, this bewitching coastal city has much to offer – fabulous markets, an enticing old town, glorious architecture and a wealth of super restaurants. It is home to luxurious hotels and terraced cafés. Breathe in the fresh Mediterranean air as you stroll the ultra-famous Promenade des Anglais or get an eagle eye of the whole city from the top of Castle Hill. The pedestrians-only Place Rossetti is the heart of the city, with a grand fountain and the beautiful Sainte-Réparate cathedral giving it a provincial French feel. Make time to see masterpieces by Matisse, Renoir, Monet and Chagall in one of many museums.

Florence / Pisa (Livorno), Italy

Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy

Rome is both a modern and an ancient open-air museum. Walk in the footsteps of emperors, have coffee in Renaissance piazzas and see contemporary art all in one afternoon. Your sightseeing time in Rome begins nearby in the port of Civitavecchia, a seaside town with roots that stretch back to the Etruscan era. Once in the Eternal City fill your day with museums, churches, archaeological sites, traditional trattorias, artisan shops and, of course, gelato. The Coliseum and the Vatican Museums are Rome's superstar attractions, but there are plenty of quieter gems to explore. The hip neighborhood of Monti, next to the Coliseum, has a vibrant piazza scene and boutique shopping, while the Villa Borghese offers a green oasis with a view towards Saint Peter’s Basilica and the masterpiece-filled Galleria Borghese. Whether you visit the Coliseum and Roman Forum, the Vatican, or the fashionable boutiques around the Spanish Steps, the entire city is a living museum.

Naples / Capri, Italy and the Amalfi Coast