8 Nights Mediterranean

One of the world's most romantic cities is a powerful, delicate synthesis of sumptuous palaces and romantic waterways. Amidst the 400 bridges and 114 canals is the Basilica Di San Marco, famous for its 43,055sq ft of stunning mosaics, and Piazza San Marco, dubbed by Napoleon as "the most beautiful drawing room in all of Europe.

From the brightly painted buildings and fishing boats that line the seafront, to the hilltop baroque church that stands watch over old town?it's no wonder Rovinj is one of the most-photographed coastal towns along Croatia's Istrian Peninsula.

The largest city on the Adriatic Coast, seaside delight Split has been under Roman, Venetian, Austrian, French, Italian and Yugoslav control. There is an abundance of restaurants and wine cellars. Sites such as Diocletians Palace and Mausoleum, the Grgur Ninski Statue and the Cathedral and Bell Tower of St. Domnius justify its position as a UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site. The citys coves offer several lovely beaches, including central Bacvice. Ferries link Split to Dalmatian summer resorts.

Croatia's seaside city is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe. Attractions include a 14th-century Franciscan monastery, the Cathedral and the Gothic Rector's Palace. Within the ancient fortifications is a labyrinth of narrow alleyways and a striking Renaissance boulevard called the Stradun.

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, youll enter a larger-than-life world of mighty forts and towering sea cliffs, the air filled with the refreshing smell of the ocean. With a Montenegro cruise, you can explore the attractions inside Kotors fortified Old City, one of the Mediterraneans best-preserved medieval towns. Dont miss the Cathedral of St. Tryphon, an ornate church first consecrated in 1166. Then, scale St. Johns Fortress ? the hilltop fortifications, dating back to the 6th century, offer the best views of the city, the harbor and the surrounding mountains.

Giardini Naxos is a comune in the Metropolitan City of Messina on the island of Sicily in southern Italy.

Enjoy Sorrento's history of ancient city walls and its landscape of sea, mountain, deep valleys and citrus groves. Take a boat excursion to explore inlets, grottoes or archaeological finds. Shop Via S. Cesareo for handicrafts, corals and cameos, or silver jewels. Do a walking tour on ancient Greek-Roman paths to admire picturesque villages and terraced olive groves. Tour nearby resorts in Naples, Pompei, Capri, Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello.

The "Eternal City", with its 2,700 years of ancient history, is simply incomparable. Its formidable legacy is rooted in a plethora of masterpieces, including The Sistine Chapel, the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, The Roman Forum, the Pantheon, the Spanish Steps, St. Peter's Basilica and Piazza Novana.