Idyllic Islands of the Mediterranean

Barcelona, located in Catalonia Spain, is Europe's largest metropolis on the Mediterranean coast, and one of the world’s major global cities. Today, Barcelona balances itself on the cutting edge of architecture, intellectual life, and style. Indeed Barcelona won the 1999 RIBA Royal Gold Medal for its architecture, the first time that the winner has been a city, and not an individual architect. Read more about Barcelona, Spain

Ibiza Town, or as the locals call it Vila d’Eivissa, is situated on the SE coast of the Spanish island of Ibiza, of which it is the capital. Most famous for its night life - indeed the island is regarded the undisputed Party Capital of the World - two of the island's most luxurious nightclubs, Pacha and El Divino, are located in Ibiza Town itself, while the nightclub Space is just south of the town. Ibiza Town is certainly the most fascinating part of the island, as it has a concentration of all the attractions and eccentricities which have made Ibiza world famous. Read more about Ibiza Town, Spain

Palma de Mallorca is the major city and port on the Mediterranean island of Majorca, and capital city of the autonomous community of the Balearic Islands in Spain. It is situated on the south coast of the island on the Bay of Palma, and almost half of the total population of Majorca live there. Visitors are spellbound by its blue waters, white beaches, lush foliage (almost 40 percent of the island is protected countryside), and 300 days of sunshine each year. Read more about Palma de Mallorca, Spain

Mahon is the capital city of the Balearic Island of Minorca. The Balearic Islands form an autonomous Spanish community. Mahon, located on the eastern part of the island has the second deepest natural harbor in the world. Read more about Mahon, Spain

Seen from the water, Calvi, on the island of Corsica off the southern shores of France, is a beautiful spectacle with its three immense citadel bastions topped with ochre buildings that are sharply defined against a hazy backdrop of mountains. A hangout for European glitterati in the 1950s, the town these days is an interesting resort, in that its glamorous marina, souvenir shops and fussy boutiques contrast with the down-to-earth villages of its rural hinterland. Fascinatingly, Christopher Columbus supposedly came from Calvi, and there is a large statue at the foot of the citadel that commemorates this legend. Read more about Calvi, France

Porto Santo Island is a little known member of the Madeiran archipelago that lies 30 km NE of the island of Madeira, in the Atlantic Ocean, just off the west coast of Africa. The place remains blissfully undeveloped. The beaches are the island’s biggest selling point. Read more about Porto Santo, Portugal

Bonifacio, on the southern tip of the Mediterranean island of Corsica, is a picturesque natural harbour located at the end of a fjord-like inlet, and is the southernmost commune in Metropolitan France. Bonifacio also boasts a busy marina filled with impressive yachts and lined with - chic bars, restaurants, and hotels - enhancing the vibrancy of this fashionable coastal resort. The Old Town, otherwise known as the Upper City, is situated on the site of a citadel built in the 9th century when the city was first founded, and with its labyrinth of narrow streets and historic Genoese buildings is a truly fascinating place to explore. Read more about Bonifacio, France

Porto Cervo is the main centre of the famous Costa Smeralda, known for its terrific beaches, on the northern shores of the Italian island of Sardinia. It is also renowned for being home to some of the largest luxury yachts in the world. A place where the wealthy flock to the posh hotels, it is the centre of numerous delightful beaches that are easily reached. Read more about Porto Cervo, Italy

Rome, sometimes referred to as "The Eternal City," is the capital city of Italy. Cruises from Rome depart the Rome Cruise Terminal which is approximately 1.5 hours by train North-West of the city centre. Rome is renowned across the world for its rich past, impressive archaeological sites, delectable cuisine, gorgeous gardens, homes of local nobility, and significant structures including the Spanish Steps, the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, Trevi Fountain, and Piazza Navona. Read more about Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy