Mediterranean Jewels & Malta - 8472

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

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

Tunis, the capital of the Tunisian Republic and its largest city, is situated on the large Gulf of Tunis. It may be but a slim wedge of North Africa’s vast horizontal expanse, but Tunisia has enough history and diverse natural beauty to pack a country many times its size. The city takes you by surprise with its modern conference halls, hotels and banks, and bright yellow taxis rushing passengers to business lunches. Read more about Tunis, Tunisia

Trapani is a city and commune on the west coast of Sicily in Italy. It is a fishing and ferry port with a long history. Nowadays it is renowned for fine seafood and Sicilian culture. Read more about Trapani, Italy

Named on the occasion of Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee, the city of Victoria – aka Rabat - is the capital of Gozo, a small island of the Maltese Archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea. The city is situated on a hill about six km from the artificial harbour. At the heart of the city lies the ancient Citadel of Roman times. Read more about Victoria, Malta

Valletta (aka Belt Valletta, Città Umilissima) - traditionally reserved for the historic walled citadel that serves as Malta's principal administrative district - is the capital city of Malta, located in the central-eastern portion of the island. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is essentially Baroque in style, with elements of Mannerist, Neo-Classical and Modern architecture. Don’t miss the the majestic St John’s Co-Cathedral, with its imposing bastions and a treasure of priceless paintings. Read more about Valletta, Malta

Valletta (aka Belt Valletta, Città Umilissima) - traditionally reserved for the historic walled citadel that serves as Malta's principal administrative district - is the capital city of Malta, located in the central-eastern portion of the island. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is essentially Baroque in style, with elements of Mannerist, Neo-Classical and Modern architecture. Don’t miss the the majestic St John’s Co-Cathedral, with its imposing bastions and a treasure of priceless paintings. Read more about Valletta, Malta

The Lipari Islands form a volcanic archipelago in the Tyrrhenian Sea, north of Sicily. The largest island is Lipari, and the sole town in the group is on this island, and shares the same name. There are signs of volcanic activity with fumaroles and thermal waters on most of the islands, while the volcano on Stromboli (40km to the NE) puts on a dramatic performance most nights! Read more about Lipari, Italy

Amalfi is a town in the region of Campania, Italy, on the Gulf of Salerno, 40 km SE of Naples. It lies at the mouth of a deep ravine at the foot of Monte Cerreto, surrounded by dramatic cliffs and coastal scenery. Take a drive along the coast, past precipices defying gravity, green terraces of grapevines and groves of lemon and olive trees sweeping down slopes to clear blue water below, and you are presented with some of the most breathtakingly beautiful scenery in the world. Read more about Amalfi, Italy

Rome, the capital, and largest city of Italy, is full of unending possibilities. It can be reached from the port of Civitavecchia in approximately ninety minutes either by train or coach. Rome greets visitors with a multitude of faces, such as the Ancient City with ruins like: the Colosseum; the seven hills; the Roman Forum; and the Sacred Way, the path used for triumphal processions. Read more about Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy