Mediterranean Yacht Harbors - 5237A

Monte Carlo is an administrative area of the Principality of Monaco in France. It really has a fairy-tale image with its beautiful Riviera - Côte d'Azur - setting, yacht-filled harbor and the elegant Casino that visitors can’t miss, though most don’t even enter to see the opulence and grandeur reflecting its exorbitant cost. It is an extremely rich place, where fast cars, big diamonds and flashy yachts are the norm. With its own Royal family who have ruled here since the 13th century, it is a place with which all of us are familiar. Read more about Monte Carlo, France

Portoferraio lies of the edge of the harbour of the Italian Island of Elba. The city's buildings are situated on a tiny hill surrounded on three sides by the sea, which presents an intriguing sight to visitors. Portoferraio remains a delightful seaside resort. For example, the Spiaggia di Sansone is a small beach where visitors are almost blinded by the white pebbles and the clear blue water - sparkling like a thousand stars - that lets you see to the bottom. Read more about Portoferraio, 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. Be adventurous and examine every nook and cranny while walking the streets and you'll be amazed at what you may find. Read more about Amalfi, Italy

Taormina is a small town on the island of Sicily in Italy, in the Province of Messina. Settled on a hill, the town - accessible via an aerial tramway - dominates two sweeping bays, and on the southern side the top of Mount Etna can be seen. While it is unashamedly touristy and has a main street lined with high-end designer shops, the town remains a striking location with gorgeous medieval churches, a stunning Greek theatre, and sweeping views. It seems to have a magical atmosphere that has attracted visitors from all over the world for many years. Read more about Taormina, Italy

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. The site is nothing short of an open-air museum, yes, living history. Read more about Valletta, Malta

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. Walk around its defensive walls and the structures that have been added over the centuries, and take in the view, not only of the city - but the entire island. Read more about Victoria, Malta

Olbia is a seaport in a NE wedge of Sardinia, and the main connection from the island to mainland Italy. It is fast becoming a popular tourist centre, primarily as the gateway to the famous and delightful stretches of coast, the Costa Smeralda. The people of the town are very friendly and there is a variety of bars, pubs and fine Italian restaurants to be enjoyed. With evidence of human occupation that extends back many thousands of years BC, the visitor is provided with a rich historical treasure-trove, including museums and monuments. Read more about Olbia, Italy

Saint Raphaël is a resort town of SE France, on the Mediterranean Sea in the Côte d'Azur. It is situated between Cannes and Saint Tropez and, has a charming location on the north side of the Gulf of Fréjus at the foot of the Esterel range. It is surrounded by spectacular views, sandy beaches, marinas, good shopping, and lots of dining possibilities. In the ‘village district’ or old town in the heart of the town, its 12th century Templar church with its tower for the protection against pirates, and the Museum of Underwater Archaeology with its notable collection of artefacts from ancient wrecks, are both well known tourist attractions. Read more about St Raphael, France

Sanary-sur-Mer is a commune at the very western end of the Côte d’Azur in the SE of France, and is located 13 km from Toulon and 49 km from Marseille. Indeed there are numerous towns that are of interest to tourists within easy reach of this port. Considered to be the most beautiful port of Southern France, its harbour is lined with palm trees and pastel coloured houses on either side of a 13th century tower that was once a part of an important defence system. It’s a great place to explore. Read more about Sanary-sur-Mer, France

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. The ‘Gothic Quarter’ is the centre of the old city of Barcelona, where many of the buildings date as far back as the Roman settlement. Read more about Barcelona, Spain

Ciutadella (Ciutadella de Menorca) is a small port on the west coast of the island of Menorca, one of the Balearic Islands located in the Mediterranean Sea belonging to Spain. It lies 205km to the SW of Barcelona. Founded by the Carthaginians, it has been occupied by Moors, Spaniards, Turks and British. While today it is the prime port for services to Mallorca, the larger port of Maó-Mahón (east end of the island) connects by ferry to mainland Spain and serves the cruise ship market. Read more about Ciudadela, Spain

Le Lavandou is a seaside resort town on the French Riviera in SE France. In the heart of the Mediterranean playground, it has all the tourist trappings such as a casino, nightclubs, discos and crowds, as well as fine sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters with rich marine life. It is a picturesque and active seaside port with yacht and fishing boat marinas. Named for the lavender that adorns the nearby fields, Le Lavandou is a favourite with visiting yachtsmen. Read more about Le Lavandou, France

Monte Carlo is an administrative area of the Principality of Monaco in France. It really has a fairy-tale image with its beautiful Riviera - Côte d'Azur - setting, yacht-filled harbor and the elegant Casino that visitors can’t miss, though most don’t even enter to see the opulence and grandeur reflecting its exorbitant cost. It is an extremely rich place, where fast cars, big diamonds and flashy yachts are the norm. With its own Royal family who have ruled here since the 13th century, it is a place with which all of us are familiar. Read more about Monte Carlo, France

The seaside resort town of Saint-Tropez that lies 104 km to the east of Marseille in SE France is very popular with tourists. Set on the lovely blue water of the Bay of Saint-Tropez, this modern version of a medieval town is distinguished by the line of yachts along the quay, the promenade, and the famous terrace cafes. Behind the cafes, the small streets and old buildings comprising sunset-hued pink, orange and deep red townhouses are picturesque, but they're possibly more popular for the multitude of shops and restaurants than their historical significance. Read more about St Tropez, France

Bastia is a commune in the Haute-Corse department of France located in the NE of the island of Corsica at the base of Cap Corse. Filled with heart, soul and character, the bustling old port of Bastia is a pleasant surprise. It is an authentic snapshot of modern-day Corsica, a lived-in city that’s resisted the urge to polish up its image just to please the tourists. The historical neighbourhoods of Terra Vecchia and Terra Nova are especially vibrant – allow yourself the time to take in the sights, and mosey around atmospheric streets and boutiques. Read more about Bastia, France

Portovenere is a tiny town on the Italian Riviera that overlooks the Gulf of La Spezia. It is a wonderful, delightful village that acts as the gateway to the well-known Cinque Terre that has remained relatively isolated from the rest of the world for centuries, and subsequently has retained the medieval look of the 'Five Lands'. It is accessible by boat and train, and there are some great tours on offer. You can take a ferry and enjoy some of the most evocative landscapes of the Mediterranean. Read more about Portovenere, 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. There is Renaissance Rome, full of winding streets and sun-dappled piazzas, and the Vatican, home to the Pope. Read more about Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy