Start in Valletta, the capital of Malta, located on a peninsula in the northeast of the island. This UNESCO World Heritage city is rich in history, with streets and narrow stairways to explore. You can visit the Grandmasters Palace, Saint John’s Cathedral, and the ancient ramparts that have protected the city since the 16th century. Take a walk through the Barrakka Gardens or admire the painted loggia and carved details on the buildings. The city has little traffic, making it easy to explore.

Syracuse, located on the eastern coast of Sicily, is an island known for its rocky coastlines, sandy beaches, and the dominant presence of Mount Etna. Once one of the most important cities in the Ancient Greek world, it rivaled Athens in prestige. The city is shaped by a variety of cultures, including Arabic, Roman, Norman, Byzantine, and Spanish. As you explore, you see a mix of architectural styles, vibrant colors, and diverse influences. Visit the gardens on the hillside and discover historic sites that reflect the city's rich past.

Located on Sicily’s eastern coast, in the province of Messina, the seaside town of Taormina is Sicily’s Saint-Tropez, boasting heritage sites, secluded beaches, and luxury shopping. You can visit its medieval center, suspended 300 meters above sea level, where terraces offer a spectacular view of the Mediterranean Sea. Another vestige from its past are the ruins of the Greco-Roman theater. This extremely well-preserved site attracts visitors who are fascinated by the natural beauty of the area, which overlooks a turquoise bay.

Located in the Apulia region, Otrante is the easternmost transalpine town. Behind its medieval ramparts, you can taste the sweetlife of Salento, the “heel on Italy’s boot." Inhabited since Antiquity, Otrante has today become a very pleasant seaside town. Yet its history is still visible as you meander through the little streets of its old center. With its magnificent 12th century ornamental mosaic tiling, the Cathedral is one of its most beautiful treasures. During a stroll along the ramparts, you can sit and relax at a cafe terrace.

Extending out along a fertile plain facing the Adriatic Sea amid infinite landscapes sculpted by the water and wind, Bari bears the traces of the peoples who, over the centuries, have conquered it, settled it, or simply visited it fleetingly before making their way to faraway lands. Though its exact origins are lost among the mysteries of archaeology, the many sites here provide evidence of the town’s rich past. The Saracens, Byzantines, Normans, and Swabians have left a trace here, each bringing their own cultural baggage. During your stop here, stroll along the minuscule streets in Bari Vecchia, the historic center, where you can find small churches and monuments from bygone eras.

Situated on the promontory of Monte Conero, Ancona, the capital of the Marche region, offers visitors all the charm of a typical Italian historical city. Founded by the Greeks in 390 BC and conquered by Julius Caesar in 49 BC, Ancona has a long history that was very much shaped by its harbor, a hub attracting different populations and cultures. When your ship calls here, take the time to discover the city’s many buildings, such as the cathedral dedicated to Judas Cyriacus and its façade made of white and pink marble, the Arch of Trajan, which is considered to be the port’s main embellishment, or the 15th-century mansion where the painter Raphael was raised.

Linked to the Adriatic Sea by a canal, the city of Ravenna and its countless monuments offer you a rich journey back in time. Roman and Byzantine cultures intermingle here, and the fruits of this history adorn the interiors of the city's religious buildings. The abundance of classical mosaics is the most stunning witness to Ravenna's glorious past. Eight UNESCO World Heritage-listed Paleo-Christian sites punctuate your journey into the historic heart of the city. Still very lively despite the weight of its history, Ravenna has much to offer visitors.

Proud and eternal, Venice has reigned on its lagoon ever since the 6th century. You may think you know this city before even setting foot here. Fall in love with the charm of the innumerable treasures of the Serenissima: Saint Mark’s Square, the basilica, Doges Palace, the Grand Canal, and the gondolas. Yet, secret Venice is also waiting for you to explore its little interlacing streets and canals, to ramble through its squares, and to push open the doors of its churches. The city’s extraordinary heritage shouldn’t stop you from enjoying a glass of Spritz and a few tramezzini.

Proud and eternal, Venice has reigned on its lagoon ever since the 6th century. You may think you know this city before even setting foot here. Fall in love with the charm of the innumerable treasures of the Serenissima: Saint Mark’s Square, the basilica, Doges Palace, the Grand Canal, and the gondolas. Yet, secret Venice is also waiting for you to explore its little interlacing streets and canals, to ramble through its squares, and to push open the doors of its churches. The city’s extraordinary heritage shouldn’t stop you from enjoying a glass of Spritz and a few tramezzini.