The new cruise port in the grand harbour of Maltese capital Valletta is an impressive introduction to this fascinating Mediterranean island. Late medieval and baroque architecture abound in this UNESCO World Heritage Site with its ancient city walls, many churches and palaces. Fort St Elmo, created by the Knights of St John and once the most impregnable in the world, houses in its National War Museum the famous George Cross that was awarded to Malta during World War II to mark the bravery of the besieged islanders.

Even on the beautiful island of Corsica, towns don’t come much prettier than Ajaccio, Napoleon’s birthplace, where the warmth of Italian Dolce Vita and the style and cuisine of France combine to create an atmosphere that’s quite unique.

From the port of Livorno, the glories of Italy’s remarkable region of Tuscany unfold. Whether you opt to visit the renaissance splendours of Florence or the equally stunning city of Pisa, you’re guaranteed an unforgettable day. In Florence, its shop-lined Ponte Vecchio, trademark Piazza del Duomo, and striking Signoria Square, are all in walking distance of one another. And in the famous city of Pisa, gaze in awe at the gravity defying Leaning Tower, which for centuries visitors have flocked to see.

Legendary fountains, piazzas, ancient architecture and cathedrals await your discovery in Italy’s capital. At the Trevi Fountain capture the magic of Rome’s grandest fountain. Gaze up at the horizon and you’ll no doubt see St Peters Basilica. Visible from nearly everywhere in the city, it is built on the site where St Peter was martyred and buried. Witness the beautiful paintings of Michelangelo at the magnificent Sistine Chapel. And no visit to Rome would be complete without a visit to its imposing amphitheatre, the Colosseum.

Naples is the perfect gateway to visit picturesque Sorrento and the historical ruins of Pompeii. Sorrento was once a favourite resort to the Romans and evidence of their wealth can be found around every corner. Explore the imposing Duomo with its distinctive 13 th century cloister and the charming flower filled town. For a poignant taste of Roman history visit the ruins of Pompeii, a once prosperous city now frozen in time. Now it is preserved by the very thing that destroyed its flourishing civilisation, the ash of the mighty volcano, Vesuvius.

The new cruise port in the grand harbour of Maltese capital Valletta is an impressive introduction to this fascinating Mediterranean island. Late medieval and baroque architecture abound in this UNESCO World Heritage Site with its ancient city walls, many churches and palaces. Fort St Elmo, created by the Knights of St John and once the most impregnable in the world, houses in its National War Museum the famous George Cross that was awarded to Malta during World War II to mark the bravery of the besieged islanders.

The island of Sicily is separated from Italy by the Strait of Messina, and retains an air of independence from its motherland. Messina, has wide avenues, a stunning harbour and is located close to the classical ruins of Tindari and the ancient city of Taormina. A mountainous and rugged land, Sicily is dominated by Europe’s largest volcano, Mt. Etna. With four live craters around its summit, this is one of the most active volcanoes in the world.

Zadar, a city on Croatia’s Dalmatian coast, is known for the Roman and Venetian ruins of its peninsular Old Town. There are several Venetian gates in the city walls. Surrounding the Roman-era Forum is 11th-century St. Mary’s Convent, with religious art dating to the 8th century. There’s also the grand, 12th-century St. Anastasia’s Cathedral and the round, 9th-century pre-Romanesque Church of St. Donatus.

Trieste is the capital city of the Friuli Venezia Giulia region in northeast Italy. A port city, it occupies a thin strip of land between the Adriatic coast and Slovenia’s border on the limestone-dominated Karst Plateau. Italian, Austro-Hungarian and Slovenian influences are all evident in its layout, which encompasses a medieval old city and a neoclassical Austrian quarter.

Nestling on the sparkling Dalmatian coast, the medieval Croatian port of Split, faces the myriad magical islands of the Kornati archipelago which include Brac, Hvar and Vis.

The new cruise port in the grand harbour of Maltese capital Valletta is an impressive introduction to this fascinating Mediterranean island. Late medieval and baroque architecture abound in this UNESCO World Heritage Site with its ancient city walls, many churches and palaces. Fort St Elmo, created by the Knights of St John and once the most impregnable in the world, houses in its National War Museum the famous George Cross that was awarded to Malta during World War II to mark the bravery of the besieged islanders.