14 Nights Europe, Mediterranean

Greece's capital and its largest city was born atop the Acropolis, where ancient warrior-kings once dwelled. These ruins are a testament to the golden age of Greece, and the Parthenon is considered the most architecturally sophisticated temples of its time. Ancient Agora, a sprawling array of stones, slabs and foundations, was once the focal point of ancient Greek life.

Corfu was once ruled by Venetian doges, Turkish sultans and French invaders. Marvel at the 17th-century icons in St. George's Church, the medieval Palace of Phrourio and the 19th-century Achilleion Palace. The greenest of the Greek Isles, Corfu also boasts thriving vineyards and olive orchards among its rugged mountains.

This Sicilian port city is noted for the Duomo, an elegant reconstruction of the medieval cathedral built by Roger II, and the detached campanile, which contains the largest astronomical clock in the world. Ruins salvaged from past natural disasters are housed in the Museo Regionale.

The city of Palma is located on the southern side of Mallorca, the largest the Spanish Balearic islands. Though it has its fair share of cultural attractions, Mallorca's predominant crowd-pullers are the Serra de Tramuntana mountains range and the sun-splashed beaches.

The capital of Catalonia boasts the bustle of the world's busiest seaport, the medieval romance of its Gothic Quarter, and a feast of Catalan Art Nouveau buildings - including the great creations of Antonio Gaudí. The "Great Enchantress" remains one of the most exhilarating cities in Europe, decorated with the grandeur of Picasso, Miró and Dalí.

The Rock of Gibraltar towers above the surrounding countryside on a narrow peninsula linked to the end of the Iberian Peninsula by a narrow sandy isthmus. Gibraltar offers a wide array of native plant life as well as dolphins in the Bay of Gibraltar and other marine mammals which include the Pilot Whales of the Strait, Killer Whales and even larger species such as Sperm Whales. Gibraltar also has its own unique bird: the Barbary Partridge. Not to be missed is the spectacular migration of several thousand birds in a single day (15 different species), including birds of prey, storks, vultures, songbirds and seabirds. Take the "Official Rock Tour" to enjoy the rich natural history. Other attractions are the Stakis Casino, the landmark sites along the city gates and Walls of Gibraltar built by the Moors, and the village of Catalan Bay.

France's second largest city and largest port offers gorgeous coastline, the Provence sun and cosmopolitan charm. Remnants of its decorated 2,600-year history include a 19th-century basilica and cathedral and the Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde church. The city has several museums, including the Archaeology and Fine Arts museums.

The northern Italian port city of La Spezia, on the border of Liguria and Tuscany, offers an ideal gateway to two of the countrys most famous cities: Pisa and Florence. Just one hour by car or train will bring you to Pisa, where you can check out the white-stone arches of the citys famous leaning tower and its sister-structure, the Pisa Cathedral

One of the world's greatest cultural centres is stretched around the Bay of Naples and lies at the foot of Mount Vesuvius in one of the most outstanding scenic settings in the Mediterranean. It hosts extraordinary works of art and architecture in classical Greek and Roman styles.