26 Nights Europe

This English borough, located on an inlet of the English Channel, is the country's busiest deep-water port. Southampton is a vibrant city known for its rich maritime history and its meandering Old Town walls. The city's Westgate is where the Pilgrims set sail for America aboard the Mayflower.

Perched on a rocky peninsula in Spains northwest, La Coruna is brimming with ancient Roman heritage and maritime history. Head to the Crystal City, located right near the harbor, and check out the galerias

The Port of Leixoes is one of Portugal's major seaports, located 4 km north of the mouth of the Douro River, in Matosinhos municipality, near the city of Porto

The Gateway to Morocco overlooks the Straits of Gibraltar and provides a magnificent view of Spain's southern coast. The Grand Socco is known for its makeshift shops, snake charmers, musicians and storytellers, while the Kasbah features a Moroccan fountain, fragrant herbs and shrubs, and orange and lemon trees.

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.

This ancient Spanish port is a peaceful, strikingly lovely city off-the-beaten-track. Fortified walls built during the reign of Philip II surround the old quarter of the city, and sheltered cliffs overlook the shimmering Mediterranean Sea.

Alicante's exceptional location between the mountains and the sea provides the city with a special kind of enrapturing beauty. Located in Spain's Valencia region, it is a lively town guarded by a 16th century fortress.

One of Spain's liveliest cities is known for its oranges, paella (a rice dish with chicken or seafood), and the fallas festival in March. More than just sun and sea, it features great museums and remains of Phoenicians, Greeks, Iberians and Romans.

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 Strait of Messina is a narrow strait between the eastern tip of Sicily and the western tip of Calabria in the south of Italy. It connects the Tyrrhenian Sea to the north with the Ionian Sea to the south, within the central Mediterranean

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.

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.

The Mississippi River is the second-longest river and chief river of the second-largest drainage system on the North American continent, second only to the Hudson Bay drainage system.

Once called Constantinople, the former capital of the Byzantine Empire is the only city in the world to straddle two continents - Europe and Asia. Its old palaces, great mosques with soaring minarets, ancient churches, museums, bazaars, and the Istanbul Strait are all worth seeing. The Grand Bazaar, the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the Topkapi Palace are impressive, unforgettable sites.

Once called Constantinople, the former capital of the Byzantine Empire is the only city in the world to straddle two continents - Europe and Asia. Its old palaces, great mosques with soaring minarets, ancient churches, museums, bazaars, and the Istanbul Strait are all worth seeing. The Grand Bazaar, the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the Topkapi Palace are impressive, unforgettable sites.

The Mississippi River is the second-longest river and chief river of the second-largest drainage system on the North American continent, second only to the Hudson Bay drainage system.

This charming, Turkish resort is reputed as one of the most attractive cities on the Aegean Sea. It is known for the ancient ruins of Ephesus - one of the world's most wondrous archaeological sites. Other historical masterpieces include the Great Amphitheatre, where St. Paul addressed the Ephesians, the Selcuk castle, and the tombs of the Seven Sleepers.

Nestled in the heart of Greece's Cyclades archipelago, Mykonos pulses with irrepressible energy. With its powder white houses, sparkling blue waters, and red-hot nightlife, The Island of the Winds is as colorful as the people who call the island home.

Katakolon is a charming fishing village on the Ionian Coast that is the gateway to Olympia, the site of the first Olympic games in 776 B.C. Prominent ruins of the Sanctuary include the athletic quadrangles and the Temple of Zeus. The Archaeological Museum contains Archaic, Classical and Roman sculptures, including the famous Niki "Winged Victory."

The Strait of Messina is a narrow strait between the eastern tip of Sicily and the western tip of Calabria in the south of Italy. It connects the Tyrrhenian Sea to the north with the Ionian Sea to the south, within the central Mediterranean

Enjoy Sorrento's history of ancient city walls and its landscape of sea, mountain, deep valleys and citrus groves. Take a boat excursion to explore inlets, grottoes or archaeological finds. Shop Via S. Cesareo for handicrafts, corals and cameos, or silver jewels. Do a walking tour on ancient Greek-Roman paths to admire picturesque villages and terraced olive groves. Tour nearby resorts in Naples, Pompei, Capri, Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello.

The "Eternal City", with its 2,700 years of ancient history, is simply incomparable. Its formidable legacy is rooted in a plethora of masterpieces, including The Sistine Chapel, the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, The Roman Forum, the Pantheon, the Spanish Steps, St. Peter's Basilica and Piazza Novana.