10 Nights Europe, Mediterranean

Monte Carlo is majestically situated just a few kilometres from the Italian Riviera - between the Alps and the Mediterranean Sea. Known for its sumptuous boutiques, palatial luxury hotels and chic restaurants, Monte Carlo offers cultured glitz and glamour in a romantic setting.

This beautiful coastal town is idyllically situated on a harbour, and is thus one of the world's favoured yachting locales. A little parish church of San Giorgio, built on the site of a sanctuary that Roman soldiers dedicated to the Persian god Mithras, offers an unparalleled panoramic view of the port and the bay.

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.

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.

Olbia (Greek for "happiness") is a popular jumping-off point for those visiting the white-sand beaches of the Costa Smeralda, but those who linger in the coastal city uncover a historic center filled with archaeological landmarks, piazzas ringed by wine bars, and authentic eateries.

War-torn Palermo was neglected for centuries after WWII, which ironically led to the preservation of the city's historic buildings and bombsites. Though it was once regarded as Europe's most beautiful city, the fanciful decay of Palermo is now what draws visitors.

This Balearic Island has a split personality. It's a 2,600-year-old Phoenician island steeped in monumental Renaissance architecture. It's also an offbeat, uncanny party spot known for one of the hottest club scenes in the world.

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.

Tarragona is a port city in northeastern Spain's Catalonia region. Many ancient ruins remain from its time as the Roman colony of Tarraco. The Amfiteatre Romà is a 2nd-century arena facing the Mediterranean, the Necropolis contains Roman tombs, and traces of the Forum stand among the alleys of the walled, medieval old Town. A walkway along the ramparts, the Passeig Arqueològic, has sweeping views of the city.