11 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.

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.

Mythology dictates that the capital of Crete, the largest of the Greek islands, is the birthplace of the god of Hospitality. Its historical powers have left evidence of their reign, including forts, fountains, walls, museums and temples.

Giardini Naxos is a comune in the Metropolitan City of Messina on the island of Sicily in southern Italy.

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.

Tuscany's second largest city has the aura of an authentic Mediterranean port and revels in its ancient maritime tradition. The Old Fortress, a grandiose five-sided complex built to protect the port, is one of the most important monuments dating back to the Medici dynasty.

The capital of the Côte d'Azur, and France's fifth largest city is well known for its Mediterranean beaches, casinos, and upper-class resort facilities along the famous Promenade des Anglais -a long boulevard along the famous Nice beaches. The old city Vieux Nice is richly blessed with fine art museums, including world-class collections of Matisse and Chagall.

Toulon combines the bustle of a major French port with the breezy ambiance of a Mediterranean resort town. Against the backdrop of looming Mont Faron, beaches and café-lined promenades line a harbor filled with historic naval ships, luxury yachts, and colorful fishing boats.

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.