Venice is the heart and soul of romance. Cast your eye on the rounded domes of San Marco, take a deep breath at the Bridge of Sighs, gaze on the golden lions and the Renaissance glories of the Doge's Palace, listen for the ghosts of Verdi, Puccini and Caruso at La Fenice Opera House, gape at the classic Palladian proportions of the Church of San Giorgio Maggiore, or glide in a gondola down the Grand Canal. Know that love is always in the air in Venice.

Rovinj is a typical example of a Mediterranean town. The town is dominated by the Baroque three-nave church of St. Euphemia (Fuma). Close to the harbor are the clock tower, the Baroque Balbi's Arch, and the former 17th-century Town Hall. To the east lies the complex of the Franciscan monastery and to the south, Rovinj's oldest monument, the Romanesque heptagonal chapel of the Holy Trinity.

The heavenly scent of lavender perfumes the air in the fields and valleys around the island of Hvar. Idyllically located just off the Dalmatian Coast, the island and the little port named after it have been a favorite getaway ever since the time of the Romans, the Byzantines, the Venetians, and even Austro-Hungarian royalty.

It was George Bernard Shaw who said, “Those who seek paradise on earth should come to Dubrovnik.” Indeed, Dubrovnik is a treasure by any measure made more precious by its miraculous restoration. Crowned by the Minceta Tower, the 10th-century city walls are the proud symbol of Dubrovnik's colorful history.

Enjoy a spectacular swimming stop. 

This stunning rock-walled chasm splitting the coastal mountains of Montenegro is the longest arm of the sea in southern Europe. Boka harbors one of the prettiest, unspoiled towns you'll ever see, the medieval city of Kotor. Founded by the Romans, fortified during the Byzantine era, then ruled by Venice for much of its history, Kotor has been naturally preserved by its isolation.

The lushest (and some say the loveliest) of all the Greek Islands, Corfu lies just a stone's throw from the Albanian coast. Nowhere is the stunning natural beauty of Corfu more evident than in the small village of Paleocastritsa, where legend says Odysseus was washed ashore to be rescued by Nausicaa.

Barreling under full sail through the narrow Strait of Messina past Scylla and Charybdis, where rock and whirlpool almost claimed Ulysses, you arrive in lovely Taormina. Perched on the shoulder of Mt. Etna, Taormina inspired Goethe to say that “it is the greatest work of art and nature.”

Sorrento, whose city walls rise straight out of the sea, is located on the lovely Amalfi Coast and overlooks the Bay of Naples. Optional excursions might include taking a trip back in history to Pompeii, where the ashen remains of ancient Romans lie frozen in time.

The pastel houses of Ponza Town rise in neat terraced rows from the busy harbor where sleekly groomed yachts and ramshackle fishing boats moor side by side. Happily, there are few tourists here, so it's a delight to wander through the unspoiled town.

Palmarola is a snorkelling heaven that is part of a group called The Pontine Islands, located off the coast between Rome and Naples. A craggy landscape with pink coral beaches and emerald coves beckons so don't forget your swimsuit and flippers. It's totally unique, isolated and stunning.

Arrive in Rome: St. Peter's, with its breathtaking Sistine Chapel, newly restored to its former glory; the Spanish Steps, where all Rome passes by; the Colosseum, where gladiators fought to the death, and the Pantheon, considered to be the most perfect architectural statement of the ages.

Bonifacio's almost land-locked harbor is one of the most dramatic, totally protected harbors. It is a bustling port with excellent seafood restaurants, and a modern marina. The ancient citadel town is perched high atop a seemingly impenetrable cliff.

Alghero is the main resort in the northwest of Sardinia and one of its most beautiful medieval cities. Its bustling historic center is packed with excellent bars and restaurants, making it a great place to hang out. It is also ideally placed for exploring the beaches of nearby Riviera del Corallo. Interestingly a form of medieval Catalan is still spoken even though the Iberians left three centuries ago.

The resort of Porticcio is clean and modern and there are several beaches in the town. There is a long sandy stretch called the Plage de la Viva that is lively with enough activities going on that most people are happy to stay put. However if you do feel like venturing away then head south towards Filitosa. This prehistoric site is in a lovely countryside setting and is one of the rare places in the world where prehistoric engraved stones can be seen.

Ajaccio has a justified reputation as a very stylish city. Napoléon Bonaparte was born here in 1769, and as you would expect the city has many sites relating to him, from his childhood home to seafront statues, museums and street names. Its immediate surroundings are a paradise for hikers, mountain bikers, trekkers and climbers. It provides a whole range of outdoor activities which you can enjoy by yourself or with professionals.

Napoleon once said that he could recognize his native island blindfolded because of the wonderful perfume of the maquis. Approaching by sea, it is the first thing you experience about Corsica. The second is its wild and mountainous landscape. Nearby are secluded beaches and the eerie Grottes des Veaux Marins, offering fantastic diving opportunities.

Portofino is a fishing village on the Italian Riveria coastline. Its pastel-colored houses, luxury boutiques, and seafood restaurants surround its Piazzetta, a small cobbled square overlooking the harbor, which is lined with super-yachts. A short walk takes you up to the Church of St. George, a church with a cool, plain interior, dramatically situated on the narrow neck of the Portofino headland. As a lookout point, and probably as a site of religious significance, the spot goes back thousands of years.

Monaco is the fabled domain of princes and movie stars. The magnificent Palais du Prince and opulent casinos remind you of an elegant, pre-war era. With more wealth concentrated in one small area than almost any place on earth, this tiny principality retains its gilt-edged allure.

Glittering Cannes is the archetypal Mediterranean resort city discovered by wealthy English nobles who came to the sunny south of France to escape their drafty old castles during the dreary British winters. Cannes’ high flying lifestyle has attracted notables and the notorious ever since. Every year, the stars flock to celebrate the Cannes Film Festival at the colossal Palais des Festivals. Disembark after breakfast and continue your independent trip back home.