Barcelona to Rome: Islands of the Western Mediterranean

Capital of proud Catalonia, Barcelona is a cosmopolitan city like no other. Old and new combine in Barcelona; narrow Gothic Quarter alleyways contrast with grand boulevards. Everywhere, the city celebrates the work of Gaudi, its surreal modernist hometown architect. The city also boasts an incredible collection of Picasso’s work. Stroll down Las Ramblas, Barcelona’s wide tree-lined boulevard and enjoy the street carnival. Enjoy delectable tapas in the many restaurants and bars. See what the Olympic fervor was all about.

Mallorca is an island of emerald mountains, turquoise seas, lemon and orange orchards, olive groves, and cedar-studded hills. In Palma, the capital, you’ll find a dramatic seafront cathedral to explore and leafy promenades to stroll. Visit the Arab Baths for a glimpse of the town’s Moorish past. Or simply enjoy the sun, sand, and sea that have beguiled celebrities, jet setters, and royal families for years.

Enjoy the on-board amenities as you cruise the blue Mediterranean waters toward Sardinia.

Alghero is a charming old town, walled and fortified by the Catalans and the Spanish who occupied this corner of Sardinia for 400 years and left a strong impression, not only on the architecture but also the language, traces of which survive. The bastion walls that protected the town from attack by sea have been rebuilt and restored, and are supported by a handful of impressive defensive towers. Within the walls, narrow paved and cobbled streets lead beneath washing and shuttered windows to attractive little squares that are filled with life in the mornings and early evenings. The harbour immediately outside the walls is busy with fishing and pleasure boats. The paved, landscaped esplanade and area along the Lido make for pleasant strolls.

This fashionable resort town lies on the magnificent Gulf of Santa Giulia near the southern tip of Corsica. Combine a day at the beach with a visit to one of the prehistoric sites nearby.

Gliding into the town of Portoferraio, you can see why Napoleon chose Elba for his exile; an island of pink granite, pine forests, and pristine beaches. The contrasts of the Elba countryside – from its typical fishing villages and high mountain passes to its stylish summer resorts on the coast – are enchanting. Elba’s restaurants feature excellent seafood, and small private vineyards produce local Moscato and Aleatico wines.

2,500 years of history are woven into the fabric of modern Rome. You can feel it in the glory of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican. Or as you wander sidestreets that open onto piazzas, fountains, Bernini sculpture, and elegant courtyards. Famous treasures are legion in Rome: the Colosseum…the Forum…St. Peter’s Cathedral…the Trevi Fountain…the Spanish Steps. Take time out between sights to do as the Romans do: enjoy a three-hour lunch, shop, people-watch, or savor the best gelati in the world.