Surrounded by glowing turquoise waters and rugged coastline, Trapani invites you to explore western Sicily's ruins, intense flavors, and sun-soaked leisure pursuits. Built on salt and tuna exports, Trapani is experiencing a renaissance, having been lovingly spruced up as a sailing capital, and an international airport bringing in visitors from far and wide. The town looks out over the Egadi Islands, gazing west to witness some of Sicily’s most evocative sunset displays. Start exploring Trapani from its historic core, a dense network of alleys hosting a collection of small shops, restaurants, and wine bars. You'll encounter the Cathedral of San Lorenzo - where colorful artworks are spread below sweeping arches and a beautiful domed roof. Sicily feels like an island on the cusp of continents, and Trapani practically has one foot in Africa, as you soak in its pretty whitewashed houses and fusion of foods and arts. Discover the Ancient Greek influence by venturing to rich archaeological sites nearby, like Selinus and Segesta, where the treasures from the past have been unearthed and displayed. Pyramids of white salt rise up at the Riserva Naturale Saline di Trapani e Paceco. These salt marshes and windmills are a symbol of Trapani, and although sea salt production is much less important today, the small white hills remain a Trapani landmark. Look out for the pink flamingos wading in the salt pans below. For beach days, the Egadi Islands can be easily reached from Trapani - Favignana is the largest and most popular.

Included Shore Excursions: 

• Panoramic Trapani & Erice
• The Essence of Erice

Located just to the north of Sicily, and to the west of Italy's mainland, Lipari Island is the largest of the Aeolian's cluster. Florally painted buildings line cobbled, plant-pot-decorated streets - and glow attractively in the ever-present sunshine. The laid-back island atmosphere immediately washes over you, as you breathe in your first taste of the salty sea air. With tastebud-jangling pizza, palate-satisfying wines, and sparkling blue waters to behold - Lipari Island is a little slice of sensory heaven. Head straight to the shore to soak up the rich blue hues of spots like Havana Beach - where shelves of turquoise are interrupted only by bobbing yachts and occasional swimmers. Hike the scenery and look out across the archipelago to the fiery cone of Stromboli - one of three active volcanoes in Italy - which looms from the blue waters. Visit a winery, to admire the neat rows of vines, and taste the subtle flavors the grapes acquire from these fertile soils. Sip the wines, alongside fresh curls of ham and cheese. Explore the town's charms - such as the archaeological museum, which tells of a turbulent history in the clutches of major empires - before climbing the stone-stepped incline to the salmon-pink Cathedral of San Bartolomeo. Beautiful frescoes spread across the roof, and you can admire the Norman cloisters, and silver statue of the island's patron saint, Saint Bartholomew. This statue is said to perform the miracle of changing its weight when required - notably when the fascist regime attempted to sell it - only to discover it was mysteriously featherlight and worthless. Lipari Castle's steeply banked walls add a crowning glory to this island of volcanic wonder.

Included Shore Excursions:

• Lipari Island & Museum
• Lipari on Foot

At the entrance to the undulating Cilento Coast, Agropoli’s historic old town perches above a lively port where fishing and leisure boats shift gently on the waves. Agropoli reclines in a state of coastal contentment for much of the year, before humming into life during the summer months. Nestled on the Gulf of Salerno, just south of the Amalfi Coast, the Cilento coastline is less crowded but just as dreamy as its famous neighbor, with an array of golden beaches and hidden coves. Dramatic sunsets dip into the waters, painting reds and golds across the evening's waves. The gentle incline of Corso Garibaldi leads you up towards the original historic gate, opening into 'Il Borgo' - a maze of sun-faded facades and cobbled alleyways, bursting with flowers. A tangle of narrow streets reveals lemon-painted churches and opens to tucked-away piazzas where espresso machines hiss. Narrow staircases lead up to the Aragonese castle, originally founded in the 6th century and reinforced over the following centuries. The fortified walls offer sweeping views over Agropoli, whose name comes from the Greek Akropolis - meaning 'high city'. The town, which began as a Greek outpost before evolving under Byzantine, Norman, and Aragonese rule, lies near the UNESCO-listed Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park. The ruins of Paestum - home to a trio of remarkably well-preserved Greek temples with towering classical columns - are also close by.

Included Shore Excursions:

• Walking Tour of Agropoli Historical Center
• Paestum Excavations

Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind, and catch up with what you've been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale-watching, catching up on your reading, or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring shoreside.

Encircled by dramatic medieval walls, which rise abruptly from deep-blue waters, Alghero's defenses shelter one of Sardinia's largest and most spectacular old towns. Uneven cobbled streets, rich history, and a fiery Catalan flare provide a real depth of character, and the Coral Riviera's pristine beaches, which stretch out nearby, help to make Alghero a real highlight of Sardinia. Alghero has changed hands numerous times over its tempestuous history, but it's the Catalan influence that you'll feel most acutely, as you explore. It was the Catalans who upgraded the defensive ramparts of the 'Sardinian Barcelonetta' into the spectacular, imposing fortress we see today, enclosing the old town's evocative knot of narrow streets and rose-gold-colored masonry. Wander the streets at your leisure, enjoying the cooling shade of the tight, cobblestone streets with lemon gelato in hand, or enjoying fresh tuna steak at the bustling La Boqueria market. Alghero Cathedral is hidden amid the labyrinth of narrow streets but it's the distinctive Baroque-dome of Chiesa di San Michele that you'll immediately notice peeking ostentatiously over the terracotta roofs of the old town, flaunting its rainbow-colored patterning. Plush restaurants revel in Alghero's historical collision of cultures and produce delicious fare like plump clams tangled in tagliatelle, and succulent porcetto pork - slowly roasted to perfection in smoky wood ovens. Wash it down with mirto, a crushed berry liqueur, or sample the fruits of local vineyards, with a platter of Sardinia's renowned pecorino sheep's cheese. The city dominates Sardinia's Coral Riviera - so named because of the red coral found here that's been used for jewelry since Roman times. Lie back and listen to the waves washing ashore at Spiaggia di Maria Pia beach, breathing in the smell of pine needles on the breeze.

Included Shore Excursions:

• Alghero & Nuraghe Palmavera
• Alghero Walking Tour

Napoleon Bonaparte may have been forced into exile here in 1814, but nowadays this picturesque Tuscan island draws no end of visitors who come by their own free will. Offshore in the Tyrrhenian Sea, Elba is a mountainous mirage of glowing beaches, turquoise waters, and craggy coastline. The island capital's sun-faded pink and yellow buildings stack up over the waterfront, offering sweeping views back to the mainland. The harbor's tiny wooden fishing boats are now dwarfed by the gleaming yachts that visit, and Elba invites you to join them, dropping in to relish a secluded, sun-soaked taste of the island's good life. Elba is the third-biggest Italian island, and the protected Tuscan archipelago's largest, with no fewer than 90 miles of gorgeous coastline rolling out for you to explore. Grown from the ruins of the Roman settlement of Fabricia, steep fortifications, and a scenic natural harbor all add to Portoferraio's appeals. Bonaparte hung around for just ten months - but the sea panorama from his former residence, Villa dei Mulini - which is now a museum - keeps visitors coming back for more. An island of steep inclines, which reward with spectacular vistas, Elba's villages cling to precipitous drops, while beautiful beaches unravel along its shores and enchanting scenery of chestnut tree woods, olive groves, and vineyards coat its lands. Take the cable car up to Monte Capanne - which offers more of the island's trademark views, without the need to break a sweat. Settle down to taste the island's succulent seafood, and tuck into juicy, grilled sardines and plump octopus - rounded off with a glass of the famous local, sweet wine.

Included Shore Excursions:

• Eastern Elba Panorama
• Portoferraio Walking Tour

A summer escape for Rome's historic elite, the stacked waterfront of Porto Santo Stefano is a secluded taste of idyllic southern Tuscany. Physically closer to Rome than Florence, the city is strung to Italy's western coast by two sandy harnesses and sits on the unique peninsula of Monte Argentario - which was once an island. Flamboyant pink flamingos and herons stroll through the encased lagoon, while Porto Santo Stefano's waterfront hums with clinking cafes and strolling visitors. The luxury yachts in the harbor show that Porto Santo Stefano has lost none of its luxury appeals, and with beaches, wild hikes, and waterfront beauty, it continues to lure visitors to this secluded escape. Known for its fishing and cuisine - which is based on heavy use of the Tyrrhenian Sea's juicy bounty. Stroll to Piazza dei Rioni for a dripping lemon gelato, or wander the streets noticing the lingering World War II damage - the city was heavily bombed during the conflict. Fortunately, the historic, star-shaped, Spanish fort was spared, and it still watches out resolutely over the waters. Built during the Napoleonic Wars, it fortified the exposed town against pirate raids and offers beautiful views over the old town's terracotta roofs. Rugged coastline falls to secluded beaches, with a wilder, unkempt charm. Sail the coves - seeing cascading olive groves - or island hop to Giglio and Giannuti, which lie 12 miles from shore, and can be seen from the monastery-topped Argentario Mountain. On the other side of the promontory, you'll find Porto Ercole - where the lifeless body of the Old Master, Caravaggio, was discovered.

Included Shore Excursions:

• Panoramic of Monte Argentario & Porto Ercole Walking Tour
• Porto Santo Stefano & Fortress on Foot
• Easy Panoramic of Monte Argentario & Orbetello

Effervescent and exclusive, Portofino rests on a privileged peninsula. Lavish yachts mingle together, seeking out coveted berths in the harbor, while gelato drips onto the stone-paved streets in this, the most alluring and glamorous town of the Italian Riviera. This section of the Ligurian Coast is a protected area, and home to some of the country's most picturesque, and jaw-dropping scenery - which is best viewed from the deck of a sailing boat. Crisp white villas roll out across the verdant green hillsides, surrounded by laden vineyards and olive groves. Down in Portofino itself, the buzz of chatter and the clatter of cutlery, provide the soundtrack to busy terrace bars and restaurants, which serve up fine food and delicious sea views. Portofino's achingly beautiful harbor arcs around the lapping waves, with a warmly-hued waterfront of peach and apricot colors - which also adorns postcards and promotional travel guides of Italy. For the authentic Portofino experience, sail out onto the tranquil waters of the Gulf of Tigullio, to mingle amongst the privileged at play, or settle back in the shade as you take aperitivo on the picturesque waterfront Piazzetta. Here you can sip the famous Ligurian wines, and stave off hunger with focaccia con il formaggio - or platters of fine cheese and hams. Deeper into Portofino, you'll find artisans crafting their wares and weaving together lace, or you can ascend to viewpoints like the lemon-shaded Church of San Giorgio, to look over the pretty jumble from up above. A wander out along the headland to the tapering tip of the peninsular, rewards with the views of Portofino's iconic white lighthouse beaming out light and welcoming ships to this slice of Riviera heaven.

Included Shore Excursions:

• Portofino Walking Tour
• Santa Margherita & Portofino

Nice's sweeping bend of brilliant blue seawater - which once tempted the aristocracy of Europe - continues to entice and entrance visitors to these sun-soaked shores. A refined city of airy ocean boulevards, grandiose buildings and open spaces, fountain-sprinkled parks, and colorful floral displays add to the city's timeless appeal. Nice has lost none of its old-world luster, and there remains something of the divine in the Bay of Angels' endless sparkling waterfront. The vast, open Promenade des Anglais remains Nice's magnificent crowning glory, inviting the city out to jog, wander, and glide along the Mediterranean's most spectacular curve of seafront promenade. Dotted with sun worshippers and swimmers, it's an ode to the rejuvenating character of that unbeatable duo - the rich blue sea and endless sunshine. The crisp, clear, golden light also continues to make Nice a destination of creative pilgrimage and Matisse, Picasso, and Renoir are among the many artists to lavish in the city's eternal beauty. Drag yourself away from the waterfront to discover the old town, punctuated with Baroque churches rising, and the wafting scents of baking pastries, and lavender bundles. Follow the floral odors to Nice's famous flower market, which spills gorgeous colorful displays along Cours Saleya. There's a strong hint of Italy, explained by the fact that Nice only aligned with France in 1860 - following 500 years under the House of Savoy. A gorgeous Orthodox Russian church also rises incongruously with colorful onion domes, forming one of the city's unusual sights, and one of the largest such cathedrals outside of Russia. Walk in Nietzsche's footsteps and climb up to Colline du Château's charming green park and cascading waterfalls, to relish the views down over the city and sparkling sea expanse. Not without challenges over recent years, Nice continues to bloom and inspire its visitors with an intoxicating allure of sun, sea, and sophistication.