The 1992 Summer Olympics revealed to the world what Europeans and seasoned travelers already knew - Barcelona is one of the world's greatest treasures. Vibrant and earthy, commercial and cultural, this city of two million residents is the capital of Spain's autonomous region of Catalonia.

Marseille (Provence), France

The largest port on the Mediterranean, Marseille is France's second largest city and a virtual melting pot of peoples and cultures. It is also a place of striking contrasts, from the fishing boats and pleasure craft of the picturesque Vieux Port to the modern Canebiere. Dominating the harbor is the infamous Chateau d'If, the rocky prison from which Alexandre Dumas' Count of Monte Cristo escaped. Marseille is also your gateway to Provence. Explore the countryside around Arles and Avignon, immortalized in the canvases of Van Gogh, Cezanne, Matisse and Picasso.

Genoa (for Cinque Terre), Italy

Genoa is the capital of the Province of Genoa and of the region of Liguria. Many regard Genoa as having the largest historic city center in Europe as a result of having been, for centuries, a powerful commercial center seaport and city-state. It was the birthplace of Christopher Columbus and its maritime roots have fostered a dialect that has, absorbed elements of Neapolitan, Calabrese and Portuguese over the centuries.

Genoa's harbor is a bustling swarm of activity, which makes it a great launching point for the sprawling metropolis of Milan.

La Spezia (for Florence/Pisa),Italy

A former fishing village at the border of two enchanting regions, La Spezia offers easy access to Tuscany and its great cities like Florence and Pisa and the Liguria's rugged coast and terraced villages known as Cinque Terre. Situated to the east of Cinque Terre, and sidling up to the exquisite Lerici and Tellaro, this hard-working port town is home to Italy's largest naval base. Unspoiled and unhurried, this hidden gem boasts beautiful scenery, a historical center full of architectural delights, and winding streets dotted with plenty of cozy trattorias showcasing the Ligurian kitchen's finest.  

Bar, Montenegro

Bar, Montenegro, is an unsung resort town on the country's south coast. Nestled between breathtaking mountains and the glistening Adriatic Sea, Bar offers plenty of culture and history to discover, nature right on its doorstep, and a string of pebble beaches to relax on.

While Bar may not be as well-known as, say, Kotor or Budva, two of Montenegro's most well-known destinations, travelers will find an authentic atmosphere here, and plenty to see and do during a short visit. There's sizzling weather, too, with 270 days of sunshine every year.

Culture and history are present, too. If you enjoy delving into a destination's past, Stari Bar, the picture-perfect old town, is a must-visit, while lazy beach days are encouraged on the coast.

Naples, Italy (for Capri & Pompeii)

Italy's third-largest city, Naples is a bustling metropolis famed for it stately buildings, crowded streets, pizza - and notoriously bad traffic. However, this beautiful city is rich in centuries-old culture and customs. Naples is also your gateway to the Isle of Capri, the fabled Amalfi Coast and the ruins of Pompeii, buried in ash by the cataclysmic eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 A.D.