Italy, Spain & French Riviera

With 28 centuries of celebrated history, Rome holds the edge when it comes to unrivalled adventures. The city that sparked the world’s largest empire is very much alive today with a jumble of ancient ruins, world-renowned art and vivacious street culture. Here you can live ‘la dolce vita’, recalling the glory days of Ancient Rome and twirling forks full of pasta in a trattoria. Ride past centuries-old basilicas in a three-wheeled Ape Calessino, or stand in awe of paintings by Italian masters at Villa Borghese. Whether it’s Vatican City’s spiritual allure, Trastevere’s backstreet charms or the Colosseum’s embattled legacy – The Eternal City endures with endless adventures.

For Renaissance treasures, nothing compares. The Uffizi is home to Michelangelo’s David, Botticelli’s Birth of Venus and Leonardo’s Annunciation – just to start. Add architectural icons like Brunelleschi’s Duomo, or the Baptistry with its Gates of Paradise.

Although originally called ‘Nakaia’, France’s Nice is as delightful as its name suggests to English speakers. Take a bus or taxi into Nice’s Old City to explore its history-spanning architecture and pristine French Riviera beaches with your Nice cruise. Or stick closer to Villefranche-sur-Mer, where your ship will dock, and take a day-trip to the mountaintop town of Eze. No matter how you spend your time in the de facto hub of France’s Cote d’Azur, you’ll enjoy the added benefit of being close to Italy, which means delectable pizza, fragrant espresso and the sounds of a second Romance language.

Similar to ports of call like Portofino and Cinque Terre, La Spezia, and others, Santa Margherita is a coastal Italian dream just waiting for you to explore. Admire its sloping hillsides and olive trees in the near distance. Watch as fishermen pull their catches straight from the Ligurian sea onto your plate. Less flashy than Portofino but no less glamorous, Santa Margherita is a can’t-miss destination that embodies everything that coastal Italy is loved for.

On Italy cruises, Celebrity excursions make it easy to pick your perfect itinerary and maximize your time in port. You can also fly solo for the day if you want, drinking bellinis and eating pizza underneath an umbrella in the piazza. However you choose, Santa Margherita offers diving, swimming, and plenty of lounging available to make the dream of modern luxury ever so approachable.

France’s oldest city, Marseille blends ancient charm with Provencal beauty. In the morning, head to the fish market Quai des Belges, where trade has been going on for more than 2,600 years – stroll along the promenades and 18th-century warehouses, and grab a cafe au lait and a melon tarte from one of the cafes on the ground floor. Cruise to Provence and check out the Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde: Built in the 19th century in a neo-Byzantine style, its golden statue of the Virgin and Child dominates the Marseille skyline. Then, take in the modern architecture and Mediterranean cultural artifacts at the MuCEM art museum, or see the craggy limestone cliffs of Calanques National Park, a half-hour drive outside the city.

The Spanish island of Mallorca offers towering mountains and dramatic cliffs rising over clear, blue water – but its hidden gem is Palma de Mallorca, the island’s capital and largest city, where you’ll find quaint historic streets, Gothic castles and gastronomic delights. Cruise to Palma de Mallorca and check out one-of-a-kind Palma Cathedral: The 14th-century Gothic spires of exterior contrast the modernist interior designed by in the early 1900s by Gaudi. See the circular courtyard and Arab-inspired arches of Castell de Bellver, and take in the fresh scent of the miles of pine forest that surround it. Or hire bikes and pedal east to Palma Beach, where you can soak in the sun on the white sands and clear waves.

It’s easy to see why Barcelona is the most-visited city in Spain. As the capital of the country’s Catalonia region, this cityscape’s cultural mosaic pieces together a 2,000-year-old hodge-podge of sun-drenched beaches, cutting edge architecture and a world-renowned dining and drinking scene. Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi left his modernist handprint all over the city, while medieval treasures linger in historic Gothic Quarter squares. Get lost in the whimsical gardens of Park Guell or savour a chef-led Catalan cooking class. Browse art collections dedicated to Picasso and Miro – or ride a cable car to the top of Montjuic Hill, relishing citywide views along the way.