64-night Indian Ocean Odyssey Cruise

This mountain-backed capital bustles with big-city commercial activity by day, and by night is quiet - except for Le Caudan Waterfront, with a casino, cinemas, shops, bars and restaurants. There's a Chinatown and a distinct Muslim area around Muammar El Khadafi Square. The city center is easily walkable. A good place to get a feel for city life is Port Louis Market, near the water in the heart of downtown. The Natural History Museum houses a stuffed replica of the dodo, which has been extinct since late 17th century. Visit the Mauritius Postal Museum, stop by Port Louis' oddly located Jummah Mosque, and admire Fort Adelaide, which so closely resembles a Moorish fortress locals call it the Citadel. The views from Fort Adelaide's hilltop and harbourside location are amazing. Père Laval - who is said to have converted more than 67,000 people during his 23 years on Mauritius - is remembered with a colourful plaster statue atop his tomb and shrine. Pilgrims swear by the statue's healing powers and many come to touch it.

Nosy Boraha, Madagascar, was formerly a pirate hideout (more commonly known as Ile Sainte Marie) and has a charming, relaxed pace.

This island 200 mi/320 km northeast of Antananarivo is just 30 mi/55 km long and 4 mi/7 km wide. Only one road connects the main town, Ambodifototra, with scattered settlements of bamboo and palm. It has an interesting pirates' cemetery (be sure to read the inscriptions on the tombs—particularly the ones with skull and crossbones). Ambodifototra also has an early-19th-century Catholic church, the oldest in the country.

At the southern end of the island is Ile aux Nattes or Nosy Nato (reached by canoe), which offers good beaches, good food and good snorkeling. Fishermen ply the waters in dhows, and you can often watch whales cavorting not far from shore. Female humpback whales take their young there to teach them essential skills—you may see a female whale tossing her offspring into the air to teach it to breach.

There are many hotels and bungalows, most along the western coast. Most people reach Nosy Boraha via Tsaradia (offering three scheduled flights per week from Antananarivo), but there's also daily ferry service from Soanierana-Ivongo on the Malagasy coast. The latter option is the slowest and most uncomfortable.

Hotels with vacancies send a vehicle to meet each flight, but in the high season (July-August), it's best to make advance reservations.

The holiday resort of Nosy Be has colonial French atmosphere galore. Nearby is the island of Nosy Komba and its free-spirited lemurs.

Dar es Salaam in east Tanzania is located on an arm of the Indian Ocean. It is the country's largest city and former capital, chief seaport, and principal commercial, manufacturing, and educational centre. Rail links extend inland to Arusha in the north, to Lakes Tanganyika and Victoria, and to Zambia. Dar es Salaam's exports include coffee, sisal, cotton, and copper (from landlocked Zambia). Places of interest include Kariakoo market, the Botanical Gardens, National Central Library and the National Museum of Tanzania which has notable collections dealing with east African ethnography, archaeology, and history.

Dar es Salaam in east Tanzania is located on an arm of the Indian Ocean. It is the country's largest city and former capital, chief seaport, and principal commercial, manufacturing, and educational centre. Rail links extend inland to Arusha in the north, to Lakes Tanganyika and Victoria, and to Zambia. Dar es Salaam's exports include coffee, sisal, cotton, and copper (from landlocked Zambia). Places of interest include Kariakoo market, the Botanical Gardens, National Central Library and the National Museum of Tanzania which has notable collections dealing with east African ethnography, archaeology, and history.

Although there's no beach and only a small cultural museum downtown in the growing town of Toliara (also known as Tulear), this Madagascar port is popular because of the snorkeling and diving opportunities at Ifaty village to the north. From the central market to the port of Mahavatse where the canoes leave, the inhabitants of Toliara like to get lost in its streets to the rhythm of Tsapiky music.

Only 7 mi/12 km out of town, Arboretum d'Antsokay protects a wealth of bizarre succulents associated with the spiny desert habitat of southern Madagascar, and it's also a good place to look for desert birds and lemurs. Isalo National Park, to the northeast, contains grottoes, canyons and impressive rock formations—it's a great place to hike and relax for several days (permit required).

Other nearby sights include the banyan tree at Miary, the thousands of pink flamingos on the difficult-to-access Lake Tsimanampetsotsa and the highly decorated Mahafaly tombs (there are a few tombs near town, and more at Betioky, 60 mi/100 km south of Tulear). The area is 390 mi/630 km southwest of Antananarivo.

Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth), in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, is situated on Algoa Bay in the Indian Ocean. It is an important seaport and manufacturing centre, as well as a popular resort noted for its fine beaches. Worth visiting are the King George VI Art Gallery, featuring collections of British and South African art; the Port Elizabeth Museum, with natural history exhibits, an oceanarium, and a collection of reptiles; and Fort Frederick, built by the British in 1799. The Addo Elephant National Park is nearby. The community developed around Fort Frederick.

Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth), in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, is situated on Algoa Bay in the Indian Ocean. It is an important seaport and manufacturing centre, as well as a popular resort noted for its fine beaches. Worth visiting are the King George VI Art Gallery, featuring collections of British and South African art; the Port Elizabeth Museum, with natural history exhibits, an oceanarium, and a collection of reptiles; and Fort Frederick, built by the British in 1799. The Addo Elephant National Park is nearby. The community developed around Fort Frederick.

Beautiful Mossel Bay is a coastal village and harbor of the World Famous Garden Route. This popular holiday town is blessed with mild climate year round and its status as historical capital of the Garden Route. Today, mussels, which give the harbor its name, are gathered in Mossel Bay each spring and are rated among the finest in the world. Due to its rich history, there are many museums housed in historical buildings to visit for maritime and sailing, fresh specimens of wild flowers, shells, and history. There are others, such as the Shirley Buildings, the Munrohoek Cottages and many others which may be visited. One of the most popular attractions is the Post Office, a National Monument estimated to be more than 800 years old. Mossel Bay is sportsman's and waters sport enthusiast's paradise. Water sports available include shark cage diving, ship wreck diving, snorkeling, power boating and others.

Cape Town is southern Africa's most beautiful, most romantic and most-visited city. Few urban centers anywhere can match its setting along the Cape Peninsula spine, which slides like the mighty tail of the continent into the Atlantic Ocean. By far the most striking - and famous - of its sights is Table Mountain, frequently mantled by clouds, and rearing up from the middle of the city to provide a constantly changing vista to the suburbs below. Table Mountain is the city's solid core which divides the city into distinct zones with public gardens, wilderness, forests, hiking routes, vineyards and desirable residential areas trailing down it's lower slopes.

Cape Town is southern Africa's most beautiful, most romantic and most-visited city. Few urban centers anywhere can match its setting along the Cape Peninsula spine, which slides like the mighty tail of the continent into the Atlantic Ocean. By far the most striking - and famous - of its sights is Table Mountain, frequently mantled by clouds, and rearing up from the middle of the city to provide a constantly changing vista to the suburbs below. Table Mountain is the city's solid core which divides the city into distinct zones with public gardens, wilderness, forests, hiking routes, vineyards and desirable residential areas trailing down it's lower slopes.

Walvis Bay is the principal port for Namibia. Its harbor, protected by Pelican Point peninsula, provides one of the few safe deep-water anchorages on the Atlantic coast of south-western Africa. It is also a magical spot for birdlovers and a gateway to Namibia's hauntingly beautiful lunar-like desert landscapes. Visit Namibia's pretty seaside resort of Swakopmund, whose elegant turn-of-the-century German buildings belong more to Bavaria than Africa! Easily reached is famous Cape Cross Seal Reserve, home of up to 100,000 Cape fur seals - and the grandeur of the Namib-Naukluft Park, whose sand dunes rising to over 1,000 ft are the world's highest.

Renowned for its beautiful white beaches and clear blue waters, the country's main island offers a perfect setting for those wishing to sunbathe, snorkel, scuba dive or go deep-sea fishing. If you want to swim, head to Praia Grande, Praia das Sete Ondas (best waves on Sao Tome), Praia das Pombas, Praia Piscina or Praia Jale. Divers and snorkelers will prefer the reefs off Lagua Azul, Ilheu das Cabras, Praia Pequena and Praia das Conchas.

But sand and surf aren't the whole story: At the southern end of the island, Pico de Ana Chaves—an extinct volcano that rises 5,300 ft/1,630 m—offers a challenging hike, a cool atmosphere and a beautiful view of the island. The one main road on the eastern side of the island takes about four to five hours to drive and passes many small, colorful villages.

The main city, also called Sao Tome, is attractive, quiet, clean and has many old (and decaying) Portuguese colonial buildings. Tour the 16th-century cathedral and 400-year-old Ft. Sao Sebastiao, which now houses the National Museum (lots of displays about the colonial era). Outside town, excursions can be made to the Boca de Inferno (the Mouth of Hell), a natural waterspout flowing from volcanic rock. Also worth visiting is the expansive Agustinho Neto manor house, an old colonial plantation outside of town. For a good day trip, head to Pousada Boa Vista for a bird's-eye view of the coastline and the 80-ft/25-m Sao Nicolau waterfall.

South of the capital is the village of Sao Joao dos Angolare, which has traditional bamboo homes with thatched roofs. Near Angolares is Roca Sao Joao, an estate run by local artist Joao Carlos. It contains a coffee plantation, a comfortable guest house and a restaurant serving authentic local cuisine. Porto Alegre, another plantation farther south, also has a guest house. Set on a bluff overlooking the ocean, Porto Alegre is one of the most beautiful spots on the island. (While food must be arranged in advance, aguadente—the local rum—is always available.) Just offshore from Porto Alegre is Ilheu das Rolas, a tiny island with traditional thatched huts, a blow hole and a monument marking the location of the equator. The island of Sao Tome merits three nights.

Lome, capital of West African republic Togo, is the country’s principal administrative, transport, and economic center. It is a city divided between Togo and its western neighbor, Ghana. Most of Togo’s international trade passes through the city’s port. Its huge market, one of the biggest in Francophone Africa, is home to the famous "mercedes-ladies", those formidable queens of the wholesale cloth trade.

This small capital has a sleepy ambience reminiscent of a large village. Banjul is also a port city acting as a funnel for a large amount of imported goods. Many of these imported goods find their way to Albert Market, a great place to start leisurely walking and shopping for local crafts, batiks, silver jewellery clothes, shoes, fruits and vegetables, and household goods. Look out for the War Memorial and Fountain, MacCarthy Square, African Heritage Centre, National Museum of the Gambia, July 22 Arch. Local pirogues ferry visitors on the quiet waterways of Oyster Creek.

The volcanic peaks of the Cape Verde Islands appear like stepping-stones across the Atlantic. Porto Grande on Sao Vicente boasts a charming waterfront area where the pace is pleasantly slow and the people friendly.

The Canary Archipelago, or Fortunate Islands, as they are often called, owe their fame and fortune to their geographical location and climate. Of volcanic origin, the islands lie off the African coast and encompass such a variety of features that in the course of a day it is possible to pick bananas, throw snowballs, swim in the Atlantic and climb mountains. Tenerife is the largest of Canaries. The south features a desert with grotesque rock formations and chunks of cooled lava. Further north stretch miles of green fields of bananas, tomatoes and potatoes. Mountain slopes are dotted with beech, eucalyptus and pine trees. The coastline is as varied as the areas inland, offering black, grey and golden sand, cliffs, tame beaches and wild capes. A spectacular example of past volcanic activity is Canadas crater which rings Mount Teide - the main feature of the island. At 12,198 feet, the cone-shaped Teide is the highest Spanish summit and nearly always snow-capped. A cable car is available to the top.

The Canary Islands encompass such a variety of features that in the course of a day it is possible to pick bananas, throw snowballs, swim in the Atlantic and climb mountains. La Palma is the most western of the Canary Islands — and probably the greenest. Over seventy percent of the island is a natural preserve. La Palma has an abundance of wild plants and wild flowers, many of which only occur on La Palma, or only on the Canary islands.. For the adventurous, there are national parks with miles and miles of hiking trails to explore. Hike along the coast, through forests and up mountain peaks of up to 8,000 feet. There are also extinct and active volcanoes to hike around as well. Santa Cruz, the main port and capital of the island, is a charming Spanish town complete with a 17th century castle, a Renaissance church and an exquisite 16th century town hall. Here one can also find a mock-up of Columbus's ship The Santa Maria near the northern end of the boulevard by the maritime museum.

Portugal’s capital is an 18th-century city - elegant, open to the sea and carefully planned. Most places of interest are within easy walking distance. Rossio Square, the heart of Lisbon since medieval times, is an ideal place to start exploring. Many rebuilt houses with original façades provide stores and restaurants with modern interiors. High above Baixa is Bairro Alto - with its teeming nightlife. There are many monuments and museums, such as San Jeronimos Monastery, Royal Coach Museum and Gulbenkian Museum. Two well-known landmarks are the Monument to the Discoveries and the Tower of Belem. A statue of Christ looms above Europe’s longest suspension bridge. Madragoa, Bica and Bairro Alto, Lisbon’s older sections, offer a variety of sights: the Church of Sao Roque, with its beautiful tiles; St. George Castle, which offers a splendid view from its location above the Alfama quarter; the botanical gardens, featuring an unusual, cold greenhouse; and the cathedral, stunning with its Moorish design. Renowned Gulbenkian Museum is the cultural center of Portugal.

Madeira has been described as "Island of Eternal Spring". It is renowned for its wine, which many feel ranks among the world’s best. Funchal has a wide selection of resort hotels where watersports, golf and tennis are popular. Visitors can tour the 15th-century cathedral, orchid gardens of Quinta das Cruzes, and buildings associated with Christopher Columbus. Madeira’s discoverer, Zarco, is believed to have lived in the house Quinta das Cruzes. Now it displays furniture and paintings and is surrounded by fabulous gardens. The stunning 15th-century design of Sé Cathedral features white stucco with contrasting black basalt and red tufa rock; the ceiling is inlaid with ivory. Located near Town Hall, the Museum of Sacred Art contains art from several islands, including a group of 15th- and 16th-century paintings of Portuguese and Flemish schools. Visit colorful Mercado dos Lavradores during the morning to see flower vendors and fish and produce stands.

The Canary Islands encompass such a variety of features that in the course of a day it is possible to pick bananas, throw snowballs, swim in the Atlantic and climb mountains. La Palma is the most western of the Canary Islands — and probably the greenest. Over seventy percent of the island is a natural preserve. La Palma has an abundance of wild plants and wild flowers, many of which only occur on La Palma, or only on the Canary islands.. For the adventurous, there are national parks with miles and miles of hiking trails to explore. Hike along the coast, through forests and up mountain peaks of up to 8,000 feet. There are also extinct and active volcanoes to hike around as well. Santa Cruz, the main port and capital of the island, is a charming Spanish town complete with a 17th century castle, a Renaissance church and an exquisite 16th century town hall. Here one can also find a mock-up of Columbus's ship The Santa Maria near the northern end of the boulevard by the maritime museum.

The Canary Archipelago, or Fortunate Islands, as they are often called, owe their fame and fortune to their geographical location and climate. Of volcanic origin, the islands lie off the African coast and encompass such a variety of features that in the course of a day it is possible to pick bananas, throw snowballs, swim in the Atlantic and climb mountains. Tenerife is the largest of Canaries. The south features a desert with grotesque rock formations and chunks of cooled lava. Further north stretch miles of green fields of bananas, tomatoes and potatoes. Mountain slopes are dotted with beech, eucalyptus and pine trees. The coastline is as varied as the areas inland, offering black, grey and golden sand, cliffs, tame beaches and wild capes. A spectacular example of past volcanic activity is Canadas crater which rings Mount Teide - the main feature of the island. At 12,198 feet, the cone-shaped Teide is the highest Spanish summit and nearly always snow-capped. A cable car is available to the top.

Also known as Grand Canary, Las Palmas in the largest of Spain’s Canary Islands. During Christopher Columbus’ 1492 voyage of discovery, he was forced to pull his ships into Grand Canary to make repairs to the “Pinta”. During three subsequent voyages, he stopped again in the Canary Islands on his voyage of discovery. During the late fifteenth century, the city of Las Palmas was established by the Spanish in the heart of a lush palm grove. It is today the largest city in the archipelago as well as one of Spain’s leading ports.

Arrecife is not only the capital of Lanzarote or the main locality of Lanzarote's smallest municipality, but also of the chain of small islands which flanks it. What gives the area most character is the coastline with its small islets, most of which become covered during high tide. Places which must be visited are the Castle of San José, seat of the Contempory Art Museum which contains works by Piscasso, Miro, Mompó and César Menrique among many other painters and sculptors from all over the world. This fortress is situated in the east, on a small cliff, and houses different receational installations with a view of the port of Naos and of the Marbles. Another place of unusual interest is "Charco de San Gines" (San Ginés Pool) where water enters the land and where the hermitage was built, around which was formed the first nucleous of fishermen's cottages. This village has changed progressively, but still preserves its fishing village atmosphere. Visitors admire the old "calle real" (Royal Road) which leads to Avenida Marítima, the location of the municipal park.

Poised between the Atlantic and the snow crowned Atlas Mountains, Agadir is a lively resort set beside a vast beach. Agadir is the most important shipping port in southwestern Morocco, but there are also beautiful sandy bays with year-round warm seas. It’s a very modern city, built with the tourist vacation in mind, a city which boasts a number of good hotels, restaurants, shops and a lively nightlife. It is the perfect base for excursions to Taroudant and Tafrefout.

Casablanca today boasts one of Africa's largest ports. The Place Mohammed V is the heart of the city; the main boulevards branch out from here. Casablanca is the kingdom's commercial capital; most of the cultural activities are concentrated here, from art galleries to excellent international restaurants. The Hassan II Mosque completed in 1993 is among the largest in the world, boasting the tallest minaret. Casablanca is no doubt Morocco's window on the world and is a fast-paced cosmopolitan city where trends are created and modernism parts company with traditionalism or tries to blend them. Casablanca is one of the world's most interesting and open Muslim cities. Some of the best restaurants are found along Boulevard Mohammed el Hansali and on the way to beach resorts. Casablanca's beaches and exclusive suburb are located to the east of the city along the Boulevard de la Corniche. This is a very trendy area, lined with four-star hotels, restaurants and bars.

Portugal’s capital is an 18th-century city - elegant, open to the sea and carefully planned. Most places of interest are within easy walking distance. Rossio Square, the heart of Lisbon since medieval times, is an ideal place to start exploring. Many rebuilt houses with original façades provide stores and restaurants with modern interiors. High above Baixa is Bairro Alto - with its teeming nightlife. There are many monuments and museums, such as San Jeronimos Monastery, Royal Coach Museum and Gulbenkian Museum. Two well-known landmarks are the Monument to the Discoveries and the Tower of Belem. A statue of Christ looms above Europe’s longest suspension bridge. Madragoa, Bica and Bairro Alto, Lisbon’s older sections, offer a variety of sights: the Church of Sao Roque, with its beautiful tiles; St. George Castle, which offers a splendid view from its location above the Alfama quarter; the botanical gardens, featuring an unusual, cold greenhouse; and the cathedral, stunning with its Moorish design. Renowned Gulbenkian Museum is the cultural center of Portugal.

Cadiz is an old city with Andalusian character. The magnificent Baroque cathedral and impressive mansions were built with gold. Cadiz’s modern-day treasure lies 30 minutes to the north in the rolling hills of Jerez - where production of the liquid gold, as the famous sherry is often called, ensures a booming economy. Visit one of the bodegas for a tour and tasting. The Historic City Center of Old Cadiz is a pedestrian zone for a pleasant stroll. The monument to "Las Cortes" is the Spanish Parliament established in Plaza de España. The 18th-century golden-domed Cathedral of Santa Cruz looms over the whitewashed houses. The dazzling interior contains a magnificent collection of sculptures and art objects. The Museum of History features an outstanding model of Cadiz in ivory and mahogany that illustrates what the town looked like at the end of the 18th century. The small, colorful Flower Market offers much local flavor. The Moorish-style Alameda Apodaca Gardens serve as a reminder of the Moors’ occupation in past centuries.

The "Gateway to Africa," located at its northwestern tip, Tangier is a fashionable resort retaining its age-old mystery and excitement. French and Islamic influences meet and merge in this fascinating old city. Mosques and minarets overlook the shadowy streets of the bazaar, while the higher part of town, with its broad boulevards and lovely parks, looks down on the ocean.

Malaga is a popular holiday destination - known as the birthplace of Picasso and for sweet Malaga dessert wines from vineyards outside of town. Points of interest include impressive Gothic architecture, remains of a Moorish castle and interesting museums. Malaga is a popular starting point for trips to Granada and resorts along Costa del Sol. Splendid Granada and famed Alhambra are the region’s most outstanding attractions. Magnificent Moorish palaces and fortifications contrast sharply with Christian churches from Spain’s 1492 Reconquest era. Ronda's incredible location affording spectacular views over the valley and distant hills. Malaga Fine Arts Museum holds works by Spanish artists of the 16th to 20th centuries and by artists from Malaga, including Picasso. Marbella, which has been favored by the rich and famous, is a very popular holiday and yachting resort destination. One of the first resorts of the Costa del Sol, Torremolinos has luxury hotels, busy plazas and shopping streets, a lively art scene, a Wax Museum created by Madame Tussaud, and a glitzy casino.

Today Spain's major commercial port and naval base, Cartagena lies on the coast of Murcia, its great indented bay guarded by rocky promontories, each topped by a fort. The city contains the remains of old walls, a castle constructed probably in Carthaginian times, and a church that was formerly a 13th-century cathedral. Attractive promenades extend along the harbour, while to the northeast is the famous beach and watersports resort area of the lagoon-like Mar Menor.

Ibiza, often called the White Island for its typical architecture, became a major center of touristical attraction during the 1960s, being then famous for its "Hippie-Culture" and nudist beaches. Today Ibiza has offerings for families and older visitors, but there are the young ones who are attracted by the island's rollicking nightlife, which already starts in the afternoon, at the beaches and in the center of town, to continue until dawn in the numerous discotheques. Behind the beaches and in the island's interior, is a pure and simple Mediterranean culture, and remains of populations which inhabited Ibiza thousands of years ago, as for instance the famous wall-paintings of Ses Fontelles.

The Balearics are comprised of 16 islands; the three principal ones are Mallorca, Ibiza and Menorca. Lying just 60 miles off the Spanish mainland, the islands’ lush and rugged landscape combined with an extremely mild, sunny climate prove irresistible. The Balearics boast cosmopolitan resorts with lively nightlife and plenty of sports activities. Palma de Majorca is the capital of the archipelago. A cosmopolitan city with sophisticated shops and restaurants, it also offers buildings of spectacular Moorish and gothic architecture. Museo de Mallorca housed in the Palacio Ayamans boasts an interesting collection of Moorish, medieval and 18th- to 19th-century art. Those who wish to explore the northern end of the island will enjoy the dramatic land and seascape of Cabo Formentor at the end of a long, narrow peninsula. A winding road with magnificent views leads to the luxury Hotel Formentor, beautifully situated above the bay. The lighthouse of Cabo Formentor is the most northerly point on Majorca.

Barcelona, the self-confident and progressive capital of Spain, is a tremendous place to be. Though it boasts outstanding Gothic and Art Nouveau buildings, and some great museums – most notably those dedicated to Picasso and Catalan art – it is above all a place where there's enjoyment simply in walking the streets, stopping in at bars and cafés, drinking in the atmosphere. A thriving port and the most prosperous commercial centre in Spain, it has a sophistication and cultural dynamism way ahead of the rest of the country. In part this reflects the city's proximity to France, whose influence is apparent in the elegant boulevards and imaginative cooking. But Barcelona has also evolved an individual and eclectic cultural identity, most perfectly and eccentrically expressed in the architecture of Antoni Gaudí. Scattered as Barcelona's main sights may be, the greatest concentration of interest is around the old town (La Ciutat Vella). These cramped streets above the harbor are easily manageable, and far more enjoyable, on foot. Start, as everyone else does, with the Ramblas.

Costa Brava means wild coast. Though the scenery is strikingly dramatic, below the rugged headlands and rocky promontories you'll find quiet, beach bordered bays rimmed by piney woodlands. Palamos is the southernmost of a series of small isolated ports that cling like oysters to tiny harbors set along Catalunya's northern coast. The "old" part of Palamos was founded in 1277. Palamos is a favorite destination for yachts that vie for space with local fishing boats.

Situated at the Golf du Lion in South France, Sète has been an important port for three hundred years and today is the country’s second busiest port after Marseilles. Upper town straddles the slopes of Mont St. Clair, which overlooks the vast Bassin de Thau, a breeding ground of mussels and oysters. Lower town is intersected by waterways lined with tall terraces and seafood restaurants. Surrounding hills offer great hiking opportunities, and other interesting destinations include the university city of Montpellier and Agde. In Sète, pedestrian streets allow visitors leisurely strolling, and scattered café tables invite visitors to relax, sip an apéritif and people-watch. The sailor’s cemetery located on Mont St. Chair overlooks the harbor. The poet Paul Valéry, a native of Sète, is buried in the cemetery and the town honors him with the Musée Valéry, located across from the cemetery. The museum features a collection of modern French paintings and a room dedicated to singer and songwriter Georges Brassens, born and raised in Sète.

Glitz and glamour are the two key-words to St. Tropez’s reputation. Set like a jewel in the crown of the Mediterranean, St. Tropez has long been a mecca to artists and the summer vacationers alike, who are drawn to the picturesque setting and the old-world charm of the town’s architecture. In the 1920s, St. Tropez became a fashion headquarters and an international playground, an association that has hardly been dispelled with time.

Livorno serves as a convenient gateway to Tuscany - which is known for classic landscapes and lush vineyards. Visitors come to see great art centers of Florence, Lucca and Pisa - where names like Michelangelo, Machiavelli, Boticelli, da Vinci, Donatello and Dante come to mind. Pisa is known for its brilliant monuments, which include the 11th-century Cathedral, the Baptistery and the leaning Bell Tower. Lucca is one of the most handsome Romanesque cities in Europe. Its historic center features several fine old churches and lovely squares. Lucca is also known as home of composer Giacomo Puccini, whose birthplace is now a museum. Walking in the historic center, shopping in its elegant stores and enjoying a meal of renowned Tuscan cuisine are some highlights of this area. Downtown Livorno has a fine local market and a variety of fine shops and restaurants. Sights include the 14th-century Loggia della Signoria assembly hall in Florence; the Uffizi Gallery, which houses one of the world's famed museums and the Accademia best-known for Michelangelo's sculptures.

Civitavecchia is the port city for Rome. Rome has always been and remains the Eternal City. With its splendid churches, ancient monuments and palaces, spacious parks, tree-lined boulevards, fountains, outdoor cafés and elegant shops, Rome is one of the world’s most attractive cities. Among the most famous monuments is the Colosseum where spectators watched combats between muscled gladiators and ferocious animals. Stop to see the remains of the Forum, once a political and commercial center. Rome’s squares were enhanced with such imposing structures as the Vittorio Emanuele Monument and grandiose fountains like the Fontana di Trevi. Awe at Christendom’s most magnificent church, the Sistine Chapel. The busy square Piazza Venezia is easily recognized by its imposing Vittorio Emanuele II Monument. Take a stroll to Rome's famous Trevi Fountain. Vatican City is the site of lovely St. Peter's Square and St. Peter's Basilica, where for 200 years, Renaissance masters worked on its design and created an unparalleled masterpiece. Visit Vatican Museum.