Cruise from Palermo to Venice and the Dalmatian Islands

A feast for the senses, Sicily’s capital is an intoxicating and chaotic melting pot offering up centuries of history and a street food bonanza. Three bustling markets Capo, Bollaro and Vucciria await those ready to embrace Palermo for all that it offers. Narrow side streets lead to hidden palaces and churches along Via Maqueda. The Palazzo dei Normanni, once the seat of Sicilian kings during Norman rule, showcases the city’s past opulence.

The largest Aeolian Island, Lipari, has a landscape of lava quarries, shrubbery and cliffs. Lipari Town is a bustling port, its pastel buildings lining the harbour with numerous cafes and restaurants. Overlooking the harbour, the 16th-century Spanish-built fortified citadel and castle house ancient archaeological artefacts spanning thousands of years and various empires, some dating back as far as 6,000 years.

Stromboli, a small island in the Aeolian archipelago in the Tyrrhenian Sea, is renowned as one of the globe's most active volcanoes, consistently erupting since 1932. The volcano's majestic cone emerges from the sea, crowned with fiery vents.

Giardini Naxos, on Sicily's east coast, is famed for ancient ruins and scenic beaches. Remnants of the Greek city of Naxos, including sacred precincts and temples, unveil its rich past. Nearby, Mount Etna stands as a reminder of nature's grandeur. Taormina, one of Italy's most beautiful cities, showcases Corso Umberto's charming streets, Viuzze's narrow lanes unveiling local handicrafts, and the Roman Theatre, a testament to ancient heritage.

Founded by Greeks and later conquered by Romans in 266 B.C., Gallipoli on the Ionic coast stands as a gem in the Salentine peninsula. Its old town sits on an island, linked by a 17th-century bridge, alongside the 14th-century Angioino Castle. Charming streets with sea-facing churches, devoted to the Virgin Mary and St. Agatha (1629-1630), make it a unique coastal town. Gallipoli also serves as the gateway to Lecce and Otranto.

Monopoli, a medieval coastal town in Puglia, sits along the Adriatic Sea. Its walled old town, a labyrinth of winding alleys and whitewashed homes, is crowned by the ornate baroque cathedral with its soaring bell tower.. Brightly painted fishing boats offer fresh seafood from the harbour, while the lungomare seaside promenade is perfect for a stroll. Nearby attractions include the renowned Castellana Caves, and underground olive oil presses.

Dubrovnik is renowned for its immaculate medieval city walls that encircle the Old Town, offering views of red-tiled rooftops and the sea. Stradun, the main street, runs through the UNESCO World Heritage site. With a harmonious blend of architectural styles, from baroque to Renaissance, highlights include the Franciscan Monastery featuring a Romanesque cloister and the Rector's Palace, a splendid example of 15th-century Gothic-Renaissance design.

Kotor sits at the end of Boka Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site ringed by towering limestone cliffs. Its old town walls hide medieval cobblestone alleys, Romanesque churches like St. Tryphon’s Cathedral, and Kotor’s cats, said to be descendants of ancient seafaring felines. At 260m, the towering St John's Fortress overlooks town, and is accessed via a hike up 1,350 steps. Mount Lovcen looms over, accessible via serpentine road or cable car.

Gliding through the Bay of Kotor's narrow entrance is breathtaking. Ships cruise past Yugoslav submarine tunnels then the Verige, the bay's narrowest point. The island Church of Our Lady of the Rocks appears, its dome rising from the shimmering water, one of the Adriatic's most photographed sights. Perast, a postcard-perfect baroque village, comes into view with bell towers and red-roofed houses hugging the bay's edge.

Acclaimed for agave lacemaking, wine and olive oil, the island of Hvar holds UNESCO recognition for its contribution to the Mediterranean Diet and Intangible Cultural Heritage. Velo Grablje village was once Dalmatia's hub of lavender production, earning Hvar the nickname "Lavender Island." Exploring the island's old town, Stari Grad, one of Croatia's oldest towns, reveals Venetian palaces and squares, the Cathedral of St. Stephen and Hvar Arsenal.

Rovinj old town, on Croatia's Istrian peninsula, is a picturesque maze of winding streets and pastel houses overlooked by St. Euphemia's Church. A popular destination, Rovinj's vibrant harbour is lined with seafood trattorias and bars, offering a glimpse of local culture. Southward, Lone Bay offers a pebbled beach for swimming and water sports. Offshore, the Rovinj archipelago's 14 islands feature Italianate architecture and windswept coastlines.

Venice, the capital of northern Italy’s Veneto region, is built on more than 100 small islands in a lagoon in the Adriatic Sea. It has no roads, just canals – including the Grand Canal thoroughfare – lined with Renaissance and Gothic palaces. The central square, Piazza San Marco, contains St. Mark’s Basilica, which is tiled with Byzantine mosaics, the Doge's Palace and the Campanile bell tower offering views of the city’s red roofs.