Iconic Italy with the Venice Carnival

Malta’s 16th century walled capital of Valletta, with its Grand Harbour, is a treasure-chest bristling with Baroque architecture. This most scenic of ancient ports echoes the epic, heroic history of the tiny island it nestles on. Centuries of invasion and siege have brought the influence of Romans, Phoenicians, Greeks, Arabs, Normans, Crusaders and the British – all leaving an enduring mark on Valletta’s cultural heritage. Home to The Knights of Malta, an order created in the Middle Ages, the town is known for museums, palaces and grand churches.

Baroque landmarks include the ornate St. John’s Co-Cathedral; its opulent interior is crowned by Caravaggio’s masterpiece "The Beheading of Saint John". Other noteworthy attractions include the National Museum of Archaeology, the 16th century Casa Rocca Piccola Palace and the military artefacts in the National War Museum.

The cityscape is probably one of the most stunning in the Mediterranean – the city’s sun-drenched stone walls have an almost permanent warm, honey hue, while colourful, decorative balconies overlook the worn and tethered streets below. Fine restaurants and shops leap out from side streets or are tucked away in charming courtyards.

Valletta is also well-situated to discover the silent city of Mdina, a fortified city in the Northern Region of Malta and home to the Roman burial complex of St. Paul’s Catacombs.

Perched between mountains and sea on Croatia's Dalmatian Coast, Dubrovnik is the 'Pearl of the Adriatic'. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the historic maritime city of Dubrovnik is one of Croatia’s most popular and interesting tourist destinations. Although severely damaged by an earthquake in 1667, and the focus of ongoing sieges and wars over the centuries, the city has managed to preserve many stunning monuments from the Renaissance (Sponza Palace), Gothic (Rector’s Palace) and Baroque (St. Blaise Church) periods.

The visit typically starts at the Ramparts – the huge stone walls that encircle the Old Town that offer wonderful views of the Adriatic’s blue waters and the surrounding Baroque palaces, fountains and sculptures. The Onofrio Fountain at Pile Gate - built in 1438 for people with the plague to wash at, and Fort Lovrijenac – built to protect the city from Venetian invasion, are also worth discovering.

The Old Town is famous for its limestone thoroughfare, the Stradun, and the squares off it, which are festooned with popular open-air bars and cafés. Fresh local seafood tops the menu in Dubrovnik, while the cable car up to Mount Srđ is another popular distraction.

The exuberant city of Split, on Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast, has the perfect balance of modernity and tradition. It is known for its fine beaches and the fortress-like, UNESCO-listed Diocletian’s Palace – a hugely-impressive 4th century Roman monument.

Life in Split has been buzzing along for millennia. Within its white stone walls, maze of alleys and atmospheric courtyards numerous shops, lively bars and cafés, and two vibrant markets can be found.

The wonderfully picturesque Narodni Trd is a pretty square overlooked by the Venetian-style city hall and Romanesque clock tower. The octagonal St Domnius Cathedral is another well-preserved Roman building well worth seeking out. Roman heritage is still evident in the Old Town, close by the waterfront, which has the remains of the Diocletian’s Palace – essentially the most magnificent retirement home for the Roman Emperor, Diocletian.

Split has a gem of a seafront that combines honeycombs of unique historical buildings with a sublime, palm-lined Riva waterfront. The Marjan, a glorious wooded peninsula, has fine secluded beaches among fabulous olive groves.

The walled port of Zadar lies on the dramatic northern Dalmatian coast. Located between Rijeka and Split, it is quieter than its neighbouring resorts on the south coast and rich in history and natural beauty.

The capital of Dalmatia for many centuries, Zadar has an old network of narrow streets in which you can lose yourself marvelling at the roman ruins and Romanesque churches.  The Zadar region oozes natural beauty and boasts 200 hidden islands and islets, bays and isthmuses that create an opportunity for all types of water sport activities.

Exploration of the archipelago is a must and a short boat ride will take you to the islands of Dugi Otok, Pašman and Ugljan.

If you want to explore further afield, Zadar is also the perfect base from which you can explore this part of Croatia and especially its national parks. It’s barely an hour from Krka National Park for some swimming and walking or Paklenica National Park if you fancy a spot of hiking or rock climbing.

Venice, the capital of northern Italy’s Veneto region, remains a city unrivalled in its marriage of serenity and spectacle, legend and romance. With tranquil waters that stretch along 150 canals and audacious historic architecture, it’s no surprise that the city of Venice is lauded as one of the must-see global destinations.

With no cars, Venice is a gondola-ride into the past through its web of narrow cobbled streets and under 500 ancient bridges that entangle the city centre. The fittingly-named Grand Canal epitomises the grandeur of this magnificent city: stunning Venetian architecture reflects on its surface, while at one end, the magnificent Palazzo Ducale and Basilica di San Marco offer a jaw-dropping finish to any trip along this majestic canal.

Away from the water, neighbourhood churches are lined with Veroneses and priceless marbles, and the great piazza San Marco – the place Napoleon once referred to as the ‘drawing room of Europe’ – is a total showstopper. From the lavish 14th century Doge’s Palace, to the stunning mosaic-decorated interior of the famous basilica, the square boasts some of the city’s best sights. All of which glistens in the shadow of the impressive clock tower, Torre dell’Orologio.

This lagoon-based city produces wining and dining specialities all of its own: a sunny morning spritz in a campi (square); a seafood lunch in a bacaro (bar); a happy hour selection of cicheti (Venetian tapas); or a traditional Venetian meal at a canal side restaurant with a glass of the city’s beloved Prosecco – all are truly unforgettable experiences. Venice is a city of trendsetters. From controversial artwork in the Punta della Dogana to showrooms of local artisans and the radical new art at the Biennale, an unconventional, creative vibe can be found everywhere in this magical place.

The southern Italian city of Naples dates to the 2nd millennium BC, and boasts centuries of volcanic drama, art and architecture all robustly perched on the Bay of Naples. Naples can appear chaotic, tattered and neglected on first sight, but go beyond the ruggedness and a city of breathtaking frescoes, elegant sculptures and superb panoramas can be uncovered.

Naples' centro storico (historic centre) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its cache of archaeological treasures are among the most important globally. The city’s collection of palaces, castles and churches almost puts Rome to shame. The Duomo di San Gennaro cathedral is filled with sublime frescoes, while the lavish Royal Palace and Castel Nuovo ensure a spot for Italy's third largest city on any must-see list.

The bustling maze of shops, boutiques and open-air cafés are a constant distraction, and the local cuisine – derived from rich volcanic soils, an abundant sea, and years of cooking excellence – makes Naples one of the true Italian heavyweights.

Civitavecchia is the coastal port to the northwest of Rome, and gateway to the Eternal City. This 2nd century port retains many features from its long history, including the Roman Dock and the 16th-century Michelangelo Fort. The National Archaeological Museum exhibits many ancient artefacts, and many visitors discover Terme Taurine, the ruins of a Roman thermal bath.

Principally however, the port is the main access point for Italy’s capital. From the Colosseum and Forum of Ancient Rome to the city's great masterpieces of Renaissance and Baroque art and architecture, the emblems of past grandeur and wealth provide a grandiose backdrop for the elegant designer boutiques, pavement cafes, inviting trattoria and countless sophisticated pleasures of today's vibrant capital.

Livorno is a quintessential Italian port city on the west coast of Tuscany, known for its seafood, Renaissance-era fortifications and modern harbour. It is also the gateway to many of Italy’s ancient treasures. Tuscany’s second largest city and the central Terrazza Mascagni, a waterside promenade with checked paving, is the city's main spot for booth locals and visitors to converge.

The bastions of the 16th-century Fortezza Vecchia face the harbour and open onto Livorno's canal-laced Venezia Nuova quarter. This shabby, historic district is full of character and its elegant belle époque buildings point to a prosperous past.

An easy train from this Ligurian port opens up Florence, Pisa and Rome. Pisa has the 11th century Duomo Cathedral and the world-famous Leaning Tower, while the legendary Florence offers a truly stunning Renaissance city of the Medici grand dukes. The peerless art treasures of the Uffizi and a majestic prospect of domes, towers and spires are all framed by the distant Tuscan hills.

One of Spain’s most important port cities for over 2000 years, Cartagena is bursting with history and culture. Originally built over five hills by the Romans, Cartagena is strategically placed on the Mediterranean coast and boasts some wonderful architecture and historic monuments. They include Casa de la Fortuna, a villa with murals and mosaics, and the medieval Castillo de la Conception, which served as a fortress for the Carthaginians, Romans, Visigoths, Arabs and Castilians, and overlooks the city's stunning natural harbour.

Many of the buildings from Roman Cartagena have disappeared, but some important sites remain, including the amphitheatre which dates from around 100BC. Cartagena is also home to a number of Modernist buildings that were designed and built by the pupils of Antoni Gaudi, the world famous architect renowned for designing the stunning La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. The city’s tapas bars and vibrant bars on the marina offer some fabulous local wining and dining.

Stretched across its seven trademark hills overlooking the River Tagus estuary, Portugal’s hilly, coastal capital city of Lisbon, is a cinematic collection of cobbled alleyways, pastel-coloured buildings, ancient ruins and white-domed cathedrals. The city was decimated by an earthquake in 1755, and modern Lisbon has been shaped by that eventful day. The Pombaline architecture that now defines the city represents some of the first seismically-protected buildings in Europe.

The city’s bridges include the Ponte 25 de Abril – similar to the Golden Gate in San Francisco – and the Ponte Vasco da Gama, which includes over 11km of viaducts. Lisbon’s many fascinating museums, include the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum, the National Museum of Contemporary Art, the National Coach Museum and the Carmo Archaeological [ReadMoreDesk]Museum. 

Lisbon is also a shopper’s paradise, with the Centro Commercial Colombo – the biggest shopping mall on the Iberian peninsula – and the elegant Avenidas Novas, full of upmarket shops. Alternatively, there bargains to be had in the local flea market, Campo de Santa Clara. Don't miss the chance to sample iconic egg tarts at Pasteis de Belém too.