Greece, Italy & Spain Cruise: Athens, Siracusa & Malaga

The quaint seaside town of Katakolon has many charms, but let’s be honest: You’re going to want to head to Olympia. Located just a 40-minute drive away, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is the site of the original Olympic Games, dates back to 776 BC, and has excellent companion museums like the Archaeological Museum of Olympia and the Museum of the History of the Ancient Olympic Games.

As one of the major powers of the Mediterranean world in 5th century BC, Siracusa is known for the archaeological and historical sights (like the tomb of Archimedes and Ear of Dionysus) that define its grand past.

Valetta is a living museum of baroque architecture, constructed by the Knights of St. John 500 years ago, yet also a dynamic hub of cultural and commercial activity, welcoming luxury yachts and cruise ships.

Few reminders exist of Trapani’s ancient history, but from Phoenician days it was an international trading port, and currently the Middle Ages is the era most evident in its old town, now a pedestrian zone.

Tunisian houses are generally simple and unadorned, but Tunis has a reputation for the elaborate and colorful doors and window treatments with which the wealthy have traditionally expressed their status.

Strategically located along historic sailing routes, Cartagena has been colonized by a who’s who of Mediterranean superpowers over the millennia, resulting in a rich and multi-layered heritage and history.

Málaga is the lively capital of the Costa del Sol, which is famed for its beaches and mild climate, and the birthplace of Picasso, as well as the gateway to Andalusia, with its Moorish architectural heritage.