Known as the “Mother City”, Cape Town is nestled in a beautiful bay beneath Table Mountain. Lying along the peninsula of the Cape of Good Hope, its one of the oldest European settlements in South Africa; originally founded in 1652 by the Dutch East India Company. Today, it is home to South Africas parliament for half of the year (Parliament sits in Pretoria for the other half of the year) and the majority of its industries.

Known as the “Mother City”, Cape Town is nestled in a beautiful bay beneath Table Mountain. Lying along the peninsula of the Cape of Good Hope, its one of the oldest European settlements in South Africa; originally founded in 1652 by the Dutch East India Company. Today, it is home to South Africas parliament for half of the year (Parliament sits in Pretoria for the other half of the year) and the majority of its industries.

Walvis Bay possesses the finest harbor on the Namibia coast, which led to its annexation by the British in 1878. It was not until 1994 that the now-Republic of South Africa returned Walvis Bay to Namibia. This port is your gateway to the vast Namib Desert, one of the oldest and harshly beautiful deserts on Earth, as well as to the historic German town of Swakopmund.

The Cape Verde Islands lie off North Africas tropical coast. Their name literally means “green cape,” but nature has played a cruel trick on the archipelago. Changing climatic and economic conditions have left the archipelago ravaged by drought. But the islanders are a hardy and courageous lot. With foreign investment and private enterprise, the Cape Verde Islanders are slowly pursuing a new economic dream for their home and working toward a more promising future.

Known for its sunny year-round climate, luxury resorts, and Madeira wine, this lush, mountainous archipelago includes the two inhabited islands of Madeira and Porto Santo, which lie approximately 540 miles southwest of Lisbon.

The Rock crouches over the sea like an ancient stone beast, looking Sphinx-like to Africa. Beneath the white cliffs of this natural fortress grows a profusion of palm, pine, and cypress. No fewer than 600 varieties of flowers thrive here, some not found anywhere else on Earth. Gibraltars stunning setting is matched by its history – five countries have battled for 13 centuries to control the passage between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. The result made for a cultural melting pot. Veiled Moroccan women in caftans and vacationing Englishmen and Spaniards stroll along the narrow, steep lanes. The locals revert to a liquid Spanish when talking among themselves. And visitors to a 15th-century cathedral pass through a blue-tiled courtyard, once part of a 13th-century mosque.

Syracuse is a city on the Ionian coast of Sicily, Italy. Its known for its ancient ruins. The central Archaeological Park Neapolis comprises the Roman Amphitheater, the Teatro Greco and the Orecchio di Dionisio, a limestone cave shaped like a human ear.

The past maintains a vibrant presence in the cradle of Western civilization. Atop the Acropolis, the serene Parthenon sails above the commotion of the modern city. The tragedies of Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides were performed in the Theater of Dionysus at the foot of the Acropolis. On Pnyx Hill, citizens of a fledgling democracy gathered to cast their votes on Athens destiny. Then there is the hustle and bustle of the modern city, a metropolis of 4.5 million that spreads out from the foot of Mt. Lycabettus and across the plain. Packed with busy shops and lively tavernas, modern Athens is a colorful counterpoint to classical Greece. Piraeus is the port city for Athens and has been Athens port of entry for over two millennia.

Lying along the shores of the Pagasitikos Gulf, Volos and its surrounding area are steeped in history and myth. Towering Mount Pelion was believed to be the hunting ground of centaurs and other mythological creatures. And it was from here that Jason led his mighty band of Argonauts on their fabled quest for the Golden Fleece. Even mere mortals have accomplished seemingly inhuman feats. Awesome monasteries, built atop the towering rock pinnacles of Meteora, remain as testaments to mans faith. Six of the original structures, including St. Stephens, are still inhabited. The results of wind erosion or eons worth of gravel deposits, these mysterious formations are truly a wonder to behold. Meteora is usually translated as meaning “mid-air.”

This small island in the Dodecanese enjoys a singular honor. In 1981 the Greek Parliament passed a special resolution designating Patmos a “Sacred Island.” For rocky and barren Patmos claims one of the holiest spots in Christendom: the Grotto of the Revelation. Exiled from Ephesus in 95 A.D., St. John retired to Patmos spending 18 months in a cave. There he received the visions that resulted in Revelation, the last Book of the New Testament. Travelers can still view the saints Grotto and climb the path to the 11th-century monastery of St. John the Theologian. Patmos occupies a place in classical mythology as well. Orestes fled to Patmos to escape the Furies after avenging the murder of his father Agamemnon.

A sleepy fishing village until only recently, Kusadasi has emerged as one of the most alluring spots for travelers along the Ionian Coast. Tourists from all over the world come to Kusadasi to visit Ephesus, one of the most fascinating archeological sites available to the modern-day traveler.

Rhodes is the largest and most easterly island of the Dodecanese, an archipelago in the south of the Aegean Sea. It is said to be the sunniest place in Europe, with an average of 300 days of sunshine a year. This ancient harbor is where the famous Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, once stood. To visit Rhodes today is to step back five centuries in time to some of the most colorful events in myth and history.

Weaving a tapestry of awe and wonder, Chania is a centuries-old mix of Minoan myths, well-preserved Venetian mansions, a mesmerizing Old Town complete with labyrinthine passageways, and atmospheric Kastelli Hill, once the site of a Roman acropolis. But Chania may be best known as the gateway to the breathtaking 4,000 year-old Minoan ruins at Knossos, home of the legendary King Minos and the part man and part bull known creature as the Minotaur. And around every corner of this idyllic area youll find picturesque villages, breathtaking views and architectural wonders that will remain with you for a lifetime.

Dubrovnik is a beautiful stone jewel hugging the Adriatic Sea. This picture-perfect medieval walled city offers ancient stone buildings, narrow cobbled streets and fortified ramparts rising above red-tiled rooftops. Stradun is the citys focal point and main artery while Dubrovniks streets are blessedly free of vehicular traffic. Despite the heavy damage inflicted by shelling in the early 90s, Dubrovnik has been restored to its pre-war beauty. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the old city remains the pride of the Republic of Croatia. For six centuries Dubrovnik was an independent republic – an oligarchy ruled by patrician families. The Republic was overthrown by Napoleon in 1808.

Malta is the largest in a group of seven islands that occupy a strategic position between Europe and Africa. The islands history is long and turbulent. Everyone from the Normans to the Nazis have vied for control of this small, honey-colored rock. For centuries the island was the possession of the knightly Order of St. John – the Knights Hospitaller. Valletta, Maltas current capital, was planned by the Orders Grandmaster Jean de la Valette to secure the islands eastern coast from Turk incursions. Founded in 1566, Vallettas bustling streets are lined with superb Baroque buildings and churches. Malta has a long history: the megalithic stone temples at Gozo may be the oldest freestanding structures on Earth. Malta has two official languages, Maltese (constitutionally the national language) and English. Malta was admitted to the European Union in 2004 and in 2008 became part of the eurozone.

Your gateway to the Eternal City, Civitavecchia has served as Romes seaport since the 13th century. The port has a long and venerable history. The emperor Trajan built a pleasure villa near the modern city, while Bernini and Michelangelo designed the harbor fortifications. Yet the Eternal City eternally beckons. The ancient capital of the Western World and the center of Christianity for nearly 2,000 years, Rome provides an inexhaustible feast. Visit the ruins of the Forum, view the splendors of the Sistine Chapel, or climb the Spanish Steps, once the heart of Romes Bohemian Quarter. Rome has been a magnet luring the worlds greatest artists, architects, and philosophers since the days of the Caesars.

Livorno is an Italian port city on the west coast of Tuscany. Its known for its seafood, Renaissance-era fortifications and modern harbor with a cruise ship port. Its central Terrazza Mascagni, a waterside promenade with checkerboard paving, is the citys main gathering place.

The port city of Genoa is alive with art, churches and palaces. Its maritime roots have fostered a dialect that has, over the centuries, absorbed elements of Neapolitan, Calabrese and Portuguese. It also serves as the gateway to Milan, center of business and fashion. Or take a trip to the nearby seaside town of Portofino.

Villefranche-sur-Mer is a commune in the Alpes-Maritimes department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte dAzur region on the French Riviera and is located south-west of the Principality of Monaco, which is just west of the French-Italian border.

The largest port on the Mediterranean, Marseille is Frances second largest city and a virtual melting pot of peoples and cultures. It is also a place of striking contrasts, from the fishing boats and pleasure craft of the picturesque Vieux Port to the modern Canebiere. Dominating the harbor is the infamous Chateau dIf, the rocky prison from which Alexandre Dumas Count of Monte Cristo escaped. Marseille is also your gateway to Provence. Explore the countryside around Arles and Avignon, immortalized in the canvases of Van Gogh, Cezanne, Matisse and Picasso.

The 1992 Summer Olympics revealed to the world what Europeans and seasoned travelers already knew – Barcelona is one of the worlds greatest treasures. Vibrant and earthy, commercial and cultural, this city of two million residents is the capital of Spains autonomous region of Catalonia. Stroll along the wide, tree-lined promenades of Las Ramblas and marvel at the spires of Gaudis Basilica La Sagrada Familia. Or visit the former Olympic Ring on the hill of Montjuic – also home to world-class parks, fountains and museums. Barcelona, which nurtured such artistic giants as Picasso, Dali, Miro and Casals, is definitely a travelers paradise.

Spains gateway to the Atlantic, Cadiz welcomes you to 3,000 years of history and to the nearby city of Seville, famed for its bullfights, flamenco and flower-filled patios. Columbus crossed the ocean blue from Andalusia, forever tying the Americas to Seville.

For many, the word Casablanca conjures up Hollywoods vision of an exotic city of intrigue. But the reality is far removed from film fantasy, more complex and fascinating. Casablanca is Moroccos largest city, the busiest port in North Africa, and home to nearly four million people. An important trading center since the days of the Phoenicians, Casablanca is an evocative blend of more new than old, more familiar than exotic. It is a modern commercial city with an old heart that is home to narrow, cobbled alleys, bazaars and souks, minarets and medinas. Casablanca is a modern city with beaches bordering the Atlantic and broad, tree-lined avenues. The city is also your gateway to Moroccos interior and the exotic “Imperial Cities” of Rabat and Marrakech.

Lanzarote is the fourth-largest island in the Canary chain. The most easterly of the Canaries, the island lies some 70 miles off the shore of North Africa. Like its neighbours, Lanzarote was shaped by a period of intense volcanic activity. The resulting landscape possesses a stark, near-lunar beauty: Over 300 now-dormant volcanoes left behind petrified lava seas and deep layers of volcanic ash. Today, visitors to these “Mountains of Fire” ride camels through the lava beds and even enjoy a volcano-broiled steak at the parks restaurant. (Subsurface temperatures still reach 800F in the park.) Despite the seemingly barren land scape, island farmers grow abundant crops of tomatoes, onions, melons, and figs in addition to Malvasia, a clear yellow wine produced from malmsey grapes. Lanzarotes rugged landscape, its warm climate, its lack of rainfall, and its beaches have proved attracted to travellers: Tourism dominates the island economy with some 2 million visitors arriving annually.

The Canary archipelago was sculpted by a period of intense volcanic activity; its islands possess a stark, near lunar beauty. Gran Canaria is the third-largest island in the group and is often described as the Round Island for its near-circular shape. Las Palmas, its capital, is also the largest city in the Canaries numbering some 500,000 inhabitants. Despite the seemingly inhospitable landscape, farmers in Gran Canarias Angostura Valley cultivate abundant crops of tomatoes, onions, melons, and figs. Moreover the islands climates, lack of rainfall, and fine beaches have long drawn Europeans seeking the winter sun.

According to the popular 1960 beach movie, Fort Lauderdale is “where the boys are.” The citys reputation as Americas Spring Break capital, however, has been replaced with the more favorable image of a prime family tourist destination, attracting more than 10 million visitors annually. The most popular beach resort in Florida is even more rightly famed as the “Yachting Capital of the World,” with more than 40,000 registered crafts calling its waters home. The city also prides itself on being the “Venice of America” with more than 300 miles of navigable waterways. Fort Lauderdale boasts world-class theaters, museums, sightseeing, and shopping.