MEDD

A jetsetter haven, St. Tropez is best known for its designer shopping, drink-and-dance-‘til-dawn nightlife, and ritzy beach clubs like Le Club 55 and Nikki Beach. After all, this is where French screen goddess Brigitte Bardot popularized the bikini in the 1950s, and to this day Bardot makes her home here. But another side of this once humble fishing village can be found in the hills far above the beachfront. Walk the narrow cobblestone streets and visit the 17th-century citadel for stunning views of the port.

This port on Italy’s southern coast overlooking the Bay of Naples is a popular starting place to see all of the pretty towns along the famous Amalfi Coast, but don’t miss the charms of Sorrento itself. The town is perched on cliffs high above the marinas and port below. Visit the 8th-century Cloisters of San Francesco and the Sorrento Cathedral, started in the 15th century with many additions made over time. Relax at a café in Piazza Tasso, the hub of the town.

Nestled in a lush valley of fruit trees and olive groves between the mountains and the sea, Sóller is an elegant and arty Mallorcan treasure that blends the quaint and contemporary. Visitors may stroll on picturesque cobbled streets and sun worship in the cafés of Plaça de la Constitució or deeply explore the nature and history that makes the Balearic Islands famous. The Church of Sant Bartomeu is a major attraction, one of many historic churches in the valley. Linking Sóller to its port is the Tranvía de Sóller, one of only two first-generation tramways to survive in Spain.

Only small ships and yachts can access the harbor of Sète, which is one reason this enchanting French port has retained its many charms. The birthplace of numerous artists, including poet Paul Valéry and singer-songwriter Georges Brassens, Sète has a rich artistic heritage and its museums pay tribute. Colorfully painted façades line the town’s canals, which include the northeastern entrance to the Canal du Midi, a UNESCO World Heritage site linking the Mediterranean and Atlantic through southern France. Several other UNESCO sites nearby compete for attention.

Make sure to be on deck to witness sailing into one of the Aegean’s most spectacular sights: the volcanic caldera that is Santorini’s bay. Rising from the sea, the earth transforms into a wall of stone that looms in striating hues of ochres, grays and pinks. Dotted with the island’s iconic blue-domed churches, the whitewashed village of Fira hovers in the cliffs, bustling with shops, tavernas and a fine museum while clinging to the caldera’s rim.

With it's tranquil blue waters, 28 miles of beaches and some nine miles of coves, the Bay of Roses has been ranked one of the most beautiful bays in the world. Tempted by this harbor, the Greeks came in the 5th century BC to set up a commercial village. Various settlement remains can still be seen, including the monastery of Santa Maria. Other top sights include the 16th-century Castell de la Trinitat and the Dolmen de la Creu d’en Cobertella, the largest megalithic monument in Catalonia.

An amazing amalgam of sights and sounds, Rome is a kinetic tapestry stimulating every sense. The ring of church bells and honks of early morning traffic echo off the weathered stone of ancient buildings. Office workers dash past fruit stands and sidewalk cafés in the shadows of elegant palace façades. Meanwhile, tourists make their way from piazza to piazza, monument to monument, church to church: the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Vatican Museums, St. Peter’s Basilica.

The large island of Corsica rests enticingly between the French Riviera, Sardinia and Tuscany. This French playground has it all – hilltop villages, unspoiled beaches, rugged mountain scenery, dense forests, a dramatic coastline and thousands of years of history. Situated on the island’s western coast, Porto-Vecchio is Corsica’s St. Tropez, a city of luxury yachts, fashion shoots, nightclubs and some of Corsica’s most beautiful beaches. For an entirely different experience, travel inland to the mountainous region with its gorges, rivers and waterfalls.

This postcard-perfect destination, with its pastel-colored houses encircling the port, may be one of the most photographed in all of Italy. If you can take your eyes off the scenery, there is much to explore in and around Portofino. The 12th-century Church of St. George and the medieval Castello Brown both afford spectacular views of the harbor. A long, scenic hike or a short boat ride takes you to the restored 11th-century abbey in San Fruttuoso. Northwest of Portofino lies Genoa, filled with museums, palaces and the grand Cathedral of San Lorenzo.

Named for its round harbor, Porto Rotondo is a resort town on the Costa Smeralda. While a little quieter than Porto Cervo to the north, the town is no less beautiful and appealing. Some of the most idyllic beaches in this port are obscured by large boulders, so discovering them is an adventure in itself. The unassuming village behind the port has attractive outdoor cafés, restaurants and clubs situated on a pleasant town square. For a taste of rural Sardinia, visit the nearby town of San Pantaleo. Long a haven for artists and writers, it has a bohemian vibe and a gorgeous setting.