Western Mediterranean cruise

Gaudí's still-unfinished basilica, a forest of stone columns inside and a riot of symbolism on every façade. Book a timed ticket weeks ahead.

Gaudí's public park of mosaic terraces and stone viaducts overlooking the city — the monumental zone needs a timed ticket.

A maze of medieval alleys around the Gothic cathedral, with Roman wall fragments still visible between the buildings.

A cathedral of a food market off Las Ramblas — fresh juice, jamón stalls and a stand-up tapas bar for lunch.

Bar-hop between three or four small plates spots — order what the bar is known for rather than a full menu at one place.

Gaudí's most theatrical façade, with a skeletal balcony motif and an interior that avoids straight lines entirely.

Gothic cathedral on the waterfront with Gaudi and Barcelo touches; best at sunset.

Stone courtyards, boutiques and tapas bars in a pretty maze.

Wooden train through tunnels to a port town, a classic day out.

Fresh fish and arros brut with a harbor view.

The old harbour's fish market, then the steep lanes and street art of Marseille's oldest quarter.

Hilltop basilica of gold mosaics and ship ex-votos with the best view over the city and islands.

Striking lace-concrete museum of Mediterranean civilisations, linked by footbridge to Fort Saint-Jean.

Fountains, plane-tree avenues and Cézanne's studio in the elegant capital of Provence, 40 minutes inland.

White limestone cliffs and turquoise coves in the national park just east of the city.

Climb 463 steps inside the red-tiled dome for views over the rooftops, then see the cathedral, baptistery and bell tower.

Botticelli's Birth of Venus, Leonardo, Caravaggio and Raphael in the greatest collection of Renaissance art.

The 17-foot marble David, along with Michelangelo's unfinished prisoners; reserve timed tickets.

Medieval bridge lined with jewelers; walk across at dusk and watch the light on the river.

Classic hillside view of the whole city with the Duomo and the river, best at golden hour.

Two-floor food hall with stalls for pasta, lampredotto and truffle dishes, below a street market selling leather goods.

The arena where gladiators fought, plus the ruined heart of ancient Roman government next door — a combined ticket covers both.

Miles of papal art collections ending in Michelangelo's ceiling — book an early or late slot to avoid the worst crowds.

A near-perfectly preserved Roman temple with a 9-metre oculus open to the sky, free to enter.

Baroque fountain where tossing a coin over your shoulder is said to guarantee a return to Rome; go after 10pm for space to breathe.

A Baroque square built over an ancient stadium, a short walk from the morning produce market at Campo de' Fiori.

Artisanal gelaterie a few steps apart — look for muted, natural colours as a sign of real fruit and less sugar.

Walk the streets, villas and frescoes of the Roman town buried by Vesuvius, 40 minutes from the port.

Narrow streets of churches, nativity workshops and street food cutting straight through the old city.

The original margherita, blistered and soft, at one of the old pizzerie near Via dei Tribunali.

The treasures taken from Pompeii and Herculaneum: mosaics, frescoes and the Farnese sculptures.

Cliffside road to Positano and Amalfi with lemon groves and sea views; long but spectacular.

A walk along the beach promenade and a long lunch of paella by the sea before you fly.

Picasso's early, formative work across five connected medieval palaces — stronger on his youth than his Cubist period.

A hilltop fortress reached by cable car, with sweeping views over the port and the whole city grid.

Boutique-lined medieval streets around a soaring Gothic church built by the city's own medieval dockworkers.

A serrated mountain monastery an hour from the city, reached by cable car or rack railway, with trails along the ridge.