Italy, Croatia & The Adriatic 7 netter • Trieste, Italy til Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy • Brilliance of the Seas

Once part of the Habsburg Empire, this Italian port city by the Adriatic Sea has been heavily influenced by Austria and Hungary. Trieste is a place where you'll find goulash on the menu alongside Italian favorites and local wine. The Trieste cruise port is conveniently located next to Piazza Unità d'Italia, the city's largest square, making exploration easy. Several of the best things to do in Trieste are just a short walk away. Visit an ancient Roman amphitheater, experience an Italian twist on Austrian cafe culture or ride the oldest tram in Europe. Like Venice, Trieste has a grand canal that shows off the city's unique architectural style. Take a day trip outside the city to see the fairy tale Miramare Castle or go deep underground to admire the stalactites and stalagmites at Grotta Gigante, one of the largest caves in the world that's accessible to visitors. With so much to do, you might have to come back.

Discover the historical center of Koper, where architecture like the 15th-century Praetorian Palace and vast Tito Square evoke an alternative (and delightfully less crowded) version of Venice. Spend a sunny day basking on the pebbled shore of Mestna Plaza beach or beat the heat (and say "na zdravje," which is Slovenian for "cheers") within the sanctuary of the Vinakoper wine cellar.

Split's town center is compact, so you can see its main sights in a morning. This includes Diocletian's Palace, the large and ancient fortress that constitutes approximately half of Split's Old Town; and Riva, its infamous seaside promenade lined with cafes and restaurants. In the afternoon, relax at one of Split's beaches or do a half-day cruise to picturesque Brac Island.

Thick 16th-century stone walls encase the entire Old Town of Dubrovnik. But you’ll find boundless adventures among its orange-roofed ramparts. Explore the perfectly preserved Rector’s Palace and enter beloved St. Blaise’s Church. Browse Croatian art and history museums— or kayak crystal blue waters, with the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’ shimmering in the distance.

Discover all Kotor has to offer. Explore the monuments and museums inside the city's picturesque Old Town, where you can also enjoy a fresh seafood lunch — try riblja corba, the local fish soup. Or enjoy a breathtaking panorama of Kotor, either from the fortifications that rise above it or across the bay in Prcanj.

Begin your Amalfi Coast adventure by roaming the ancient streets of Pompeii. Later, stroll Salerno's waterside promenade, and stop in a cafe to sip on an expertly pulled espresso shot. Or take a drive along the coast to soak in the jaw-dropping vistas.

With 28 centuries of celebrated history, Rome holds the edge when it comes to unrivaled adventures. The city that sparked the world’s largest empire is very much alive today with a jumble of ancient ruins, world-renowned art and vivacious street culture. Here you can live la dolce vita, recalling the glory days of Ancient Rome and twirling forks full of pasta in a trattoria. Ride past centuries-old basilicas in a three-wheeled Ape Calessino, or stand in awe of paintings by Italian masters at Villa Borghese. Whether it’s Vatican City’s spiritual allure, Trastevere’s backstreet charms, or the Colosseum’s embattled legacy— The Eternal City endures with endless adventures.