Best Of Italy & France Cruise 7 netter • Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy til Barcelona, Spain • Liberty of the Seas

The Eternal City endures with endless adventures, so it’s definitely worth exploring before your cruise from Civitavecchia. Rome is just an hour from the port by train, so spending a few days here is easy and convenient. Start each morning with a frothy cappuccino and a warm, flaky cornetto in an al fresco café and watch the city wake. Then head to the Palazzo Massimo, home to one of the world's biggest collections of ancient art. Or visit the thermal Baths of Diocletian, where you can see two ancient, decorated tombs dating back to the early second century AD. And of course, no visit to Rome is complete without a trip to the famous Colosseum, which once hosted gladiator contests, battle reenactments and Roman dramas. If you’re a foodie, you’re in the right city. Roman cuisine is all about simple, fresh, unfussy flavors. Think thin and crispy pizza cooked in wood ovens, homemade pasta tossed in simple sauces, crispy fried vegetables and decadent breakfast pastries often stuffed with cream.

The third-largest Italian city and one of the oldest in Europe, Naples combines deep history and modern verve. Check out the extravagant Royal Palace of Naples, the former home of the royal family, with its beautiful tapestries and frescoes. People-watch from a streetside cafe in the Sanita district with a glass of wine and slice of classic margherita pizza.

Sicily's capital city Palermo is a patchwork of influences from the Greeks, Romans, Arabs and Normans, all of whom have left their imprint here throughout the ages. Admire the diverse architecture of the Palazzo Reale, the historic seat of the kings of Sicily. Check out Piazza Vigliena, the 17th-century Baroque center square. Explore stunning mosaics at the Martorana. Or head to the top of Mount Pellegrino, where you can visit the enigmatic Shrine of St. Rosalia and take in vast views of the Golden Shell Valley.

All across Cagliari, you can find markings from past conquerers. Wander through the first-century ruins of Villa Tigellius to get a taste of the Romans. Step into the church of San Giacomo to find an architectural expression of Spanish affluence. Head to the historic old town to see medieval Torre dell'Elefante, a guard tower that dates back to 1307. Just a short walk away, you'll find the Bastione San Remy, the city's 19th-century fortifications.

While traveling to Florence or Pisa, enjoy a scenic drive through the celebrated Tuscan countryside with its rolling hills, olive and cypress trees and medieval villages. After climbing Pisa's Leaning Tower, explore the atmospheric white, rose and red piazzas (squares). In Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance, you can marvel at the paintings in the Uffizi Gallery and cross the famous Ponte Vecchio bridge, packed with local boutiques to poke your head into.

Hop on the city ferry from Gare Maritime to La Seyne to see the massive ships and 17th-century fortifications before taking a guided tour of the historical naval cemetery and the Baie du Lazare. Then it's time to take a six-minute, 584-meter tide to the top of Mont Faron, which features the ruins and remnants of towers and forts that were once lookouts to the sea. Here, you'll also find a sanctuary for wildcats and plenty of hiking trails.

Afternoons in Barcelona are best spent eating Spanish tapas in a cozy bar. Then take a Gaudí-inspired architecture crawl to see modernist wonders like Casa Milà, Casa Batlló, Park Güell and the awe-inspiring La Sagrada Família. Explore medieval dockyards at the Maritime Museum— or throw on an apron and learn the centuries-old art of Catalan cuisine in a chef-led cooking class.