Best Of Italy & Croatia Cruise 9 netter • Ravenna (Venice), Italy til Barcelona, Spain • Mariner of the Seas

Discover enchanting Ravenna, home of some of Italy’s most captivating hidden gems including 8 UNESCO World Heritage sites. This charming seaside port is a haven for art and architecture lovers showcasing Christian mosaics, majestic churches and impressive palaces. Before your cruise, spend a couple of days exploring Ravenna — once the capital of the Western Roman Empire and a thriving hub for craftsmen, artists and master masons. Plus, take advantage of your proximity to visit Venice or Bologna — both less than 2-and-a-half hours by car. Wander through Venice’s iconic St. Mark’s Basilica and ride a gondola beneath the Rialto Bridge or eat your way around Bologna’s Mercato Delle Erbe and catch amazing views from the top of Asinelli Tower. Cruising from Ravenna gives you the opportunity to go off the beaten path and to visit Venice’s famous canals or Bologna’s enchanting streets.

Zadar is one of Croatia’s best-kept secrets. See its timeworn history among old city walls and Venetian gates. Walk along the waterfront Riva promenade or plunge into turquoise waters off Ugljan Island. Mingle over coffee in People’s Square, bicycle around Old Town, or check out museum exhibits teeming with artifacts. Here, you’ll adventure away from the crowds and discover off-the-radar wonders.

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.

Messina is the coastal jewel of northern Sicily. Let yourself get a little lost in the city, as you wander the streets taking note the of the history embedded in its architecture. See the famous Messina Cathedral — its dome has stood since 1551. Stroll among neoclassical and Art Nouveau sculptures at the Camposanto. And check out the Church of the Santissima Annunziata dei Catalani, a 12th-century church that offers a unique example of Norman architecture, blending Arab, Byzantine and Roman elements.

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.

Experience la dolce vita in The Eternal City— recalling the glory days of Ancient Rome and twirling forks full of pasta in a trattoria. Stand in awe of paintings by Italian masters at Villa Borghese. Soak up Trastevere’s backstreet charms. Discover Vatican City’s spiritual legacy. Or ride past centuries-old basilicas in a three-wheeled Ape Calessino.

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.