Greece, Egypt & Sicily Cruise 10 Nights • Athens (Piraeus), Greece to Barcelona, Spain • Rhapsody of the Seas

Explore the Piraeus Cruise Port, which showcase the Golden Age of Greek history. Visit the Hellenic Maritime Museum and the ship sheds — here, you can see how ancient ships were crafted. In the charming Castella district, you'll find some small, quaint shops and cafes amid the elegant neoclassical buildings. Head to Sotiros Street to find brand name stores, alongside smaller local shops.

Cruises to Rhodes arrive on a Greek island that still delivers beauty and allure on a giant scale, long after the Colossus fell. The island instantly greets you with serene white-sand beaches and wide-open blue skies. See the site in the harbor where the now-destroyed wonder of the ancient world once stood. Then, head to Old Town Rhodes, surrounded by medieval walls and seven ancient gates. Don't miss the Palace of the Grandmaster, with its mosaic floors dating from Hellenic, Roman and early Christian times. For further adventures, make the drive to Phileremos Monastery or the scenic Lindos Bay. Shop for a colorful menagerie of seashells by the shoreline — and don't forget to spend some time relaxing beside the translucent blue waves with your Greece cruise.

Cruises to Alexandria, Egypt, come with an unparalleled introduction to ancient sights. As soon as you arrive in this storied city, you'll want to make a beeline for one of its many museums. The Antiquities Museum is a great first stop to get a better sense of the city's history and status within the ancient world. It's also located at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, a modern reimagining of the lost and legendary Library of Alexandria. If you want to keep the history crawl going strong, stop by the Alexandria National Museum to immerse yourself in the world of Egyptian Pharaohs, the Greek and Roman era, and the Muslim conquest. Or, enjoy a taste of semi-modern-day Alexandria with a visit to the beautiful Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi Mosque, which dates back to the 18th century. Then, tour the gorgeous 19th-century gardens at the Montaza Palace. It's hands-down one of the best things to do in Alexandria, Egypt.

Go back in time at the Palace of Knossos, the adjacent Heraklion Archaeological Museum, or climb the Venetian Walls that surround the Old City. Take a dip in the azure Aegean at beaches like Amoudara and Karteros or follow up a shopping trip at Meidani Square with a shot of the local spirit known as raki.

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.

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.