Mediterranean, Italy & Spain 14 Nights • Southampton, England • Celebrity Apex

Southampton, England- Southampton is a bustling port city bursting with history, as well as shopping opportunities, great restaurants, and superb pubs. Located on England’s southern coast, the area has a deep connection with WWII, having been used as a staging area for the attack on D-Day. It’s also well-known to be the home port of the Queen Mary 2. Today, the city is largely defined by its universities and retail shopping. The real sightseeing, however, happens when you use this port as a jumping off point for attractions found outside, yet relatively close to the city. For instance, London is but a little over an hour away by train. You can also take a ferry to the Isle of Wight, an English holiday favorite with 25 miles of coastline, sand dunes and dramatic white cliffs. While on your Southampton cruise you can also visit the nearby, quaint town of Windsor where you can visit the many boutiques of High Street or enjoy a tour of historic Windsor Castle.

The great Rock of Gibraltar is a sight to behold. Made of limestone, it towers 1,400 feet above the mouth of the majestic Mediterranean Sea and is surrounded by beautiful countryside and a nature reserve.

As you approach this lovely port from the sea, you’ll marvel at the castles and cathedrals, perched on successive terraces. Originally settled over 2,700 years ago, Cagliari retains much of its original seaside charm. Pristine waters and white sand beaches surround the island, offering great opportunities to scuba, snorkel, and swim in the Tyrrhenian Sea on your Cagliari cruise. Once home to Italian nobility and aristocrats, this ancient city boasts the 3,000-year-old ruins of Nora, ancient temples and thermal baths of Sardinia, and the Neolithis Nuraghic Village of Su Nuraxi di Barumini.Savor the distinct Italian flavor of Cagliari cuisine with pasta feasts, fresh seafood, and prime meats on menu at bistros and restaurants throughout the city. A stroll down Vias Garibaldi and Manno will bring you to the finest artisan shops and boutiques. Lovely handcrafts, regional cheeses, and island wines can be found at the open-air markets around the city for delightful keepsakes and souvenirs. With every Vespa that zips by and every golden-domed palazzi you see, you will come to realize that Cagliari is the most Italian of the Sardinian islands.

Rome, Italy: Civitavecchia was settled in 108 A.D. by the Emperor Trajan and has since served faithfully as a gateway to Rome, the capital of Italy. Once the center of the Ancient World from which emperors ruled over nearly all of western civilization, Rome is still a cultural mecca. Only a few cities in the world can boast such a well-preserved level of architecture, art, and religious iconography. There’s an enormous wealth of culture and history to discover on a cruise to Rome. Visit the ancient halls of the 50,000-seat Colosseum, gaze upon the ceilings of Sistine Chapel in Vatican City, and stroll the Capitoline Museum. Roman culinary prowess is well respected and beloved the world over. Experience authentic pizza, hearty bowls of fresh pasta, excellent cheeses, wines, seafood, and delightful desserts like tiramisu and gelato at family-run trattorias that have been preparing these traditional dishes for centuries. Walk the cobblestoned piazzas making your way to narrow side streets where you’re sure to find craftsman shops and beautiful boutiques filled with gorgeous handmade accessories and homewares for keepsakes and souvenirs.

La Spezia, which lies between Genoa and Pisa, and is just minutes to the east of Cinque Terre-the five fishing ports that enjoy National Park status-is home to the Palio del Golfo, an annual boat race that sees the Gulf of Poets; 13 historic villages face off against one another in celebration of the annual Festa del Mare. The town also offers fantastic shopping opportunities, as well as plenty of trattorias to enjoy local, Ligurian cuisine

Cannes, France- With long boardwalks, massive yachts anchored in the harbor, and sunny plazas, Cannes personifies the charismatic French Riviera. Its balmy climate, deep blue Mediterranean waters, and views of the magnificent Alps in the distance, have made this city an alluring retreat for wealthy aristocrats since the mid-1800s. Today, the once small fishing village is world-renowned for its annual film festival and luxurious shopping.

This unequivocal playground for the rich is the perfect locale to splurge and pamper yourself accordingly on your French Riviera cruise. And as you stroll the palm-shaded Promenade de la Croisette, you’ll find a wealth of boutiques filled with gorgeous haute couture and deluxe garments for fabulous keepsakes and souvenirs. A short distance away from the promenade you can pick up a few provisions at the Marché Forville, a great indoor food market with a fine selection of the freshest oysters, French cheeses, bread, olives, and much more for a ravishing lunch on the beach. Afterward, hop a ferry to both Sainte-Marguerite and Saint-Honorat Islands for some light hiking or visit Fort Royal where the story of the Man in the Iron Mask originated.

Formerly a sleepy Spanish city, Barcelona has recently been reborn as an eclectic fusion of the modern and medieval. This coastal city exudes European charm and welcomes multitudes of travelers every year. It’s a major destination with must-see architectural gems that date back some 2,000 years. You’ll encounter fascinating examples from the Roman Empire, the Middle Ages, the Modern masters like Gaudî, and many Cataluñian greats. Outstanding art museums can be found throughout the city, proudly displaying the works of world-renowned artists and countrymen, including Goya, Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalî, and Joan Miró. For a respite from the hustle and bustle of the city center, venture to the awaiting Mediterranean Sea and all the seaside has to offer. Maybe a brisk hike in the nearby forest covered Collserola Hills or the hilltop in Montjuïc with its botanical gardens is the perfect recharge for a rollicking evening in one of the premier party capitals of the world. Round out your cruise to Barcelona dining at a tapas bar and savor a variety of delicious small dishes to share—from traditional Spanish to the more innovative.

From Cádiz you can easily get to Seville, exploring the old town with its quaint Moorish feel as well as its impressive monuments, pretty parks and lovely architecture. Along the way, restore your energy at any of the mouth-watering tapas bars offering some of the country’s finest seafood and typical Andalusian cuisine.

Southampton, England- Southampton is a bustling port city bursting with history, as well as shopping opportunities, great restaurants, and superb pubs. Located on England’s southern coast, the area has a deep connection with WWII, having been used as a staging area for the attack on D-Day. It’s also well-known to be the home port of the Queen Mary 2. Today, the city is largely defined by its universities and retail shopping. The real sightseeing, however, happens when you use this port as a jumping off point for attractions found outside, yet relatively close to the city. For instance, London is but a little over an hour away by train. You can also take a ferry to the Isle of Wight, an English holiday favorite with 25 miles of coastline, sand dunes and dramatic white cliffs. While on your Southampton cruise you can also visit the nearby, quaint town of Windsor where you can visit the many boutiques of High Street or enjoy a tour of historic Windsor Castle.