Western Mediterranean Cruise 7 Nights • Ravenna (Venice), Italy • Voyager 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.

Your ship departs promptly at 5:00 pm, so plan to arrive at least 2-3 hours early to account for checking in and boarding protocols. During this time, many of the ship's amenities are open and operating, so feel free to start your vacation early.

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.

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.

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.

Make your way from Villefranche-sur-Mer into Nice's Vieille Ville (Old City), and acquaint yourself with the culinary, cultural and historical tapestry of France's Cote d'Azur region. Alternatively, head eastward toward the mountaintop town of Eze, where you can enjoy a 360-degree panorama of the glittering French Riviera.

Start your Marseille adventure at the port, where fishing boats and yachts bob close to one another and the fish market Quai des Belges still sells the day's catch. Then hop on the tourist train at Quai du Port for the steep climb to the neo-Byzantine Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde. Check out MuCEM museum to trace the first footprints of Mediterranean history, then relax beside the crescent-shaped colonnade and fountain at Palais Longchamp.

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.

The cruise might have ended, but there are still some great activities to enjoy in the area. If you flew into this port, be mindful of your departure flight time and plan accordingly.