Rome is the capital city and a special comune of Italy (named Comune di Roma Capitale). Rome also serves as the capital of the Lazio region. With 2,872,800 residents in 1,285 km2(496.1 sq mi), it is also the country's most populated comune. It is the fourth-most populous city in the European Union by population within city limits. It is the centre of the Metropolitan City of Rome, which has a population of 4,355,725 residents, thus making it the most populous metropolitan city in Italy. Rome is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, within Lazio (Latium), along the shores of the Tiber. The Vatican City (the smallest country in the world) is an independent country inside the city boundaries of Rome, the only existing example of a country within a city: for this reason Rome has been often defined as capital of two states.

Rome's history spans 28 centuries. While Roman mythology dates the founding of Rome at around 753 BC, the site has been inhabited for much longer, making it one of the oldest continuously occupied sites in Europe. The city's early population originated from a mix of Latins, Etruscans, and Sabines. Eventually, the city successively became the capital of the Roman Kingdom, the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire, and is regarded as the birthplace of Western civilization and by some as the first ever metropolis. It was first called The Eternal City (Latin: Urbs Aeterna; Italian: La Città Eterna) by the Roman poet Tibullus in the 1st century BC, and the expression was also taken up by Ovid, Virgil, and Livy. Rome is also called the "Caput Mundi" (Capital of the World). After the fall of the Western Empire, which marked the beginning of the Middle Ages, Rome slowly fell under the political control of the Papacy, which had settled in the city since the 1st century AD, until in the 8th century it became the capital of the Papal States, which lasted until 1870. Beginning with the Renaissance, almost all the popes since Nicholas V (1447–1455) pursued over four hundred years a coherent architectural and urban programme aimed at making the city the artistic and cultural centre of the world. In this way, Rome became first one of the major centres of the Italian Renaissance, and then the birthplace of both the Baroque style and Neoclassicism. Famous artists, painters, sculptors and architects made Rome the centre of their activity, creating masterpieces throughout the city. In 1871, Rome became the capital of the Kingdom of Italy, which, in 1946, became the Italian Republic.

Rome has the status of a global city. In 2016, Rome ranked as the 14th-most-visited city in the world, 3rd most visited in the European Union, and the most popular tourist attraction in Italy. Its historic centre is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The famous Vatican Museums are among the world's most visited museums while the Colosseum was the most popular tourist attraction in world with 7.4 million visitors in 2018. Host city for the 1960 Summer Olympics, Rome is the seat of several specialized agencies of the United Nations, such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Food Programme (WFP) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). The city also hosts the Secretariat of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) as well as the headquarters of many international business companies such as Eni, Enel, TIM, Leonardo S.p.A., and national and international banks such as Unicredit and BNL. Its business district, called EUR, is the base of many companies involved in the oil industry, the pharmaceutical industry, and financial services. Rome is also an important fashion and design centre thanks to renowned international brands centered in the city. Rome's Cinecittà Studios have been the set of many Academy Award–winning movies.

Sorrento is a town overlooking the Bay of Naples in Southern Italy. A popular tourist destination due to its variety of small antique shops and location on the Amalfi Coast, it can be reached easily from Naples and Pompeii as it is at the south-eastern end of the Circumvesuviana rail line. The town is most commonly known for its small shops selling an arrangement of ceramics, lacework and marquetry (woodwork).

The Sorrentine Peninsula has views of Naples, Vesuvius and the Isle of Capri. The Amalfi Drive, connecting Sorrento and Amalfi, is a narrow road that threads along the high cliffs above the Tyrrhenian Sea.

Ferries and hydrofoils connect the town to Naples, Amalfi, Positano, Capri and Ischia. Sorrento's sea cliffs and luxury hotels have attracted celebrities including Enrico Caruso and Luciano Pavarotti.

Limoncello, a digestif made from lemon rinds, alcohol, water and sugar, is produced in Sorrento. Other agricultural production includes citrus fruit, wine, nuts and olives.

Kotor is a coastal town in Montenegro. It is located in a secluded part of the Gulf of Kotor. The city has a population of 13,510 and is the administrative center of Kotor Municipality.

The old Mediterranean port of Kotor is surrounded by fortifications built during the Venetian period. It is located on the Bay of Kotor (Boka Kotorska), one of the most indented parts of the Adriatic Sea. Some have called it the southern-most fjord in Europe, but it is a ria, a submerged river canyon. Together with the nearly overhanging limestone cliffs of Orjen and Lovćen, Kotor and its surrounding area form an impressive landscape.

Since the early 2000s Kotor has seen an increase in tourists , many of them coming by cruise ship. Visitors are attracted by the natural environment of the Gulf of Kotor and by the old town of Kotor. Kotor is part of the World Heritage Site dubbed the Natural and Culturo-Historical Region of Kotor.

The fortified city of Kotor was also included in UNESCO's World Heritage Site list as part of Venetian Works of Defence between 15th and 17th centuries: Stato da Terra – western Stato da Mar in 201

Venice is the most famous and unusual city in the world. It is located in northern Italy on the Adriatic coast. The territory of the city is cut by more than 150 canals and ducts through which more than 400 bridges are thrown.

Venice is a resort city, which is a center of international tourism of world significance, a venue for art and architectural exhibitions, international film festivals. Absolutely unusual atmosphere reigning in the city falls in love with itself at first sight. Narrow streets, with small cozy cafes, sliding gondolas and serenades of gondoliers, set in a romantic mood, and attract lovers from all over the world.

Koper is the fifth largest city in Slovenia. Located in the southwestern part of the country, approximately five kilometres (3.1 miles) south of the border with Italy and 20 kilometers (12 miles) from Trieste, Koper is the largest coastal city in the country. It is bordered by the satellite towns of Izola and Ankaran, and anchors the Istrian region. With a unique ecology and biodiversity, it is considered an important national natural resource. It is the oldest recorded urban settlement in Slovenia. The city's Port of Koper is the major contributor to the economy of the eponymous city municipality. With only one percent of Slovenia having a coastline, the influence that the Port of Koper also has on tourism was a factor in Ankaran deciding to leave the municipality in a referendum in 2011 to establish its own. The city is a destination on a number of Mediterranean cruising lines. In 2016, the city expects 65 cruise ship arrivals (for example: Norwegian Spirit, MSC Magnifica, Norwegian Jade, MS Rhapsody of the Seas...) with the season spanning from March to December. Koper is the main urban centre of the Slovenian Istria, with a population of about 25,000.

Split – the Pearl of Dalmatia

Split is Croatia’s second-largest city on the Adriatic coast. Its landmark is the Diocletian’s Palace, a UNESCO site, surrounded by narrow streets and the Cathedral of St. Domnius.

Life pulses along the Riva promenade, lined with cafés and restaurants. Nearby are beaches, including the famous Bacvice.

Split is also an important port, offering easy access to Croatian islands such as Hvar, Brač and Korčula. Its Mediterranean atmosphere and Dalmatian cuisine make it a perfect holiday destination.

Dubrovnik is a Croatian city on the Adriatic Sea. It is one of the most prominent tourist destinations in the Mediterranean Sea, a seaport and the centre of Dubrovnik-Neretva County. Its total population is 42,615 (census 2011). In 1979, the city of Dubrovnik joined the UNESCO list of World Heritage sites.

The prosperity of the city was historically based on maritime trade; as the capital of the maritime Republic of Ragusa, it achieved a high level of development, particularly during the 15th and 16th centuries, as it became notable for its wealth and skilled diplomacy.

In 1991, after the break-up of Yugoslavia, Dubrovnik was besieged by Serbian and Montenegrin soldiers of the Yugoslav People's Army (JNA) for seven months and suffered significant damage from shelling. After repair and restoration works in the 1990s and early 2000s, Dubrovnik re-emerged as one of the top tourist destinations in the Mediterranean.

Chania (Souda), Crete — Charm and History

Chania, located on the northwest coast of Crete, attracts travelers with its historical atmosphere and picturesque Venetian harbor. The narrow streets, buildings, and cozy cafes create a unique charm, blending Venetian and Ottoman architectural elements.

Souda is an important seaport and ferry port situated in the bay of Souda, east of Chania. The port plays a key role in the island's transport network and is strategically important for the region. Around Chania, there are archaeological sites, including the remains of ancient cities, and natural attractions such as caves and World War II memorials.

Syros is a picturesque island in the Cyclades, known for its rich history and diverse architecture. Its capital, Ermoupoli, is one of the few Greek towns where Byzantine churches stand alongside neoclassical mansions. Once Greece’s major maritime hub, the city still retains an air of elegance and cultural depth.

The island is perfect for travelers seeking more than just beach vacations. It offers peaceful coves, scenic trails, and delicious local cuisine — from fresh seafood to "lagano," a traditional bread baked with olive oil. Fun fact: Ermoupoli is home to one of the oldest theaters in Greece — Apollon, modeled after Milan's La Scala.

Mykonos is a Greek island, part of the Cyclades, lying between Tinos, Syros, Paros and Naxos. The island spans an area of 85.5 square kilometres (33.0 sq mi) and rises to an elevation of 341 metres (1,119 feet) at its highest point. There are 10,134 inhabitants (2011 census), most of whom live in the largest town, Mykonos, which lies on the west coast. The town is also known as Chora (i.e. the Town in Greek, following the common practice in Greece when the name of the island itself is the same as the name of the principal town).

Kepez is a coastal town in the province of Çanakkale, Turkey, located 3 km from the city center of Çanakkale. As of 2010, the town had a population of 11,744. To the south of Kepez was the ancient city of Dardanos. North of Dardanos lies the Dardanos Tumulus, where in late 1959, an entrance to a monumental tomb was accidentally discovered and excavated. The tomb, built from finely carved stone blocks, consists of a 5.20-meter-long covered dromos, an antechamber, and a burial chamber.

Çanakkale, which translates as "fortress of potters," became known for its pottery craft. Its strategic location on the shore of the Dardanelles Strait earned it the name "Gateway to the Aegean Coast" — according to legend, this is where Alexander the Great crossed, followed centuries later by the conquering army of the Ottomans.

Istanbul – the largest city in Turkey, located on the Bosphorus. Until 1930 it was known as Constantinople and served as the capital of the Roman, Byzantine, Latin and Ottoman Empires. The city and its surroundings preserve monuments of ancient civilizations, including temples, palaces and fortifications. Today Istanbul is an important cultural, commercial and industrial hub. Tourists come not only to admire its historic landmarks, but also to shop at world-famous Turkish bazaars, where you can buy spices, jewelry, antiques, colorful hookahs and bargain like a local.

Istanbul – the largest city in Turkey, located on the Bosphorus. Until 1930 it was known as Constantinople and served as the capital of the Roman, Byzantine, Latin and Ottoman Empires. The city and its surroundings preserve monuments of ancient civilizations, including temples, palaces and fortifications. Today Istanbul is an important cultural, commercial and industrial hub. Tourists come not only to admire its historic landmarks, but also to shop at world-famous Turkish bazaars, where you can buy spices, jewelry, antiques, colorful hookahs and bargain like a local.