Valletta to Barcelona

Two days in Malta’s historic capital mark the start of this journey around the Med, which touches both Europe and Africa. Our first stop is Tunisia's ancient trading port of La Goulette, jump-off point for the capital Tunis, ancient Carthage, and the eye-catching blue-and-white seaside village of Sidi Bou Said. Next, we cross to Italy and Trapani, Sicily, where a bowl of the local fish couscous reveals long ties with nearby North Africa, then the Aeolian island of Lipara, for boutiques, bistros and turquoise waters. We reach the Italian mainland at the lemon-scented streets of Sorrento, on the Bay of Naples, and then a day at sea takes us to Civitavecchia, gateway to the capital, Rome. One more sea day brings us to our final stop Barcelona, to sip cava and people-watch on the Ramblas and marvel at Antoni Gaudí’s whimsical architecture.