Goethe wrote, "Do you know the land where the lemon trees bloom and oranges glow from the leaves' dark gloom." Sicily and the picture-perfect Baroque town of Catania, set right at the foot of Mount Etna, were genuine inspirations for him on his travels around Italy. On the fertile volcanic soil around Catania, orange and lemon trees try to out-glow each other, and you will be tempted to enjoy the coastline with its wonderful sandy beaches and impressive rock formations. The town was destroyed by a volcanic eruption and earthquake in the 17th century and, in the 18th century, a masterpiece of Roman Baroque emerged which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Taormina is perched on a rock with a majestic view over the sea. In the 19th century, this small town had already developed into a dream destination for well-heeled travelers and artists. The town's fascination lies in its elegance, the many ancient buildings, the stunningly beautiful coastline, the mild climate, and the view over the silhouette of Etna. Europe's largest volcano is over 9,843 feet high, has four summit craters and around 400 subsidiary craters, and is covered with snow almost all year round. In ancient times it was considered the seat of the gods, but nowadays large sections of it are a nature reserve.

The character of Palermo, Sicily's vibrant capital, was mainly forged by the Arabs, the Swabian dynasty, and the Normans. Noble palaces line the magnificent streets, cheerful-looking Art Nouveau houses stand next to Baroque buildings and a little further on you are faced with pure Gothic facades. The medieval quarter towers above the huge Palazzo Reale with its "Capella Palatina", a masterpiece in the Arab-Byzantine-Norman style. The small mountain town of Monreale gives you a breathtaking view over the town and the bay, as well as the 12th-century cathedral whose interior combines Romanesque, Byzantine, and Arab art with rich gold mosaics.

Climbing the rigging, untying ropes, setting sails – today is all about sailing. Time to lean back and relax in the deck chair and watch the passionate crew hoisting the sails by hand.

Cagliari is a port and university town and, with one of the most modern opera houses in the Mediterranean, is also a renowned cultural city. Behind the Via Roma, a boulevard with shady arcades and classical facades lies the dock area whose narrow lanes bustle with life. The old town is called Castello and extends picturesquely up the hill. The immense Bastione San Remy towers over the town. Not far from the center is one of the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean and inland you will find glittering cultural treasures, like the ancient town of Nora dating from the 9th century BC.

Spend the day sunbathing, enjoy the fresh wind breeze, and relax into the day!

Mahôn, the island's capital, has the largest natural harbor in the Mediterranean. The harbor of the former capital, Ciutadella, which translates as "tiny little town", has a picturesque setting on a fjord-like bay. It is one of the most beautiful cities in Spain and you will be enchanted by the narrow lanes in the old town, the majestic squares and the smart promenades. Menorca naturally has two sides – in the north is the wild mountain region of Tramuntana, with its ruggedly craggy coastline and hidden bays. In the south, there are gentle hills with wide plains and seemingly endless sandy beaches. Listed as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, Majorca's little sister is considerably quieter and more traditional.

Majorca's beautiful capital is an elegant city and its picturesque old town and architectural mix of Arab, Catalan, and Art Nouveau elements are part of its success story. In the center you will be lured by shops behind splendid facades, and cafés and bars set on beautiful squares invite you to stay a while. Not far from the sophisticated marina, you will find the dignified cathedral, affectionately known as "La Seu" for short. With pure Gothic beginnings, none other than Antonio Gaudi created part of its interior at the start of the 20th century.