Connoisseurs of Mediterranean cruises will be drawn to this expansive 25-day exploration blending stops in some of the world’s most recognizable Italian fishing villages and Spanish seasides along with some lesser-known ones on the mysterious islands of Sicily and Malta.  Journey to Sicily, absorbing 2,700 years of tantalizing history in tours of the massive Greek Theater of Syracuse (Teatro Greco) or Mount Etna, Europe’s largest volcano.  Savor delicious Sicilian cuisine in the trattoria’s of Porto Empedocle, from stuffed sardines and almond cookies to seafood spaghetti topped in a tomato sauce filled mussels, clams and squid. See Trapani’s famous salt pans and swim in crystal-clear water from Lipari’s volcanic beaches. Experience the distinct cultural mix of Malta, a unique blend of European, African and Middle Eastern influences, in the capital city of Valletta. Behold iconic Amalfi Coast communities, sipping limoncello from the colorful fishing village of Portofino or venturing to Portoferraio on the Island of Elba, the famous exile site for Napoleon Bonaparte. Experience the glamour of the French Riveria in celebrity enclaves like Canne or Bond-famous spots like Monaco’s Grand Casino in Monte Carlo. Laze on the sumptuous shores of Spain, from the golden sands of Costa Brava around Palamós to clear azure waters of Palma de Mallorca. Discover the emblematic sites of Cartagena, from its historic fortified walls, "Las Murallas," to celebrated Modernist-Art Nouveau buildings like the Casino and the "Casa de Cervantes." Tour some of Spain’s iconic Moorish fortresses known as "Alcazaba," from Almeria to Malaga and the Alhambra. Set foot on the Rock of Gibraltar and catch a glimpse of the famous Barbary Apes, the only wild monkeys found in Europe.