10 Enticing Mediterranean Tours

Travelers who are planning to visit Europe will find many attractive options in the Mediterranean. Below are 10 Mediterranean tours that highlight the history and culture of countries like Italy, Greece, Spain and others. Click any link to see itineraries and departure dates.

Best of Italy, 13 days with Trafalgar -- This trip begins with visits to the Vatican Museums and Colosseum in Rome before continuing on to the well-preserved remains of Pompeii, the charming island of Capri, the canals of Venice, the stunning Italian Lake District and the Tuscan countryside.

Spanish Fiesta, 14 days with Globus -- Join a tour that circles through Spain, starting in Madrid, where you'll visit the world-class Prado Museum. See the site of the "running of the bulls" on Calle Estafeta in Pamplona, enjoy a traditional horchata in Valencia and visit Alhambra Palace in Granada.

Croatia & Slovenia, 10 days with Gate 1 Travel -- In Croatia, stop at Diocletian's Palace in Split, explore the beautiful walled city of Dubrovnik and see the stunning waterfalls of Plitvice Lakes. Highlights in Slovenia include its capital city, Ljubljana, and the 11th-century Bled Castle.

Treasures of Greece & the Islands, 14 days with Insight Vacations -- This trip provides an introduction to the country's famed antiquities and seafront villages. See the Parthenon, meet pottery artisans and join a cooking demonstration on the mainland, and enjoy leisurely stays on two Greek islands -- Mykonos and Santorini.

Highlights of Spain, Morocco & Portugal, 16 days with Costsaver -- Spend a little over two weeks soaking up the culture of three dynamic countries. Visit bustling Madrid and Marrakesh and see the colorful facades of Seville and the hills of Lisbon.

Mediterranean Highlights, 13 days with Trafalgar -- A route through Spain, France, Monaco and Italy offers guided sightseeing and free time in destinations like Barcelona and Florence. Shop for local specialties at a Provencal market and enjoy a traditional Tuscan meal at a farmhouse surrounded by olive groves and vineyards.

Spotlight on the French Riviera, 9 days with Collette -- The French city of Nice serves as home base for this vacation, where guests take guided excursions of the surrounding area. Visit a seaside palazzo in St. Jean-Cap-Ferrat, for example, and learn the secrets of perfume making at the Fragonard Perfumerie.

Mediterranean Flavors, 14 days with Cosmos -- This itinerary skims the coasts of France, Spain and Italy, stopping in destinations such as Marseille, Nice, Venice and the cliff-hugging villages of the Cinque Terre.

Hidden Treasures of Southern Italy, 9 days with Globus -- Two-night hotel stays in Naples and Sorrento bookend this southern Italy itinerary. See the cone-shaped homes of Alberobello, tour the underground caves of Castellana Grotte and visit the regal Palazzo Reale in Naples.

A Week In... Spain, 8 days with Tauck -- Enjoy special experiences on this weeklong trip, like a tapas tasting tour in Barcelona, a private flamenco performance in Seville and a night of traditional Castilian entertainment in Madrid.