We board our 'home away from Home' for the next week!

Located on the Bay of La Spezia, Lerici is town of natural Italian beauty. It is set on a coastline with gray cliffs that stretch over the clear waters of the bay and the village is a model of its medieval influence. Along the coast are many white beaches that are easily reached from the town center. Hiking trails can be found by those who venture toward both the seaside and hilltop villages to the southeast of Lerici. Other attractions include the national park full of beautiful trees and small hamlets, as well as the piazza at the waterfront and many seaside cafes spread around the harbor.

This small island boasts 91 miles of Mediterranean coastline. For those traveling on foot, the waterfront with its elegant shops and the town square with its old churches and terraced streets are appealing places. Visit the two forts, Falcone and Stella, the Piazza Napoleone, and the Villa dei Molini, Napoleon's official residence during his exile on Elba. 

Santa Manza is a succession of sandy beaches and small coves, each one is unique and each one is to discover. The sea, as you would expect from a beach of Corsica, is transparent. 

Located in the northern part of Sardinia's west coast, the seaside town of Alghero is surrounded by pine woods, vineyards and orchards. Adventure seekers will enjoy the grottoes and caves in the area. Fishing boats and pleasure craft crowd the colorful harbor, and the sea is ideal for coral and lobster fishing. Don't miss the Church of St. Francesco and the Piazza Civica. 

The ancient Greeks called Corsica the "Island of Beauty" and, with its dramatic coast and rugged interior, it is a place of scenic splendor. Cruise ships stop at one of three ports, including Bonifacio, Ajaccio or Calvi, with town-and-country tours offered at each port. In Bonifacio, the excursion visits the town, set atop steep cliffs, and its historic citadel. Ajaccio, the birthplace of Napoleon, features museums, monuments and memorials to the emperor. A tour of Calvi visits the fortress and tiny villages on the outskirts. 

Our second port of call today will be Ajaccio. Corsica's largest town, has all the attractions of a typical French Mediterranean resort with beaches, palm trees, street cafes and a mountain range in the background. Visit Maison Bonaparte, the house where Napoleon was born, which is now a museum, or take a walk around town to see the statues and monuments built in honor of the town's hero.  

Some argue that there is no place more glamorous than Monte Carlo in its beautiful Riviera setting. A favorite destination of the rich and famous, it's a great place for people-watching, and the streets are lined with elegant boutiques and cafes. The best tours visit the casino, the posh Hotel de Paris, the Oceanographic Museum and the cathedral where Princess Grace and Prince Rainier are entombed. 

Located on the world-famous Côte d'Azur, this resort town boasts an impressive collection of museums and art galleries, botanical gardens, Gothic-style churches and a theater district that hosts the renowned international film festival. Those less interested in the arts can check out the casinos, discos and nightclubs that make nightlife in Cannes legendary. Sandy Mediterranean beaches draw sunbathers from all of Europe, and the shimmering blue waters fill with sailboats in the summer. It's no wonder Cannes is known as the "star" of the French Riviera.