Beneath the chic beaches and trendy cafés, modern Mediterranean crossings trace Europe’s evolution of art, architecture, and history. Set sail amid the vibrant hues of Bronze Age Minoan frescos in the east, transition to lifelike Italian Renaissance marble sculptures, and finish amid the colors, curvatures and complexities of Barcelona’s urban artwork embodying Catalan’s flamboyant Modernisme movement. Venture from weathered temples and vistas atop Greece, to imposing 16th century Sicilian watchtowers and the contemporary scaffoldings surrounding Barcelona’s ornate and incomplete Sagrada Família. Chart early Greek triremes trade routes to Egypt and Rome, and imagine hoisting sails 2,000 years later in the company of Spanish and Portuguese explorers bound for rumored continents.

Mediterranean countries share a similar climate and crops—grapes, figs, almonds, olives, lemons, tomatoes, and mandarins—but a millennia of trade and outside influences provide delightfully diverse cuisines. Bite into flaky, savory, phyllo-wrapped minced lamb with garlic served at a sidewalk eatery in Argostoli. Point your way through a mouthwatering order of arancini—a Sicilian delight consisting of crisp, deep fried rice balls stuffed with beef, pork and local cheeses. Then conclude with an enchanting Barcelonan paella supper with the creamy citrus and cinnamon decadence of Creama Catalana.