Catania, Sicily, Italy

With Catania’s lovely collection of 18th century baroque architecture at the foot of Mount Etna, Europe’s tallest active volcano, this striking port city on Sicily’s west coast is set against the dazzling Ionian Sea. Begin your exploration in Piazza del Duomo, an elegant and spacious square where the whimsical Fontana dell’Elefante, made of black lava rock, sits at its center. Here, you’ll also find the Cattedrale di Sant’Agata with its domed basilica, graceful frescoes and columned facade, originally built in the 1000s with a fascinating history that spans the centuries. And while there are plenty more ancient relics to discover, from the Teatro Romano to Porta Garibaldi, a daytrip to hike along Mount Etna’s rugged, moonlike landscape is an epic adventure.