Taranto, ITALY

Taranto nestles within the inner heel of Italy’s boot, and dates back to 706BC, when it was a Greek-Spartan settlement. Breathe in centuries of history on a tour of the city’s relics and ruins, including the magnificent Castello Aragonese and Temple of Poseidon, or pay a visit to the ancient caves in the craggy cliff faces at Massafra. Marella Cruises also offers the opportunity to book an excursion to Alberobello, the Puglian town with UNESCO-listed trulli – whitewashed houses with distinctive conical roofs – or head off to the sheltered cove at Lido Gandoli for a day’s R&R on its sandy beach.