From the spectacular canals of Venice, embark on a weeklong voyage through the Adriatic Sea aboard the three-masted Sea Cloud II. Visit timeless towns and archaeological sites, where diverse civilizations -- from ancient Greeks and Romans to Byzantines and Venetians -- have left their mark. Call at Ravenna, Italy, to view stunning mosaics in its early Christian churches, before exploring Roman emperor Diocletian's 4th-century retirement palace in Split, Croatia. Marvel at exquisite Romanesque and Renaissance architecture and ancient manuscripts in the walled Croatian city of Dubrovnik, which George Bernard Shaw called “paradise on Earth.” Call at Reggio Calabria to admire the famous Bronzi, and sail through the legendary Strait of Messina separating Sicily from Italy. Conclude in Palermo.