Sun Princess

Standard tours of Corfu run at a pace suited to those staying on the island, but if you’re passing through on a cruise ship, time is of the essence.

A private driver-guide shows you Corfu your way, typically the UNESCO-listed Old Town, the Paleokastritsa coastline and hilltop villages, on a half or full day.

Taste Corfu's Venetian-influenced food on a three-hour walk through the Old Town, with local snacks, sweets and drinks along with the history behind them.

Head down the coast to hilltop Taormina for its ancient Greek theatre and Corso Umberto, then up to the village of Castelmola for sweeping views of Mount Etna.

Ride a 4x4 up Europe's most active volcano to walk among craters and old lava flows, then taste Etna wines over lunch high on the mountain.

Eat your way around Messina with a local guide: arancini, focaccia messinese, granita and other Sicilian street food classics, adding up to a full meal.

Take the wheel of a soft-top 4x4 and follow the coastal Route des Crêtes to the fishing village of Cassis and the limestone cliffs of the Calanques, stopping wherever the views call for it.

Paddle with a guide along the white limestone cliffs of the Calanques, slipping into hidden coves and stopping to swim in clear Mediterranean water.

See Marseille's Old Port and Notre-Dame de la Garde basilica, then head inland to stroll the fountains, markets and café-lined boulevards of Aix-en-Provence before returning to the ship.

Leave from the cruise terminal for the pastel harbor of Portofino, including a boat ride along the Ligurian Riviera and free time in the village.

Taste your way through Genoa's old town with a local foodie: fresh focaccia, pesto from its birthplace, farinata and more, adding up to a full meal.

A relaxed two-hour ride through the narrow lanes and grand palazzi of Genoa's historic center, one of the largest medieval old towns in Europe.