Sitting just south of Cinque Terre National Park and within a protected natural region, Portovenere is a gateway for exploration. In the village, colorful houses climb the rocky shoreline beneath the watch of the Gothic Church of St. Peter. Wander through the medieval lanes of the old town, where artisan shops and family-run cafés are tucked between centuries-old stone buildings or set out by boat to explore hidden coves and the nearby islands.

Rising from the Tyrrhenian Sea off the coast of Italy, Ponza is an island sculpted from the ridges of underwater mountains, crested with winding roads that connect small villages with swimmable bays and natural grottoes. Fresh seafood pulled from the surrounding waters makes it to the tables of the harbor’s trattorias for lunch, and small boutiques tempt with pastel linens and bottles of white wine made of grapes harvested from the island’s terraced vineyards.

As the coastline of northern Spain comes into view, Gijón reveals itself between emerald hills and the shimmering waters of the Bay of Biscay. Spend the day wandering the storied streets of Cimavilla, where centuries of seafaring history linger around every corner, then perhaps visit a traditional cider house to toast the flavors of Asturias. Here, rugged natural beauty and warm local traditions come together to create a destination as captivating as the journey itself.