Now, as in ages past, the Mediterranean unfolds at a deliciously slow pace. Savor it on your own, or choose from thoughtfully planned shore excursions. Glide in a gondola down Venetian canals. Hear the mullah's song drift down from a minaret. In the markets, fishermen, bakers and artisans carry on traditions that are centuries old. Stroll along medieval walkways, along the golden shores of Greece, Israel and Egypt, where the ancients have left enduring monuments connecting us to their gods. In Italy, even the smallest town has a lovely piazza and duomo for you to photograph, sketch or simply appreciate over an espresso.