When you can afford the resources, take the islands, Crete and Cyprus.
From there, you'll be able to raid the Near East, especially Syria. Bands of mercenaries roaming into Ptolemaic heartland is a nice idea.

Be a true Roman and raze Carthage. Exterminate every settlement you conquer to pacify Western Europe ASAP. Of course, if you're having population problems, enslavement is better.

In North Africa, you'll need 3 stacks; 1 to defend Lepci and the other 2 to go west (once Carthage is dealt with)