Mediterranean – Spain & France

Christened the Crystal City and home to the shrine of St. James the Apostle in Santiago de Compostela, La Coruna is a gem on Spain's north western coast. Tantalise your taste buds as you sample Galicia's mouth-watering seafood with octopus, oysters and scallops on the menu. If your taste is for history, feast on the vista from the world's only working Roman lighthouse.

The birthplace of Picasso and known as Málaga the Beautiful, Másaga's privileged location has attracted travellers, merchants, artists and explorers for centuries who have left their mark on this cosmopolitan city. It is the gateway to the beaches of Torremolinos, the exclusive clubs and marina of Marbella and Puerto Banus and its striking old quarter by the cathedral offers a relaxed atmosphere with spectacular views.

Built around a natural harbour, the main city and cruise port on Spain's Costa Blanca, Alicante, is also a top beach resort in its own right. It has a sophisticated Mediterranean feel with its restored old town adding to its charm and the attraction of its sandy beaches. When choosing a stretch of sand in Alicante, but the white-sand, blueflag El Postiguet is a good place to start. Its proximity to the Old Quarter adds to the charm – stretch your legs on the palm-lined promenade, guided by its pretty, wavy patchwork of marble tiles.

Better known as Frances main naval base than as a cruise port, Toulon has unexpected charm and is all the better for not being a major tourist destination as you can wander through the cobbled streets of its delightful old town untroubled by crowds. Look out for the superb maritime and art museums, the magnificent Romanesque cathedral and Le Marche, where fresh flowers, fruit and vegetables are bought to market every day. Ship buffs also have the bonus of watching the comings and goings of the French warships around the harbour. The best view of the old town and the harbour is from Mont Faron which overlooks both - take the funicular up from Boulevard Amiral Vence.

Delve into the Picasso Museum or Miró Foundation. Explore the genius of Gaudí too, as you survey the city from Parc Güell, witness the extraordinary Casa Mila and Casa Batlló, and marvel at his unfinished masterpiece, the Sagrada Familia. After all that sight-seeing a shady spot in one of Barcelona's numerous cafés provides the perfect vantage point for watching the colourful street performers on Las Ramblas.

You cruise right into the heart of historic Cadiz as immediately across the busy Avenida del Puerto from the Spanish port is the main square and shopping area. Cadiz dates back to the 12th century BC so is the oldest continuously inhabited city in the western world but sultry Seville has long since outgrown its neighbour. La Giralda (the bell-tower next to its Gothic cathedral), is in Seville's historic Jewish quarter which also has the whitewashed houses and exquisitely coloured bougainvillea that everyone associates with this lovely city. With a low-key, laid-back vibe, it’s famed for its seafood, sand and sunlight. Cadiz is a pleasure to explore on foot with winding alleyways, vast plazas and stunning architecture.

The UK's premier passenger ship port, located in the picturesque English county of Hampshire, Southampton is a vibrant waterfront city, serviced by direct trains to London, an airport, and an international cruise terminal. Explore the city’s maritime heritage and links to RMS Titanic in the Sea City Museum, see contemporary British art in the Cultural Quarter, or walk the medieval walls in the Old Town. Further afield you’ll find The New Forest National Park, Winchester Cathedral, Stonehenge, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and the Isle of Wight, while the city’s thriving craft beer and culinary scene will leave you spoilt for choice.