France & Italy

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.

The old port of Alghero has a distinctive Catalan feel – dubbed as 'Little Barcelona' by its 14th century rulers. Alghero’s strong Catalan influences are revealed through its old fortifications, notably in the church of San Francesco with its colourful dome and gothic bell tower. The legacy extends to menus too, as paella features prominently amongst the charming collection of bars and restaurants dotted around the cobbled streets.

Greek legends, migrating wildlife, and the occasional mirage make a journey through the Strait of Messina a uniquely fascinating voyage. Connecting the Tyrrhenian Sea to the Ionian Sea, between the Eastern tip of Sicily and Western Calabria, the narrow waterway of Italy’s Strait of Messina provides passage to more than 300 migrating birds and is a hotbed of biodiversity.

Only three miles from mainland Italy, Messina sits on Sicily's North-Eastern tip under Mt Etna's unerring gaze. Set your watches! One of Messina's undoubted attractions is the astronomical clock housed inside a soaring bell tower on the Piazza del Duomo. Its midday show of bronze mythological figures and roaring lions is a spectacle to behold.

Greek legends, migrating wildlife, and the occasional mirage make a journey through the Strait of Messina a uniquely fascinating voyage. Connecting the Tyrrhenian Sea to the Ionian Sea, between the Eastern tip of Sicily and Western Calabria, the narrow waterway of Italy’s Strait of Messina provides passage to more than 300 migrating birds and is a hotbed of biodiversity.

Sail into the beautiful Bay of Naples with its spectacular views of Capri and Ischia islands. This delightful city - Napoli to the Italians - has something for everyone, from ancient churches and universities, stunning parks, to scrumptious restaurants. A visit to the Museo Archeologico Nazionale to see an abundance of mosaics from the buried city of Pompeii is a must.

Tours are from Civitavecchia. A visit to Rome is an unforgettable experience. Explore the legends of the ages: the Vatican and Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel, the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Catacombs. Stroll down the Via Veneto or sip cappuccino in the Piazza di Spagna. Italy's Eternal City is eternally fascinating. Throw a few coins in the Trevi Fountain and you may be back again!