Greece, Adriatic & Western Mediterranean

Acknowledged as The Pearl of the Adriatic Dubrovnik is truly an amazing destination to visit. Its history is as rich and intriguing as the first sight of it looming out of crystalline waters is breathtaking. The Old Town was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979 and it is no wonder as you discover its morning market piled with fresh flowers, cheese and fish.

Kotor is a lesser-known gem on a beautiful fjord-like gulf of the same name in Montenegro. It's a fairy-tale setting, where medieval spires rise dreamily over orange rooftops beside mountainous scenery. The landscapes grow ever more dramatic inland, not least in the Durmitor National Park, draped around the majestic Balkan Mountains.

Explore the legacies of Greek, Roman and Venetian Empires or simply marvel at nature's treasures on this beautiful island swathed in emerald green, lapped by turquoise waters and fringed with golden sand. The once pastel colours on Venetian buildings may have faded, but the welcoming scent of eucalyptus, fig and lemon trees are fragrant as ever.

An authentic, rugged and definitely non-touristy Greek island community, Cephalonia’s unspoilt and timeless allure is a wonderful setting for a true love story – including Captain Corelli's Mandolin. The largest of the Ionian islands, Cephalonia is home to just 30,000 residents, living mainly in the coastal towns and resorts. Others live much as they have done for centuries, in remote mountain villages.

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!

Allow yourself to be awed by one of Tuscany’s Renaissance treasures, Florence. With red tiled roofs, tiny shops and magnificent architecture, this is the romantic capital of Italy. Marvel at the mosaic façade and stained glass of the Duomo, gaze up at the tilting bell tower of Pisa and soak up the sight of the beautiful gold and silver workshops huddled together over the River Arno.

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.

Arriving in Mallorca's capital, Palma, you'll find a vibrant city of boutiques, cafés and markets in medieval lanes, all under the watchful gaze of its immense and photogenic gothic sandstone cathedral. Beyond Palma, the island's gorgeous coast shelters beautiful coves, calm harbours and the lavish villas of the rich and famous.

An ancient city, Valencia is an exhilarating mix of history, art and intellectual activity. Brave the 200 steps to the summit of the amphitheatre and you'll be rewarded with a scene of orange rooftops and blue-domed churches. Valencia's rich Hispanic culture is visible everywhere in art and architecture reflecting Roman, Visigoth, Moorish, and Aragonese traditions.

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.