Spain and Portugal

Step aboard in Southampton & straight into that holiday feeling. No flights, no hassle. Just the excitement of the days ahead and the promise of memorable moment. So, relax and raise a toast as the UK drifts from sight. Before you know it, you'll be watching your destination come into view. But where will it be ?

Portugal's capital spreads its ancient sites on seven hills overlooking the Tagus River. Atop the highest hill, St. George's Castle overlooks the city. Balconies ablaze with geraniums and wrought iron lamps light up the medieval Alfama quarter. Sorrowful fados ring out from cafés in the Alto. Shoppers browse in the affluent Chiado district. A short drive away, deposed royalty once lived out their days in the opulent palaces of Estoril and Sintra.

Historic, mysterious and romantic, the Spanish city of Cadiz is unlike any other. Founded in about 1100 BC, it is generally accepted as the oldest continuously inhabited settlement in today’s Europe. But for the thin strip connecting it to the mainland to its south, Cadiz is an island of history and architecture that impresses at every turn through the streets of this charming ancient port

Dubbed the ‘City of Light’ when founded by the Romans, Alicante is built around a natural harbour and is the main city and port of Spain’s Costa Blanca. A truly beautiful and chic Mediterranean feel. A leading beach resort in its own right, the city’s old town has a sophisticated Mediterranean feel. Wherever you wander, Alicante is a tranquil and reassuring place to explore.

Valencia is an exhilarating mix of history, art and intellectual activity. Brave the 200 steps up to the summit of the amphitheatre, for a giddying panorama of orange rooftops and blue-domed churches. Valencia’s rich Hispanic culture is visible everywhere in the city’s architecture, often reflecting Roman, Visigoth, Moorish, and Aragonese traditions.

Stretch your legs on a palm-lined seafront promenade where stylish shops boast their wares and bar clientele settle back in their chairs with a hard few hours of people-watching ahead. Blissful!

Glimpse Barcelona's remarkable architecture as you tour the city. Or experience Monsterrat, legendary home of the Knights of the Holy Grail. There's also a host of art galleries, museums and elegant shops to explore.

Welcome to the “Birthplace of Modern Democracy”, a city whose architectural, art and political triumphs are a universal legacy. Dominating the skyline, the ancient Acropolis is a monument to Western civilization. Discover its perfectly proportioned Parthenon, built during the Golden Age of Peracles, and the Ereichtheon with its maiden columns. Stroll through the ancient columns of the Stoa, where Plato once lectured. Then for lighter fare, come explore the twisting lanes and lively tavernas of the Plaka.

Begin or end your cruise in the world's only city astride two continents. You will almost certainly want to stay on her shores for a day or two at a hotel, or on a land extension to Capadoccia.

Begin or end your cruise in the world's only city astride two continents. You will almost certainly want to stay on her shores for a day or two at a hotel, or on a land extension to Capadoccia.

Kuşadası is a beach resort town on Turkey’s western Aegean coast. A jumping-off point for visiting the classical ruins at nearby Ephesus (or Efes), it’s also a major cruise ship destination. Its seafront promenade, marina, and harbor are lined with hotels and restaurants.

Mykonos is the most sophisticated of the Greek Isles. Near the colourful town of winding streets, charming whitewashed houses and posh boutiques, you'll find perfect beaches to visit. For archaeology lovers, the sacred site of Delos is nearby.

Katakolon is an attractive port set against a backdrop of rolling mountains, giving way to the Ionian Sea and separating the ocean from the Gulf of Kyparissia. This is a stunning step into the past. From Katakolon, visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site and ancient wonder Olympia, with extensive and well-preserved ruins that include a stadium and temples dedicated to the gods Hera and Zeus.

Perched on the rugged Almafi coast, Sorrento is best known for its laid-back cafés and beaches. Oozing southern Italian charm, this is the place to relax and cherish every moment, admist the peaceful lemon groves.

Take a veritable journey through time as you stroll past the Colosseum, custodian of almost 2000 years of history, to the elegant streets of Rome which are home to the top names in fashion.