Mediterranean and Greek Islands

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 ?

Visit Santiago de Compostela, a UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Site and place of Christian pilgrimage third only to Jerusalem and Rome.

From Leixoes you can visit picture-perfect Porto, and let your inner photographer loose on this city full of great character. Your camera roll will no doubt feature the signature blue and white tiles. Porto’s signature ceramics feature perhaps most beautifully in the exteriors of the Carmo and Capela das Almas churches. Try to fit in the Ribiera district and the iron Dom Luis Bridge.

Tangier is just 20 miles from Spain across the Strait of Gibraltar. It is a bustling and vibrant city, which has an appropriate balance of shops to browse, beautiful beaches and historical landmarks. Stroll the beachfront on Ave Mohammed VI, and sample the local mint tea. Perhaps a tour of the Kasbah Museum in the former Sultan’s palace before some craft souvenirs from The Souk in the Medina.

Gibraltar is perhaps best known for The Rock, a 426-feet limestone ridge with sheer drops on its northern and eastern sides. Beyond, Gibraltar’s landscape is rural, diverse, and well worth exploring.

A historic and major naval station located in the Region of Murcia by the Mediterranean coast of southeastern Spain, Cartagena’s multi-faceted beauty is thanks to centuries of often-turbulent change. Cartagena enjoys a unique artistic heritage, with landmarks such as the Roman Theatre, an abundance of Phoenician, Roman, Byzantine and Moorish remains, and many delightful Art Nouveau buildings.

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.

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.

This Sicilian harbour has much to offer in the way of history and beauty. Its museum is noteworthy for its Renaissance masterworks. Nearby, the fashionable resort of Taormina awaits on an optional excursion.

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.