Mediterranean Medley

Beaches or bargains, the sea or sights. Palma has it all, together with enough sunshine and souvenirs to keep anyone happy. If you like beaches, cafes or simply lazing around in the sunshine, you'll love Palma, together with the nearby resorts of Palma Nova and Magaluf. Before you relax, though, make sure you visit Palma City itself to see the Moorish palace, the designer stores and the quaint shops and cobbled streets of the old city, behind the Gothic Cathedral. And for souvenirs, make a bee-line for Inca, the largest street market on the island which opens every Thursday.

Think sights, sights and more sights. This is the perfect excuse to discover the real pleasures of Tuscany, and the real magic of Pisa. Wander through the ancient cobbled streets of Florence amd enjoy a coffee or Italian ice cream while you soak in the atmosphere. Visit the Uffizi Galleries, one of the best art museums in the world, before taking in the famous Duomo cathedral, the Santo Spirito church and the magnificent bronze doors of the Basilica, aptly named 'the gates of heaven' by Michelangelo. And then wonder if the Leaning Tower, one of four impressive buildings in the Field of Miracles in Pisa, really is a hidden treasures and ambience of Pisa itself.

Think of the French Riviera and what springs to mind? Expensive yachts? Wide, palm-fringed boulevards? Glittering turquoise seas? Experience the glamour and glitz of France’s most famous stretch of coast. Imagine you’re Lewis Hamilton as you drive along the Grand Prix circuit in Monte Carlo. After you’ve negotiated the hairpin bends, you’ll find it hard to believe the fastest lap time on this circuit is just over 13 seconds. Trace your way along the French Riviera. Take in elegant Nice, the hilltop village of St Paul and Grasse, which is the world capital for perfume and flowers.

Toulon is a port city on southern France’s Mediterranean coast, lined with sandy beaches and shingle coves. It’s a significant naval base and the harbor is home to submarines and warships, as well as fishing boats and ferries. The grand Musée National de la Marine in the Port of Toulon exhibits maritime artifacts. Rugged limestone mountains form a backdrop to the city, and a cable car shuttles visitors up Mont Faron.

Steeped in historical interest and home to one of Europe's largest amusement parks, the charming Catalonian port of Tarragona really does have something for everyone. Developed by Julius Caesar and favoured by archaeologists for its wealth of Roman artefacts, charismatic Tarragona perches on a rocky hill overlooking the Mediterranean. On the hill's southern slopes, the old town contains many sites of historical interest. Quiet pedestrian streets make browsing in the many antique shops and grottos a real pleasure, while to the east you can stroll along the beautiful terraced avenue of Paseo de les Palmeres. Closer to port you can ramble along a pathway, taking in the ancient city walls and cypress-lined gardens. If you want to get off the beaten track, head to nearby Montserrat (pictured above) for stunning views of the Catalan countryside.

The birthplace of paella, Valencia is an enchanting city that offers visitors beautiful sights as well as unforgettable food. Outside the city of Valencia, orange groves stretch away into the distance across the irrigated lands of the coastal plain. Inside the city, its sights add to its appeal. The Ceramics Museum is one of Europe's finest and includes a gallery of ceramics made by Picasso. The Silk Exchange, Square Central Market and octagonal gothic cathedral with alabaster windows give you the opportunity to explore further. That's before you discover the rest of the old town or even travel out to Albufera, the largest freshwater lake in Spain.

Beaches or bargains, the sea or sights. Palma has it all, together with enough sunshine and souvenirs to keep anyone happy. If you like beaches, cafes or simply lazing around in the sunshine, you'll love Palma, together with the nearby resorts of Palma Nova and Magaluf. Before you relax, though, make sure you visit Palma City itself to see the Moorish palace, the designer stores and the quaint shops and cobbled streets of the old city, behind the Gothic Cathedral. And for souvenirs, make a bee-line for Inca, the largest street market on the island which opens every Thursday.