Scenic Rivieras of France & Italy

Alicante's splendid Paeso Maritimo stretches northeast from the harbour, bristling with pleasure boats, to the expansive beach of Playa del Postiguet. The Rambla de Mendez Nunez leads to a lively market, while the Cathedral de San Nicolas de Bar is dedicated to the patron saint of Alicante. Most famous city landmark, the 3rd century Castillo de Santa Barbara, perched above the city on Mount Benecantil, affords marvellous city panoramas.

Alicante's splendid Paeso Maritimo stretches northeast from the harbour, bristling with pleasure boats, to the expansive beach of Playa del Postiguet. The Rambla de Mendez Nunez leads to a lively market, while the Cathedral de San Nicolas de Bar is dedicated to the patron saint of Alicante. Most famous city landmark, the 3rd century Castillo de Santa Barbara, perched above the city on Mount Benecantil, affords marvellous city panoramas.

The second of Spain's four Balearic Islands, Menorca has an engaging charm perfectly embodied in the easily explored capital of Mahon with its attractive shops, outdoor market and the traditional buildings of its hilly old quarter. One of Europe's best natural harbours - where the 18th century British fleet sheltered when Menorca was ruled from London (Admiral Nelson's visits are commemorated still by the local Nelson Gin!)

One of the most picturesque old fishing ports of the Cote d'Azur, Villefranche lies at peace between the more energetic pace of its famous close neighbours, Nice and Monte Carlo. Its tall brightly coloured and almost Italianate buildings rise beside narrow streets and stairways from the sheltered harbour, where fishing boats and yachts are moved and enticing restaurant terraces look out to sea. From here shore visits will take you to Monaco, Nice, Cannes and other legendary highlights of the Riviera!

Historic Toulon has been a principal naval base of France for three centuries and, despite post-war reconstruction, a sense of its traditional charm survives amid the old town's narrow streets behind the waterfront and Vieux Port. Enjoy the fine views from Mount Faron and the colours of the flower market – or head east for the glamour of the Riviera, where St Tropez, Nice, Cannes, Antibes and Monte Carlo are now the glittering haunts of the beau monde of the Cote d'Azur!

Friendly capital of this captivating ‘Isle of Beauty', whose rugged coastline and flawless beaches enclose a fragrant maquis-carpeted interior dotted with mellow old hill-towns. Fought over by Greek, Roman, Vandal, Byzantine and Saracen, Corsica was sold by Genoa to France in 1768 - a fateful day for Europe, for a year later one Napoleon Bonaparte was born in Ajaccio (his birthplace is now a museum).

Alicante's splendid Paeso Maritimo stretches northeast from the harbour, bristling with pleasure boats, to the expansive beach of Playa del Postiguet. The Rambla de Mendez Nunez leads to a lively market, while the Cathedral de San Nicolas de Bar is dedicated to the patron saint of Alicante. Most famous city landmark, the 3rd century Castillo de Santa Barbara, perched above the city on Mount Benecantil, affords marvellous city panoramas.