A seductive mix of cultures, geography and history all in a beautiful climate in what has been called “the cradle of civilisation”

Stretching more than 2,200 miles from the 22-mile wide straits of Gibraltar to the Black Sea in the east and the Suez canal in the south east, the Mediterranean offers everything you want from a cruise.

You can enjoy a seductive mix of cultures, geography and history all in a beautiful climate in what has been called “the cradle of civilisation”.

The Greeks, Romans and Egyptians all built their empires around the Mediterranean and have left behind some of the world’s most spectacular buildings including the Pyramids, the Acropolis and the Coliseum.

Some of the greatest art collections in the world are housed in Italy while another ancient centre of art and learning, Istanbul, bridges the gap which divides Europe and Asia.

The area is full of diverse cultures and contrasts, from the sophistication of the Cote d’Azur to the hustle and bustle of Egyptian street markets.

Ajaccio
Napoleon was born in this sleepy capital of Corsica and little has changed since then. It still retains its distinctive mix of Italian and French influences, with beaches of soft honey-coloured sand and hillsides a of fragrant herbs. Scenic attractions include the Calanches of Piana red granite mountains with their spectacular slopes and formations.

Alghero
A world away from the jet set yacht haven of Sardinia’s Costa Smeralda, this quiet seaside town has a distinct Catalan flavour, best sampled in its older quarters and on the ramparts of its 16th Century Spanish fortress. Explore the solitary coves and beaches lined with cork trees, rosemary and juniper.

Alicante
The sunniest spot on Spain’s aptly named Costa Blanca, Alicante delights the eye with manicured parks, orderly squares and cafes, all presided over by the commanding Moorish castle Castillo Santa Barbara. Take a stroll on the broad Explanada de Espana, the inviting promenade along the harbor, or browse through the many shops on Calle Mayor.

Amalfi
Situated in the Campania region between Sorrento and Salerno, Amalfi is one of the main towns, the other being Positano, on the world famous Amalfi Drive – known as the most romantic drive in Italy. The road is gouged from the side of rocky cliffs plunging into the sea. Ten miles away is Ravello, an enchanting village which boasts romantic gardens that showcase medieval ruins, and offers magnificent views of the entire Bay of Salerno.

Antalya
The newest resort to arrive on the Turkish scene with modern amenities and good restaurants mingling with mosques and bazaars. Head for the Roman city of Perge – one of the world’s largest and best preserved stadiums.

Antibes
A stroll along the seafront Avenue de l’ Admiral – Grasse will take you to a lively market most mornings, the Immaculate Conception Church, noteworthy for its intricately carved portals, and the St. Andre Bastion, home to the Museum of Archeology. Overlooking the town is the Chateau Grimaldi, with marvellous views of the sea and ithe Picasso Museum with works of great artist who lived and worked here

Aqaba / Petra
You could pop across from Aqaba to Eilat for snorkelling and resort life. But you can do that anywhere, so why not do something unique instead? A visit to the hidden city of Petra will remain etched into your memory for ever. As your horse takes you down the narrow Siq, you are suddenly confronted by a magnificent treasury hewn from solid rock. It’s just the first of many magnificent monuments that make up this incredible deserted city.

Barcelona
The Catalonian capital of Barcelona provides a vivid mix of ancient and modern but is probably best known for the bizarre Art Nouveau architecture of Antonio Gaudi, in particular the iconic Sagrada Familia, Europe’s most extraordinary – and still unfinished – cathedral. The Old Port area has been transformed into a thriving area of cafés and restaurants. From there, it is an easy stroll up the famous Rambla to the old town. Las Ramblas is thronged with street entertainers, stalls and bars and is most lively at night and weekends. Not to be missed is the La Boqueria food market with its extraordinary displays of fish, meat, fruit and vegetables.

Cadiz
Once a private haven, the twisting streets of Cadiz are the gateway to two more famous locations, nearby Jerez de la Frontera, the heart of Spain’s sherry region, and Seville, as famous for its architecture and gardens as for its spirited flamenco.

Cannes
In 1834, Lord Brougham, an English aristocrat, was so enchanted by Cannes that he decided to settle there, marking the beginning of the town’s affluence. From 1930 onward, it became a summer resort and today, Cannes is best known for its world famous film festival when, for two weeks in May each year, the brightest and most talented stars of the silver screen are in town.

Cartagena
A living museum, the Spanish fortresses, churches and houses lie along maze-like streets, protected within thick medieval walls intended to stave off attack by pirate marauders.

Casablanca
Swirling souks and bazaars of the famous Mellah district are crowded with intriguing bargains, and stately boulevards and impressive administrative buildings are a reminder of the influence of French colonists. In Rabat, the capital of Morocco, visit the elaborately decorated Mausoleum of King Mohammed V.

Civitavecchia (for Rome)
Explore the legends of the ages: the Vatican and Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel, the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Catacombs. Throw a few coins in the Trevi Fountain and you may be back again. Rome’s breathtaking monuments, palaces, churches and classical features are quite unlike anything you will find in any other European city. They will always leave you wanting to come back for more – hence the coin-tossing, which is said to guarantee your return.
The city’s other must-sees include the Spanish Steps, the Pantheon (probably the most complete ancient Roman building in the city) and the Sistine Chapel, home to Michelangelo’s masterpieces.
While steeped in history, Rome is also a modern, bustling city with modern designer shops and chic boutiques at every turn, while restaurants and cafés spill out onto piazzas offering authentic Italian dishes.

Corfu
The lushest and greenest of the Greek islands, Corfu abounds with picturesque vistas, including groves of olive trees and stands of cypress that fringe mile upon mile of beaches and solitary coves.

Dubrovnik
Situated on the Dalmatian coast of Croatia, the city became an important Mediterranean sea power from the 13th Century onwards. Although severly damaged by earthquake in 1667, Dubrovnik managed to preserve its beautiful Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque churches, monasteries and palaces.

Gibraltar
According to the Ancient Greeks, this Pillar of Hercules marked the end of the world. Today, however, it remains defiantly British in attitude and feeling. Visit an English-style pub or take the dizzying cable car to the top of the Rock for a fantastic view across the straits to Africa. Grab a cable car to carry you up the ancient Pillar of Hercules for wonderful views of Algeciras Bay and the Moroccan mountains from the Rock Restaurant, served by cable car from the Grand Parade.
For the wildlife enthusiast in you there’s a stop to appreciate the diverse birdlife and to meet those famous Barbary Apes, of course! Beneath Gibraltar’s white cliffs grow a profusion of palm, pine, and cypress. No fewer than 600 varieties of flowers grow here, some found nowhere else on Earth.
Or spend a day at the beach – Catalan Bay is the prettiest, with its colourful fishing boats and excellent seafood restaurants.

Haifa / Jerusalem
Set at the foot of Mount Carmel, Haifa is your introduction to the miraculous Holy Land. If money’s no object, take a helicopter tour to Jerusalem, inspiring Massada and the depths of the Dead Sea. In Jerusalem, visit the Wailing Wall, see glittering Dome of The Rock and walk the Via Dolorosa to the site of the Crucifixion at Calvary.

Heraklion
The capital of modern Crete is a thriving and industrious city. But if you would prefer to see the previous capital, head for Knossos where Sir Arthur Evans discovered – and lovingly restored – the vast Palace of King Minos. In its heyday, this was the most sophisticated palace in the world.

Ibiza
A delightful blend of splendid beaches, majestic cliffs, ancient windmills and whitewashed houses, Ibiza is home to the narrow streets and medieval buildings of its Upper Town, a city within a city, and the fashionable shops and nightlife of Ibiza Town – as well as wide, golden beaches.

Istanbul
Byzantium, Constantinople, Istanbul – whatever the name, this city has been magnetic throughout its history, set as it is astride two continents. Be dazzled by the intricately carved mosques, the treasures of the fabled Topkapi Palace and the seemingly infinite array of stalls in the Grand Bazaar.

La Coruna
Once a bastion fortified against the likes of Sir Francis Drake, today La Coruna is better known as the departure point for nearby Santiago de la Compostela, a beautifully preserved medieval town that was once the major medieval centre of pilgrimage outside Jerusalem.

Limassol
If you enjoy Greek food, you’ll find it at its best in Limassol’s innumerable tavernas. Climb up into the cool of the Troodos Mountains, or visit the beach at Paphos where Aphrodite, the goddess of love, was born from the spray of the sea. Kolossi’s imposing castle bears eloquent testimony to the strategic importance Cyprus has possessed throughout history.

Lisbon
Travellers who know Lisbon are always quick to name it as one of Europe’s most enchanting capital cities. It’s also a city which lends itself to the pleasures of wandering through its neighbourhoods: from the tiny stair-streets of Alfama to the ornate architecture of the lofty Bairro Alto. As you sail up the Tagus River, be on deck to admire Lisbon’s panorama and see some of the great monuments lining the river.

Madeira
Nicknamed “the island of eternal spring”, Madeira is a startling combination of lush floral blooms and garden-like fields and soaring, rugged mountains. Take tea at Reid’s, and don’t miss the famous basket chair ride down the winding mountain road, if only to see the young locals sweat.

Malaga
At the heart of the famous Costa del Sol is this sunshine city. The sultry climate is echoed in the sinuous passion of authentic flamenco. Moorish influence is everywhere, from the looming fortress of Gibralfaro to the exquisite Alcazaba Palace. Malaga was the birthplace of Pablo Picasso as well as the Malaguena style of flamenco.

Malta
One of the few places on earth to have won a medal. It was awarded the George Cross for the valour exhibited by the entire island during World War Two. As you sail into Valetta’s Grand Harbour you will certainly appreciate its heroic scale. Visit Mostar’s parish church with a dome larger than St Paul’s in London.

Messina
Memorable views await you from nearby Taormina, where a well-preserved Greek theatre perches atop a cliff nearly 700 feet above warm seas. Or you can visit smoouldering Mount Etna and look across the legendary sites of Scylla and Charybdis at the Straits of Messina.

Mytilene
A charming and typical Greek fishing port where the armada of brightly coloured caiques fish for octopus. Why not sample it for yourself, washed down with chilled white wine or potent ouzo? The local museum features exquisite Roman mosaics, and out of town you will find an acoustically perfect 15,000-seat theatre.

Naples
The beauty of the Bay of Naples is the stuff of legend, and deservedly so as you will discover. But Naples is perhaps more imprtant as the gateway to the historic riches of the Roman city of Pompeii, beautifully preserved for nearly 2,000 years beneath a blanket of volcanic rock.

Nice
Sheltered by an amphitheater of hills and overlooking the Mediterranean, Nice has been passed back and forth from Sardinia to France, where it has remained since 1860. Today, the palm-lined Promenade des Anglais, the flower market ablaze with colour, sidestreet shops and the wonderful climate draw visitors from around the world.

Piraeus / Athens
Few cities have played as important a role in our development as Athens, the ‘Mother of Democracies’, which lies just a few miles away from Piraeus. Naturally the serene Acropolis with its peerless Parthenon enthrals, but there is much more to see and do in this miraculous city. For a view of the Acropolis, ride the funicular to the restaurant perched on top of Mount Lycabettus, or explore the markets and tavernas of the roistering Plaka. Beyond Athens itself you will find Poseidon’s ravishing sea-girt temple at Sounion and the Cyclopean ramparts of Mycenae.

Port Said/ Cairo
The glories of Egypt beckon from Port Said. Experience the sights and sounds of Cairo, gaze upon the face of the Boy Pharaoh, Tutankhamun, and gasp at the hoarded treasures of the Archaeological Museum. Explore delicate mosques and vibrant bazaars. Then sail on the Nile, go on a camel ride or journey out to Giza and the vastness of the Pyramids and the enigma that is the Sphinx.

Pylos
Set on the sparkling shores of Homer’s “wine-dark sea”, the Aegean, Pylos is a little-know Greek port. The tavernas are excellent and uncrowded, the streets buzzing with energy. Outside the town relive past splendours at the Palace of legendary King Nestor at Englianos, or explore the historic town of Methone.

Rhodes
The walled city bears signs of occupation by the Greeks, the Romans and – most visible of all – the Crusaders and Knights of St John. Nearby at Lindos you will find an Acropolis more dramatic even than that of Athens. Head for Faliraki for a spot of bathing before sampling a typically Greek lunch.

St Tropez
One of the must-see resorts of the Cote d’Azur, with its pretty harbour lined by the magnificent cruisers of the rich and famous. Try one of the wonderful little restaurants in the streets rising from the harbour front, and mooch around the designer label shops where bargains are a rarity. But the atmosphere is simply wonderful.

Santorini
The volcanic cataclysm that shaped Santorini is thought to have destroyed the neighbouring Cretan civilisation and given rise to the legend of Atlantis. Its legacy, however, was to create a dramatically beautiful Greek island. Ride the cable-car – or a local donkey – up to the clifftop town of Thira and sip a glass of wine as you gaze down at your ship.

Tangier
For a taste of exotic flavours, visit the old town’s famous Casbah, the impregnable palace built behind fortress walls, and its lovely sultan’s gardens. Walk through the hillsides of winding streets and lanes, where each street is set aside for different groups of artisans.

Tenerife
Long before you arrive you will be able to make out the towering summit of Mount Teide. Santa Cruz, the main port, boasts splendid duty-free shops. For sunshine head south for Los Cristianos and Playa de las Americas. For sophistication seek out the Lido and luxury hotels of Puerto de la Cruz. For something completely different, attend a parrot cabaret. You’re spoiled for choice.

Venice
Utterly incomparable and totally unique, Venice is quite simply breathtaking. Inspect the horses atop St Marks, ride a gondola beneath the Bridge of Sighs and walk across the Rialto. Sip cappuccino at Florians or lunch on Fegato alla Veneziana and pasta in a back street restaurant. Take a vaporetto down the Grand Canal or a tour-boat out to the islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello, set in the shimmering lagoon.

Vigo
The impressive harbour is reputedly large enough to accommodate the combined fleet of the entire world, and was the departure point for the ill-fated Spanish Armada. In the city you will find excellent tapas bars and superb seafood restaurants, together with a wealth of traditional architecture. Drive out through spectacularly beautiful countryside to Santiago de Compostela, shrine of St James and third holiest site in all Christendom.

Villefranche
Although as picturesque and gem-like a fishing village as one might hope to find, Villefranmche happens to nestl;e between two of the geart locactions on the Cole d’Azur – Monte Carlo and Nice. There are ancient fortifications at Eze that once inspired Nietzsche and still offer dazzling panoramic views over the coast.