A little slice of eternal Italy that sits between Slovenia and the Adriatic Coast. Trieste is a charming destination which has been furnished decorously by grandeur and royalty through the centuries. The heart of the medieval old city and its neo-classical Austrian quarter offer great expressions of this seaport’s colourful past. The food is divine, the culture vibrant, and ambience quite unique.

Zadar is a historic place, with Roman ruins and medieval churches to explore. Meanwhile, the cosmopolitan cafés and restaurants are great places to relax and enjoy the town’s distinct ambience.

Diocletian abdicated in 305 A.D. During his reign, the emperor ruthlessly persecuted Christians. Ironically Split’s St Dominius’ Cathedral occupies his mausoleum. Gorge yourself on an emperor’s banquet of delicious local fish and cheeses on Dalmatia’s coast. A fitting feast after exploring the white Roman palace of Diocretian, one of Europe’s most impressive.

For more than 250 years, this was the last stronghold of the Knights of Malta. An optional excursion reveals the Grand Master’s Palace, doubtless one of the Mediterranean’s finest treasures.

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.

Just breathe in the air, soak up the sights and allow yourself to be awed by this truly magical city. With red tiled roofs, tiny shops and magnificent architecture, Florence is the romantic capital of Italy.

Toulon sits on the sun-kissed Côte d’Azur, almost exactly between Marseille and St Tropez. From here, seek out chic beaches and Provençal landscapes of dry stone walls and swathes of lilac lavender. Toulon has associations with the French Navy that can be traced back to 1494 when Charles VIII established a naval shipyard here in the embrace of its natural harbour. It remains the home port of the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier; models of this and ships throughout the ages can be found at the National Naval Museum, which was founded a century ago. Against today’s harbour backdrop of colourful fishing boats, sleek yachts and larger vessels you can still find the historic docks and workshops of Porte de l’Arsenal that have been here

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!

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.