Scenic Rivieras & Mediterranean Islands

Located on the east coast of Menorca, Mahón is the largest city on the island and has a maze of narrow streets lined with Georgian architecture, including buildings with sash windows and balconies. The city has a sheltered harbour, full of islets and coves, which are home to the protected Mediterranean pillow coral.

The charming city of La Spezia, located on the Ligurain coast of Italy, offers a colourful blend of maritime heritage, natural beauty and culture. Known for its strategic maritime importance, the naval base here was reconstructed after it was decimated in World War Two, and still produces naval warships for the Italian Navy. The tranquil bay in La Spezia is known as the “Gulf of Poets”, and has inspired many writers and poets, including Lord Byron and Mary Shelley. The city is also gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Cinque Terre, with its beautifully coloured villages perched on rugged cliffs overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.

With a beautiful natural harbour and surrounding hills topped by forts, Toulon has long been one of France’s main maritime centres. In the old town, close to the harbour, the Romanesque Cathédrale Sainte-Marie-Majeure dates from the 11th and 12th centuries.

In front of the town hall and the naval museum, the columns are carved figures of men, known as atlantes or caryatids – it is a style borrowed from Ancient Greece. The naval museum itself is interesting, with models of ships, displays about galley slaves and pirates and equipment ranging from wheels to figureheads. The Toulon Museum has collections of art from the past 500 years.

On Cours Lafayette in the Old Town there is a fabulous open-air market selling fresh fruit, vegetables and charcuterie. It’s open every morning apart from Monday and it’s worth visiting just to savour the smell of fresh herbs and lavender that hangs in the air.
 

Corsica’s island capital of Ajaccio is a charming and captivating city with tree-lined boulevards and narrow streets adorned with pastel-painted houses that meet at wide-open squares offering vistas of the blue waters of the Mediterranean. Restaurants, bistros, and cafés spill out onto the pavements, and the historic centre of Place Foch is a popular place to sit and watch the world go by. Famously the birthplace of the French Emperor, Napoleon Bonaparte, his legacy still lies at the very heart of Ajaccio’s identity, with monuments, streets, squares, hotels, bistros, bars, and even the airport bearing his name, almost 250 years after his birth.

Alicante, often seen as just a gateway to Spain’s beach resorts, is a vibrant destination in its own right. With a beautiful harbour, golden beaches, and scenic promenades, it’s perfect for relaxing in the Mediterranean sun. You can explore the Old Quarter’s historic sites, enjoy local cafés or visit Santa Bárbara Castle for breathtaking views, while for those seeking out the culture of the city, discover the Archaeological Museum or admire works by Picasso and Dalí at the Asegurada Museum of Modern Art.

An archipelago of islands and islets, The Balearic Islands are located near the coast of the Iberian Peninsula, and all have a Mediterranean climate. While some parts of Ibiza are well known for their buzzing nightlife, Ibiza Town offers many cultural attractions, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The fascinating architecture of the fortified town of Dalt Vila is housed within the Renaissance built city walls, reached by winding cobbled streets.

Positioned on the island’s south-west coast at the head of the Valinco Gulf, Propriano is a traditional Corsican town, with a charming harbour and marina area. There are many 19th century buildings in the town, along with remains from Roman and Greek settlements. Close by is the scenic town of Sartene, with houses so tall they seem to be carved from the rockface, but also renowned for its highly rated wine, of which Rose is the most popular.

A relaxed coastal fishing town on the north-east coast of Sardinia, Golfo Aranci is renowned for its crystal-clear waters, white-sand beaches and natural beauty. Set along a curving bay, local life is experienced at an unhurried pace, allowing time to enjoy Sardinian traditions, wander along its bustling waterfront lined with gelaterias and restaurants or stroll through its quaint streets lined with houses in various pastel shades.

Cruising the Amalfi Coast from Positano to Ravello is a relaxed way to take in one of Italy’s most scenic stretches of coastline.Sailing on your smaller ship allows you to cruise closer to the shore, bringing the detail of the coastline clearly into view. Marvel at pastel‑coloured houses appearing to cascade down steep cliffs, with terraced vineyards and lemon groves lining the hillsides above. Positano’s dramatic setting gives way to quieter coastal views before the journey leads to Ravello, set high above the sea and known for its peaceful gardens and far‑reaching views. Your time spent on deck will allow you plenty of time to appreciate the beauty and character of the Amalfi Coast at an easy pace.

Situated just north of Sicily, Stromboli Island is one of the smallest Aeolian Islands, but arguably the most famous thanks to its intense volcanic activity. One of Europe’s most active volcanos after Mount Etna, Stromboli has been erupting for over 2,000 years and almost non-stop since 1932. The island’s eruptions are so distinctive that geologists use ‘Strombolian’ to describe similar eruptions around the world.

Milazzo is a historic port town set on a narrow peninsula of north-east Sicily, stretching into the Tyrrhenian Sea. Overlooked by a hilltop medieval castle, it has a working harbour and a promenade lined with cafés and shops. Close by is La Boronia, a sustainable wine and olive‑growing estate created by the respected Planeta family, focussing on traditional methods that work in harmony with the landscape of this region. Milazzo is also the gateway to the Aeolian Islands, renowned for their volcanic landscapes and deep turquoise seas.

The instantly recognizable 16th century walls and Grand Harbour of Valletta have seen many conflicts, and its diverse architecture is testament to them. Influences from the Romans, Greeks, Crusaders and British are evident in the various churches and palaces. Most noteworthy are the National War Museum, housing many military artefacts and the Casa Rocca Piccola Palace. Located in the north of the island is the silent city of Mdina, home to the Roman burial complex of St. Paul’s Catacombs.

Souda Bay sits on Crete’s north‑west coast, surrounded by the White Mountains. It is your gateway to Chania, just a short drive away, where a Venetian harbour, narrow old town streets and welcoming cafés reflect the island’s past. With a long history of military operations, including a NATO base still in use today, the Souda Bay War Cemetery offers a poignant reminder of the allied soldiers of the Second World War. From Souda, you can explore traditional villages, enjoy coastal walks or relax in turquoise seas lapping at sandy beaches, or simply embrace the unhurried pace of everyday life, shaped by sea, sun and centuries of culture.

Having long served as gateway to the Ancient city of Athens, Piraeus has an attractive marina area. However, it is generally used to visit Athens, which has been continuously occupied since the fifth century B.C. Important landmarks here include the Acropolis, the hilltop citadel overlooking the city, also home to the Parthenon Temple and the Temple of Zeus. Close by is the Panathenaic Stadium, originally built as a racetrack in 330 B.C but has been completely rebuilt and is open to the public.

Ermoupoli is the main town on the Greek island of Syros, where its neoclassical buildings line the waters edge, and stretch up through the town through a myriad of narrow lanes and twisting alleyways. The whole town is likened to an open air museum, with classic architecture and cultural treasures, such as Miaouli Square, capped by the Municipal Palace with its impressive staircase, and The Apollo Theatre was designed in the 1860’s and is modelled on La Scala di Milano.

Set in the eastern Aegean Sea, close to the Turkish coastline, Kos is an easy‑going Greek island where history, beaches and everyday island life come together naturally. From the port, the old town is easy to explore, with narrow streets, shaded squares and the remains of ancient sites sitting alongside cafés and small shops. Beyond the town, gentle countryside, olive groves and long sandy beaches give a sense of the island’s relaxed pace. With much to see close by, Kos allows for an unhurried and enjoyable time ashore.

A relaxed harbour town on Crete’s eastern coast, Agios Nikolaos is known for its gentle pace of life and pretty waterfront setting. The town is built around Lake Voulismeni, located in the centre of the town, said to be the place that the Goddesses Athena and Artemis would bathe. Offering a mix of small cafés and boutiques, life here feels unhurried, with time to stroll along the promenade or take in views across Mirabello Bay.

Perched on a cliff edge, Thira is the main town on the stunning Greek island of Santorini and offers panoramic views of the caldera. The town is characterised by its white-washed buildings with blue domes cascading down the volcanic cliffs, contrasting with the azure waters of the Aegean Sea. Narrow winding streets and picturesque squares are home to a vibrant atmosphere of restaurants and cafes, where fresh seafood and traditional Greek dishes are accompanied by crisp Assyrtiko wine. Santorini's crescent-shaped volcanic caldera was formed by a volcanic eruption 3,600 years ago, and close by is Akrotiri, a Bronze Age settlement preserved by volcanic ash.