Rediscovering the Roman Legacy

Home of the famous White Cliffs, Dover is one of England's most iconic towns. Located on the south-east coast of England just 21 miles across the English Channel from France, Dover – home of the world's busiest passenger port – is the first sight for many visitors arriving from around the world.

This historic town is much more than a gateway to Britain, and offers much to discover, including the 12th century Dover Castle – which overlooks the pretty harbour and houses the extensive Secret Wartime Tunnels – Archcliffe Fort, and the Western Heights, where a series of coastal defences and unspoilt nature reserves await exploration.

The city of La Coruña is the capital of the province and a busy seaport situated in the Galicia region of northwest Spain. Most famous for its Roman lighthouse, the diverse architectural styles of La Coruña make the city an absolute delight for sightseeing.

La Coruña boasts an impressive seafront promenade, beautiful beaches and a host of attractions such as the Domus Museum, the Casa del Hombre and Torre De Hercules – said to be the only Roman lighthouse in existence – which offers sweeping coastal views from the top of its 60 metre high tower.[ReadMoreMob] The Paseo Marítimo, a lovely 13km walkway and bike path, runs from the port, around the peninsula, and along the ocean beaches.

The compact Ciudad Vieja – La Coruña’s old quarter – is a must-visit area. Often referred to as “the city” by the locals, the medieval centre contains remains of the centuries-old Roman wall that once protected it. The arcaded Plaza de María Pita, surrounded by narrow pedestrianized lanes, is a popular spot, and features the Estatua de María Pita, a statue of a 16th century woman who warned the town of an invasion by Sir Francis Drake. The medieval Church of Santiago, the Museum of Sacred Art and the Military Museum are all fine places of interest.   

Beyond the historic city is a proud, modern metropolis, which boasts a superb food scene and a buzzing nightlife. The world’s best picnic food, empanadas, and the locally produced beer, Estrella, both demand trying.  

Situated on Andalusia's beautiful Mediterranean coast, Málaga offers everything you would expect from a city on the Costa del Sol: seemingly endless stretches of golden sand beaches, fantastic restaurants serving traditional tapas and friendly bars attract locals and holidaymakers alike.

There's much more to the region's captivating capital than busy beach resorts though.[ReadMoreMob] Dig a little deeper and a wealth of cultural, historical, artistic and architectural treasures reveal themselves, such as Catedral de Málaga, the statuesque and striking Alcazaba Fortress and Castillo de Gibralfaro. Not-to-be-missed is the Picasso Museum, which exhibits a fantastic collection of masterpieces from arguably Malaga's most famous 'son', Pablo Picasso.

What's more, Málaga is also your gateway to Granada and the glorious Alhambra, where proud 14th century palaces and exotic gardens are Spain's finest expression of Moorish art; as well as the Ronda Valley, where on tour you can explore a charming old town and the picturesque El Tajo gorge.

Venture away from the modern harbourside city to explore the picturesque upper town's old quarter - dominated by a medieval castle and cathedral and protected by walls nearly 1,000 years old, or simply relax on one of the lovely beaches located within easy reach of your cruise ship.

The southern Italian city of Naples dates to the 2nd millennium BC, and boasts centuries of volcanic drama, art and architecture all robustly perched on the Bay of Naples. Naples can appear chaotic, tattered and neglected on first sight, but go beyond the ruggedness and a city of breathtaking frescoes, elegant sculptures and superb panoramas can be uncovered.

Naples' centro storico (historic centre) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its cache of archaeological treasures are among the most important globally.[ReadMoreMob] The city’s collection of palaces, castles and churches almost puts Rome to shame. The Duomo di San Gennaro cathedral is filled with sublime frescoes, while the lavish Royal Palace and Castel Nuovo ensure a spot for Italy's third largest city on any must-see list.

The bustling maze of shops, boutiques and open-air cafés are a constant distraction, and the local cuisine – derived from rich volcanic soils, an abundant sea, and years of cooking excellence – makes Naples one of the true Italian heavyweights.

Civitavecchia is the coastal port to the northwest of Rome, and gateway to the Eternal City. This 2nd century port retains many features from its long history, including the Roman Dock and the 16th-century Michelangelo Fort. The National Archaeological Museum exhibits many ancient artefacts, and many visitors discover Terme Taurine, the ruins of a Roman thermal bath.

Principally however, the port is the main access point for Italy’s capital.[ReadMoreMob] From the Colosseum and Forum of Ancient Rome to the city's great masterpieces of Renaissance and Baroque art and architecture, the emblems of past grandeur and wealth provide a grandiose backdrop for the elegant designer boutiques, pavement cafes, inviting trattoria and countless sophisticated pleasures of today's vibrant capital.

Livorno is a quintessential Italian port city on the west coast of Tuscany, known for its seafood, Renaissance-era fortifications and modern harbour. It is also the gateway to many of Italy’s ancient treasures. Tuscany’s second largest city and the central Terrazza Mascagni, a waterside promenade with checked paving, is the city's main spot for booth locals and visitors to converge.

The bastions of the 16th-century Fortezza Vecchia face the harbour and open onto Livorno's canal-laced Venezia Nuova quarter. This shabby, historic district is full of character and its elegant belle époque buildings point to a prosperous past.[ReadMoreMob]

An easy train from this Ligurian port opens up Florence, Pisa and Rome. Pisa has the 11th century Duomo Cathedral and the world-famous Leaning Tower, while the legendary Florence offers a truly stunning Renaissance city of the Medici grand dukes. The peerless art treasures of the Uffizi and a majestic prospect of domes, towers and spires are all framed by the distant Tuscan hills.

Stretched across its seven trademark hills overlooking the River Tagus estuary, Portugal’s hilly, coastal capital city of Lisbon, is a cinematic collection of cobbled alleyways, pastel-coloured buildings, ancient ruins and white-domed cathedrals. The city was decimated by an earthquake in 1755, and modern Lisbon has been shaped by that eventful day. The Pombaline architecture that now defines the city represents some of the first seismically-protected buildings in Europe.

The city’s bridges include the Ponte 25 de Abril – similar to the Golden Gate in San Francisco – and the Ponte Vasco da Gama, which includes over 11km of viaducts.[ReadMoreMob] Lisbon’s many fascinating museums, include the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum, the National Museum of Contemporary Art, the National Coach Museum and the Carmo Archaeological [ReadMoreDesk]Museum. 

Lisbon is also a shopper’s paradise, with the Centro Commercial Colombo – the biggest shopping mall on the Iberian peninsula – and the elegant Avenidas Novas, full of upmarket shops. Alternatively, there bargains to be had in the local flea market, Campo de Santa Clara. Don't miss the chance to sample iconic egg tarts at Pasteis de Belém too.

Home of the famous White Cliffs, Dover is one of England's most iconic towns. Located on the south-east coast of England just 21 miles across the English Channel from France, Dover – home of the world's busiest passenger port – is the first sight for many visitors arriving from around the world.

This historic town is much more than a gateway to Britain, and offers much to discover, including the 12th century Dover Castle – which overlooks the pretty harbour and houses the extensive Secret Wartime Tunnels – Archcliffe Fort, and the Western Heights, where a series of coastal defences and unspoilt nature reserves await exploration.