An island with a rare distinction, Malta is the only place to have been awarded the George Cross for valour. Described by Sir Walter Scott as ‘the city built by gentlemen for gentlemen‘, its capital, Valletta, is a beautifully preserved 16 th century walled city. Today, its imposing Grand Harbour bears witness to the Crusaders and Knights Templar who built here on their way to and from the holy land. For the best views of the city, take to the waterways in a ‘dghajjes‘ or ‘barkloris‘, a traditional Maltese boat.

The Acropolis – ‘High City‘ – will always be the top attraction from Athens cruise port Piraeus. With its 2,500-year-old Parthenon, temple to Poseidon and Athena, Odeon of Herodes Atticus and Theatre of Dionysus, it quite literally stands out as an oasis of calm in the frenetic Greek capital. As part of the major revamp the city had for the 2004 Olympics, 400 modern buildings were cleared from the ancient meeting place next to the Acropolis, the Agora, which was then restored and linked by walkways to the Acropolis, Hadrians Arch, the Academy of Plato and the Monastery of Daphne. Other nearby ancient sites include the Roman Tower of the Winds and the Hill of the Muses where Socrates is said to have drunk hemlock. Below the Acropolis is the fun place to shop or barter, eat moussaka or Greek salad, drink wine or ouzo and, of course, to people-watch: the 3,000-year-old Plaka.

One of the most visited Greek islands; Mykonos is a jewel in the Aegean Sea, famed as a vibrant and cosmopolitan destination. It is one of the most visited islands in the Aegean, yet still retains much of its picture postcard beauty. Mykonos effortlessly strikes a balance for visitors with a mix of lively bars and restaurants in the most populous areas, with nearby areas of tranquillity, outstanding natural beauty and rich history. The Town of Mykonos is a hive of activity with some of the most famous landmarks such as Little Venice, famous for its picturesque medieval two and three storey houses which stand like a colourful wall against the sea. Mykonos is also world famous for its beaches. Kalafati Beach is a prime example with golden white sand lapped gently by a crystal clear sea.

Souda Bay is a bay and natural harbour near the town of Souda on the northwest coast of the Greek island of Crete. The bay is about 15 km long and only two to four km wide, and a deep natural harbour. It is formed between the Akrotiri peninsula and Cape Drapano, and runs west to east.

The small Greek port of Katakolon was developed in the 19th century to serve the thriving local trade in currants. Today it is your starting block for Olympia – birthplace of the Olympic Games. A pretty town on the banks of the River Alpheios, Olympia lies only a short drive away from the port and its historic stadium – where the first Olympic torch was lit in 776 BC and is a fascinating site to explore. You can still see the marble starting blocks used by early athletes in the 45,000-seat arena, as well as the ruins of the Temple of Hera and the gigantic Temple of Zeus – its gold and ivory statue of Zeus was one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. If you have already visited Olympia, you could spend your day exploring the lush wine country north of Katakolon and sampling the local vintages.

An island with a rare distinction, Malta is the only place to have been awarded the George Cross for valour. Described by Sir Walter Scott as ‘the city built by gentlemen for gentlemen‘, its capital, Valletta, is a beautifully preserved 16 th century walled city. Today, its imposing Grand Harbour bears witness to the Crusaders and Knights Templar who built here on their way to and from the holy land. For the best views of the city, take to the waterways in a ‘dghajjes‘ or ‘barkloris‘, a traditional Maltese boat.

Legendary fountains, piazzas, ancient architecture and cathedrals await your discovery in Italy‘s capital. At the Trevi Fountain capture the magic of Rome‘s grandest fountain. Gaze up at the horizon and you‘ll no doubt see St Peters Basilica. Visible from nearly everywhere in the city, it is built on the site where St Peter was martyred and buried. Witness the beautiful paintings of Michelangelo at the magnificent Sistine Chapel. And no visit to Rome would be complete without a visit to its imposing amphitheatre, the Colosseum.

Livorno is an Italian port city on the west coast of Tuscany. It‘s known for its seafood, Renaissance-era fortifications and modern harbor with a cruise ship port. Its central Terrazza Mascagni, a waterside promenade with checkerboard paving, is the city‘s main gathering place. The bastions of the 16th-century Fortezza Vecchia face the harbor and open onto Livorno‘s canal-laced Venezia Nuova quarter

If the French Riviera were only Cannes, it would be enough! The glamorous yachts inhabited by glamorous people. The elegant Boulevard de la Croisette. The stunning Old Town, situated on the hillside overlooking the harbour. The colourful gardens tracing the Gulf of Napoule. The beautiful beaches and the endless profusion of cafes and boutiques make this one of the most delightful spots in the world. Formerly a fishing village, Cannes is the jewel of the Cote D‘Azur.

Even on the beautiful island of Corsica, towns don‘t come much prettier than Ajaccio, Napoleon‘s birthplace, where the warmth of Italian Dolce Vita and the style and cuisine of France combine to create an atmosphere that‘s quite unique.

An island with a rare distinction, Malta is the only place to have been awarded the George Cross for valour. Described by Sir Walter Scott as ‘the city built by gentlemen for gentlemen‘, its capital, Valletta, is a beautifully preserved 16 th century walled city. Today, its imposing Grand Harbour bears witness to the Crusaders and Knights Templar who built here on their way to and from the holy land. For the best views of the city, take to the waterways in a ‘dghajjes‘ or ‘barkloris‘, a traditional Maltese boat.