 | About Cadiz You cruise right into the heart of historic Cadiz as immediately across the busy Avenida del Puerto from the Spanish port is the main square and shopping area. From there, it is easy to find your own way around this compact city. Behind is the 18th century cathedral (El Nueva) and the view from the top is worth the long climb up its internal stairs.
The narrow streets of the old town below are lined by tall Moorish-style houses with flower-decked balconies mixed in amongst some small shops and tapas bars. Cadiz dates back to the 12th century BC so is the oldest continuously inhabited city in the western world but sultry Seville has long since outgrown its neighbour.
La Giralda (the bell-tower next to its Gothic cathedral), is in Sevilles historic Jewish quarter which also has the whitewashed houses and exquisitely coloured bougainvillea that everyone associates with this lovely city. |
 | About Barcelona The Catalonian capital of Barcelona provides a vivid mix of ancient and modern but is probably best know for the bizarre Art Nouveau architecture of Antonio Gaudi, in particular the iconic Sagrada Familia, Europe’s most extraordinary – and still unfinished – cathedral.
Boosted by hosting the Olympic Games in 1992, Barcelona’s 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.
Some of the best food in Spain can be found in the city – paella is a speciality – and the restaurant Cal Pep was recently named as one of the top 50 places to eat in the world. |
 | About Marseille Marseille is the home of bouillabaisse and boules, a great warm hearted city of immense charm with a picturesque old fishing port. |
 | About Santa Margherita Once a quiet fishing village in the shadow of its flashier near neighbour Portofino, Santa Margherita has developed into a charming resort with its own distinct appeal.
As well as the inviting cafés, restaurants and bars around the harbour, Santa Margherita is unusual for this part of the Italian coastline in having some fine, sandy beaches. You can even hire changing cabins from the beach bars.
There are some fancy boutiques around the harbour and along the narrow lanes that lead from there into the pretty town. Well worth a visit are the ruins of its 15th century castle, several Baroque-style churches, and of course, Portofino, which is just a short bus ride (or cruise) along the coast. |
 | About Rome Standing in the Colosseum, visiting Vatican City and tossing a coin in the Trevi Fountain are all unique experiences of a lifetime to be had in the Eternal City of Rome, reached from your Italian cruise port Civitavecchia.
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. Reasonably priced department stores selling all the latest fashions can be found in the many pedestrianised shopping streets, while restaurants and cafés spill out onto piazzas offering authentic Italian dishes and sensational ice cream. |
 | About Palau With three sparkling beaches of its own (Capra, Faro and Sciutara), the Sardinian village and cruise port Palau is more than just the gateway to the island’s most exclusive resorts on the Costa Smeralda (Emerald Coast). It also has all the amenities of a top beach resort with a whole range watersports on offer and a choice of superb fish restaurants.
Away from Palau, there are great views at the Capo d’Orso with its strange rock formations while Porto Cervo – Costa Smeralda’s unofficial capital – is just 20 minutes away. This was created in his own image by the playboy Aga Khan in the 1960s and it is still a big draw for celebrity jetsetters (and celebrity-watchers). Its harbour marina is full of yachts that would not look out of place in Monte Carlo and if it does not have a fancy designer label, the shops do not stock it. |
 | About Gibraltar Britons love cruising to ‘home from home’ Mediterranean cruise port Gibraltar – and not just because it has some excellent pubs and tax free shops (good buys include glassware, china, leather goods, alcohol, perfume, silk and cashmere garments).
Gibraltar also offers wonderful views of Algeciras Bay and the Moroccan mountains from the Rock Restaurant, served by cable car from the Grand Parade.
Birdwatchers can spot more than 230 species and there are clearly marked nature trails you can follow to discover the country’s flora and fauna.
The most famous ‘fauna’ of course, are Gibraltar’s Barbary apes - get off the cable car at the halfway station to see these, then proceed to the top and hire an audio tape charting the Rock’s fascinating history.
Alternatively spend a day at the beach - Catalan Bay is the prettiest, with its colourful fishing boats and excellent seafood restaurants. |