Dive deep into the wonders of the Mediterranean

Each of the ports visited on your holiday has its own personality and charm, with a wealth of activities and attractions for every type of traveller, in port and beyond. Arvia’s itineraries cover: Alicante, Barcelona, La Coruña, Palma de Mallorca, Seville from Cádiz, and Valencia (Spain); Marseille (France) and Florence and Pisa, from La Spezia (Italy).

Discover unique cultural treasures, beautiful cities, postcard-worthy beaches, delicious local treats and more – all the while soaking up the glorious Mediterranean sunshine. People-watch over coffee in a square in Seville; paddle board along Mallorca’s glittering coastline; climb to a hilltop basilica in Marseille before sipping a chilled rosé apéro at a marina-side bar.

On a narrow peninsula in the northwest corner of Spain, La Coruña is a lesser-known gem. Perhaps unsurprisingly for a city surrounded on three sides by the Atlantic, the sea features strongly here, from the world’s oldest working lighthouse to some of the region’s best seafood.

As capital cities go Palma de Mallorca may be small, but it’s pretty perfectly formed, offering a taste of Spain’s vibrant history, culture and cuisine in one chic and sunny island destination. Overlooking the Bay of Palma on the southwest of the island, the city is dominated by the sublime La Seu Cathedral, which stretches over almost 7,000 square metres and took more than 500 years to build.

Founded by Greek settlers as a port around 600BC, multicultural Marseille has a colourful history, but in recent years it has shaken off its less-than-glamorous reputation to emerge as one of the Med’s must-visits. Its vibrant heart is the Vieux Port, where fishing boats and luxury yachts jostle in the harbour, and bustling bars, restaurants and cafés line the promenades. It’s one of the best spots to watch the sun set, a glass of pastis in hand.

The Tuscan capital is quite simply enchanting. A Renaissance masterpiece, thanks in large part to the legacy of the powerful Medici family, there is wonderment at every turn. Medici wealth is the source of many of Florence’s most famous sights (and it’s pretty much impossible to visit the city without hearing the name): over the course of 300 years, the dynasty owned, created or ommissioned some of the world’s finest art and architecture.

Pisa is of course known around the world for one thing – but venture beyond the Piazza dei Miracoli and you’ll discover a lively and charming university city. The Square of Miracles is the obvious place to start, though, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a handful of awe-inspiring architectural treasures.

Beautiful beaches, amazing architecture and fabulous food: Barcelona has it all. One of the best ways to discover the Catalan capital’s many delights is with a paseo – a leisurely stroll through the city streets. And what better place to start than its historic and cultural heart, the Gothic Quarter. It’s easy to get lost wandering the narrow, winding alleys – and that’s part of its charm – but be sure to find your way to the handsome Barcelona Cathedral, and the bustling Plaça Reial.

Like much of southern Spain, Seville is shaped by its Islamic and Christian heritage – and the two cultures collide here to spectacular effect. From Moorish palaces to Gothic cathedrals, and steamy flamenco bars to shady landscaped parks, the Andalusian capital is a seductive delight.

Spain’s third-largest city does so many things beautifully – architecture and beaches, museums and markets, parks and paella – that it’s hard to know where to begin. For starters, though, it boasts 300 days of sunshine a year and a delightful stretch of golden sand in its three connected beaches – Playa de las Arenas, Playa de la Malvarrosa and Playa Patacona – which are spacious, clean and just a few kilometres from the city centre.

It may be on the Costa Blanca, but Alicante is no brash resort: it’s an altogether classier corner, with old world charm and an easygoing outlook. The city is dominated by Monte Benacantil and its hilltop fortress, Castell de Santa Bárbara. Sweeping views over the city, sea and marina are your reward for the hike up the 166m-high hill, or there’s a lift from the Playa del Postiguet.