Lisbon → Southampton (7 nights)

Enjoy the rich buzz of Lisbon. Dip into the city’s strong architectural, cultural and historical connections. Wander charming-cobbled streets, colourful buildings, the river Sado and endless nature. Pilgrimage to Fatima, tour hilly villages, learn Portuguese cooking techniques and listen to the Lisbon blues. Slip to charming Cascais for quieter energy and golden beaches. And as you bathe in the captivating light, enjoy plates of petiscos which - like fado - you’ll soon discover is vibrant, warm and most appealing.

The Portuguese know their port. Quinta do Infantado was the first estate to bottle fortified wine. Between the churches, arts, restaurants, music and neoclassical structures, there’s so much more to taste. Explore historic wonders, rolling hillsides, terracotta rooftops, granite buildings and even more wineries. With bars and restaurants on every piazza corner, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to try the rich pasteis de nata. Savour this port in the light coastal breeze and share stories by the shimmering ocean.

Emerald greens and Spanish blues beckon at this under-the-radar enclave on the scalloped coast of Galicia. Seemingly created to inspire love-struck poets, this sonnet of a city sings of lively markets, a thriving culinary scene, and lapping golden-sand beaches. UNESCO declared its significance at the Tower of Hercules, built by the Romans in the 2nd century, which has watched the waves for 2,000 continuous years. Stroll narrow streets to the city’s Medieval heart, the Ciudad Vieja, and pretty Plaza de Maria Pita which is crowned by domes, steeples and statues. Head to the Pescadería neighbourhood – Calle Estrella and beyond – for grilled octopus, cockles, and tapas washed down with white Albariño wine. Stroll past the scarlet lamp posts on the Paseo Marítimo coastal promenade, conquer the Castle of San Antón on its islet, then leave footprints on the sandy Praia de Riazor beach.

Connect avant-garde audacity with 14th-century sensibility and you have Bilbao, the ever-evolving soul of Spain’s Basque country. Start with the sinuous titanium-clad curves and sharp granite angles of Guggenheim Museum, an imposing edifice for international art. Explore the medieval Old Town, where Siete Calles (Seven Streets) lead to Plaza Nueva with its pretty porticoes, glorious Santiago Cathedral, and petite pintxos tapas bars serving bubbly txakoli wine. Crisscross the Nervión River on notable bridges: the red-arched La Salve Bridge; the pedestrian Zubizuri Bridge to reach the Campo de Volantín promenade; and the black iron Vizcaya Bridge, an outstanding UNESCO example of Europe’s industrial revolution.

The jewel in the crown of the Médoc, Pauillac is a well-regarded commune and appellation in Bordeaux's Médoc peninsula and famed home to five First Growth (Premier Grand Cru) wines: Château Lafite Rothschild; Château Latour; Château Mouton Rothschild. Explore the magical Médoc Wine Route, pausing to sip structured Pauillac wines, awakening your senses with guided tours, tasting sessions and lessons on terroir. In town, ponder Plaza La Fayette, where the Marquis departed for America to aid in its War of Independence. Sample chocolates, cheeses, and the sweet canelé caramelized pastry, whilst the bells ring from the Church of Saint-Martin.

Visit the brave Basque country and dip into opulent energy, enticing food, natural beauty and the region’s rich protected cultural history. Discover churches, theatres, markets, foliage covered village squares, Ainhoa, Espelette and San Sebastian. Indulge in private culinary and vino tastings, buccaneer pillaging, walking tours, a cider house and pilgrimage to Lourdes. Visit the museum of sculptor Eduardo Chillida, then contemplate his works upon the Rhune mountain train. Or simply wander through wild coastlines of sandy beaches and rocky peninsulas. Immerse mind and body in this breezy corner of the Atlantic coast, where you’ll feel luxury underfoot and see beauty ahead.

Sail into this vibrant quay with enough shops and entertainment to form its own village. Modern and lively, this coastal town bustles with waterfront restaurants, heritage charm, bars, cinemas and offers great access to other spots in the South of England. Sit back and drift through heavenly countryside to ancient Stonehenge, see if the King is at home in Windsor, learn secrets from the Bombay Sapphire gin distillery or slip up to London for some rich British culture. Then enjoy a cup of tea as you reflect on formal traditions, perfect your cockney accent and recall England’s green and pleasant lands.