Southampton → Barcelona (14 nights)

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.

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.

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.

Folded between the Bay of Biscay and the limestone peaks of the Cantabrian Mountains, Asturias is a side of Spain seen by few. In historic Oviedo, locals sip Asturian sidra (cider) or perhaps a chilled Albariño from neighbouring Galicia in the snaking streets around San Salvador Cathedral. To the south, Asturian skies are punctuated by the Picos de Europa mountains, an awe-inspiring corridor of dramatic limestone peaks, where pilgrims pay homage in Covadonga Sanctuary and views stretch across deep valleys to distant horizons.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Go back in time - where cobbled streets clatter with horse drawn carriages, culture and history seeps through this Spanish city’s soul. Enjoy locally produced tapas and admire the form of iconic Andalusian horses. Drift into tasting tours at sherry wineries in Jerez, then step out to twirl the flamenco. Explore Seville’s architectural marvels; baroque churches, palaces, gothic cathedrals, aristocratic mansions and medieval buildings. With no less than three Unesco World Heritage sites to visit, you’ll feel truly inspired by what Cadiz has to offer.

At the crossroads of Europe and Africa, this once rakish, countercultural Moroccan city has retained its bohemian, beguilingly artistic feel. People watch the demi-monde from the Petit Socco, heart of Tangier’s seductive café scene, before strolling the Kasbah and cobblestone Grand Socco among a tangle of streets saturated in colour from tiles and painted cedarwood shutters and doorways. Iconic must-visits might include the 64-year-old Librarie des Colonnes, a sumptuous bookshop of literary greats; Café Hafa, for sunset sweet mint tea overlooking the Strait of Gibraltar; and El Morocco Club, for a nightcap on its rooftop terrace or in the city’s only piano bar.

Enjoy the epitome of Spanish charm. Slowly discover Andalusian riches to reveal Picasso’s birthplace, the Alhambra in Granada, Mezquita in Cordoba and the Ronda valley. Explore ancient heritage sites, dance the flamenco, dare to hike the Caminito del Rey trail and delve into white villages sprinkled amongst mango groves and avocado orchards. Sip cocktails by day and sangria by night. And as you watch the sun slip down, reflect upon this gateway of delights.

Steeped in tradition, inundated in head-spinning architecture and drenched in history spanning more than 2,000 years, Valencia leaves you breathless. The labyrinthine streets of Ciutat Vella thread between cobbled plazas where flaming festivals erupt throughout the year. Spectacular frescoes, Gothic towers and intricately carved stonework make the city’s religious buildings some of the most awe-inspiring in the world, while secular strongholds like La Lonja — the UNESCO-listed Silk Exchange — echo its history as a commercial powerhouse. At the heart of it all, the Mercado Central, an Art Nouveau temple of gastronomy where generations of traders have fed the city under the iconic black and white roof for 100 years.

Breathe in the cultural heart of Catalan; an elegant blend of high energy and undisturbed tradition. Muse over the origins of captivating Gaudi architecture within the enchanting labyrinth that is the Gothic Quarter. Savour the flavours of fresh tapas and crisp cava in breezy plazas, tranquil terraces and coveted cafés, or glide down to a shimmering beach club to unwind. Imagine a visit to peaceful Passeig de Gracia, where modernist buildings merge to showcase iconic global labels. And, as dusk falls, prepare for urban action and swing by the lively bohemian bars to fiesta on the leafy stretch of La Rambla. If you’re serious about style, this colourful city provides plenty to celebrate.