Civitavecchia (Rome) → Civitavecchia (Rome) (16 nights)

There’s more to Rome than its ancient architecture. The Eternal City is home to a seemingly endless array of hidden gems. The artistic-minded can enjoy fashion aristocracy, street art, vespa jaunts to The Appian Way and toss coins into fountains. Or you can stroll by appointment to Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel and the Pope’s private quarters at the Vatican. Explore the historic ruins of The Colosseum, Caravaggio churches, the Spanish Steps and The Pantheon. Learn how to make pasta the true Italian way, hunt truffles, nibble gelato, sip coffee and sink into a 3000 year old pool for a wellness experience. An ode to homespun pasta at a Renaissance piazza. When in Rome, fusing old with new makes it simple to indulge in whatever you like.

Too few have experienced the quiet yet breathtaking beauty of Corsica, an island graced with cobbled streets, medieval villages, pine landscapes, natural pools and waterfalls. Climb trails coursing through beautiful villages which cling to jagged cliffs, relax on white sandy beaches spilling into turquoise waters and delight in the views of flourishing fauna. Rejuvenate in marina bistros purring with Corsican polyphonic music, and as the sun melts into the sea - remember the sentiment of Matisse’s famous observation, “All is colour, all is light.”

Pillow-soft sponge cakes, nutty pesto and barrels of creamy gelato await in historic Genoa, where young Christopher Columbus first glimpsed the sea. Wander cobbled streets past Baroque palazzi in the UNESCO-listed old town, where coffee-scented breezes drift through a labyrinth of alleyways near dazzling Piazza De Ferrari and its unmatched architecture. Dive into history among a treasure trove of galleries and museums in resplendent residences built for the bankers and merchants who made Genoa one of the mightiest ports in the Med. Surrender to the sunset serenade and heed the call of aperitivo as you stroll along Corso Italia beneath a fiery orange sky.

Tucked away in a fold of idyllic Italian coast, picturesque Portofino is a jet-set haven, where the summer residences of European nobility nestle among olive-covered slopes. Beyond the luxury boutiques and pretty harbourside piazzas, pastel townhouses huddle around the water’s edge and the manicured sculpture gardens of Museo del Parco lead up to the Chiesa di San Giorgio, resting place of the dragon-slaying saint, whose yellow façade looks out towards Etruscan villas and Ligurian lighthouses on the hillside. An hour away lie the five picture-perfect hamlets of Cinque Terre, stacked above the Mediterranean in a tumble of pastel cubes piled precariously on rocky promontories.

A bejewelled siren sunning along the Côte d’Azur, Villefranche-sur-Mer beckons with provincial scenes, rainbow-bright houses and flowers fluttering everywhere. Poised at the tip of a sapphire harbour, this genteel enclave has curves in all the right places, including the only Corniche that winds beside Plage des Marinièr with its crescent flour-soft sand that sweeps around the cobalt Med. Escape into charming chapels and centuries-old citadel that affords shimmering views of Cap Ferrat then venture to two nearby medieval walled towns of atelier-focused St Paul de Vence or easy-on-the-eyes Eze which captured the imagination of Mr. Walt Disney.

Endowed with an abundance of culinary and artistic riches, Girona is Catalonia unedited. Rising from Palamós to the medieval villages of Empordà and the foothills of the Pyrenees, the province reveals itself during languorous lunches in shaded squares and tastings in hilltop vineyards. Weave between epicurean experiences and colourful riverside houses in Girona, delve into the world and works of Salvador Dalí in Figueres and explore the dramatic cliffs, secluded calas and crystal-clear waters of the lesser-travelled Costa Brava.

Leave craggy coastlines behind and venture to the heartland of the biggest Balearic. Where endless authentic charm, history and nature await. Celebrate at Spain’s oldest winery, shop chic Palma boutiques and marvel at blossoming UNESCO-limestone mountains aboard a vintage train. Experience a tranquil monastery, art at a historic hacienda and tons of protected wildlife. Delve into nature at reserves, feast on wood-fired paella at lively hangouts, pilgrimage to historic churches and tour old-world Mallorcan villages. And as for sapphire seas that frame spotless beaches - Mallorca is truly an immense Balearic beauty.

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.

Olbia opens the door to seductive Sardinia’s northern shoreline of eye-popping aquamarine waters and jet-set bliss. Pause in Olbia’s refreshingly authentic historic centre with pastel buildings and palm-lined piazzas, then steer to the white-hot shores of Costa Smeralda. Nestle under a cheerful parasol on the beaches of Spiaggia del Principe or Liscia Ruja then enjoy chic people-watching in Porto Cervo’s glamourous village. More soul-stirring beauty abounds between Sardinia and Corsica in the outrageously enchanting La Maddalena Archipelago National Park or in the mountain village of San Pantaleo, a bohemian haven ripe for sipping local Vermentino and Cannonau wine.

The svelte capital of Costa Smerlda never disappoints. A ruggedly beautiful coastline that stretches like a gold necklace dotted with emerald coves, elegant yachts, extravagant villas and endless powder white beaches. Tuck into funky beach clubs where the party never ends or charter a boat to Maddelena Island where blue-green waters are hypnotic. See and be seen in pretty Piazzetta de Porto Cervo then give thanks for your good fortune at the sweet Stella Maris cathedral. Pop into Poltu Quatu, the fanciest spot on the coast or delve into history at “Giants’ Graves” which proves Porto has been a sanctuary since the Stone Age.

Framed by Monte Argentario’s wild landscapes dotted with ancient lookout towers and fringed with hidden calas (coves) and lighthouses, Porto Santo Stefano is one of Italy’s best-kept secrets. Steep streets spill down from the Spanish Fortress through a maze of cobbled passages that wind between terracotta rooftops to the old port, where fishermen unload their daily catch and sailboats bob in gin-clear shallows. Follow the boardwalk towards waterfront eateries and glasses of ruby Chianti, visit the WWF-protected sanctuary of Orbetello Lagoon, home to pink flamingos and graceful egrets, or sail to the outlying islands of Giglio and Giannutri, scarcely trodden gems of the Tuscan Archipelago.

Megayachts jostle for space while billionaires roll dice in the world’s most famous casino — welcome to Monte-Carlo, playground to the rich and famous. Royals and legends alike grace the Opéra de Monte-Carlo, gathering place for well-heeled locals and visitors since 1879. Supercars growl along well-dressed streets, past palatial hotels and fine dining restaurants showered in Michelin stars. Delve into seafaring history at the Oceanographic Museum, a cliffside cabinet of curiosities, and explore the 13th century Prince’s Palace perched high on the monolithic Rock of Monaco, then soak up the Riviera sunshine at the Thermes Marins (thermal baths), dedicated to well-being and beauty.

Yacht-studded seas and palm trees form Cannes’ iconic Riviera backdrop. Yet inside are a swish marina, perfumed forests, casinos, iconic boutiques, cinematic heritage, and supermodels. Stroll ancient narrow winding streets of the hilly Le Suquet and feel its medieval past, shop fashion labels on palm-flanked La Croisette, slide into sleek Michelin-starred restaurants, and lie low in plush beach clubs where glittering sea views take central stage. Peace seekers may ferry to leafy island of Saint-Honorat and the 500-year-old monastery. Take a spin along the Cote d’Azur to moneyed Monaco or glitzy St Tropez. Cannes has curves in all the right places – the oh so French social hub that defines seaside glamour.

Plunge into Tuscany’s capital of culture. Once casa to legendary Michelangelo, Florence now shelters some of the Renaissance’s greatest masterpieces. Immerse in the relics of antiquity; catch a glimpse of the heavens in the famous Uffizi gallery, visit the iconic terracotta-tiled Duomo and step into an oasis of sculptured serenity at Giardino di Boboli to forget the world beyond its leafy walls exists. And as the sun sets over the Ponte Vecchio, relax in an elegant terrazzo with a rich refined Tuscan red, and reflect on the city’s Medici dynasty - Hurry Slowly.

There’s more to Rome than its ancient architecture. The Eternal City is home to a seemingly endless array of hidden gems. The artistic-minded can enjoy fashion aristocracy, street art, vespa jaunts to The Appian Way and toss coins into fountains. Or you can stroll by appointment to Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel and the Pope’s private quarters at the Vatican. Explore the historic ruins of The Colosseum, Caravaggio churches, the Spanish Steps and The Pantheon. Learn how to make pasta the true Italian way, hunt truffles, nibble gelato, sip coffee and sink into a 3000 year old pool for a wellness experience. An ode to homespun pasta at a Renaissance piazza. When in Rome, fusing old with new makes it simple to indulge in whatever you like.