Civitavecchia (Rome) → Barcelona (7 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.

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.

Saunter into the sultry, sophisticated stretch of the French Riviera. Bardot and blonde beer shine bright in this playground of international glitterati. Bask in the Mediterranean sun, mingle with movie stars, admire the super yachts and enjoy champagne in effortlessly chic cocktail bars. Then slide away from the jet set to take in breathtaking landscapes and verdant hillsides, all the while feasting on the very best fresh local produce. After all the decadence and glamour that the Cote d'Azur delivers, we continue our journey to somewhere a little calmer.

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.

Beckon the buzz of a small UNESCO-listed island; proud of producing its own cheese, wine and rather distinguished gin. Sink into a lemon-scented laidback lifestyle that reflects elegant Georgian architecture, Spain’s oldest opera house, history, art and a monastery-based museum. Off glittering turquoise shores, visit the Royal Naval hospital, shop for world-renowned shoes, amble amongst butterflies up coastal paths and rest for tapas in harbour-side tavernas. Celebrated yet discreet – unhurried Menorca is the low-key location to go and not to be seen.

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.