Treasures Of The Mediterranean followed by Magic

Beaches or bargains, the sea or sights. Palma has it all, together with enough sunshine and souvenirs to keep anyone happy.

If you like beaches, cafes or simply lazing around in the sunshine, you’ll love Palma, together with the nearby resorts of Palma Nova and Magaluf. Before you relax, though, make sure you visit Palma City itself to see the Moorish palace, the designer stores and the quaint shops and cobbled streets of the old city, behind the Gothic Cathedral. And for souvenirs, make a bee-line for Inca, the largest street market on the island which opens every Thursday.

Often called the Gateway to the Emerald Coast, the NorthEastern port of Olbia is tucked into a bay in the Tyrrhenian Sea and is one of Europe’s most fashionable resort areas.

This is the most spectacular natural setting in Italy. With its beautiful bay overlooked by Mount Vesuvius, a sunny climate and lots to see, Naples is unmissable.

A stroll through the narrow streets and hustle and bustle of the local markets that sell literally everything is an experience in itself in Naples. That’s before you discover the memorable sights like the majolica-tiled cloister of the Church of Santa Chiara, the local craftsmen of San Gregorio Armeno who make the famous Neapolitan crèche figures, or the Galleria Umberto where designer shops sit amidst glorious architecture. Don’t forget to take the chairlift up to Mount Vesuvius itself or the tour to Pompeii and the ancient ruins of Herculaneum. And why not take the short boat ride to the picturesque and exclusive island of Capri?

History doesn’t come much better than the Eternal City. Neither does the opportunity to find exclusive designer shops. Discover the old and the new city in Rome.

Whatever you’re looking for in Rome, you’ll find it. For a touch of the past, try the magnificent 50,000 seater Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Forum Romanum and the Spanish Steps. That’s not forgetting the Vatican itself, with St Peter’s Cathedral and the unrivalled Vatican Museum. Or the Trevi Fountain where you can throw a coin in the water for good luck. But not all Roman roads are lined with antiquities. Some boast the exclusive shops of Fendi, Valentino and Gucci, while others are lined with bustling cafes from the fancy to the casually friendly.

Sitting amidst a varied landscape of mountains and beaches, the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte on the west coast of Corsica is a wonderful destination to explore.

The breathtaking sight when you sail into Ajaccio, with the crystal blue waters contrasting with the green of the beautiful countryside, is just the introduction to Ajaccio. Boasting Corsican architecture as well as a famous military leader, the town features a fascinating blend of French and Italian influences.

Beaches or bargains, the sea or sights. Palma has it all, together with enough sunshine and souvenirs to keep anyone happy.

If you like beaches, cafes or simply lazing around in the sunshine, you’ll love Palma, together with the nearby resorts of Palma Nova and Magaluf. Before you relax, though, make sure you visit Palma City itself to see the Moorish palace, the designer stores and the quaint shops and cobbled streets of the old city, behind the Gothic Cathedral. And for souvenirs, make a bee-line for Inca, the largest street market on the island which opens every Thursday.

Gibraltar is only two miles long. This, its duty-free shops and sunshine record make it the perfect place to shop, explore and meet the famous Gibraltan monkeys.

Inside and outside, Gibraltar offers lots of opportunities to find out what makes it so appealing. On the rock itself are attractions like the Moorish Castle, the Gibraltar Museum and the cable car ride to Europa Point with its stop to visit the families of famous Gibraltan monkeys. Inside the rock, there are more miles of road than on the outside, including the Great Siege Tunnels and St Michael’s Cave.

From the splendour of its sheltered inner harbour to streets full of Moorish relics, Cadiz is the perfect introduction to the real beauty of Spain.

Whether you want to see medieval walls built on Roman foundations or wander through designer stores filled with the latest European fashions, Cadiz is for you. Wander past churches built with the wealth Spanish conquistadors cnatched from the New World – including the cathedral where the treasury contains a monstrance said to be adorned with a million jewels. And when you finish looking for a Moorish treasure of your own, relax in true Spanish style in a traditional cafe. That’s before you even start thinking of travelling further afield to see sights like the cathedral in Seville that houses the Chrispher Columbus Sepulchre or the city’s picturesque Parque de Maria Luisa and Plaza de Espana.

Looking out across the Mediterranean, Malaga overflows with an assortment of architectural treasures and Spain’s prized jewel, the Alhambra Palace, is within easy striking distance. Andalucia’s second largest city, Malaga, is a bustling port on Spain’s sunny Costa del Sol. Standing on a hillside overlooking the city is the 8th-century ‘Alcazaba’, an impressive Moorish fortress. Malaga’s cathedral is affectionately known as ‘La Manquita’, meaning ‘the onearmed one’ owing to its half-built tower, abandoned in the 1700s due to insufficient funds. During the Arab occupation of Spain, Malaga was the principle port of the Moorish kingdom of Granada. A short drive inland takes you to the heart of this wonderful city and its celebrated centrepiece, the breathtaking Alhambra Palace

With superb beaches on the shoreline bordering a region of mountains and valleys, Almeria offers the tranquillity of unspoilt Spain.

Almeria is one of those rare destinations that whilst welcoming visitors remains peaceful, calm and relaxing. Beyond the port, agriculture is still the main industry and inside the city, there are sights, sounds and experiences to satisfy everyone. The cathedral and town hall, for example, reveal the region’s architecture while the Alcazaba Fortress that dominates the city reveals its seafaring past. That, of course, is if you can tear yourself away from relaxing in a tapas bar or stretching out on the long, sandy beaches.

Once a haven for art and architecture, Alicante is today a welcoming and fascinating destination with something for everyone.

With its 3rd century fortress perching 350 feet above the city and the flotilla of pleasure boats in the harbour, there is no mistaking the beautiful destination of Alicante. There is no excuse for not finding something of interest either because it is brimming with attractions. Sunlovers can flock to the long, golden Playa del Postiguet beach. Those seeking souvenirs will stroll along Rambla de Mendez Nuñez to the lively market. For marvellous panoramic views, visit the Castillo de Santa Barbara. And if you just want to relax, amble around the old quarter, the Baroque town hall, and the 18th century Gravina Palace.

Beaches or bargains, the sea or sights. Palma has it all, together with enough sunshine and souvenirs to keep anyone happy.

If you like beaches, cafes or simply lazing around in the sunshine, you’ll love Palma, together with the nearby resorts of Palma Nova and Magaluf. Before you relax, though, make sure you visit Palma City itself to see the Moorish palace, the designer stores and the quaint shops and cobbled streets of the old city, behind the Gothic Cathedral. And for souvenirs, make a bee-line for Inca, the largest street market on the island which opens every Thursday.