Whether you want to stroll along the harbour front of a fashionable yachting port or discover the beautiful architecture and history of some of Europe's most romantic cities, the Western Mediterranean offers varied and interesting itineraries which often balance popular ports of call with smaller coastal towns where the pace of life is more sedate.

Nice, Barcelona, Lisbon and Rome tend to be the start and finish points for this area, although longer voyages will cruise across from Istanbul, Athens and Venice in the East. If you're consider the stylish Riviera voyages we recommend a smaller ship, which will allow you to feel like one of the jet set on your own exclusive and intimate yacht.

For culture vultures there are some fascinating highlights. As well as Rome and Florence, Barcelona has a rich Catalan identity with some amazing architecture. See the ruins of ancient Pompeii and Herculaneum with their stunning temples, frescoes and mosaics and delight at the huge variety of Greek temples, Roman amphitheatres and Byzantine churches that are abundant in the region.

The islands of the Western Mediterranean are just as varied, from the trendy hang-outs of the Balearic Islands, to historic Malta and beautiful Corsica.

Voyages operate in the summer months when you can expect typically warm Mediterranean weather, although you might wish to consider the cooler months of spring and autumn if you're planning on long days exploring ashore.