1 May

Portugal: Portimão

Portimão is a bustling fishing port and gateway to the Algarve, with a pleasant riverside promenade where the smell of sizzling sardines fills the air. The most popular attraction is Praia da Rocha just to the south, one of the Algarve’s loveliest beaches.

2 May

Spain: Cádiz

The crumbling, sun-baked seafront city of Cádiz is said to be the oldest continuously inhabited settlement in the western world, founded by the Phoenicians around 1100 BC. Although the city lacks any obvious landmarks, it’s rich in atmosphere, and plays host to one of Spain’s most colourful carnivals.

3 May

Morocco: Tangier

After years of neglect, Tangier is finally being restored to its former glory as a cosmopolitan crossroads between Europe and Africa. The Moroccan government has invested heavily in modern infrastructure, while the spruced up medina shines with a new-found cultural dynamism.

4 May

Spain: Málaga

Málaga boasts plenty of chic restaurants and bars where you can ease into the rhythms of life in southern Spain, before exploring sights including the intriguing, unfinished Gothic cathedral, and a museum devoted to the city's most famous son, Pablo Picasso.

5 May

Spain: Cartagena

Cartagena was founded by the Carthaginians around 227 BC, who named it after their home city in North Africa. These days the city is best known for its well-preserved Roman theatre, which was remarkably only discovered in 1987, in spite of its location in the centre of town.

6 May

Spain: Ibiza

Although Ibiza is best known as a hedonistic party island, it’s easy to give the clubbers a swerve and discover the White Isle’s mellower side. The island boasts some spectacularly beautiful coastline, and the fortified Old Town (Dalt Vila) is UNESCO listed.

7 May

Spain: Mahón

Smaller than Mallorca and mellower than Ibiza, Menorca is rightly feted for its beautiful, unspoilt beaches. The laid back capital, Mahón, is set on the Mediterranean’s largest natural harbour, and the city’s striking Georgian architecture is a reminder of the 18th century British occupation of the island.

8 May

Italy: Alghero

The Sardinian city of Alghero is home to one of the loveliest old towns in the Mediterranean, with its cobbled lanes, elegant churches and golden sandstone architecture. The city was ruled for some 300 years by the Crown of Aragon and retains a uniquely Hispanic feel, with a dialect of Catalan still spoken by some locals.

9 May

France: Bonifacio

Bonifacio sits atop brilliant white limestone cliffs on the southern tip of Corsica, with the harbour down below filled with fishing boats and glitzy yachts. The town's history as a Genoese stronghold, along with its proximity to Sardinia, means that the Italian influence is strong here.

10 May

Italy: Rome (Civitavecchia)

One of the world’s great cities, Rome continues to dazzle and delight visitors with a potent mix of architectural marvels, continent-defining history and buzzing nightlife. The Colosseum, the Vatican and the Forum are among the big ticket items, with the crowds to match, though in truth you will find history around almost every corner.

11 May

Italy: Porto Ercole

12 May

Italy: Gaeta

Little known outside of Italy, Gaeta is something of a hidden gem, set on the coast between Rome and Naples. Seven lovely beaches and a friendly atmosphere make this a popular destination for local sun-seekers, and points of interest include an imposing castle and a Roman mauseoleum dating back to the first century BC.

13 May

Italy: Sorrento

The lovely town of Sorrento, draped across rugged cliffs overlooking the Bay of Naples, has been charming visitors since the days of the Grand Tour. The Renaissance palaces and many craft shops make Sorrento an attractive destination in its own right, and it’s also a jumping off point for Capri, Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast.

13 May to 14 May

Italy: Capri

The captivating island of Capri has much to offer, from the ruins of Roman villas to gorgeous private residences surrounded by flower-filled gardens. You might also want to explore the famous Blue Grotto, with its intense azure interior and ethereal silvery light.

14 May to 15 May

Italy: Amalfi

The picturesque little town of Amalfi was once a major Mediterranean naval power, but a devastating earthquake in 1343 cut the city down in its prime and destroyed most of its historic buildings. These days, of course, Amalfi is best known for the eponymous stretch of stunning coastline on which it sits.

16 May

Italy: Lipari

Lipari is the largest of the Aeolian Islands, a volcanic archipelago to the north of Sicily. The main port is Lipari Town, a charming little harbour of pastel-coloured houses, fishing boats and enticing restaurants, overlooked by the imposing 13th century citadel.

17 May

Italy: Giardini Naxos

The charming village of Giardini Naxos is one of the jewels of Sicily, a popular resort located on a majestic bay facing the Ionian Sea. Restaurants and bars line a long stretch of beach, and the attractive town of Taormina is within easy reach, along with the slopes of brooding Mount Etna.

18 May to 19 May

Arriving in Valletta

Malta’s tiny capital, established by the Knights of St John, packs in an awful lot of history considering its diminutive size. The atmospheric old streets, bathed in Mediterranean sunshine, are full of attractive honey-golden buildings, along with an impressive selection of bars and restaurants.