13 November

Turkey: Bozcaada

The Aegean island of Bozcaada, also known as Tenedos, is a popular weekend and summer escape for residents of Istanbul. The main settlement, Bozcaada Merkez, has an atmospheric Greek quarter full of colourful houses, while elsewhere on the island you'll find vineyards, beaches and an impressive castle.

14 November

Greece: Mykonos

Glamorous Mykonos is the most popular of the Cyclades islands, well known as a haunt of the rich and the famous. It’s also the gateway to the nearby island of Delos, home to one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece.

15 November

Greece: Athens (Piraeus)

Athens is a city awash with historical and cultural significance, but it's much more than an open air museum; this is a dynamic, bustling metropolis, and a place where history is still very much unfolding.

16 November

Greece: Gythion

The little fishing town of Gythion was once the seaport for ancient Sparta, though these days it’s a pretty sleepy place. Take a stroll around the picturesque streets and soak up the atmosphere, with pastel-hued houses, balconies draped in bougainvillea and some great little seafood restaurants.

17 November

Greece: Katakolon

The little seaside town of Katakolon, on the western coast of the Peloponnese, is the gateway to ancient Olympia, birthplace of the Games and the place where the Olympic flame begins its journey every four years. Make the most of your visit with a guided tour of the ruins, and don’t miss the treasures of the Archaeological Museum.

18 November

Greece: Igoumenitsa

19 November

Montenegro: Kotor

Kotor sits at the head of a beautiful, fjord-like bay, hemmed in by glowering mountains. The compact, walled old town is Montenegro’s star attraction, a warren of little alleyways and shady squares that is often described as a ‘mini Dubrovnik’.

20 November

Croatia: Dubrovnik

We never fail to be moved when we see the terracotta roofs and honey-golden walls of Dubrovnik, and a stroll around the perfectly preserved old town is a highlight of any visit to the Dalmatian coast. Make sure you take the time to walk around the walls and soak up the marvellous sea views.

21 November

Croatia: Zadar

Located on the quieter northern stretch of Croatia’s Dalmatian coast, the walled port city of Zadar is an intriguing blend of old and new, where Roman ruins and psychedelic modern art installations sit alongside one another.

22 November

Italy: Venice

Venice is a city like no other, a marble maze of turquoise canals criss-crossed by beautiful bridges, overflowing with palaces, churches and charming little piazzas. No matter how many times you’ve seen it in photographs, that first glimpse of the Grand Canal will simply take your breath away.

23 November

Slovenia: Koper

The largest town on Slovenia’s sliver of Adriatic coastline, Koper has an attractive medieval centre and some impressive Venetian architecture. There is also a sizeable Italian community here, reflected in the bilingual road signs, and it's a short drive across the border to the former Habsburg city of Trieste.

24 November

Croatia: Rijeka

The gritty port city of Rijeka isn’t a huge tourist draw, with most visitors passing through en route to the islands or the neighbouring seaside resort of Opatija, although the city centre is home to some handsome Austro-Hungarian architecture.

25 November

Croatia: Split

Croatia’s second city enjoys a dramatic setting, hugging a sweeping bay against a backdrop of sheer grey mountains. Split's labyrinthine old town is contained within the remarkable Roman ruins of Diocletian’s Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and spills out onto the buzzing seafront Riva promenade.

26 November

Italy: Bari

Bari is the second biggest city in southern Italy, situated at the heart of sunny Puglia. The delightful old town brims over with pretty churches and balconied houses, and the striking Basilica is said to house the bones of Saint Nicholas. Easy day-trips include the trulli houses of Alberobello and the stunning hilltop city of Matera.

27 November

Greece: Corfu

Corfu, known as Kerkyra in Greek, is a beautiful island of verdant hills and rocky coves, and away from the more crowded resorts it remains a sleepy and idyllic place. Don’t miss the picturesque Venetian architecture of Corfu Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

28 November

Italy: Crotone

The Calabrian city of Crotone was once an important Greek colony, home to the mathematician Pythagoras, and some ruins still survive at Capo Colonna, to the south of the modern city. Another popular excursion is a visit to the fishing village of Le Castella, where a fairytale castle sits on an island at the end of a narrow causeway.

29 November

Malta: 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.

30 November

Italy: Messina

Situated on the north eastern tip of Sicily, so close to the Italian mainland you can almost touch it, Messina is the busy main entry point to the island. The city was flattened by an earthquake in 1908, and again by Allied bombing in 1943, so few historical sights remain, although the cathedral is one of Sicily’s most impressive.

1 December

Italy: Naples

The UNESCO World Heritage-listed centre of Naples rewards exploration, and in addition to the many cultural treasures waiting to be unearthed Neapolitans are rightly proud of their food; this is where you’ll find the best pizza in Italy. The city also acts as a gateway to the fascinating remains of Pompeii and Herculaneum, and the beautiful Amalfi coast.

2 December

Arriving in 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.