Mediterranean Medley

Mallorca's greatest treasure, the resort city of Palma is the capital of this Spanish island.  Richly studded with historical sites, a venture from the massive Santa María Cathedral you’ll discover Almudaina - a Moorish-style Arab fortress converted to a royal residence, or Bellver Castle - a medieval fortress with a distinctive circular shape (22 mins away from the city centre). 

Things To See, Do & Taste In Palma:

• See:  Santa María Cathedral.
• Do:  Serra de Tramuntana mountain with boat & vintage train tour.
• Taste:  Sobrassada - A raw, cured spreadable sausage made with ground pork, paprika, salt and other spices.

Get ready to be impressed – this is your gateway to the dazzling riches of Florence and Pisa.

• A living monument to the Renaissance, Florence might be famous for its art galleries, but the entire city is like one gigantic piece of artwork. Beautiful buildings, picturesque piazzas and stunning sculptures are everywhere you look. Marvel at Michelangelo’s David in the Accademia. Clap eyes on Botticelli’s Birth of Venus in the Uffizi Gallery. Then head for the Ponte Vecchio bridge to browse the glittering jewellery shops that find a home here.
• Pisa’s another Tuscan treasure. Make a beeline for the Campo dei Miracoli, an exquisite square which harbours the city’s cathedral and, of course, the famous Leaning Tower. Quite how it manages to stay standing will baffle you for days afterwards. If you fancy a spot of shopping, head for the Borgo Stretto. It’s a paradise for jewellery, leather, clothes, homeware and pottery.
• Cruise along the royal canals of Livorno. Have your cameras ready as you sail through colourful 'New Venice', a labyrinth of canals, waterways and bridges.

Savona’s located on the shores of the Ligurian Sea, at the very top of Italy’s boot. Yachts and cruise liners bob in the narrow harbour, which juggles traditional architecture with modern waterside apartments. The city itself boasts a bumper crop of historic landmarks, from the 16th-century Priamar Fortress to the stunning Sistine Chapel – a frescoed mausoleum with a famous namesake in Vatican City. Its biggest claim-to-fame, though, is that it was once home to explorer Christopher Columbus. Do your own exploring beyond the city limits, and you can drive to big-hitters like Genoa and Turin in an hour or two, respectively.

• The Torre Leon Pancaldo – which translates simply as ‘Tower’ – is a Medieval stone structure set on Savona’s harbourside. It’s named after local navigator Leon Pancaldo, who accompanied Ferdinand Magellan on the first voyage around the world in 1519. These days, the tower’s considered to be the symbol of the city.
• Flit along the coastline to Genoa, and you can visit the largest aquarium in Italy – the Acquario di Genoa. It was built to mark 500 years since Columbus discovered the new world, and the building’s designed to look like a ship that’s poised to head out to sea. Gentoo penguins, bottlenose dolphins, and manatees are among the animals you can see.
• If you want to ramp up the culture, Savona’s a gateway to one of northern Italy’s most cosmopolitan cities – Turin. Among its classy shopping scene and arty cafés, you’ll find the Mole Antonelliana. This huge spired building stretches more than 500 feet into the air, and it’s home to the country’s National Museum of Cinema.

Fusing French Riviera glam with the feel of a traditional old town, Toulon is your gorgeous gateway to the Côte d’Azur.

• Follow the sound of popping corks and clinking champagne flutes to über-stylish St-Tropez, a long-time glitterati favourite.
• Venture into Aix en Provence and find out about its dual identity. This place is known as the Town of Water thanks to its fountains and the Town of Art because of its many museums.
• See for yourself if there’s any truth in French poet Frédéric Mistral’s famous words ‘He who has seen Paris and not Cassis has seen nothing!’. Little changed by time, Cassis is still much the same little fishing port that first attracted artists like Signac and Derain, eager to capture its serene charm.
• Venture into the breathtaking Provence countryside and stumble upon sleepy French villages. This enchanting region has inspired many a great master, including Van Gogh and Cézanne.

Originally founded as a Roman city in the Middle Ages, Barcelona continues to be a major tourist destination and significant cultural centre with a rich and expansive heritage. Thanks to its undeniable influence across several industries including education, entertainment, commerce, fashion and media, Barcelona stands as one of the world’s major global cities. Particularly notable is the architectural work of Antoni Gaudi, which beautifully adorns the city. His most recognised work is the yet unfinished church of the Sagrada Familia, under construction since 1882 and expected to be completed in 2026, funded by public donations, in time for the 100^th anniversary of Gaudi’s death.

Things To See, Do & Taste In Barcelona:

• See:  Sagrada Família - The largest unfinished Catholic church in the world, designed by Antoni Gaudí.
• Do: Barceloneta Beach - 422 metres long Barceloneta is one of Barcelona's oldest and most famous beaches.
• Taste:  Tortilla de Patatas (also known as Spanish Omelette) - A traditional Spanish dish Made with potatoes, onion, eggs, salt, and oil.

Valencia is an expert in marrying up the old and the new. Ancient Arabian architecture and Gothic churches are given a run for their money by new icons like the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences. Beyond the city borders, Albufera National Park follows the coast south. The massive lake here is home to 250 species of birds, including flamingos.

Mallorca's greatest treasure, the resort city of Palma is the capital of this Spanish island.  Richly studded with historical sites, a venture from the massive Santa María Cathedral you’ll discover Almudaina - a Moorish-style Arab fortress converted to a royal residence, or Bellver Castle - a medieval fortress with a distinctive circular shape (22 mins away from the city centre). 

Things To See, Do & Taste In Palma:

• See:  Santa María Cathedral.
• Do:  Serra de Tramuntana mountain with boat & vintage train tour.
• Taste:  Sobrassada - A raw, cured spreadable sausage made with ground pork, paprika, salt and other spices.