Spain, Portugal and Eastern Caribbean

Valencia is an exhilarating mix of history, art and intellectual activity. Brave the 200 steps up to the summit of the amphitheatre, for a giddying panorama of orange rooftops and blue-domed churches. Valencia’s rich Hispanic culture is visible everywhere in the city’s architecture, often reflecting Roman, Visigoth, Moorish, and Aragonese traditions.

Historic, mysterious and romantic, the Spanish city of Cadiz is unlike any other. Founded in about 1100 BC, it is generally accepted as the oldest continuously inhabited settlement in today’s Europe. But for the thin strip connecting it to the mainland to its south, Cadiz is an island of history and architecture that impresses at every turn through the streets of this charming ancient port

Portugal's capital spreads its ancient sites on seven hills overlooking the Tagus River. Atop the highest hill, St. George's Castle overlooks the city. Balconies ablaze with geraniums and wrought iron lamps light up the medieval Alfama quarter. Sorrowful fados ring out from cafés in the Alto. Shoppers browse in the affluent Chiado district. A short drive away, deposed royalty once lived out their days in the opulent palaces of Estoril and Sintra.

The Azores rise from the Atlantic Ocean, 900 miles from the Portuguese coast. The largest city in the Azores, Ponta Delgada is on Sao Miguel and is named after the volcanic lands it sits proudly upon. This Atlantic stepping-stone also claims to produce the world’s finest pineapples. If that’s not an invitation to try one, we don’t know what is.

Around 850 miles west of Portugal, the Azores are an archipelago of nine Portuguese-speaking islands scattered across the Atlantic waters, known for their dramatic and verdant landscapes. Portuguese navigators discovered the first of the Azores in 1432, although 2,000 Flemish settlers were among its early immigrants, and their influence can still be seen in the windmills that dot the landscape on some islands. Praia de Vitoria is located on Terceira, an island whose name means ‘third’ in reference to the order in which it was discovered.

Famously dusted with pristine white sands and pulsating to the rhythm of steel drums, Antigua is a real Caribbean treat. Visit Shirley Heights, a fortress dominating the entry to the English Harbour. From the bustling bijou port of St. Johns, tour to Shirley Heights and the fortress entrance to English Harbour. Historic Nelson's dockyard warehouses now feature a variety of shops and restaurants.

Dominica is one of the Caribbean's most unspoiled destinations. Lush and mountainous, its rich rainforest embraces rare bird species, crater lakes, bubbling hot springs and splendid tumbling cascades. Trips from Roseau could include Trafalgar Falls, beautiful grottos and hot springs, and divers can explore the teeming reefs and underwater fumaroles of this natural paradise.

Barbados is one of the most well known and beautiful islands in the eastern Caribbean. It is part of the British Commonwealth and is named after the Bearded Fig Tree, which was once found in abundance. Barbados is an island where relaxation and adventure go hand in hand. White sandy beaches stretch for miles while snorkelling and sailing are some of the world-class water sports on offer. A cruise to Barbados starts with a walk around Bridgetown, the capital city, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011. The city has a charming combination of colonial buildings and Caribbean vibrancy. Make sure you visit St Nicholas Abbey, a historic plantation house and one of three Jacobean mansions in the Western Hemisphere.

Upon docking at Road Town, you can explore the many beauties of Tortola, including ivory-coloured sands, crystal-clear aquamarine seas and the beautiful and natural world of JR O’Neal Botanic Gardens. Local cuisine features succulent Anegada lobster, papaya and sweet potato pudding and, if your taste is for unspoilt beaches, Cane Garden Bay’s flawless horseshoe of sand is mouth-watering.