Greece, Italy & Spain Fly Cruise | 8 Nights from Spain

Having long served as gateway to the Ancient city of Athens, Piraeus has an attractive marina area. However, it is generally used to visit Athens, which has been continuously occupied since the fifth century B.C. Important landmarks here include the Acropolis, the hilltop citadel overlooking the city, also home to the Parthenon Temple and the Temple of Zeus. Close by is the Panathenaic Stadium, originally built as a racetrack in 330 B.C but has been completely rebuilt and is open to the public.

The instantly recognizable 16th century walls and Grand Harbour of Valletta have seen many conflicts, and its diverse architecture is testament to them. Influences from the Romans, Greeks, Crusaders and British are evident in the various churches and palaces. Most noteworthy are the National War Museum, housing many military artefacts and the Casa Rocca Piccola Palace. Located in the north of the island is the silent city of Mdina, home to the Roman burial complex of St. Paul’s Catacombs.

Located on Sicily’s west coast, Trapani is shaped by its coastal setting and everyday Sicilian life. Its historic centre stretches along a narrow peninsula, with pale stone buildings, small churches and welcoming cafés that are easy to explore on foot. Close by, the medieval town of Erice offers panoramic views over Trapani, while the famous salt pans with its shallow pools, traditional windmills and wide-open skies, create a distinctively beautiful landscape. With its gentle pace, Trapani offers an unhurried introduction to western Sicily and its lasting traditions.

Located at the top of the Gulf of Angels, Cagliari is considered to be the most Italian city of the autonomous region of Sardinia. The local language is Sardu, and so Cagliari is known as Casteddu, meaning castle. The ancient city is dominated by palazzi and domed structures, leading to the iconic hilltop citadel Il Castello, where the old medieval city is a maze of intriguingly narrow high-walled alleyways.

Located on the east coast of Menorca, Mahón is the largest city on the island and has a maze of narrow streets lined with Georgian architecture, including buildings with sash windows and balconies. The city has a sheltered harbour, full of islets and coves, which are home to the protected Mediterranean pillow coral.

Visiting Malaga in the winter makes for a pleasant exploration of peaceful streets lined with orange trees and historical buildings. You could explore Pablo Picasso’s birthplace and the museum dedicated to his work in Buenavista Palace, or discover the well-preserved Moorish fortress of Alcazaba, which offers beautiful panoramas over the city and the deep blue of the Mediterranean Sea. Amidst your exploration, savour opportunities to experience local dishes of espetos (sardines on skewers and cooked over coals), tapas in authentic Spanish bard, and a traditionally sweet Moscatel wine. Alternatively, you can enjoy a hike to Gibralfaro Castle, which offers vistas of the surrounding city and a fascinating history dating back to Phoenician times.