Greek Isles and Turkish Splendours - 12 nights, October 2013

Can any city match up to the romance of Venice? As the warm sunset casts its balmy glow over the charming canals it’s hard to imagine it possible. Explore the maze of markets and cafés by gondola before heading to Harry’s Bar to sip its famous Bellini cocktail. It won’t take long on one of Venice’ peaceful canals, beneath a beautiful bridge, for you to fall for this extraordinary city’s spell.

Can any city match up to the romance of Venice? As the warm sunset casts its balmy glow over the charming canals it’s hard to imagine it possible. Explore the maze of markets and cafés by gondola before heading to Harry’s Bar to sip its famous Bellini cocktail. It won’t take long on one of Venice’ peaceful canals, beneath a beautiful bridge, for you to fall for this extraordinary city’s spell.

Acknowledged as ‘The Pearl of the Adriatic’ Dubrovnik is truly an amazing destination to visit. Its history is as rich and intriguing as the first sight of it looming out of crystalline waters is breathtaking. The Old Town was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979 and it is no wonder as you discover its morning market piled with fresh flowers, cheese and fish.

Explore the legacies of Greek, Roman and Venetian Empires or simply marvel at nature’s treasures on this beautiful island swathed in emerald green, lapped by turquoise waters and fringed with golden sand. The once pastel colours on Venetian buildings may have faded, but the welcoming scent of eucalyptus, fig and lemon trees are fragrant as ever.

Welcome to the “Birthplace of Modern Democracy”, a city whose architectural, art and political triumphs are a universal legacy. Discover the perfectly proportioned Parthenon built during the Golden Age of Peracles. Stroll through the ancient columns of the Stoa, where Plato once lectured or for lighter fare explore the twisting lanes and lively tavernas of the Plaka.

Prepare for an incredibly preserved snapshot of life two thousand years ago as you visit the inspiring remains of Ephesus, the Temple of Artemis and the Library of Celsius. The port, Kusadasi, is not without interest or charm. Her medieval walls still stand, and whitewashed stone houses rise in tiers behind the market district. The palm-lined boulevard is the centre of town life with thousands of merchants offering wares to rival the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul.

Expect a warm welcome to Rhodes, with its magnificent scenery and flawless beaches, that legend has it was once blessed by Apollo with sunshine and beauty. With a rich medieval history there is plenty to explore at Rhodes, from the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, to the Grand Master's Palace is famed for its superb mosaic floors.

When you arrive by sea, there is no confusing the island of Santorini. Dazzling white houses cling to the edge of vertical, rocky cliffs against azure blue waters. The most southern of the Cyclades islands, it is surrounded by Thirasia and Aspronisi, which were once part of a large volcanic island. Considered by many to be the site of the “Lost City of Atlantis”, this magical little island glimmers from the fading sun as many watch its decent from the numerous bars and cafés at the water’s edge.

Only three miles from mainland Italy, Messina sits on Sicily’s North-Eastern tip under Mt Etna’s unerring gaze. Set your watches! One of Messina’s undoubted attractions is the astronomical clock housed inside a soaring bell tower on the Piazza del Duomo. Its midday show of bronze mythological figures and roaring lions is a spectacle to behold.

A visit to Rome is an unforgettable experience. Explore the legends of the ages: the Vatican and Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel, the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Catacombs. Stroll down the Via Veneto or sip cappuccino in the Piazza di Spagna. Italy's "Eternal City" is eternally fascinating. Throw a few coins in the Trevi Fountain and you may be back again!