This thrilling cruise gives you time to discover the amazing cities of Venice, Athens, and Montenegro’s Kotor, but most of all the opportunity to dive deep into Croatia. Among the treats in store are Istria, where you might embark on a hunt for wild black and white truffles before indulging in truffle-infused snacks and wine with a local family, hiking through the Paklenica National Park with its canyons, caves, cliffs, and natural works of art known locally as skrap, exploring the island of Korčula by bike, and touring iconic Dubrovnik by tuk tuk.

Taking in Italian, Monégasque, French, and Spanish coastlines, this week-long jaunt gives you the chance to explore the birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence with its imposing palaces and churches, as well as the delightful villages of the Cinque Terre. The classic delights of the French Riviera and Provence are also on the agenda, before you reach the fabulous Catalan capital with its magnificent medieval Gothic Quarter and Modernist icons by Antoni Gaudi.

This is a spectacular journey from Greece to Portugal via Italy, France, and Spain, meaning you get to see many of the splendours of the Mediterranean over the course of nearly two weeks. It’s impossible to pick out highlights, but you might opt for a 4x4 adventure up the slopes of Sicily's Mount Etna with its lava fields and steam vents, explore the archaeological site of Pompeii, take in the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and savour a paired tasting at a Tuscan vineyard.

Many of the big hitters of the Mediterranean are on this exciting itinerary, which blends the natural beauty of Provence and Corsica with the glamour of the French Riviera. From Port Vendres and Sète you can head inland to medieval Carcassonne, while there are oyster tastings and wine samplings to be had, and other fascinating options included a guided walking tour of Nîmes’ Pont du Gard aqueduct and Roman Arena.