Nafplio is a seaport town in the Peloponnese that is one of Greece's prettiest and most romantic towns. Elegant Venetian houses, neoclassical mansions and interesting museums nestle beneath the towering Palamidi fortress. There are also plenty of quayside cafes to relax in and some lovely boutiques to keep the keen shoppers occupied. The town is an ideal base from which to explore many nearby ancient sites. it is a popular destination for locals from Athens so it is busy in peak season.

From the shore, it's a big rock sticking out into the sea. Then you pass over the causeway, and through an iron fortress gate, and suddenly, the town of Monemvasia is before you, a perfectly preserved Byzantine fortified port, once 60,000 strong, now home to just a few hundred. You can readily see why the name Monemvasia means single entrance! In the rocky hills above, ancient Byzantine ruins loom over the town, while below a maze of red tiled roofs and twisting alleys hide tavernas and cafes and the home of revered Greek poet Yannis Ritsos.

Homer's 'Wise King Nestor' was very wise indeed to build his magnificent palace near Pilos. For the city's harbour of Navarino Bay and the land-locked lake that was the original harbour were a perfect refuge from storms - and invaders. And it was at this site on October 20, 1827, with the help of Britain, Russia and France, that modern Greece attained independence, defeating the Turkish navy in the Battle of Navarino Bay.

Each Star Clippers ship offers a traditional and elegant way to see the world. Feel the wind fill the sails and gently carry you from one gorgeous destination to the next. During your time on board, you can choose to relax on a sun lounger or cool off in one of the pools on the top deck, while more adventurous passengers may enjoy the opportunity to climb the rigging or even have a go at steering the ship. Alternatively, you can wander the interior areas of the ship and discover relaxing lounges, a revitalising spa (Royal Clipper only) and a peaceful library.

Barreling under full sail through the narrow Strait of Messina past Scylla and Charybdis, where rock and whirlpool almost claimed Ulysses, you arrive in lovely Taormina. Perched on the shoulder of Mt. Etna, Taormina inspired Goethe to say that'It is the greatest work of art and nature.'

Syracuse is a city on the Ionian coast of Sicily that's known for its ancient ruins. It was once the largest city in the world, bigger than Athens and Corinth and as you can imagine it's steeped in history. Visit Parco Archeologico della Neapolis, one of Sicily's greatest archaeological sites. Relax in one of it's stylish little cafes that surround it's beautiful baroque piazzas before wandering down it's medieval lanes towards the sparkling blue sea.

The charm of Malta's sister island Gozo is immediately apparent Steeped in myth Gozo is thought to be the legendary Calypso's isle of Homer's Odyssey. It's green, rural and calm relying on fishing and agriculture as well as tourism. It is one of the Mediterranean's top diving destinations with an incredible range of shore and boat dives including reefs, caves and wrecks. There are also Knight's watchtowers, tiny chapels and beautiful peaceful beaches to explore.

Valletta is the tiny capital of the island of Malta. The walled city was established in the 1500s on a peninsula by the Knights of St. John, a Roman Catholic order. It has a rich historical past and is a European Art City and a World Heritage City. It's has an abundance of museums, palaces and grand churches to visit but be sure not to miss out on exploring one of it's beautiful gardens.

The charm of Malta's sister island Gozo is immediately apparent Steeped in myth Gozo is thought to be the legendary Calypso's isle of Homer's Odyssey. It's green, rural and calm relying on fishing and agriculture as well as tourism. It is one of the Mediterranean's top diving destinations with an incredible range of shore and boat dives including reefs, caves and wrecks. There are also Knight's watchtowers, tiny chapels and beautiful peaceful beaches to explore.

Each Star Clippers ship offers a traditional and elegant way to see the world. Feel the wind fill the sails and gently carry you from one gorgeous destination to the next. During your time on board, you can choose to relax on a sun lounger or cool off in one of the pools on the top deck, while more adventurous passengers may enjoy the opportunity to climb the rigging or even have a go at steering the ship. Alternatively, you can wander the interior areas of the ship and discover relaxing lounges, a revitalising spa (Royal Clipper only) and a peaceful library.

Cagliari is the capital city of the Italian island of Sardinia. It's known for it's hilltop Castello, a medieval walled quarter situated high above. the rest of the town. It has a rich and varied heritage reflected in it's buildings that includes Baroque churches, Medieval towers, Italian Art Nouveau as well as Roman stonework. Sardinia's fabled beaches are also accessible and as you would expect the restaurants in and around the town are excellent to.

Each Star Clippers ship offers a traditional and elegant way to see the world. Feel the wind fill the sails and gently carry you from one gorgeous destination to the next. During your time on board, you can choose to relax on a sun lounger or cool off in one of the pools on the top deck, while more adventurous passengers may enjoy the opportunity to climb the rigging or even have a go at steering the ship. Alternatively, you can wander the interior areas of the ship and discover relaxing lounges, a revitalising spa (Royal Clipper only) and a peaceful library.

Gracious Georgian buildings that climb the steep hills backing the Moll Ponent. Mahon's heritage also includes the invention of mayonnaise and the first distillation of gin from juniper berries.

Towering over the harbour, Palma's enormous Gothic cathedral is a powerful symbol of the religious fervour which gripped all of Spain shortly after the defeat of the Moors. Built by Jaume I, its vast open nave and soaring Gothic columns have been added to over the centuries. Behind the Cathedral, a maze of twisting streets leads to designer boutiques and open-air markets.

Ibiza is a place where people hang out because, except for the medieval walls, you could almost think it was the Med's version of Key West. But away from the hustle of town, some lovely beaches await.

The city's naval, maritime and historical museums provide insight into the 2,000 years this city has been a major port. It's now developing into a vibrant tourist attraction. The deep water harbor and walled town were used by Phoenicians, Romans and Moors prior to the Spanish navy. Visit Torres Park and the Castillo de la Concepciﾗn for the best views in the city.

Malaga's fortress palace of the Alcazaba and the Castillo de Gibralfaro are splendid examples of Moorish architecture. But it is in Granada that you can see the most romantic and magnificent expression of the Arabesque style in the glorious Alhambra Palace.