MEDITERRANEAN, GREEK ISLANDS & ADRIATIC

Welcome to Rome. You have two nights to settle in before your voyage begins, with the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain and Rome’s laneway trattorias all close by.

Board Queen Elizabeth from Civitavecchia, the port that has carried travellers to Rome for generations. Almost 2000 years of history sit within reach of the harbour, from the Colosseum to the fashion houses lining Rome’s elegant streets.

A full day to settle into life on board, with afternoon tea in the Queens Room and the Atlantic light giving way to the Mediterranean.

Palermo rewards a wander through its markets and backstreets. The Vucciria market is the place for local artichokes and chopped octopus, and the city’s mix of Arab, Norman and Baroque architecture turns up something new around every corner.

Queen Elizabeth threads the narrow Strait of Messina between Sicily and mainland Italy, with the coastlines of both close enough to see from the deck.

Corfu’s coastline gives way to a mountainous interior worth the drive. Visit the Achilleon Palace, built for the Empress Elisabeth of Austria, or lose an afternoon in the winding streets of the Old Town.

Said to be the birthplace of Marco Polo, this walled island town sits just off the Dalmatian coast, its old stone streets built in a herringbone pattern to keep out the wind. Wander the ramparts or take a seat at a harbourside table for the afternoon.

Zadar pairs Roman ruins with medieval churches, and the Sea Organ on its waterfront turns the tide into music. The cafes and restaurants along the old town’s edge are worth lingering in.

Sitting between Slovenia and the Adriatic, Trieste carries the mark of the Austro-Hungarian empire in its grand cafes and neo-classical architecture. The old city and its seafront make for an easy day of exploring.

Another day at sea to enjoy the ship, from croquet on the Games Deck to an evening at the Royal Court Theatre.

The largest of the Ionian islands, Cephalonia is home to around 30,000 people, most living in coastal towns with a few remaining in mountain villages that have changed little in centuries. It’s the setting for Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, and its quiet, unspoilt coastline explains why.

Katakolon is your gateway to Olympia, the birthplace of the ancient Olympic Games. The UNESCO listed ruins include a stadium and temples dedicated to Zeus and Hera, a short drive from the port.

Messina’s museum holds an impressive collection of Renaissance art, and the fashionable resort town of Taormina is a popular optional excursion for those keen to see more of Sicily’s east coast.

Your final full sea day before Ibiza, ideal for a lazy morning and a long afternoon tea.

Founded by Phoenician settlers as early as 654 BC, Ibiza’s Old Town walls are among the best preserved Renaissance fortifications anywhere in the world. Beyond the beaches and nightlife the island is famous for, much of Ibiza is protected as a World Heritage site.

Your voyage ends in Barcelona, home to Gaudí’s unmistakable architecture and a waterfront made for a final Mediterranean stroll before you head home.