Western Mediterranean: Palma de Mallorca to Nice

Majorca's beautiful capital is an elegant city and its picturesque old town and architectural mix of Arab, Catalan and Art Nouveau elements are part of its success story. In the center you will be lured by shops behind splendid facades, and cafés and bars set on beautiful squares invite you to stay a while. Not far from the sophisticated marina you will find the dignified cathedral, affectionately known as "La Seu" for short. With pure Gothic beginnings, none other than Antonio Gaudi created part of its interior at the start of the 20th century.

Mahôn, the island's capital, has the largest natural harbour in the Mediterranean. The harbour of the former capital, Ciutadella, which translates as "tiny little town", has a picturesque setting on a fjord-like bay. It is one of the most beautiful cities in Spain and you will be enchanted by the narrow lanes in the old town, the majestic squares and the smart promenades. Menorca naturally has two sides - in the north is the wild mountain region of Tramuntana, with its ruggedly craggy coastline and hidden bays. In the south there are gentle hills with wide plains and seemingly endless sandy beaches. Listed as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, Majorca's little sister is considerably quieter and more traditional.

A tiny chapel on the rock, a picturesque fortified church and the mighty Château Royal are the first sights to greet you as you approach this small port from the sea. Collioure is a textbook example of a charming fishing village that has always attracted painters and poets thanks to its idyllic coastal location, colorful facades and fascinating light.

Explore the charming port town of Cassis, or venture inland to Aix-en-Provence, where a blend of baroque elegance and a lively student scene offers a different energy. Stroll under the old plane trees of the famous Cours Mirabeau for a taste of this Provençal capital’s history; its main boulevard is lined with small bistros and antique shops, elegant residences, fountains and boutiques.

Nice lies in one of the world's most lavishly endowed natural landscapes. The sea glows azure and the mountains in the background rise picturesquely up into the sky. Castle Hill gives you a fantastic view over the rambling old town - a labyrinth of alleyways with Baroque churches, pastel-coloured houses and red-tiled roofs. The Promenade des Anglais, a sophisticated, five-kilometre-(3 miles)long walkway along the magnificent Baie des Anges and its long beach, lies at the heart of the elegant new town, with its splendid palaces and aristocratic hotels in the Belle-Époque and Art Deco styles.