Travel experiences

From the glittering coast of Croatia to Moorish architecture in Spain and the majesty of the Italian lakes, Southern Europe has beauty, scenery, history and culture to tempt the most seasoned traveller. With so much on offer, it’s the perfect destination for an escorted tour. We’ve chosen some of our favourite places, sights and experiences from our 2022 touring collection. Which one tempts you most?

Walk through Diocletian’s Palace in Split

Incredibly, the ancient heart of this city is built on the site of a vast Imperial Palace built for Roman Emperor Diocletian between 295-305AD. Where once there were wide corridors there are now streets, shops and medieval houses, and an open courtyard lined with Corinthian columns is now an elegant square.

Discover the history on our Jewels of Croatia tour.

See Italy’s trulli dwellings

One of the most iconic sights in Italy’s Puglia region is its trulli dwellings – small white-washed buildings with thick limestone walls and conical roofs topped with small spires. The UNESCO-listed town of Alberollo has an entire district of trulli, making it look from a distance like a scene from a child’s story book. Serene, unspoiled and beautifully picturesque, it’s like nowhere else on Earth.

You can uncover the beauty on our Secrets of Southern Italy and Sicily tour.

Uncover thousands of years of history on Malta

For a small island, Malta has a lot to offer. Hidden coves, beautiful beaches, colourful culture and a stunning golden-stoned capital… not to mention 5,000 years of history seen in pre-historic temples, palaces built by the Knights of St John and memorials from the Malta Siege in World War II. Malta’s diminutive size makes it perfect for a tour, especially when paired with its laid-back sister-island, Gozo.

Explore the culture for yourself on our Malta and Gozo: Islands of the Knights tour.

Discover Spain’s Moorish architecture

Southern Spain is graced with some of the world’s most beautiful Moorish mosques, palaces and gardens. Prime examples include Cordoba’s Great Mosque, one of the greatest works of Islamic architecture in the world, and Granada’s exquisite Alhambra Palace.

Our Jewels of Spain and Magic of Andalusia tours showcase these and other signature Spanish cities such as vibrant Valencia and sun-kissed Seville.

Go Greek island-hopping

Sometimes, the simplest pleasures make the very best holidays. Island-hopping in the Greek isles is a perfect example of this, combining unspoilt islands, scenic sea crossings, centuries-old traditions and delicious local cuisine.

Taste port wine in Oporto

For any wine enthusiast, a tour of Portugal’s Douro Valley is a treat. Not only can you visit towns, villages and wineries that have been producing great wines for centuries, you can also taste, try and buy as you go.

A highlight of our Taste of the Douro Valley tour is a visit to Vila Nova de Gaia, home to many of the region’s famous wine lodges, where a guided tour and tasting reveals the secrets behind the famous port wine.

Walk Madeira’s levada trails

Madeira is famous for its well-trodden footpaths known as the Levada Trails. This unique network of irrigation channels has become a mecca for walkers, hikers and trekkers from all over the world. They criss-cross the island so are an ideal way to enjoy the sub-tropical flowers, high waterfalls and lush vegetation, as well as the fine views and beautiful scenery for which Madeira is known.

Experience this well travelled landscape on our Madeira and Porto Santo Island Hopping tour.

Admire Italy’s lake district

Italy’s famous lake district is revered for its exquisite scenery, lavish mansions and historic lakeside towns. Our Majesty of the Italian Lakes tour showcases all the great lakes including Garda, Molveno and Maggiore. It also visits grand gardens and medieval cities and includes scenic journeys by road, boat and rail.