Day 1: Southampton

Embark Spirit of Adventure.

Depart 1800.

Day 2: At Sea

Day 3: At Sea

Day 4: At Sea

Day 5: Málaga, Spain

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Well known as a gateway to Spain’s sunny Costa del Sol, Malaga has been busy establishing itself as a capital of cultural. Historic landmarks such as the 11th-century Gibralfaro Castle have been rejuvenated and the new Mile of Art, which features the Museo Picasso Malaga, are just two reasons that make it a place well worth visiting in its own right.

Other attractions include the palatial Moorish fortress – The Alcazaba, numerous beautiful religious buildings, not least Malaga cathedral, and some lovely gardens, notably La Concepción Historical Botanic Gardens, some of which you might spot on your included sightseeing tour. You can also join a walk along the eight-kilometre long Caminito del Rey, learning about local flora, wildlife and geology en route.

Day 6: At Sea

Day 7: At Sea

Day 8: Valletta, Malta

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Be sure to claim your spot on deck as the golden honey-coloured walls of Valletta’s aptly named Grand Harbour drift into view. The Knights of St John built the ‘new’ city on a petite peninsular in the 16th century and included tour offers the perfect introduction to this living city’s varied sights. There are a staggering 320 monuments crammed into just 55 hectares that all fall under UNESCO’s guardianship, the most spectacular of which has to be the magnificent cathedral.

Perhaps raise a glass of prosecco to toast your surroundings on a special visit to the Palazzo Parisio, an 18th-century palace whose austere facade belies its lavish interior. You’ll also have the chance to explore further afield on a choice of excursions, such as a visit to the ‘Silent City’ of Mdina or even head underground to the Byzantine-era Catacombs of St Paul.

Day 9: At Sea

Day 10: Dubrovnik, Croatia

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

The city of Dubrovnik is considered one of the most iconic on the Dalmatian Coast and although it was badly damaged during the civil war, it has been restored to its former glory, and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city walls, constructed between the 13th and 17th centuries, encircle a treasure trove of impressive architecture – including fountains, palaces, churches and monasteries. Discover the varied and colourful history of this magical city on an included sightseeing tour, then walk along the famous old streets and view sights such as St Blaise’s Church, the Onophrian Fountains and Sponza Palace.

For incredible views of the city, take a ride on the cable car which soars above the Old Town to a height of around 1,500 feet. You might also like to take the chance to learn about grape cultivation and sample the beautiful wines of the region at an award-winning winery.

Days 11 & 12: Venice, Italy

Arrive 1200 on November 3. Depart 1700 November 4.

Cruise the Adriatic to Venice whose effortless beauty has captured the imagination of travellers for centuries. Look forward to an included sightseeing tour, and two full days exploring this unique city by foot, water taxi and, of course, gondola, Venice’s emblematic watercraft. Along with 160 canals, it features outstanding monuments such as the domed Basilica di San Marco and the Campanile di San Marco, and boasts breathtaking views, such as that from the elegant Rialto Bridge.

Art lovers can seek out some of Venice’s greatest treasures on a tour that reveals the Italian masterpieces inside Scuola Grande di San Rocco and the Museum of 18th-Century Venice housed inside Ca’Rezzonico Palace before cruising along part of the Grand Canal by water taxi.

Day 13: Split, Croatia

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Croatia’s second largest city and Dalmatia’s regional capital is set between the Adriatic Sea and the rugged Dinaric Mountains. Discover Split’s rich Roman heritage including the amazing Diocletian’s Palace, built as a retirement home for the Roman Emperor Diocletian. In the Middle Ages a town was constructed within the palace, before expanding beyond it. Much of the old Roman structure still survives in this a vast UNESCO-listed complex.

Other highlights include the ancient Temple of Jupiter which became St John's Church, and the Archaeological Museum. Look forwarded to an included tour, then begin exploring independently. Optional excursions visit the archaeological site of Salona, tour the picturesque Krka National Park, and offer the chance to taste the local flavours of the region at the Stella Croatica Ethno Village.

Day 14: Kotor, Montenegro

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Enjoy the incredible approach to the Medieval walled city of Kotor, as Spirit of Adventure navigates her way through southern Europe’s deepest fjord. The town is hemmed in by an impressive fortified wall that climbs the surrounding mountains to an altitude of 260 metres above sea level. If you are feeling athletic climb to its zenith for fantastic views of the town, fjord and mountains, or explore the medieval streets of the old town with its fantastic St Tryphon’s cathedral and Venetian mansions, built when the town was under Venetian rule.

The Maritime Museum of Montenegro is a window into the seafaring past of the town while the Cats of Kotor shop sells a menagerie of gifts of a feline theme, celebrating the town’s ever-expanding population of descendants of ships cats.

Day 15: At Sea

Day 16: At Sea

Day 17: Mahón, Minorca

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Quieter and more relaxed than the resorts of neighbouring Majorca, the capital of Minorca is a great place to unwind with its array of cafes, restaurants and colourful shops. Occupied by the British during the 18th century, its colonial rule is spelt out in the Georgian-influenced architecture, dotted among remains that are neoclassical, baroque and Romanesque.

Join an included introductory tour to learn about the island’s history and traditions, then you can tour the harbour by yacht, join a champagne tour or even try body-boarding!

Day 18: At Sea

Day 19: Gibraltar

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Tagged on to the end of Iberia, the intriguing British outpost of Gibraltar is dominated by a sandy peninsula and the stunning 1,400-feet-high limestone Rock. It offers a unique mix of British and Spanish cultures, all packed into just seven square miles! Take advantage of the duty-free shopping, visit the fascinating military museum or ascend the Rock by cable car to meet the mischievous Barbary macaques. From the top you can look out over two continents: Africa lies just 13 miles to the south, whilst Europe stretches to the north.

Alternatively, head back out on the water in search of dolphins and other marine life in Gibraltar’s bay.

Day 20: At Sea

Day 21: At Sea

Day 22: At Sea

Day 23: Southampton

Arrive 0800.

Disembark Spirit of Adventure after breakfast.