5 Night Mediterranean Interlude Cruise from Naples

More Italian than Italy itself, Naples is the capital of the beautiful region of Campania, and is an unusual city, to say the least. Its gulf, dominated by Vesuvius, is one of the world's marvels. Built by the Greeks and then occupied by the Romans, the city has retained the memory of antiquity, as Castel dell'Ovo illustrates. But Naples has another side to it with its hustle and bustle, narrow streets, clothes hung out to dry at windows, Caravaggio paintings on the walls of a church, and incessant rumour in a sleepless city. This is a head-spinning city to visit and savour: don't forget to eat a slice of pizza Margherita.

Palermo is the guardian of the Sicilian soul. Many have been attracted to this city, the largest capital of the Italian islands. Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans... Palermo is a rich culmination of so many cultural influences as seen in the Moorish designs on the cathedral, and the Byzantine mosaics of the Palatine Chapel, which is itself housed within the precincts of the Norman Palace. You will fall under the spell of the palaces, Baroque splendours that grace the town with their obsolete beauty. It is thrilling to stumble upon one of those fabulous markets, high in colour and headily picturesque.

Bathed in the cobalt waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea, Trapani is the former port of the Greek city of Erice, boasting a privileged natural position in western Sicily. As you wander through its little streets, you will discover a secular cultural heritage, bearing witness to the many influences of civilisations that came here: San Lorenzo Cathedral, Maria Santissima Annunziata Sanctuary, Fountain of Triton. On the shaded restaurant terraces, savour some fresh fish from the morning's catch. Or else you can opt for a seafood couscous, a culinary legacy from their Arab neighbours.

At the crossroads of civilizations, the capital of Tunisia is rich in cultural discoveries. The ruins of Ancient Carthage, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and particularly well preserved, testify to the splendor of this city that was once Rome's great rival. The hill of Byrsa, the former fortified citadel of the Phoenician port and one of the presumed burial places of Saint Louis who died there during the Eighth Crusade, offers spectacular views over the Gulf of Tunis. In the Bardo National Museum, you will be able to admire one of the world's finest Roman mosaic collections, including the magnificent portrait of the poet Virgil.

Huddled on the south-western coast of Sicily, Porto Empedocles bears the name of the philosopher Empedocles, who lived in the region in the 5th century BC. An age-old city offered up to sun and sea, this is your doorway to the exceptional archaeological site of Valley of the Temples, a high place of Greek civilisation listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can admire the remains of many temples dedicated to Zeus, his wife Hera, and Hephaestus. Make sure you take in the magnificent Italian countryside, with its olive orchards that cover the hillsides.

The whole of the Maltese capital Valletta is UNESCO World Heritage-listed and occupies a peninsula in the north-east of the island. From the Fountain of Triton to Saint Elmo Fort, there are as many majestic streets as there are narrow staircase vennels to explore. The painted loggia and carved corbels on the tall houses will accompany you in your explorations, and you'll rarely be bothered by traffic. You can visit the Grandmaster's Palace decorated with coats of arms and frescoes. Saint John's Cathedral and the ramparts which have guarded the city since the 16th century are also among the most emblematic sites of the city. Arranged in terraces, the Barrakka Gardens will punctuate your promenade with a green and floral experience.