One trip, four destinations: Mediterranean edition

Home to one of the world’s most fascinating past civilisations, Greece is a must for any cruise holiday around the Mediterranean. It’s the island culture and slow way of life that really define Greece, so a beauty spot like Corfu is a great place to visit. Make sure you take a look around the Archaeological Museum of Corfu, where you can get up close and personal with historical artefacts, or experience the island’s New Venetian Fortress, which is fully intact from the sixteenth century. Try an evening in the picturesque Old Town – we’d go for scallops at wine bar Salto – where you’ll be embraced by all the charm of Greek hospitality. 

Book this P&O Cruises shore experience: ‘Glyfada Beach Escape’ is your ticket to several glorious hours spent basking on one of the island’s most famous beaches. Sink your feet into warm sand, take a dip in the water and treat yourself to a refreshment from one of the nearby cafés.

As you sail into Taranto, a coastal city in Puglia, you’ll first be wowed by its unique landscape. It’s known as The City of the Two Seas – it’s surrounded by bays Mar Grande and Mar Piccolo – and there’s a lot to explore. The Cattedrale di San Cataldo, for example, is a beautiful eleventh-century church, featuring eighteenth-century frescoes by artist Paolo de Matteis. If your historical tastes are more ancient, however, visit the Castello Aragonese – a fifteenth-century castle built by a former King of Naples on the site of a Greek fortification dating back to the fourth century. No visit to Italy is complete without some proper feasting either: the local oysters and mussels by the seafront are all but compulsory, though serious foodies might like to try Taranto’s legendary seafood at Michelin-starred Gatto Rosso.

Book this P&O Cruises shore experience: ‘The Fairy-Tale Village of Alberobello’ isn’t an exaggeration: this UNESCO-listed village, with its cone-shaped buildings and gorgeous views, truly is magical. You’ll get to enter one of these circular houses and roam free through the village. 

Dubrovnik is a beguiling blend of city and beach, and what spectacular beaches it boasts. Any visit has to include a venture out into the caves and coves – particularly the stunning Blue Cave. Kayaks can be hired around the city (though you’ll certainly need a snorkel to get the best of it) and tours are available all the time. For those who like to keep their feet on dry land, though, you can sample the best of traditional Croatian cuisine in the heart of the beautiful Old Town. Try Kopun and be sure to order its namesake, capon (rooster), roasted in oranges and honey. And for culture seekers, the Red History Museum, which takes visitors through the history of the former Yugoslavia, makes for a thought-provoking trip.

Book this P&O Cruises shore experience: ‘A Taste of the Adriatic’ is a perfect way to sample the authentic flavours that Croatia is known for, particularly its olive oil. You’ll drive along the picture-perfect Adriatic coastline towards the charming village of Orašac, where you’ll learn time-honoured methods of olive oil-making, then make your way to a fantastic local restaurant to enjoy rustic Croatian fare.

Valletta is Malta’s sun-drenched capital, and though it may be small, it’s mighty, with everything you need for a brilliant day. In terms of things to see, the St. John’s Co-Cathedral houses the Caravaggio masterpiece ‘The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist’, making it a go-to for any art fan. Food-wise, there’s deliciousness to be sampled on the go at Is-Suq Tal-Bet, a fresh food market, and in the balmy evening, the slight climb to the Upper Barrakka Gardens is totally worth it: this is a wonderful way to top things off with a panoramic view of the city, at the highest point of the city’s walls, looking out to sparkling blue water. 

Book this P&O Cruises shore experience: ‘Valletta: Three Cities by Trolley Train’ will immerse you in Malta’s fascinating history, starting in Birgu, the first settlement of the Knights of Malta. After your tour, you’ll have time to explore the local area at your own leisure.