You will begin your journey in Southampton by boarding the majestic Queen Mary 2. A spectacular ship whose very essence, from grand design to final flourishes, harks back to the grand ocean liners of the golden age of travel - there’s simply no more fitting way to cross the Mediterranean on your nine-day voyage to Rome.

Queen Mary 2 combines the glamour of cruising’s golden era with modern conveniences. Your fine dining options include several-course gourmet delights with classy touches like Wedgwood fine bone china and Waterford crystal. Be entertained by lavish musical shows, dance in the largest ballroom at sea with a superb resident orchestra; and with four pool areas for relaxation, this ship has everything you could possibly want for the most marvellous time at sea.

Vigo lies on northern Spain’s rugged coastline in the verdant region of Galicia. This undulating city has beautiful plazas dating back to medieval times and you’ll get spectacular views of the bay from the hills above the city. It’s also the place to find delicious fresh seafood, particularly octopus. Take the short trip to the nearby Cies Islands blessed with white-sand beaches and clear waters that wouldn’t look out of place in the Caribbean.

Your hardest decision may be what to do next during these two days at sea. Dance lessons, Insight presentations, deck games, theatre productions or cookery demonstrations? Or you could choose to relax and unwind in the large spa, complete with treatment rooms, saunas and pool.

A chic and cosmopolitan city, here you could visit Las Ramblas, the walkway at the heart of the city, gaze up at Gaudi’s masterpiece La Sagrada Familia, sample some traditional tapas or feel the sand between your toes on the sun-drenched beaches.

Marseilles is a virtual melting pot of people and cultures with a salty city feel and culture all its own and the gateway to Provence. Dominating the harbour is the infamous Chateau d'If, the rocky prison from which Alexandre Dumas' Count of Monte Cristo escaped. Why not sample the renowned bouillabaisse or tour the lovely towns and vineyards of Provence?

Livorno serves at the gateway to the Tuscan cities of Florence and Pisa with its iconic Leaning Tower. Don’t just admire it from the ground, climbing the tower is a once-in-a-lifetime experience bestowing you with fantastic views from the top. There are many other beautiful buildings to explore around the tower in the Square of Miracles, including the white and grey marble cathedral.

You’ll disembark Queen Mary 2 and transfer to Rome for a three-night stay in the Eternal City. Italy’s capital is adorned with ancient sights, where you can follow in the footsteps of gladiators and emperors to the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. Experience la dolce vita for yourself walking around Trastevere where you’ll see the Rome from the movies: a family-run trattoria on every corner, street stalls piled high with glossy fruits and vegetables and gelato stands providing the perfect refreshment.

Discover Rome

Explore streets steeped in ancient history, where Byzantine mosaics grace church ceilings and cool catacombs slumber beneath your feet. Stand in awe at the scale of St Peter’s Square at the Vatican and discover treasures like the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain, where a coin tossed into its shining waters promise a return to Rome.

Vatican City Tour & Colosseum

Upon booking an Outside Cabin or above you’ll be gifted the opportunity to visit two of Rome’s greatest sites in one day. Marvel at the sheer beauty of the ethereal Sistine Chapel and delve into the rich history buried within the Vatican Museums. You’ll then relish a guided tour of the glorious Colosseum, a fantastic ancient structure which has stood at the heart of the city for over two millennia; history practically seeps out of it.

Discover Florence

Next, you’ll transfer to Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance, where the streets are like a real-life museum and Michelangelo’s David, Brunelleschi’s dome and Ferragamo’s iconic shoes are all within easy reach. The capital of the Tuscany region is an achingly romantic city of rivers, bridges and Renaissance art and architecture often described as an open-air museum. Don’t miss the Duomo, a cathedral with a striking terracotta-tiled dome, or the Ponte Vecchio crossing the Arno.

Opera and Dinner Experience

Enjoy an elegant evening of Italian opera and Tuscan cuisine with this perfectly paired experience in the heart of Florence when you book an Outside Cabin or above. Enjoy a dinner at a delicious traditional Italian restaurant before a spellbinding concert in the medieval Santa Monaca church; where ancient stones and rich acoustics set the scene for a performance of classic arias by Italy’s greatest composers.

Discover Verona

A land of great traditions, from opera to fine food and wine, Verona is a passionate and elegant city waiting to be explored. Wander quaint and winding streets admiring its romantic balconies with a gelato in hand. Be awe-inspired by the sheer size of The Verona Arena which was built in 30 AD and is still in use today. You may be lucky enough to catch one of the large-scale opera performances given there.

Lake Garda Wine Tour

If you book an Outside Cabin or above you’ll enjoy an exciting half-day wine tasting tour at a Lake Garda winery. Here, you’ll gain fascinating insight into Lake Garda’s soil and grapes, how the vines are cultivated and the many wine varieties. This will be followed by an exclusive tasting of three typical wines, accompanied by some locally produced cheeses, olives, and crusty bread sticks.

Begin your journey home in luxurious 1920s flair by boarding the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express in Verona. Bask in the indulgence of a three-course lunch in the elegant dining car, and watch hills roll into mountains before shrinking down into pastoral countryside. In the evening, prepare to be dazzled by a leisurely four-course dinner curated by expert French chefs, to then retire to your cabin which has been turned into an haven of rest.

Wake to peaceful views and breakfast in your cabin before delighting in a delicious brunch as you sweep through northern France towards the Channel. Back on English soil, you’ll board the equally luxurious British Pullman for a traditional afternoon tea, accompanied by a glass of sparkling wine before arriving in London, your Mediterranean experience complete.