Western Mediterranean

Italy’s iconic Cinque Terre region is the perfect starting point to hop on and off a tender and take in the vista of colourful centuries-old seaside villages clinging to steep hillside terraces. Overlooking traditional fishing boats and the sparkling Mediterranean, no excuse is needed to indulge in a lazy harbourside trattoria lunch with a view.

Neighbouring French Riviera locales are equally impressive. St Tropez invariably attracts an upmarket crowd while gems like Bormes-les-Mimosas are close enough to enjoy the legendary Tropézienne nightlife but offer fragrant sanctuary paired with authentic Provençal ambience. Antibes is another enchanting 16th-century rampart-guarded old town with the resort of Juan-les-Pins famous for its nightlife scene and annual jazz festival.

The popular islands of Corsica, Sardinia and Sicily are all rich repositories of archaeological sites and ancient ruins. Culinary heritage also shines through, from Sardinia’s incredible fish and seafood bearing Phoenician, Roman, Genoese and Spanish influences, to Sicily’s similarly multicultural gastronomic roots. Arab and Greek notes are infused into classic favourites while the island is also the birthplace of cannoli, the king of Italian pastries.

And, following a dusk till dawn Ibiza club trawl, the allure of beachfront post-party recovery is hard to beat with the mellow vibes of Pou d’es Lleó a chilled-out location for water sports, people watching and a quintessentially Ibizan experience. Or, if in Monaco, pack an upscale picnic and make the pilgrimage to the hidden sands of Plage Mala.