Nice – Málaga · 16–26 October 2027

In the 19th century, artists discovered this picturesque fishing village on the Côte d'Azur and made it their source of inspiration. They were followed by the aristocracy and moneyed classes, and around fifty years ago St. Tropez gained its international reputation as a refuge for the rich and famous. You can still find them today, in elegant Port Grimaud with its luxurious yachts from all over the world; in the upmarket bars and restaurants that line the promenade; on the elegant boulevards; in high class shops; or at the sophisticated beach clubs. Even with all these distinguished guests, St. Tropez has still managed to preserve its picturesque and sleepy atmosphere.

Climbing the rigging, untying ropes, setting sails – today is all about sailing. Time to lean back and relax in the deck chair and watch the passionate crew hoisting the sails by hand.

Marseille is the oldest and second largest city in France boasting the country's most important port and is like an enormous amphitheater on the Golfe du Lion looking out to the Mediterranean. Europeans and Africans have rubbed shoulders here for over 2600 years and the cultures mix like the different fish in a Bouillabaisse. With its imposing town houses, 'La Canebière' is the central boulevard leading to the old port where a lively fish market takes place every day. Marseille is a town in flux: The notorious old district of Panier has long since been cleaned up, and in 1995, the multicultural metropolis saw work begin on Euroméditerranée, the largest urban development project in Europe. Marseille was the European Capital of Culture in 2013.

Mahôn, the island's capital, has the largest natural harbor in the Mediterranean. The harbor of the former capital, Ciutadella, which translates as "tiny little town", has a picturesque setting on a fjord-like bay. It is one of the most beautiful cities in Spain and you will be enchanted by the narrow lanes in the old town, the majestic squares and the smart promenades. Menorca naturally has two sides – in the north is the wild mountain region of Tramuntana, with its ruggedly craggy coastline and hidden bays. In the south there are gentle hills with wide plains and seemingly endless sandy beaches. Listed as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, Majorca's little sister is considerably quieter and more traditional.

Majorca's beautiful capital is an elegant city and its picturesque old town and architectural mix of Arab, Catalan and Art Nouveau elements are part of its success story. In the center you will be lured by shops behind splendid facades, and cafés and bars set on beautiful squares invite you to stay a while. Not far from the sophisticated marina you will find the dignified cathedral, affectionately known as "La Seu" for short. With pure Gothic beginnings, none other than Antonio Gaudi created part of its interior at the start of the 20th century.

Ibiza's motto is ""live and let live"". Artists, hedonists and the international jet set discovered the beauty of this Balearic island many years ago. The little island's character has a Moorish influence, which has given it the pseudonym of ""the white island"". The tidy old quarter in Ibiza Town, surrounded by huge fortified walls, has been carefully restored and, like the entire island, is under the protection of UNESCO. In contrast, the spectacular, sometimes wildly rugged island coastline with its innumerable bays and beaches shows the traditional side of Ibiza. The primordial backdrop is one of gentle hills cris-crossed with a scattering of fincas.

An important port as long ago as Carthaginian and Roman times, Cartagena can look back on an eventful history. The "La Manga" headland, over 20 kilometers (12 miles), is a geographical curiosity which divides the long sandy beach of the "Mar Menor" salt water lagoon from that of the Mediterranean. Inland, the Fuensanta convent is mainly famous for a vision of the Virgin Mary which appeared there around 200 years ago and sits high up above the town of Murcia. It affords a delightful view over this lively university town. The huge Cathedral of Murcia was built in 1394 on the former site of a Moorish mosque.

Málaga has spruced itself up. In 2003, the Museo Picasso opened in a 16th century Renaissance palace and is dedicated to the artist's extensive life's work. This historic old city invites you to take a stroll and its buildings gleam like new. And above everything towers the Alcazaba, a mighty walled fortress. The port was completely redesigned when the city was opened to the sea and you can now take a lovely stroll along the promenade. In Malaga's hinterland you can see the most beautiful aspects of traditional Andalusia. From a distance the typical Andalusian villages look like white dabs of paint shining out from the brown of the barren mountain landscape.