MSC Grand Voyages from Southampton

Southampton, England's storied ocean liner capital on the southern coast, carries an indelible maritime identity — this is the port from which the Titanic departed and from which the Queen Mary 2 still sails in grandeur today. The medieval Bargate and City Walls speak to a history stretching back to Roman times, while the SeaCity Museum tells the story of the great liners with moving intimacy. Day excursions reach Winchester's magnificent cathedral, the stately rooms of Beaulieu, and the primeval wilderness of the New Forest — where ancient ponies still roam freely. Spring and summer offer the most pleasant conditions for exploring the region.

Yanbu al-Bahr is a historic Red Sea port in Saudi Arabia with Ottoman-era coral-stone architecture, pristine diving reefs, and connections to both the Hejaz pilgrimage route and Lawrence of Arabia's wartime exploits. Must-dos include exploring the Old Town's carved balconies, diving the Seven Sisters reef system, and visiting Hejaz railway ruins. October through April offers comfortable temperatures and the best diving visibility.

Cádiz, founded by Phoenician traders around 1100 BC and a strong contender for the oldest continuously inhabited city in Western Europe, juts into the Atlantic on a narrow peninsula where honey-colored ramparts frame improbable views of open ocean and the sun sets directly into the sea. The old quarter is an intoxicating labyrinth of baroque churches, hidden plazas, and carnival spirit — Cádiz's annual February carnival is the wildest and most satirically sharp in Spain — while the tapas culture here, centered on fresh Atlantic seafood cooked with Andalusian simplicity, represents Spanish cuisine at its most elemental and joyful. Visit February for carnival or spring for gentle Atlantic breezes. Seville is ninety minutes inland by bus or rail.

Málaga distils three thousand years of Mediterranean civilisation into one of Andalusia's most compelling port cities, where the Moorish Alcazaba fortress surveys a modern waterfront of elegant promenades and sun-drenched café terraces. Do not leave without visiting the Museo Picasso — the artist was born here in 1881 — and ascending to the ruined Castillo de Gibralfaro for panoramic views stretching to the Rif Mountains of Morocco on clear days. Malagueta anchovies fried in olive oil and the sweet Pedro Ximénez-laced dessert wine are the city's defining pleasures. The shoulder seasons of April, May, and October offer perfect Mediterranean warmth.

Alicante, a historic port city on Spain's Costa Blanca, captivates visitors with its rich history, stunning architecture, and vibrant culinary scene. Must-do experiences include savoring traditional paella by the seaside and exploring the bustling Mercado Central. The best time to visit is during the spring or early fall when the weather is pleasantly warm and the city is alive with festivities.

Palma de Mallorca announces itself with one of the most spectacular Gothic cathedrals in the world — La Seu, its honey-coloured sandstone buttresses rising directly from the bay, its interior modified by Antoni Gaudí and illuminated by the world's largest Gothic rose window. The old town behind it is a quarter of Arab baths, Renaissance palaces converted into boutique hotels, and the Passeig del Born — a plane-tree-shaded promenade where Balearic life conducts itself with unhurried grace. The local ensaïmada pastry and fresh sobrasada sausage from the island's black pigs are essential breakfast rituals. Visit May, June, or September: warm, brilliant, and measurably calmer than the July–August peak.

Union Island, the southernmost gem in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, rises from the Caribbean as a volcanic sentinel that generations of sailors have used as a landmark on the passage to the Grenadines — its Twin Peaks offering spectacular hikes rewarded with panoramas across a tapestry of cays, reefs, and indigo water. The island serves as the yachting hub of the southern Grenadines, with Clifton Harbour bustling with sloops bound for Tobago Cays, Palm Island, and Carriacou. The dry season from December through May delivers the Caribbean's finest sailing conditions and crystal-clear visibility for diving the thriving coral gardens.

Barcelona is the city where Roman history, Gothic grandeur, and Gaudí's delirious Modernisme collide in a Mediterranean coastal capital of astonishing energy and beauty. The Sagrada Família — still under construction after 140 years — continues its audacious ascent toward completion, while the Gothic Quarter's Roman-era foundations and the Passeig de Gràcia's extraordinary concentration of Modernisme masterpieces reward days of exploration. For a complete sensory experience, lose an afternoon in the covered labyrinth of La Boqueria market before descending to the waterfront for Catalan seafood at its finest. May through June and September through October offer the most pleasant weather; the city connects directly to Paris by overnight train.

Funchal — Madeira's radiant capital, its name derived from the wild fennel that greeted Portuguese settlers in 1419 — cascades down volcanic hillsides to a deep-water harbour that has welcomed mariners and wanderers for six centuries. The Reid's Palace, opened in 1891, remains one of the Atlantic's most legendary hotels, its clifftop terraces commanding views that inspired Churchill, Shaw, and a century of distinguished guests. The city's floating flower market, levada walks through ancient laurisilva forest, and the exhilarating toboggan descent from Monte combine for days of effortless discovery. The subtropical climate makes Funchal appealing year-round, with spring particularly spectacular for wildflowers.

Las Palmas, set on the banks of the Río Paraguay deep in Argentina's Gran Chaco, is a port of quiet fascination — a late nineteenth-century agricultural colony that grew around a palm-oil processing industry and retains a languid, end-of-the-world atmosphere that few travellers ever encounter. The surrounding Chaco wetlands are a paradise for birders, with rare species including the maned wolf, giant anteater, and dozens of endemic birds inhabiting the gallery forests along the river. This is not a destination for conventional sightseeing, but for those seeking genuine immersion in South America's wild interior. The dry season, April through October, offers the most navigable conditions.

Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the cosmopolitan capital of the Canary Islands, balances volcanic grandeur with refined urban pleasures — from the Santiago Calatrava–designed Auditorio rising beside the Atlantic to the ancient dragon tree at Icod de los Vinos and the World Heritage Teide volcano looming above the island. The city's Carnival, second in scale only to Rio de Janeiro's, erupts each February in spectacular costumes and street revelry. Local wines from the volcanic slopes, wrinkled potatoes with mojo verde, and fresh Atlantic fish define the island's culinary character. November through April offers reliably warm, sun-drenched conditions.

Salvador de Bahia, Brazil's first capital, is a cultural hub known for its Afro-Brazilian heritage and stunning colonial architecture. Must-do experiences include savoring traditional dishes such as acarajé and quindim, and exploring the lively Pelourinho district. The best season to visit is during the dry months from September to March, when the city's vibrant festivals and street life are in full swing.

Hasselt is Belgium's jenever capital, home to a National Jenever Museum, Europe's largest Japanese Garden, and a fashion scene that belies its provincial size. Visit April through October via Uniworld River Cruises for cherry blossom season in the Japanese Garden, artisanal spirit tastings in historic distilleries, and the unpretentious Flemish culinary culture that makes this Limburg capital one of Belgium's most rewarding secrets.

Santos is Brazil's largest port and a historical gem, offering a blend of colonial architecture and vibrant local culture. Must-do experiences include sampling local specialties like “pastel de camarão” at the Mercado Municipal and exploring the nearby beaches of Búzios. The best season to visit is during the southern hemisphere's summer from December to February, when the weather is warm and the beaches are bustling.