Deal

Glitzy, glamorous and unashamedly luxurious – live the high life in Monte Carlo. From the super-yachts jostling for position in the harbour to the lavish bars splashing out iced champagne, tiny Monaco’s only city is a high rolling, decadent affair – and a gloriously indulgent, sun-soaked taste of the good life. Famed for its low tax status – and the Formula One race that roars through its hairpin bends and tight streets each year – Monaco is the ultimate playground of the rich and famous. Monaco may be the world’s second-smallest country – only the Vatican has a smaller footprint – but Monte Carlo has a confidence, impact and appeal that few can match. The gilded Royal Palace adds an air of regal glory, and whether you want to soak up the culture at the opera or raise the stakes at a casino – doing your finest 007 impressions – you’ll feel very much at home here. Soar above the high-rise hotels and glorious casinos in a helicopter, to see the city from above, and admire landmarks like the cathedral where Grace Kelly married the Prince of Monaco in 1956. High-end fashion, fragrances and fancy adornments await in the gold-label shops of Monte Carlo’s lavish shopping streets, while the old town’s pink and lemon floral facades offer an authentic balance of historic character to counterpoint the well-heeled excesses. A wonderful escape, revel in old-world glitz and glam, as you admire twinkling chandeliers and wander between palatial architecture, while enjoying your time in Monte Carlo’s abundant wonderland. Before you leave, explore the storied fortress that protected this tiny state’s independence for so long.

Saint Tropez is the French Riviera hotspot of choice for A-listers and flotillas of gleaming yachts. The sparkle of its beaches, and clarity of its light, continues to attract artists – but it was the famous presence of Brigitte Bardot that leant Saint Tropez its enduring glamour and steamy appeal. Nowadays, speedboats skim offshore, while fine vintages from the vineyards nearby are uncorked in top-notch restaurants, in this well-heeled highlight of the Cote d’Azur. Famous bars offer views of the port along Quai Jean Jaurès, with its iconic cherry-red directors’ chairs. Here you can admire the monstrous wealth of yachts that sparkle on the waters. On the same corner, big-name brand labels glimmer in the shops of rue François Sibilli – which cuts inland from the charming waterfront. The earthier appeal of boules clinking and thumping into the ground can be enjoyed at Place des Lices, where sun-wrinkled locals compete. Saint Tropez has a few beaches of its own, but famous stretches like Pampelonne Beach draw the biggest crowds to relax on star-studded golden sands. La Ponche, the authentic fishing quarter, retains its cobbled, historic elegance, and a 17th-century, hexagon-shaped citadel watches over the city and coastline from above. Coastal walks in the sea air snake away from the city’s bustle, and a series of headlands shape the stunning riviera landscape surrounding Saint Tropez. The historic monochrome Cap Camarat lighthouse adds a pleasing accent to hikes above the sparkling Mediterranean’s waves.

France’s sunniest and oldest city may not have the glamour of some of its Cote D’Azur neighbours, but what it lacks in glitz, it certainly makes up for in authenticity and cultural depth. France’s second-biggest city, Marseille served as European Capital of Culture in 2013 and is a fantastic hub of museums, creativity and colour. The Le Panier district is a vivid illustration of this – with its faded streets revitalised by overflowing flowerpots and pretty naturally-distressed doorways. Look down to the yacht-crammed port – where fishermen still unload fresh catches – from the viewpoint at the spectacular Notre-Dame de la Garde – a true crowning glory. Standing over walled fortifications – and capped by an elegant dome – the soaring golden statue of Madonna and Child rises high into the air and is visible all over the city. The huge Marseille Cathedral is equally impressive, with its stunning zebra-striped exterior. Palais Longchamp, built-in 1862, twinkles with flowing water, and its saturated gardens and splashing fountains were built to celebrate the engineering feat of successfully redirecting water to the city. You can’t leave Marseille without tucking into its famous fish stew – bouillabaisse. Flavoured with thyme, garlic and hunks of Mediterranean fish and plump prawns, it’s a bold and delicious taste of Provence. Wash your hands clean after, with some of Marseille’s traditional soap, created using a fragrant recipe of rich olive oil. Escape the hubbub of the city, to soak in the natural glory of Calanques National Park. Hike, kayak and sail your way through a treasure trove of limestone cliffs, dropping off to hidden beaches.

Happy to sit out of the limelight that Ibiza and Majorca bathe in, Menorca lives life at its own pace, offering endless pine-tree fringed beaches and an appealing, mellow approach. The capital of Menorca is a bashful member of Balearic Islands, which wait off of the sunny Spanish coast. With atmospheric old towns, tiny fishing villages, and unspoiled beach coves, this is one of the group’s lesser-known and explored gems – and all the richer for it. A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, there are wetlands and rolling sand dunes with diverse wildlife to explore – and 220 different birds soar and wade within. The designation helped to halt the threat of overdevelopment, and with gloriously clear waters and leisurely boating trips to enjoy, Porto Mahon welcomes you to a wonderfully preserved and characterful island. The island’s capital spills around the Med’s largest natural harbour, which sprawls out for three miles. Wander the whitewash town’s streets, heading for the hubbub of the fish market – to sample the best of the day’s freshly prepared haul. The majestic organ that fills the interior of Santa Maria church with over 3,000 pipes is a sight to see and can produce a wonderful, gut-vibrating noise. Filled with pottery and cake shops, there’s an artsy, laid back and creative atmosphere to Porto Mahon’s streets. Swing a golf club, and crack drives through the salty sea air of Porto Mahon, or rumble along the paved bike paths that ring the island exploring between wildflower sprinkled fields and stone walls. Or, head straight for the many beaches and turquoise seas, which are blotched with dark blue patches. When it’s time for a sit down in the shade, order up a refreshing pomada – gin and lemonade – before settling on your sandy nook of choice, to watch the setting sun sinking into the warm of the waves of the Mediterranean.

A rugged Mediterranean gem, arising out of the rich blue haze, Mallorca is a Spanish island of cuisine, culture, and sun-gorged beaches. Palma de Mallorca is the island’s dominating capital, and a sand-coloured mirage of glorious buildings and living history. Conquered and liberated countless times over the years, since its Bronze Age founding, the city is your gateway to ceaseless Mediterranean beauty, buzzy markets, and intense flavours. Cafes and bars wait close to the sweeping coastline, where you can enjoy strong espressos to kick start the day, or splashes of red Majorcan wines to round it off. Bicycles trundle up and down the promenade, which invites you to wander in the morning sunshine beside the waves.

Dominated by the indefatigable form of Santa María cathedral, which looms over the city and coastline, Palma de Mallorca is drenched in history and culture. The labyrinth of the old town is a cobbled haven, which bustles with dripping ice creams and sun-lashed squares. Settle to try the island’s superb cuisine, and savour local ingredients with an exceptional depth of flavour. Something about the sunshine here makes tomatoes extra sharp and delicious, while the seafood is consistently juicy and plump. The creation of the mighty cathedral, Le Seu, began in 1229 and was eventually concluded in 1601. A perfect encapsulation of Palma de Mallorca’s blend of the historic and the contemporary, even Gaudi lent his hand to it, and the interior features a spectacular modernist take on the New Testament from artist Miquel Barcelo, which is painted across the chapel’s walls. The splendid Royal Palace of La Almudaina fortress stands nearby, a left-behind Moorish footprint of square towers and Arabic archways that now serves as an official summer residence for the King of Spain.

Tarragona is city that gracefully keeps one foot in the past and one in the present, as guardian of over 2000 years of history. Beautifully and strategically perched on a rocky hill side overlooking the sea, it was once the most elegant and cultured city of Roman Spain. It’s this wonderfully preserved legacy that’s so interesting to visit today. The Roman Circus is a good place to start, built in the first century, it could be said to be the very heart of the city. Once home to exciting chariot races, it would have seated around 25,000 spectators. Today visitors to the site can roam the large, underground tunnels and even surprisingly, dine down there. The Roman Amphitheatre has had a glorious seaside spot since the second century and when the 15,000 strong audience tired of watching fighting gladiators or executions, they no doubt admired the stunning view. Today it’s used to stage exciting, Roman re-enactments, where past and present meet. Part Alta, the old town, surrounds the huge 12th century Cathedral built on the highest point of the city. The narrow streets wind through this medieval district like a maze and one of the joys is to lose yourself there for a while. There are plenty of pretty squares to stop off for a cold glass of something or boutique shops to browse.

Valencia is a proud city. During the Civil War, it was the last seat of the Republican Loyalist government (1935–36), holding out against Franco’s National forces until the country fell to 40 years of dictatorship. Today it represents the essence of contemporary Spain—daring design and architecture along with experimental cuisine—but remains deeply conservative and proud of its traditions. Though it faces the Mediterranean, Valencia’s history and geography have been defined most significantly by the River Turia and the fertile floodplain (huerta) that surrounds it. The city has been fiercely contested ever since it was founded by the Greeks. El Cid captured Valencia from the Moors in 1094 and won his strangest victory here in 1099: he died in the battle, but his corpse was strapped into his saddle and so frightened the besieging Moors that it caused their complete defeat. In 1102 his widow, Jimena, was forced to return the city to Moorish rule; Jaume I finally drove them out in 1238. Modern Valencia was best known for its frequent disastrous floods until the River Turia was diverted to the south in the late 1950s. Since then the city has been on a steady course of urban beautification. The lovely bridges that once spanned the Turia look equally graceful spanning a wandering municipal park, and the spectacularly futuristic Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències (City of Arts and Sciences), most of it designed by Valencia-born architect Santiago Calatrava, has at last created an exciting architectural link between this river town and the Mediterranean. If you’re in Valencia, an excursion to Albufera Nature Park is a worthwhile day trip.