Staying in three UNESCO World Heritage towns, Alcalá de Henares, medieval Ávila and Toledo, and visiting magnificent Madrid, Roman and Romanesque Segovia, and Renaissance Salamanca, this is a tour of the Middle Ages, art and architecture, plazas and palaces

An unhurried antidote to the pace of modern life, this ‘no fly’ tour takes the train to Avignon, and cruises from Roman ruins in Arles to revelations on the Canal du Rhône à Sète, in medieval Aigues-Mortes, the Camargue wilderness, and Étang de Thau sea-lake

A week of natural wonders begins at the widest cascade of water on earth, Zimbabwe’s Victoria Falls; seeks out Africa’s ‘Big Five’ on safaris in Hwange National Park; and crosses to Botswana for the huge herds of elephants in ‘the Land of Giants’, Chobe National Park

Venture deep into the heart of a land of legends where age old traditions exist side by side with modernity, an extraordinary 18 days exploring Japan and the embodiment of the ancient culture of the Samurai

From baroque castles to beautiful bucolic villages, from hilltop medieval ruins to valleys cloaked in the vineyards of age-old wine estates, from mountain scenery to ocean shore, enjoy the ever-changing landscapes of this unique Royal Barge cruise on the Douro

Exceptional value for a journey of discovery from Istanbul to Ephesus via Troy, Pergamon and Bursa through ancient, Ottoman and Byzantine Turkey

In the scenic surrounds of Lakes Como, Lugano and Maggiore, beautiful villas and their bountiful gardens have inspired poets and painters, brilliant botanists, and dedicated designers. This is a week to enjoy the vibrant results of the visionary landscapers’ labours

A magical meandering around the intriguing sites, inviting islands, and inimitable scenery of the Croatian coast, this relaxing and refreshing cruise sees new horizons every day of its seven-night sail on a private Jules Verne small-ship, the elegant MV Admiral

From the “foodie’s favourite” city of Lyon to Beaujolais vineyards, Roman temples, the medieval towns of Provence, and the wild beauty of the Camargue, this river cruise is a tour through time and traditions, between the scenic banks of the Rhône and Saône

Explore Crete on a group walking holiday that takes in golden beaches lapped by turquoise waters, emerald olive groves, seaside villages and ancient ruins

Discover the treasures of the Dalmatian Coast on foot as you ramble from topaz shores and ancient port towns to snaking river gorges and fortress-topped peaks

An intriguing, astonishing, affecting introduction to Kraków and its surrounds, this short break spans its historical and cultural spectrum, from an ancient salt mine to a royal palace, medieval old town, spiritual sanctuary, Schindler’s factory, and Auschwitz Museum