Cuba Transatlantic to the Adriatic - M240506 Braemar departing 27 Feb 2024

Havana, the capital city, major port, and leading commercial centre of Cuba, is famed for its colonial history and vibrant culture.The city is home to exquisite Spanish colonial architecture, classic American cars, irresistible rhythms of mambo and a confusing jigsaw of grand avenues and cobbled streets.

A stroll around Habana Vieja, Old Havana, quickly reveals the audacious Latin atmosphere within the imposing coastal fortifications and intimate, traffic-free squares. At its centre, the buildings reflect the city’s vivacious architectural mix: the Castillo de la Real Fuerza, the iconic National Capitol Building, the Baroque Catedral de San Cristóbal, and the Plaza Vieja are all worth the effort to uncover.

The art culture is one of the city’s biggest revelations, and Cuban creativity is accessible through the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, the Fusterlandia public art project and the Fábrica de Arte Cubano, which champions the movement of Havana’s more contemporary art scene. Show lessThe city is awash with experimentation, exemplified by the explosion of uber cool cafes and Bohemian bars.Columbus believed this was the most beautiful land he’d ever seen, and it’s hard not to agree given Cuba’s 2,000 miles of tropical coastline, lush mountains and some 300 beaches that melt into azure seas.

Havana, the capital city, major port, and leading commercial centre of Cuba, is famed for its colonial history and vibrant culture.The city is home to exquisite Spanish colonial architecture, classic American cars, irresistible rhythms of mambo and a confusing jigsaw of grand avenues and cobbled streets.

A stroll around Habana Vieja, Old Havana, quickly reveals the audacious Latin atmosphere within the imposing coastal fortifications and intimate, traffic-free squares. At its centre, the buildings reflect the city’s vivacious architectural mix: the Castillo de la Real Fuerza, the iconic National Capitol Building, the Baroque Catedral de San Cristóbal, and the Plaza Vieja are all worth the effort to uncover.

The art culture is one of the city’s biggest revelations, and Cuban creativity is accessible through the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, the Fusterlandia public art project and the Fábrica de Arte Cubano, which champions the movement of Havana’s more contemporary art scene. Show lessThe city is awash with experimentation, exemplified by the explosion of uber cool cafes and Bohemian bars.Columbus believed this was the most beautiful land he’d ever seen, and it’s hard not to agree given Cuba’s 2,000 miles of tropical coastline, lush mountains and some 300 beaches that melt into azure seas.

Amongst the 700 islands and 2,500 cays of the Bahamas (whose name derives from the Spanish ‘baja mar’, or ‘shallow water’) is the tiny Bimini group, lying about 40 miles off the Florida coast. Their crystal seas – amongst the clearest in the world – peaceful mood and dazzling white beaches are the Bahamas at their best, with wonderful swimming and fishing.

The pretty waterfront capital of Hamilton has an effortless elegance that epitomises the gracious mood of Bermuda itself. Britain’s oldest colony, formed by seven Gulf Stream-warmed Atlantic islands linked by bridge and causeway, forms a picture-book setting of pink sand beaches, pastel-coloured colonial-style houses, sparkling inlets and waterways – and a maximum speed of 20mph.

Since their discovery in the early 15th century, the Portuguese Azores have played an important part in oceanic navigation. They were a logistical point for the discovery of new worlds; a port of call for ships engaged in trade between Europe, America and India; and a place to lay anchor for the galleons bringing the wealth of the Americas back to the old world.

One of Western Europe’s most ancient cities, founded 3,000 years ago by Phoenician merchants, Cadiz hugs Andalucia’s sunlit Atlantic coast. It’s a historic and intriguing seaport-from which Spain’s galleons once sailed in quest of New World treasure – characterised by palm trees, look out towers and weathered old buildings. From here you can visit Jerez de la Frontera, centre of Spain’s sherry production, and put to the test the creations of its many bodegas!

The busy port city of Andalusia, the Spain of gazpacho and paella, flamenco and fiesta, recaptured from the Moors of the 15th century after 800 years of conflict. Enjoy the panorama from Gibralfara Castle, and visit the Moorish Alcazaba fortress, the birthplace of Picasso, and a wine cellar to try the famous local dessert wines. Or travel to Granada, to the glorious Alhambra, whose proud 14th century palaces and exotic gardens are Spain’s finest expression of Moorish art.

Today Spain’s major commercial port and naval base, Cartagena lies on the coast of Murcia, its great indented bay guarded by rocky promontories, each topped by a fort. Founded in 221 BC by Hasdrubal, leader of the Carthaginians (hence the name) from North Africa, it has a fascinating history – and as Nova Carthage was long the Romans’ principal settlement in their Iberian stronghold. Attractive promenades extend along the harbour, while to the northeast is the famous beach and watersports resort area of the lagoon-like Mar Menor.

An extremely busy highway of seafaring traffic, this narrow waterway is seen as being key to the economic success of Messina The currents, whirlpools, and winds of the strait, which still hamper navigation, gave rise in ancient times to many legends about its dangers to navigators.

Crotone is a port city in Calabria, southern Italy. The monumental Castello di Carlo V is a 9th-century fortress that was modified in the 1500s. The National Archaeological Museum houses items, including a gold tiara, unearthed at the ancient Temple of Hera Lacinia in the nearby Capo Colonna Archaeological Park.

Durrës is a port city on the Adriatic Sea in western Albania, west of the capital, Tirana. It’s known for its huge Roman amphitheater. Nearby is a 9th-century church with mosaic-covered walls. The Archaeological Museum displays pieces from the Greek, Hellenistic and Roman periods.

The Old City is a highly preserved example of life in the Middle Ages, and the medieval architecture there has ensured its place as a UNESCO listed ‘World Natural and Historical Heritage Site’.

In the heart of Dalmatia, the largest Croatian city on the Adriatic coast dates back to the days of Diocletian. The old town is built around the harbour and much of the old city remains to this day. A visit to the Roman Palace of Emperor Diocletian is well worth a visit. Other notable site include the cathedral; the Temple of Jupiter; the Golden Gate; the Silver Gate; and Peristyle Square.

There’s no mistaking the past wealth and proud spirit of this ‘Jewel of the Adriatic’, perched on Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast. An independent city-state for 600 years until conquered by Napoleon, Dubrovnik survives, despite recent events, as one of Europe’s best preserved medieval cities – a timeless architectural showpiece, whose graceful churches and cloisters, palaces and fountains, mellow Baroque facades and encircling ancient walls, all seem more stage set than reality.

Strategically situated midway between Sicily and North Africa, Malta is in every sense a Mediterranean crossroads – a tiny island with an epic and heroic history in which invasion and siege have seen the influence Romans, Phoenicians, Greeks, Arabs, Normans, Crusaders and, of course, Britain all leave an enduring mark upon its cultural heritage. The16th century walled capital of Valletta with its Grand Harbour is a treasure-chest bristling with Baroque architecture, its narrow streets a tempting honeycomb of colourful shops and stalls.