The Inaugural Cruise aboard Saga Pearl II

1 Southampton, England
Lying near the head of Southampton Water, a peninsula between the estuaries of the Rivers Test and Itchen, Southampton is Britain’s largest cruise port.
It has been one of England’s major ports since the Middle Ages, when it exported wool and hides from the hinterland and imported wine from Bordeaux. The city suffered heavy damage during World War Two and as a result the city centre has been extensively rebuilt.

2 Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon, Portugal
Set on seven hills on the banks of the River Tagus, Lisbon has been the inspiring capital of Portugal since the 13th century when the Moors were finally vanquished.
It is a city strewn with majestic architecture, old wooden trams, historic Moorish features and more than twenty centuries of history.
Following disastrous earthquakes in the 18th century, Lisbon was rebuilt by the Marques de Pombal who created an elegant city with wide boulevards and a great riverfront and square, Praça do Comércio.

3 Cartagena, Spain
Cartagena, Spain
A Mediterranean city and naval station located in the Region of Murcia, southeastern Spain, Cartagena has been the capital of the Spanish Navy’s Maritime Department of the Mediterranean since the arrival of the Spanish Bourbons in the eighteenth century.
As far back as the sixteenth century it was one of the most important naval ports in Spain, together with Ferrol in the North.
It is a walled town and has a fine harbour defended by forts. In the time of Philip II of Spain, it was a major naval seaport of Spain and is still the main military haven of the country.

4 Palma, Majorca
Palma
Set on the south coast of Majorca, Palma is the capital of the Balearic Islands. A vibrant city deservedly fitting its status, it has nonetheless managed to retain much of its traditional charm and culture.
Past settlers have left their mark on Palma and this is evident as you stroll around the city, particularly in sights such as the Arab baths and the Almudaina Palace. Indeed, the Balearic capital has a wealth of attractions, including the Bellver Castle which has dominated the skyline since the 14th century. But this is outclassed by the cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece which in its present form took almost 400 years to complete.
Undoubtedly one of Palma’s best features is the main promenade of Passeig d’es Born that is lined with plane trees and adorned with flowers. If you want to seek a little solace from city life, the beautiful Parc de Mar is built on several levels and its focal points are a man-made lake and a colourful mural by Joan Miro, one of the park’s designers.
It is not just history that gives Palma its charm. It is also a cultural centre and plays host to numerous concerts, while its variety of restaurants and multitude of bars mean there is always somewhere to relax and savour the special atmosphere of the city.

5 Valletta, Malta
Valletta, Malta
Malta’s capital city was built by the Knights of St John in 1565 and named after the French Grand Master of the Order, La Vallette. It is a great place to explore on foot as it’s full of historical sights and many shops, cafés and restaurants. St John’s Co-Cathedral is certainly worth a visit, its resplendent interior making it one of Malta’s most important treasures.
The city itself is a masterpiece of baroque architecture with narrow streets leading to pretty courtyards, and with fountains and statues dotted throughout, including Republic Square’s monument to Queen Victoria, an echo of British Imperial influence on the island. The Grand Harbour, one of the world’s deepest natural harbours, adds to Valletta’s charm and mystique.
Please note: The ship’s berth is at the bottom of a steep hill so you will need to walk uphill or take a taxi into the centre of Valletta. Current regulations prohibit tour vehicles from re-entering the port, which means you will be required to walk a maximum of 500 yards back to the ship.

6 Split, Croatia
Split
Croatia’s second largest city and Dalmatia’s regional capital is set between the Adriatic Sea and the rugged Dinaric Mountains. First put on the map by the Roman emperor Diocletian, who had a vast palace built here in AD305, the area was originally a Greek settlement known as Aspalathos. Diocletian’s palace is the best preserved palace from the Roman world and the drawings made by Scottish architect, Robert Adam, in 1757 significantly influenced Georgian architecture and the shape of cities such as London, Bath, Bristol and Edinburgh.
Following periods of Byzantine and Croat rule, the Venetians took control of Split in 1409, building Gripe Fort and surrounding the city with walls. This marked a prosperous and cultural era for the city and many Gothic, Renaissance and baroque buildings survive from this time. Between 1879 and 1918, Split was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, interspersed by a short period of Napoleonic rule. Left unscathed by the 1991/1992 war, Split is a lively, welcoming city, with lots of seafront cafes and several museums and galleries.

7 Venice, Italy
Venice
Located on the north-western side of the Adriatic, you moor in the enchanting city of Venice, famed for its romantic gondolas, Renaissance palaces and baroque churches. The city itself lies on an archipelago in a shallow, crescent-shaped lagoon and features some 160 canals crossed by over 450 bridges.
Immerse yourself in the lively, bustling atmosphere and go in search of its outstanding churches including the elaborate Basilica di San Marco, the beautiful Campanile di San Marco which offers spectacular panoramic views across the city, and San Giovanni in Bragora where the composer Vivaldi was once the organist.
There is also a wonderful choice of museums and galleries, from Accademia, Venice’s greatest art gallery, to the Naval Museum which displays Italy’s best collection of maritime artifacts and memorabilia. Famous landmarks of this great city are innumerable, but perhaps the best known is St Mark’s Square and elegant Rialto Bridge.

8 Dubrovnik, Croatia
Dubrovnik, Croatia
One of the most prominent tourist destinations on the Adriatic, Dubrovnik was founded by the Romans in the 7th century, when it was known as Ragusium. Back then it was the most important independent city state on the Adriatic after Venice.
Despite a devastating earthquake in the 17th century, most of the city’s Gothic, baroque and Renaissance churches and palaces survived. Damaged again in the 1990s by armed conflict, it is now the focus of a major restoration programme co-ordinated by UNESCO. With a distinct medieval character, the iconic red roofs of the old city are scattered across many cultural treasures, all ensconced within ancient city walls.
With marble-paved squares, fountains and magnificent buildings, this World Heritage Site is a pleasure to explore.

9 Corfu, Greece
Corfu, Greece
Corfu is the most popular of the Ionian islands. A verdant oasis, it has four million olive trees, orange and lemon groves, striking architecture, wonderful coastal scenery and secluded beaches.
Reputedly the island where the Argonauts found refuge from the avenging Cholchic fleet after they had acquired the Golden Fleece, it is also said to be the Homeric island of Scheria where the Phaeacians, seafaring people, hospitably received Odysseus on his return from Troy. This fertile island is 36 miles long, 15 miles at its widest part, and covered in pine, cypress and fields of flowers.
Corfu Town, the capital, is one of the most beautiful and elegant in Greece, particularly the architecture in the medieval Old Town and the Jewish quarter, which reflects a flavour of Venice and Naples.
There are many sights of interest on the island including the beautiful Achilleion Palace and gardens that have an idyllic setting overlooking the sea; the 13th-century Byzantine Monastery of Virgin Mary; picturesque villages and secluded coves with beautiful sandy beaches lapped by the Ionian Sea.
The novelist and poet Lawrence Durrell lived on Corfu with his younger brother Gerald, the author and zoologist who acquired a menagerie of assorted wild animals.

10 Trapani Sicily
Trapani
Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean with a distinct character and history. Conquered by the ancient Greeks, Romans and Arabs, it has a wealth of historic remains, together with many early towns and cities and a beautiful coastline. Trapani is one of the main cities on the west coast and its old town reflects its role as a centre for trade in medieval times. It is also ideally situated for visiting such sights as the Doric Temple of Segesta and the medieval town of Erice.

11 Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona is a stylish and dynamic city with an infectious party atmosphere and spectacular Mediterranean scenery. During the summer months the city is abuzz with festivities, and the sunshine can be enjoyed virtually throughout the whole year.
Barcelona has been home to many famous artists including Pablo Picasso, Joan Miró and the eccentric architect Antoni Gaudi, whose surprising and striking work can be seen throughout the city.
Look out for the beautifully coloured and detailed buildings, which seem to grow organically out of the ground.

12 Gibraltar
Gibraltar
Tagged on to the end of Iberia, the intriguing British outpost of Gibraltar is dominated by a sandy peninsula and the stunning 1,400-feet-high limestone Rock. Although small, Gibraltar has always been seen as having great strategic importance on account of its advantageous position where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean, just 12 miles from the coast of Africa.
Ever popular with British holidaymakers, Gibraltar is very much a home from home, boasting excellent duty-free shopping in many familiar British high street shops.
Please note: All coaches in Gibraltar are smaller 22-seat vehicles and are accompanied by a driver/guide. Due to new health and safety regulations scooters/wheelchairs and walking frames are not allowed on any of the vehicles under any circumstances.

13 Vigo, Spain
Vigo
Dating from Roman times, the Galician city of Vigo is home to a fine natural harbour. It was in this calm, fjord-like quay that the English and Dutch defeated the French and Spanish fleets in 1702.
Today, the attractive marinas stand in contrast to the industrialised areas of the city, while further exploration will reveal the characteristic 17th-century architecture and attractive countryside beyond. The charming Old Town is a delight, with its labyrinth of winding narrow streets and shady squares.
Nearby is Santiago de Compostela, one of Christendom’s most holy pilgrimage shrines, where a vast Gothic cathedral reputedly houses the body of St James the Apostle.

14 Southampton, England
Lying near the head of Southampton Water, a peninsula between the estuaries of the Rivers Test and Itchen, Southampton is Britain’s largest cruise port.
It has been one of England’s major ports since the Middle Ages, when it exported wool and hides from the hinterland and imported wine from Bordeaux. The city suffered heavy damage during World War Two and as a result the city centre has been extensively rebuilt.

Titan Travel have a reputation for innovative and enthralling escorted holiday itineraries, and through the guidance of their founding principles, “quality, service and value” which have remained unchanged since the 1970′s, their expertise and experience are second to none.

Titan Travel strive to ensure that aspect of their holidays whispers quality, before you fly, you get to appreciate a comfortable, chauffeur-driven transfer from your front door to the airport with our peerless VIP Home Departure Service, check-in assistance and complimentary porterage. All international flights are with world-renowned scheduled airlines and cruises with acclaimed operators. Touring holidays are expertly designed by the product team to present a comprehensive, imaginative introduction to the destination of choice yet still offer plenty of time for relaxation. The services of a tour manager or cruise manager are included throughout. When you return to the UK, you are met in the arrivals hall of the airport and shown to your VIP Home Departure Service vehicle, waiting to return you to your front door.

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