Adriatic Luxury Cruises

Tucked into the deepest channel of the Bokor Kotorska (also Europe's most southerly fjord) and backed by imposing mountains, the tiny Bay of Kotor in Montenegro lies hidden from the open sea. To many, this town is more charming than its sister UNESCO World Heritage Site, Dubrovnik, retaining more authenticity, but with fewer tourists and spared the war damage and subsequent rebuilding which has given Dubrovnik something of a Disney feel.

Considered by many as the Pearl of the Adriatic, the city of Dubrovnik is the historic town of your fantasies. Nestled right at the southern tip of Croatia with Bosnia and Herzegovina to the north and Montenegro to the east, Dubrovnik’s tumultuous history, amazing architecture and miles of stunning coastline make it a bucket list destination extraordinaire. The perfect jumping off point for visiting the 1,200 Dalmatian Islands, make the most of the diverse cultural identity of this fortified city that has everything from UNESCO World Heritage Sites to lapping turquoise waters.

Up until the end of World War I, Trieste was the only port of the vast Austro-Hungarian Empire and therefore a major industrial and financial center. In the early years of the 20th century, Trieste and its surroundings also became famous by their association with some of the most important names of Italian literature, such as Italo Svevo, and English and German letters. James Joyce drew inspiration from the city's multiethnic population, and Rainer Maria Rilke was inspired by the seacoast west of the city

Venice is a city unlike any other. No matter how often you've seen it in photos and films, the real thing is more dreamlike than you could imagine. With canals where streets should be, water shimmers everywhere. The fabulous palaces and churches reflect centuries of history in what was a wealthy trading centre between Europe and the Orient. Getting lost in the narrow alleyways is a quintessential part of exploring Venice, but do not miss out on a coffee or an aperitif in Piazza San Marco. Venezia, ti amo.

Although Albania does not immediately spring to mind when talking about the Mediterranean Rivieras, the pretty port of Sarande has everything to rival St. Tropez and Portofino. Just a 20-minute boat ride to Corfu, Sarande (Sarandë in Albanian) benefits from a fledgeling tourist infrastructure that strikes a delicate balance between cosy local authenticity and mass-market tourism (Corfu Town, we are looking at you).