South of France & Corsica

Malaga is a city that is rich in history and culture – located on the shores of the Mediterranean, it is the birthplace of Pablo Picasso, and his childhood spent here is reflected in many of the recurring themes of his paintings, including flamenco and bulls. Known as the olive capital of the world, the Andalusian region accounts for 35% of the olives produced in the EU and are closely monitored by officials from the regional government.

Originally constructed in 223 B.C by the Carthaginians, Cartagena is immersed in ancient history and has been through some incredibly turbulent times. Its heyday was during the Roman era, and there are several archaeological sites in the city, many only discovered when built over in recent years. The first of these sites to be discovered was the Roman Theatre, which held 6,000 spectators; and other sites including the Baths and the Augsteum.

Corsica’s island capital of Ajaccio is a charming and captivating city with tree-lined boulevards and narrow streets adorned with pastel-painted houses that meet at wide-open squares offering vistas of the blue waters of the Mediterranean. Restaurants, bistros, and cafés spill out onto the pavements, and the historic centre of Place Foch is a popular place to sit and watch the world go by. Famously the birthplace of the French Emperor, Napoleon Bonaparte, his legacy still lies at the very heart of Ajaccio’s identity, with monuments, streets, squares, hotels, bistros, bars, and even the airport bearing his name, almost 250 years after his birth.

With a beautiful natural harbour and surrounding hills topped by forts, Toulon has long been one of France’s main maritime centres. In the old town, close to the harbour, the Romanesque Cathédrale Sainte-Marie-Majeure dates from the 11th and 12th centuries.

Located along the Mediterranean coast, close to the Spanish border, Port-Vendres boasts a scenic harbour full of vibrantly coloured fishing boats, framed by rugged cliffs and sandy coves, and has a strong Catalan influence. Locally caught fresh seafood and regional delights like crema catalana are complemented by fortified wine Banyuls-sur-Mer, produced close to Port-Vendres. The town has served as a trading and fishing port for centuries and has a rich maritime history, intricately woven into its economy, culture and cuisine, which can be seen on visits to Fort Bear and the natural harbour area.

Nestled between Europe and Africa, iconic Gibraltar makes for a fascinating visit with its traditionally British red pillar boxes, fish and chip shops, and even Marks & Spencer, but with a delightful blend of Spanish and Mediterranean influences. After wandering through the town and indulging in duty-free shopping at Main Street, you are perfectly placed to explore the Rock and enjoy unrivalled views across to Africa, Spain, and over the Straits of Gibraltar, as well as meet the famously mischievous Barbary macaques, Europe’s only wild monkey population. There will be opportunities to sample local dishes like calentita (chickpea flour bread) and rosto (a delicious meat and tomato pasta). You may also wish to discover the network of tunnels within the Rock, which played a strategic role in World War II.