From mountainous Montenegro and eternally sunny Malta to civilization-shaping Greece and Italy, Europe and the Mediterranean pack a mighty punch when it comes to history, culture and nature. This is a tightly woven patchwork of languages and traditions, a lip-smacking larder of the most famous cuisines, a well-stocked cellar of the world’s finest wines. Not to mention the archaeological sites, Renaissance masterpieces, and architectural gems. One of the easiest – and most comfortable – ways to get under the skin of this incredibly diverse region is on a luxury Mediterranean cruise.

Spring is an excellent time to see the ancient-world glories of Greece: from the Minoan palaces and marbled Venetian harbour of Crete to the cliffside acropolis and temples of Rhodes. Cruise on to Istanbul – the vibrant city on the Bosphorus that links Europe and Asia – to explore its Ottoman heritage (the exquisite tiled interior of the Blue Mosque will take your breath away), Byzantine churches, and the soaring Grand Bazaar. The walled city of Dubrovnik in Croatia is impressive for its medieval majesty and irresistible for its laid-back lifestyle.

In big-hitting destinations such as France and Italy, the inside-track experiences provided by our Mediterranean cruises offer next-level immersion. It could be an after-hours visit to Rome’s Sistine Chapel, a farm-to-table experience with a local family in Tuscany, or a grandstand view of Formula 1 action at the Monaco Grand Prix. Early summer is also when the islands of the Mediterranean become an adventurer’s playground. There’s hiking through the fragrant maquis in Corsica, kayaking around the hidden coves of Menorca, and spelunking in a trio of underground caves in Mallorca.

Dip into Europe at its most sun-drunk with a high-summer hop around the Iberian Peninsula from Lisbon, famed for its cobbled streets and custard tarts, to Malaga, the birthplace of Picasso, and on to Barcelona’s madcap and marvellous Gaudí cityscape. Or why not take an autumn cruise in the Mediterranean along the lemon-scented Amalfi Coast (when the weather is still delightfully balmy but there are fewer crowds) to Sicily, with its Vespa-charged street life. You can even take a quick diversion to Tunis for a taste of Berber culture and shopping in the spice-laden souks – a sneak preview of Africa and horizons new.