A mission to f ind the venetian treasures

SAIL THROUGH THE HEART OF VENICE WITH ONE OF THE ONLY LUXURY CRUISE LINES PERMITTED INSIDE, AND ENJOY AFTER-HOURS ACCESS TO ICONIC LANDMARKS

Think of the Cote d’Azur and you think of refined opulence; F Scott Fitzgerald, Tender is the Night, Brigitte Bardot, Cannes Film Festival; glitz, glamour. The reality if you actually drive there is v

No matter how many photographs you see of the magnificent Duomo in Florence, nothing prepares you for the real thing. Turn the corner into Cathedral Square and the huge confection of pink, white and g

Indulge in lakeside strolls, boat adventures and picture-perfect views

Steam rises in plumes, roaring from fissures in rocks, while around me, pools of mud bubble. The hillsides are rusted with iron ore, and dark storm clouds echo the colours of the dark-coloured earth.

After exploring the Ionian, Gwynneth and Andrew Page wanted more challenging sailing. They opted to join a flotilla exploring the Saronic Gulf