Step aboard in Southampton & straight into that holiday feeling. No flights, no hassle. Just the excitement of the days ahead and the promise of memorable moment. So, relax and raise a toast as the UK drifts from sight. Before you know it, you’ll be watching your destination come into view. But where will it be ?

Lush botanical gardens and superbly landscaped terraces adorn the hills above the capital. Settle down in a local café and soak up the scenery with a perfectly chilled glass of fortified wine – an island speciality.

La Isla Bonita’ La Palma is one of the smaller of the seven Canary Islands. Its capital, Santa Cruz de la Palma, is a picturesque harbour set on the eastern side of this charming volcanic formation. The island’s landscape is one of black sand beaches, mountainous terrain and rich plant life, with the average temperature hardly changing all year round.

Take a deep breath. Can you smell bananas or pineapples? They are grown in the plantations which are just for a short ride away from the beautiful beach resorts and lively town centre of the island.

This almost perfectly circular isle is known for its historic towns and an incredible diversity of scenery. This includes its sandy south, where golden beaches extend back into desert-like dunes. Its capital, Las Palmas, on the northwest of the island, was a stopping-point for Columbus on his 1492 adventure to the New World. The ornate former governor’s house in the historic Vergueta district, where it’s claimed he stayed while his ships were repaired, is now a museum in his honour.

It’s easy to understand why the island of Lanzarote is so popular. Fire Mountain and the curious vineyards of Le Geria amid the volcanic island scenery are just some of the many highlights that await. Timanfaya National Park is a vivid volcanic showcase, where water poured into boreholes, hisses back out as steam and you can feast on a smorgasbord of specialities, cooked by heat from Earth’s core.

Portugal’s capital spreads its ancient sites on seven hills overlooking the Tagus River. Atop the highest hill, St. George’s Castle overlooks the city. Balconies ablaze with geraniums and wrought iron lamps light up the medieval Alfama quarter. Sorrowful fados ring out from cafés in the Alto. Shoppers browse in the affluent Chiado district. A short drive away, deposed royalty once lived out their days in the opulent palaces of Estoril and Sintra.

Step aboard in Southampton & straight into that holiday feeling. No flights, no hassle. Just the excitement of the days ahead and the promise of memorable moment. So, relax and raise a toast as the UK drifts from sight. Before you know it, you’ll be watching your destination come into view. But where will it be ?