Spectacular sights, sumptuous scenery and four very varied cities are the hallmarks of this splendid journey, visiting China’s highlights from Beijing to Shanghai, from the Great Wall to the Terracotta Warriors, and including a cruise through Yangtze River gorges

A veritable feast of Greek and Roman monuments vie for attention amid the Norman, Phoenician and Saracen landmarks of Sicily’s cultural heritage. The island’s astonishing wealth of well-preserved sites bring the ancient past to life and make this our top tour in Italy

Explore the Christian and Ottoman heritage of Istanbul (formerly Byzantium and Constantinople) including a Bosphorus cruise and visits to palaces, mosques, churches and bazaars, staying in historic hotels

A wonderfully relaxing week, on and around Lake Garda, this beautiful ‘breather’ is a well-balanced blend of unhurried touring and time at leisure. Tranquillity reigns around the lake, and charming towns add culture and character

A fabulous ‘return to Egypt’ for those who have seen its most famous sites, this cruise focuses on the less-visited length of the Nile, between Cairo and Luxor, travelling through tranquil scenery to unsung tombs, temples, and towns, off the tourist track

Explore the scenic splendour and spiritual aura of Nepal, from Himalayan gorges to Hindu temples, and from the birthplace of Buddha to Chitwan’s wildlife and lakeside Pokhara

Cruising the Douro from its mouth on the Atlantic to its crossing into Spain, with daily excursions to medieval towns, majestic palaces, port wine cellars, and vineyard valley landscapes, this beguiling journey includes visits to Guimarães, Lamego, and Salamanca

Sailing on a stylish river cruiser of the famous CroisiEurope fleet, this vibrant and varied tour takes you from the ‘streets of water’ in Venice, across the island-dotted lagoon, and along the Canal Bianco for excursions to Padua, Mantua and romantic Verona

With five nights in Florence, a feast of art and architecture, an insight of medieval life under Medici rule, and every romantic, Renaissance monument within walking distance, this tour combines detailed discovery with ample time to enjoy the city on the Arno River

There really is a sense of African adventure on this enthralling expedition, which takes you off the beaten track to the Kalahari Desert camp of Nxai Pan, to the watery wilderness of isolated Pom Pom Island

Cruise the Garden of Eden on this unique island-hopping voyage through the paradise isles of the Seychelles archipelago, uncovering white sandy beaches and incredible wildlife. From dots on the map in Ste. Anne Marine Park, to the diversity on lively Mahé, discovering the culture and nature of this Creole nation

Follow in the footsteps of Flaubert and Tennyson, Julius Caesar and Queen Victoria, to enjoy the timeless elegance of Lake Como, where flower-filled gardens and pastel-painted villages punctuate the shore, set against the stunning backdrop of the Southern Alps