£2480pp—Sail the Med on a boutique ship, with drinks

2028 might feel a long way off—but you can find great savings by booking ahead. This 12-night package saves £499 against similar packages elsewhere. Start dreaming of golden cities, ancient ruins, and long, lazy lunches in the spring sun.

What's included

• Outbound flights to Rome and return flights from Lisbon, with 20kg checked baggage
• Private transfers throughout
• Two nights at the Starhotels Metropole Rome, in a Double or Twin Room, with breakfast
• A 10-night cruise on Azamara Quest, in an Inside Stateroom
• Select beer, wine, and spirits 24/7
• Speciality dining, with 24-hour room service
• Pre-paid gratuities
• AzAmazing Evening excursion

When
Fly from London Gatwick on 27 April, 2028.

Fly from London Heathrow, Birmingham, Edinburgh, or Manchester from an extra £149 per person.

For more information, visit our partner's website.

Itinerary highlights
First, spend two nights in a 4-star hotel less than five minutes' walk from the main station, Rome Termini. Explore the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Pantheon, or Vatican City. We highly recommend the city's delicious cacio e pepe pasta.

Next, transfer to Civitavecchia to board Azamara Quest. Highlights include:

• Olbia, Sardinia... this is the gateway to the Costa Smeralda. Go explore the turquoise coves, or stay in town to gorge on local seafood and Vermentino wine.
• Mahón, Menorca... this is one of the world's biggest natural harbours. Toast the view on deck with an (included) drink, then explore the labyrinthine old town.
• Palma, Mallorca... is crowned by a huge Gothic cathedral, La Seu. It's also great for discovering tiny tapas bars. We recommend lots of cheese and chorizo.
• Cartagena, Spain... is one of the country's best-preserved cities, with rich Roman heritage. Exploring the Roman theatre is like taking a trip through time.
• Málaga, Spain... Picasso's birthplace has something for everyone. There's a sandy beach, a world-class art museum, and a Moorish fortress. You'll stay late in port, perfect for lingering over dinner.
• Gibraltar... ride the cable car up The Rock to see the famous Barbary macaques. On clear days, you can see right across to Africa. Back on the ground, enjoy British pubs and tax-free shopping.
• Cádiz, Spain (two nights in port)... you get two days here so you can fully experience Andalusia. Visit gorgeous Seville or head into sherry country (excursions are chargeable). Evenings in old Cádiz are especially atmospheric.

Disembark in Lisbon and transfer straight to the airport for your flight home.

Ship details
Azamara Quest is a small ship, carrying just over 700 passengers at full capacity. The atmosphere onboard is friendly, calm, and grown-up. Passengers are mostly well-travelled, down-to-earth couples in their 50s and up. The size of the ship means you'll start to recognise faces in the first few days.

The fare covers all your meals and drinks, including select spirits, wines, beers, and speciality coffee. Dining and service are real highlights. Entertainment is relaxed and casual, with theatre shows, live music, and lectures. There's a quiet pool deck, a library, and free fitness classes.

As there are only nine decks, the ship is easy to navigate. Disembarking and tendering are quick, with no queues of thousands. You'll get longer in port than you would on other ships whenever possible, sometimes staying as late as 10pm.

Once per voyage, you'll leave the ship at night for an AzAmazing Evening. These exclusive events are held at special locations like castles and wineries. The details for this voyage are yet to be announced, but you're guaranteed a unique experience after-hours.

Transfers & baggage
Private transfers and 20kg checked baggage are included.