Escape to the Med this autumn to explore historic cities and ancient ruins onboard Swan Hellenic’s (www.swanhellenic.com) recently refurbished mv Minerva.

Highlights of the 15-day The Mediterranean World cruise include a visit to the ruined city of Pompeii (Italy), the chance to explore Lucca (Italy) - the town of Puccini’s birth – as well as trips to the famous leaning tower of Pisa and the Tunisian port of call Sousse, famous for the imprints left by Phoenicians, Romans, Byzantines and Arabs throughout its colourful history.

Renowned experts in archaeology, ornithology and Carthaginian history will be joining passengers onboard and providing lectures throughout the cruise.

The Mediterranean World cruise starts from £1,695 per person (based on two people sharing an inside cabin). The cruise departs from Naples (Italy)-overnight and calls at Livorno (Italy), Civitavecchia (Italy), Alghero (Sardinia), Palermo (Sicily), Trapani (Italy), La Goulette (Tunisia), Sousse (Tunsia) and Valletta (Malta) before arriving into Piraeus (Athens, Greece)-overnight for the flight back to the UK.