BONIFACIO, CORSICA

Perched atop dramatic white limestone cliffs that plunge down into turquoise waters, this historic town at the southern tip of Corisca has become in recent years a favoured destination of the world’s cognoscenti looking to relax.

While its imposing cliffs are supposed to have once harboured Odysseus – and the race of malevolent giants he encountered – Bonifacio has long since become a laid-back beach town with excellent cuisine and maritime antique shops.

While you’ll dock in the fjord-like harbour inlet, plan to spend most of your time in the Haute Ville, the upper part of the city, which sits on the site of a 9th-century citadel. Climb up the 187 steps to the top of the city, if you’re feeling athletic, and meander through the quiet streets, lined with homes and shops untouched for centuries. Savour traditional Corsican specialties at Cantina Doria, swim in the crystal-clear waters off the quiet beaches, and stock up on medieval maps at antique stores like Mer et Découvertes. When you move on, swing by the small Isles Lavezzi, the southernmost part of France.