The magic of the Med: Explore Tuscany and Provence on a luxury cruise

Lucca is the highlight of the week. This glorious Tuscan town is the birthplace of opera’s famous son, Puccini. 

“He smoked 80 cigars each day!” says our guide. “And then he died, mysteriously.” Cue, gales of laughter as we drive past cloud-shaped umbrella pines, then stroll Lucca’s three-mile greenbelt, the tree-lined boulevard that tops the city’s ramparts.

We marvel at the lovely views over spindly marble bell towers, private gardens and sun-dappled small piazzas where families gather.

Later, in Cenaia, a small village near Pisa, we enjoy a horse-drawn carriage tour of the Torre a Cenaia vineyard, before tasting some of their best wines. It is the perfect accompaniment to tagliatelle with wild boar sauce served up by a cheery Italian mama.

“You want more?” she asks, slapping down another steaming bowlful. Not that we needed more.

The food on Azamara Journey includes plenty of themed buffets, from Indian to antipasti and authentic pasta dishes.

For a small surcharge, we can tuck into delicious steaks in Prime C restaurant, and Mediterranean seafood specialities such as bouillabaisse and perfectly grilled sea bass in the elegant Aqualina restaurant.

The atmosphere and deco on board resembles a large country club: comfortable lounges and squashy recliners on deck and dark wood furniture throughout.

Most drinks are included, so too, tips. That means you can splash out on a glass of Moët when in port, and in Monte Carlo’s highly ornate casino I do exactly that.

Not exactly a snip at €20 but I’d expected to pay more.

Being on a small ship means we can dock right next to the sleek billionaire yachts in Monaco’s deep water Port Hercule. From here it’s a short stroll to the old town.