The Mediterranean stretches more than 2,200 miles from the 22 mile wide straits of Gibraltar to the Black Sea in the east and the Suez canal in the south east.

It offers a seductive mix of cultures, geography and history all in a beautiful climate and has been called "the cradle of civilisation".

The Greeks, Romans and Egyptians all built their empires around the Mediterranean and have left behind some of the world's most spectacular buildings including the Pyramids, the Acropolis and the Coliseum.

Some of the greatest art collections in the world are housed in Italy while another ancient centre of art and learning, Istanbul, bridges the gap which divides Europe and Asia.

The area is full of diverse cultures and contrasts, from the sophistication of the Cote d'Azur to the hustle and bustle of Egyptian street markets.