After spending a week punting around the Mediterranean, I can vouch that Royal Clipper combines all the glamour and flare of a sea-going past with state-of-the-art technology and unashamed comfort for her 228 passengers.

If you are looking for a luxury holiday with a sense of real adventure then the trip, costing around £1,000 a head for a cabin and sublime on-board eating, is money very well spent.

My journey was on the summertime route majoring on calls to Spain's Catalonia and Balearic Islands.

Once you have your sea legs, there is something terribly exhilarating standing on the heaving deck in high winds as we skirted our first planned port-of-call at Portquerolles, on the Hyeres lslands.

Moving on to Majorca, we sailed into the impressive harbour in Palma where we had the option of water skiing, sailing, wind surfing or snorkelling from the marina platform at the stern.

All these facilities are free but, for an extra charge, you can take scuba diving lessons from the on-board qualified aqua sports team.

The less energetically inclined spent their time in the Captain Nemo underwater lounge watching the fun from the observation portholes.

And, if you really want to chill out, you could relax in the beauty parlour, the library or one of the three cocktail bars.

Personally, I opted for a visit to Palma's famous cathedral which was built to celebrate the defeat of the Moors by Jamie 1 of Aragon in 1229.

Our final port was San Tropez, on the French Riviera, where Briget Bardot was to make her home.

It certainly was a star-studded end to a journey on the new star of the Mediterranean - The Royal Clipper.

Cabins on the Royal Clipper start from £1,060, plus £115 port tax per person, including food and many water-based sporting activities.

There is a £530 supplement for single room occupancy.

Full details on the website: www.starclippers.co.uk and booking inquires through Fred Olsen Travel 01473-292229.

For the full story see this week's Leisure supplement in the Westmorland Gazette.