Lose yourself in three of Europe’s most enchanting countries on this 9 Nights Italian Riviera & France Cruise. Start your adventure in the ancient city of Rome. Visit the Naples, Florence and Santa Margherita before crossing to France to tour Cannes and Marseille. Conclude this European cursing adventure exploring the vibrant streets of Barcelona.
Summary
Day 1: Rome, Italy
Day 2: Naples, Italy
Day 3: At Sea – Cruising
Day 4 -5: Florence/Pisa (La Spezia), Italy
Day 6: Santa Margherita, Italy
Day 7: Cannes, France
Day 8: Provence (Marseille), France
Day 10: Barcelona, Spain
Details
Day 1: Rome, Italy
Rome, Italy: Civitavecchia was established in 108 A.D. by the Emperor Trajan. Since then, it has served faithfully as a gateway to Italy’s capital city, Rome. This city was one the center of the Ancient World from which emperors ruled over nearly all of western civilization and it is still a cultural mecca.
Only very few cities in the world can boast such a well-preserved level of architecture, art, and religious iconography. There is a massive wealth of culture and history to explore on a cruise to Rome.
You will visit the ancient halls of the 50,000-seat Colosseum, gaze upon the ceilings of Sistine Chapel in the city of Vatican and take a leisurely walk to the Capitoline Museum. Roman culinary expertise is well respected and beloved the world over. Enjoy an authentic pizza, hearty bowls of fresh pasta, excellent wines, cheeses, seafood, and delightful desserts like gelato and tiramisu at family-run trattorias that have been making these traditional dishes for centuries.
Walk the cobblestoned piazzas making en route to narrow side streets where you are sure to find craftsman beautiful boutiques and shops full of filled gorgeous handmade homewares and accessories for keepsakes and souvenirs.
Day 2: Naples, Italy
Bordered by Mount Vesuvius along a dramatic skyline, the 2,800 year-old port city of Naples is full of historical sites, churches, and museums that make it a fascinating place for you to tour. For all of the notoriety and reputation Rome, Naples, with its historic city center deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has just as many important archeological sites and landmarks.
Tour Museo Archeologico Nazionale for a world-class collection of Graeco-Roman and Egyptian artifacts. And, if you would like to venture a little deeper on your Naples cruise, then you must explore Naples from below the ground.
Begin with a trip into the basement of the San Lorenzo Maggiore church where you will encounter a partially excavated Roman market and a little deeper, just below the Roman ruins, you will discover remnants from the Greeks.
And in the area where pizza was first invented, you know the food is going to be incredible. Whether you are looking for a thin, wood-fired Margherita pie, spaghetti alle vongole or a zeppole dusted with confectioner’s sugar, Naples and her bountiful edible treasures is sure to please. Only 35 miles down the coast, Salerno offers a rich history, but also boasts a marvelous collection of parks, natural wonders, and unique vantage points to take in the beauty of the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Day 3: At Sea -Cruising
During your time at sea, take the time to refresh before the next adventure. You can relax by the pool, be spoiled at the spa, taste the delicacies or discover the venues on-board, until you reach the next amazing destination.
Day 4 -5: Florence/Pisa (La Spezia), Italy
La Spezia is located between Pisa and Genoa and just minutes to the east of Cinque Terre-the five fishing ports that enjoy National Park status. The town is home to the Palio del Golfo, an annual boat race that sees the Gulf of Poets; 13 historic villages face off against one another in celebration of the annual Festa del Mare. The town also offers fantastic shopping opportunities, as well as plenty of trattorias to enjoy local, Ligurian cuisine
Day 6: Santa Margherita, Italy
The Town of Santa Margherita is situated in the middle of the Italian Riviera. The town is less than 4 miles from Portofino and it is just as beautiful. It is large enough to offer something for everybody while still maintaining a small-town feeling.
Stroll along the palm lined harbor, tour the marina, or relax at the beach. This attractive seaside town features restaurants, bars, cafe, gelaterias (you have to try the gelato here), and shops that line the harbor and face the sea.
When you tour Santa Margherita on a cruise, you will have a great selection of shore excursions to choose from. You will be transported to the three most luxurious holiday resorts in three incredible places – Santa Margherita, Rapallo and Portofino, where you will soak in the Italian Riviera sun, the lush landscapes, and the magnificent architecture.
Or, join a tour to Cinque Terre where seaside cliffs and terraced vineyards are the norm and the cozy villages of Cinque Terre are nestled comfortably among them. Whatsoever you decide to do, you are sure to have an in-depth, authentic experience.
Day 7: Cannes, France
Cannes personifies the charismatic French Riviera, with its long boardwalks, massive yachts anchored in the harbor, and sunny plazas. It features a pleasant climate, deep blue Mediterranean waters, and views of the magnificent Alps in the distance.
This France’s City has an alluring retreat for wealthy aristocrats since the mid-1800s. Today, the once small fishing village is world-famous for its luxurious shopping and annual film festival. This indisputable playground for the rich is the perfect locale to splurge and pamper you accordingly on your French Riviera cruise.
And as you walk along the palm-shaded Promenade de la Croisette, you will encounter a wealth of boutiques filled with attractive haute couture and deluxe garments for delightful keepsakes and souvenirs. A short distance away from the promenade you can pick up a few provisions at the March Forville, a great indoor food market with a fine selection of the freshest oysters, French cheeses, bread, olives, and much more for a ravishing lunch on the beach.
Afterward, hop a ferry to both Sainte-Marguerite and Saint-Honorat Islands for some light hiking or visit Fort Royal where the story of the Man in the Iron Mask originated.
Day 8: Provence (Marseille), France
Take a leisurely walk in the France’s charming oldest city – along La Canabiere toward the Vieux Port where ships have docked for more than 26 centuries, or in Cours Julien, a large pedestrian square lined with some of Marseille’s trendiest theatres. And of course, no tour to Marseille would be complete without tasting its most well-known dish – bouillabaisse.
Day 9: At Sea -Cruising
While at sea, take your time to recharge before the next adventure. Relax by the pool, be spoiled at the spa, taste the delicacies or explore the venues on-board, until you arrive at the next amazing destination.
Day 10: Barcelona, Spain
Previously a sleepy Spanish city, Barcelona has lately been reborn as an eclectic fusion of the modern and medieval. This seaside city displays European charm and welcomes flocks of travelers every year. It is a key destination with must-see architectural gems that date back some 2,000 years. You will encounter captivating examples from the Roman Empire, the Middle Ages, the Modern masters like Gaude and many Catalonian greats.
Exceptional art museums can be found throughout Barcelona, proudly displaying the works of world-renowned artists and countrymen, including Pablo Picasso and Goya. For a respite from the hustle and bustle of the Barcelona city center, venture to the awaiting Mediterranean Sea and all the seaside has to offer.
Round out your cruise to Barcelona dining at a tapas bar and savor a variety of delicious small dishes to share – from traditional Spanish to the more innovative.
End Of 9 Nights Italian Riviera & France
Note: Price is per person and applies to the lowest available fare stateroom category, based on double-occupancy and is subject to change.
Your Package Includes:
- Shipboard accommodations
- Entertainment
- Daily activities
- On-board meals
Your Package Excludes:
- Shore excursions
- Personal expenses
- Port charges
- Taxes and fees
- Visa
- Travel insurance
- International flight