Western Mediterranean Cruise

Day 1 - Barcelona

Arrive: Mon 08 July 2024 / Depart: Mon 08 July 2024 at 17:00

It’s easy to see why Barcelona is the most-visited city in Spain. As the capital of the country’s Catalonia region, this cityscape’s cultural mosaic pieces together a 2,000-year-old hodge-podge of sun-drenched beaches, cutting edge architecture and a world-renowned dining and drinking scene. Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi left his modernist handprint all over the city, while medieval treasures linger in historic Gothic Quarter squares. Get lost in the whimsical gardens of Park Guell or savour a chef-led Catalan cooking class. Browse art collections dedicated to Picasso and Miro – or ride a cable car to the top of Montjuic Hill, relishing citywide views along the way.

Day 2 - Valencia

Arrive: Tue 09 July 2024 at 08:00 / Depart: Tue 09 July 2024 at 18:00

Spain's third largest city, Valencia offers a little bit of everything, from historic sites and bustling city squares to placid beaches. Soak up the sun at Malvarrosa Beach along the urban seafront, or head to El Saler for a more remote beach experience surrounded by white-sand dunes and pine trees. Cruise to Valencia and get your culture fix at Gothic Valencia Cathedral, and see the 15th-century renaissance paintings housed in its interior. Head to Plaza de la Reina in the city's old town and do some people-watching over a fresh glass of horchata, a classic Valencia beverage made from almond milk with cinnamon and spices, or take a picnic lunch of fresh pears and local cheese to the quiet Turia Gardens.

Day 3 - Cruising

Day 4 - Nice (Villefranche)

Arrive: Thu 11 July 2024 at 07:00 / Depart: Thu 11 July 2024 at 20:00

Although originally called 'Nakaia', France's Nice is as delightful as its name suggests to English speakers. Take a bus or taxi into Nice's Old City to explore its history-spanning architecture and pristine French Riviera beaches with your Nice cruise. Or stick closer to Villefranche-sur-Mer, where your ship will dock, and take a day-trip to the mountaintop town of Eze. No matter how you spend your time in the de facto hub of France's Cote d'Azur, you'll enjoy the added benefit of being close to Italy, which means delectable pizza, fragrant espresso and the sounds of a second Romance language.

Day 5 - Ajaccio

Arrive: Fri 12 July 2024 at 08:00 / Depart: Fri 12 July 2024 at 18:00

Located just south of France on the island of Corsica, Ajaccio is rich in history and astonishing views, all set in the sun-drenched Mediterranean climate. Napoleon is Corsica's most recognisable historical personality – when you're strolling through town, make sure to visit the Maison Bonaparte Napoleon's family home and a historical museum. Pop into the beautiful Baroque-style Notre Dame Cathedral, where Napoleon was baptised. Here, you'll also find important artwork by Tintoretto and Delacroix. Cruise to Corsica and hop on Le Petit Train, or 'the little train', for a tour of town. For a taste of nature, head out to the Calanques de Piana, a range of dramatic red-rock cliffs.

Day 6 - Florence/Pisa

Arrive: Sat 13 July 2024 at 07:00 / Depart: Sat 13 July 2024 at 20:00

Carrara is a city and comune in Tuscany, in central Italy, of the province of Massa and Carrara, and notable for the white or blue-grey marble quarried there. It is on the Carrione River, some 100 kilometres west-northwest of Florence. Its motto is Fortitudo mea in rota.

Day 7 - Portofino

Arrive: Sun 14 July 2024 at 07:00 / Depart: Sun 14 July 2024 at 18:00

The Italian Riviera's fishing village of Portofino has more to offer than the rows of brightly coloured houses that made it famous – this coastal town is also a destination for nature lovers eager to explore. Cruise to Portofino and hike through the Regional Park: Its lushly forested coastal paths look down dramatic cliffsides to the Mediterranean below. Or head to Portofino Marine Reserve, where you can kayak on the crystal-clear waters, taking in views of the quaint village as you paddle by under the weathered cliffs. Then, people-watch in one of Portofino's quaint piazzas, or head to nearby Cervara Abbey, an ancient monastery turned into a terraced garden.

Day 8 - Rome

Arrive: Mon 15 July 2024 at 06:00 / Depart: Mon 15 July 2024

Your gateway to the Eternal City, Civitavecchia has served as Rome's seaport since the 13th century. The port has a long and venerable history. The emperor Trajan built a pleasure villa near the modern city, while Bernini and Michelangelo designed the harbor fortifications. Yet the Eternal City eternally beckons. The ancient capital of the Western World and the center of Christianity for nearly 2,000 years, Rome provides an inexhaustible feast. Visit the ruins of the Forum, view the splendors of the Sistine Chapel, or climb the Spanish Steps, once the heart of Rome's Bohemian Quarter. Rome has been a magnet luring the world's greatest artists, architects, and philosophers since the days of the Caesars.