ITINERARY
ITINERARY
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Palma, Majorca
Palma. Think leafy boulevards that echo with the stilettos of stylish shoppers. Tiny tapas bars tucked down narrow sidestreets. Architectural gold hidden in the historic…
Departs: 22:00
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Ajaccio, Corsica
Rugged peaks, emerald countryside, twinkling blue waters – Corsica’s been plucked from the prettiest postcard. Rising up from one of the most beautiful gulfs in the world…
Time in port: 08:00 - 16:00Show Top Things to Do
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Mini-Train & Mountain
Go off the beaten track and discover all Corsica’s best bits. The island’s scenery is nothing short of sensational. Think herby-green maquis, vineyards and sheer granite cliff faces - it’s about as far as you can get from the cosmopolitan buzz of the beach resorts. Your tour takes you on a drive through the mountains to Cricheto Pass. Before heading back to the ship you’ll board a little wheel train to get to grips with Corsica’s back country and learn all about herbs like sage, juniper and myrtle that make up the maquis.
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A Taste of Corsica
This trip is about as laid-back as it gets, with the focus falling very much on tradition. You’ll head through the outskirts of town, delving deep into the fragrant Corsican countryside. The first place you’ll come to is a winery where you’ll get chance to try the fruity local tipples. You can purchase a bottle or two of your favourites, then head off to a factory specialising in essential oils. If you thought the countryside smelled sweet, wait until you get to this place. The air is thick with the scent of natural oils and remedies, which you’ll see being made from local herbs and flowers. Moving on, you’ll stop off at a family-run nougat factory. Indulge your sweet tooth with a few chunks of this French fancy. You’ll get to see a step-by-step demonstration of how it’s made, too. Plus, if you’ve developed a taste for it, there’s time to buy the ones you like best before heading back to the ship.
Corsica's Natural Beauty
When beauty was handed out, it appears Corsica was at the front of the queue. For centuries, the island has drawn people based on its looks alone – and on this trip you’ll get to witness it for yourself. Leaving the port behind, you’ll venture into the spectacular Corsican countryside. The first thing you’ll probably notice is that a lot of the island’s covered in maquis. It’s a thick carpet of sweet-smelling flowers that’s earned Corsica the title ‘the scented isle’. Your first stop is Prunelli’s River Gorge, where red granite cliffs plunge dramatically into the river. Then you’ll carry on to the view point above the artificial lake of Tolla - the views will have you reaching for your camera. There’s time to take photos before you head back to the ship, passing through traditional hill villages on the way.
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Civitavecchia (for Rome), Italy
Few cities on earth have the power to bowl you over quite like Rome. Discover a city packed with historical wonder, artistic splendour and culinary temptation at every…
Time in port: 07:00 - 19:00Show Top Things to Do
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Rome - All In One Day
Similar to the Rome Express, this tour gives you the chance to visit all the major sites in Rome, this time you'll travel there in the comfort of a fully air-conditioned coach. On arrival to the Eternal City you’ll see famous sites like the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, Venice Square and of course, the ultimate symbol of Rome - the mighty Colosseum. After some free time to enjoy lunch, you’ll carry on to the Vatican City to see the famous St. Peter’s Square. Created by Bernini, it’s considered to be one of the most beautiful squares in the world. You’ll also find here the famous Basilica where St. Peter was buried. Renaissance masters such as Michelangelo, Raphael and Bernini worked on its design to create an unparalleled masterpiece. This is an ideal trip for first timers to Rome.
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Tuscania & Wine
You’ll breathe in the woody scent of cypress trees, feel the warmth of the sun on your skin, and sip sweet wine in a rustic family country house on this tour. You can also fill up on some of the Italians’ favourite foods, like bruschetta, olive oil and liver pâté, for example. The other half of the trip is spent in Tuscania, a medieval hamlet that’s enclosed by time-worn stone walls. Like Rome, it rises up from seven hills, and is surrounded by steep ravines. You’ll check out two of the local churches while you’re here. S. Maria Maggiore is an 8th-century structure that’s dotted with romantic statues and overlooked by a medieval clock tower. S. Pietro, meanwhile, was built between the 8th and 13th centuries, and boasts a huge domed roof and Romanesque columns that run along the front of it. There’ll be a guided tour of the village, which looks much like it did centuries ago.
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Taste of Rome
You’ll tick off some of Rome’s must-see sights on this tour. For starters, there’s the Colosseum. A huge mass of arches and columns, it once held crowds of up to 50,000 people who came to watch the gory gladiator battles in action. Venice Square takes that title the beating heart of ancient Rome. You’ll also tick off the Baths of Caracalla, the Pyramid of Caius Cestius, and leafy Villa Borghese Park. Your guide will fill you in on all the history as you make your way around the city. Later, you’ll have the whole afternoon to explore it at your own pace. You’ll be given a map and all the information you need before you head off. Spend some more time sightseeing, hit the shops, or just sit back in a café and watch the world go by.
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Livorno (for Florence and Pisa), Italy
Get ready to be impressed – this is your gateway to the dazzling riches of Florence and Pisa.
- A living monument to the Renaissance, Florence might be famous for…
Time in port: 07:00 - 19:00
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Florence & Pisa
The city of art, Florence has so much to offer, from grand old Renaissance churches to timeworn Medieval streets. An escort will accompany you to Florence, where you’ll start your guided visit. The city’s historical centre is now a pedestrian zone and this is where your sightseeing begins. Clap eyes on the orange-roofed Duomo and weave your way through the pretty maze of streets to the Gothic Old Palace with its ornate courtyard. You’ll get to see Ponte Vecchio, too, the only bridge in Florence to survive the World War II bombings. After that, you’ll have some free time to explore, whether you want to visit the famous galleries or just tuck into a tasty lunch in the sun. Then it’s time to head for your second city of the day – Pisa. Once you get here, it's approximately a 15minute walk to the Miracle Square to see the famous Leaning Tower, one of the most recognised sites in the world.
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Exclusive - Inside the Tower of Pisa
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is the prima donna of Italy’s architecture. This tipsy-looking tower began tilting during construction and it’s demanded constant attention ever since. On this trip, you’ll get the chance to go inside the temperamental-looking tower. A flight of 296 stairs leads to the top. When you reach the summit, you’ll be standing close to the spot where Galileo conducted some of his experiments into gravity. These tests were ground-breaking in every sense of the word. The scientist dropped 2 different sized balls off the top of the tower back in the 16th century to prove that their size didn’t affect how fast they fell. Once you’ve scaled the tower, you’ll have some free time in the square that surrounds it. The Campo dei Miracoli is postcard pretty and edged by souvenir stands where vendors sell Leaning Tower themed everything – from statues to chess sets. You’ll take the scenic route back to the port when you’ve finished exploring.
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Puccini Lake & Pisa
Drive towards the village of Torre del Lago overlooking the beautiful Lake of Massaciuccoli, where your boat trip begins. The lake itself forms part of a WWF protected area and it’s surrounded by eucalyptus trees, wild poplars, alders and tamarisks. Sit back and enjoy the boat trip as you sip a tipple of wine and listen to the sounds of famous Puccini operas. Later on, visit the villa of composer Giacomo Puccini and then carry on to Pisa to see one of the most recognisable sights in the world - the Leaning Tower, where Galileo conducted his gravity experiments. Here you’ll have some free time before you head back to Livorno.
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St Raphaël (for St Tropez and Cannes), France
St Raphael is the girl next door of southern France. Compared to its flashy cousins down the coast, it’s more of a shy and retiring kind of place. The town sits on the…
Time in port: 08:00 - 17:00 | Tender to shoreShow Top Things to Do
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Monaco & Monte Carlo On Your Own
On this tour we’ll take you to some of the French Riviera’s most glamorous cities, and – after arming you with a map – give you time to explore at your own pace. The first stop is Monaco and its Old Town that juts out on top of the 450-foot-tall Rock. Here, a domed cathedral and the stately Prince’s Palace share space with the Oceanographic Museum, which houses a king-sized aquarium. Plus, the views from the Rock are great, taking in the city, port, and sea. After a couple of hours of free time in the city, our next stop is Monte Carlo. The drive there shadows part of the Formula 1 track and finishes up in the heart of Casino Square, where the fountained gardens are permanently ringed with glitzy cars. Spend time browsing exclusive boutiques, or have a flutter at the casinos – they’ve starred in a couple of James Bond films.
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St Tropez by Boat
Half the fun of this trip is the journey – a guided boat tour that’ll take you to the heart of St Tropez. It trails the Riviera coast and its miniature coves and villages, before reaching St Tropez and its frontline of dusky pink houses. As we sail into the marina, keep an eye out for celebrities sunning themselves on sleek super yachts. For almost a century, St Tropez has been the playground for the rich and famous – Coco Chanel favoured it in the Twenties, while the likes of George Clooney and Jennifer Lopez drop by nowadays. Beyond the waterfront, the old town is a maze of streets and fountain-decorated squares where fishermen’s houses have been transformed into boutiques and restaurants. Start off your free time with our guided walk, or have the 2 hours to yourself before returning to St Raphael by boat.
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St Tropez & Port Grimaud
Follow in the footsteps of Hollywood royalty on our coach trip to St Tropez and Port Grimaud. The panoramic drive to St Tropez is the warm up – you’ll get a real taste of the French Riviera’s medieval towns and white-sand beaches. Once in St Tropez, we’ll take you on a walking tour. The place started life as a fishing village, and remained pretty anonymous until fashionistas like Coco Chanel and Brigitte Bardot started dropping by. Celebrities still gravitate to its exclusive marina, where super yachts jostle for space. The town’s kept its old-world charm, too – we’ll take you around the old district, a tangle of slim streets decorated with jasmine trellises and tiny squares. You’ll also have free time to browse the maze of boutiques, art galleries, and cafés. Then it’s on to Port Grimaud, a Venice-like village of alleys linked by canals and bridges, and lined with multi-coloured fisherman-style houses. Take a little boat ride here before visiting the village part of Grimaud for some free time before returning to the ship.
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Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona is up there with the most famous cities in the world, and for good reason. Sandwiched between the Mediterranean Sea and the Serra de Collserola hills, thisSpanish…
Time in port: 10:00 - 18:00Show Top Things to Do
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Barcelona City Highlights
Few cities of the world can boast such architectural richness and culture as the electrifying metropolis of Barcelona. This extensive tour of the city takes in many of the major highlights, including the Old Quarter and the city’s most eccentric landmark - Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia. Work on this church began in 1882 and still continues today. If you’re a first time visitor to Barcelona, don’t miss the chance to see it. Another ‘must see’ attraction you’ll visit is The Spanish Village, where you can see many examples of Spanish architecture. Enjoy the arts and crafts shops and spend some time shopping before taking a drive through Montjuic Gardens.
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Barcelona and Sagrada Famillia
Gaudi’s unfinished masterpiece – the Sagrada Familia – is the main feature on this trip. The towering basilica is still getting a few finishing touches, despite work starting more than 130 years ago. It’s got a UNESCO World Heritage tick, and is by far Barcelona’s most striking landmark. The rest of the day takes in the city’s remaining best bits, including the 1992 Olympic Stadium, which is perched on a hilltop. Once you’ve snapped a couple of panoramic pics, it’s only a short hop across to the National Art Museum of Catalonia. At the end of the day you’ll get to see the Passeig de Gracia, one of Spain’s most expensive streets, which features a couple more of Gaudi’s eye-catching designs.
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Barcelona Bike Tour
For a different way of exploring a port of call, try one of our bike tours. This way, you can really get to know a destination and see the places that bus tours can't reach. You'll be led around by a guide, who'll give you the lowdown on all the sights.
Palma, Majorca
Palma. Think leafy boulevards that echo with the stilettos of stylish shoppers. Tiny tapas bars tucked down narrow sidestreets. Architectural gold hidden in the historic…
Arrives: 06:00
