Mediterranean Secrets

Kora La

You’ll feel like you’ve switched continents when you dine at this restaurant. It offers a pan-Asian selection of curries and noodle dishes, a separate sushi menu, plus bespoke dishes created by master chef Ian Pengelley exclusively for Marella Cruises. This is one of the ship's speciality restaurants, so there's a charge to dine here – plus, we recommend you make a reservation in advance.

Tapas @ The Mediterranean

You’ll be whisked to sunny Spain when you dine in this section of The Mediterranean, which specialises in tapas dishes for dinner. Or you can take your taste buds over to Portugal and try espetadas – meat or veg skewers – for a little extra. It's open at lunchtime, too, for light bites, like sandwiches and jacket potatoes.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa

Leave La Spezia in the afternoon and enjoy the gorgeous Tuscan countryside en route to Pisa. The drive will take around an hour and when you get to the coach park you’ll walk to Miracle Square. Here, your guide will be waiting to greet you before leading you on a walking tour of the ‘Campo dei Miracoli’, one of the most beautiful squares in the world. See the 13th-century cathedral with its Tuscan-Romanesque facade and its interior, thought to be Muslim inspired. Check out the Baptistery, built between 1153 and 1278. And, of course, clap eyes on one of the most recognisable sights in the world - the Leaning Tower of Pisa, where Galileo conducted his gravity experiments. After your guided tour, enjoy some time to yourself before meeting up with your escort and returning to the ship.

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Florence & Pisa

The city of art, Florence has lots to offer, from grand old Renaissance churches to timeworn Medieval streets. An escort will accompany you to the city, where you’ll meet your official guide. The 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 galleries or just enjoy a bowl of linguine in the sunshine. Afterwards, you’ll head for your second city of the day – Pisa. This place is home to the famous Leaning Tower, which is up there with iconic landmarks like Big Ben and the Statue of Liberty.

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Scenic Elba

You’ll wave Portoferraio goodbye as we head off for a panoramic tour of this beautiful Mediterranean isle, making short stops to admire the beautiful bays of Biodola and Procchio. Our first main stop is at the charming old fishing town of Marina di Campo. You’ll have time to explore its pretty port, painted houses and Pisan tower, which was once used as a watch point. From here, we’ll drive along the south coast road, with another short stop to take photos of the bays of Lacona, Laconella and Golfo Stella. We’ll then take you to Porto Azzurro where you’ll have free time to wander the port town, which is dominated by an ancient Spanish fortress. It’s also home to a pretty fisherman’s harbour and numerous shops selling minerals and crystals.

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Panoramic Elba & Wine Tasting

This tour teams up a visit to the pretty village of Porto Azzurro with wine tasting at a vineyard that was frequented by Napolean. You’ll leave Portoferraio – Elba’s capital – behind and enjoy a scenic drive, with breathtaking views over the bays of Lacona, Laconella and Golfo Stella along the way. Your first stop is Porto Azzurro, the island’s second port where, after a brief introduction from your guide, you’ll have free time to explore its shops, medieval fortress and picturesque harbour at your own pace. It’s then time for the second half of your excursion at the countryside winery of La Chiusa – a beautiful vineyard overlooking the Med. You’ll take a tour of the estate’s cellar to learn how the wine is produced. The cellar, country house, walls and mini chapel here all date back to the 1700’s and Napoleon visited the winery on two occasions. Before we head back to base, you’ll sample the wine in gardens looking out over the sea and also enjoy a sample of snacks like bruschetta and local cheese.

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Panoramic La Maddalena

Swapping one island for another you’ll make a beeline for little La Maddalena on this trip. You’ll pass some of Sardinia’s most dramatic scenery. Drive through charming villages like San Pantaleo. And catch the ferry from Palau to La Maddalena. The biggest of the La Maddalena archipelago, this dinky island has many claims to fame. Horatio Nelson took refuge here in 1804. Mussolini was imprisoned here for 20 days. And, more recently, Sylvester Stallone once spent his summer holiday here. As you’re driven around, you’ll soon see why this place gets the celebrity vote. On a good day, you’ll get a clear view of Corsica from up here. Not to mention the rocky coastline and neon blue sea that surround the island. The town itself is every inch the good-looking Italian. Huddled around a boat-filled harbour it’s all candy-coloured houses and narrow, winding roads. In Garibaldi Square, still known locally as Piazza Rossa – Red Square – because of its distinctive red paving, you have some free time to explore before heading back to the ship.

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The Emerald Coast

Glitz, glamour and old-world charm come in equal measures on this trip as you drive along Sardinia’s Emerald coast. Cue a tumble of pink granite. Sandy coves. And turquoise seas. Few stretches of the Mediterranean look as good as the Costa Smeralda, it’s a regular Italian Eden. You’ll pass pretty villages like San Pantaleo - a slice of old-school Sardinia that’s all crooked lanes and stone cottages, before coming to a stop in Porto Cervo. A millionaire’s playground, this is the coast’s chic capital where the in-crowd love to be seen. A guided tour of the town’s best bits is followed by some free time to tick a few must-dos off your list. Burn out your credit card in the designer shops. Sip a cappuccino in the piazza and watch the Gucci-clad glitterati glide by. Last but not least, you’ll pause to soak up the sensational views over Cala di Volpe Bay and Romazzino, before heading back to the ship.

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St. Tropez & Port Grimaud

Once a sleepy fishing village, St Tropez was catapulted onto the world map in the 1950’s by legends like Brigitte Bardot and Sacha Distel. They turned it into the French Riviera’s chic capital and these days it’s home to the crème de la crème in film and fashion. There are far more luxury yachts than fishing boats moored at the beautiful harbour. After an hour-and-a-half drive from the port, enjoy a guided walk from the waterfront through the old streets. Take a look at the pink and yellow houses, which have been converted into fashionable cafes and pastry shops. You’ll see Place des Lices, too, where lots of celebs play petanque in the summer. Then you’ll get around two hours’ free time for a little retail therapy or a laid-back lunch. Later on, make a brief visit to charming Port Grimaud, also known as the Little Venice of France. This unique resort looks like a traditional Mediterranean fishing village but in actual fact it’s a modern complex of luxury villas and houses linked by a network of canals, neat little bridges and narrow alleys.

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The Charming Village of Cassis

“He who has seen Paris and not Cassis has seen nothing.” Even if this saying by French poet Frederic Mistral seems exaggerated, it still reflects the interest of this little seaside resort at the foot of the Cape Canaille cliff. A former Roman trading post, Cassis is every bit the charmer with its café-lined quays, jagged little coves and sun-blushed beaches. Your coach will drop you off at the top of Cassis, where you'll board a mini-train to take you to the bay area. When you get to this friendly little town, enjoy a short introduction from your guide, then spend some free time getting to know the place, shopping in the boutiques or relaxing in the cafes. Later on, taking the mini train back to the top of Cassis, you’ll re-board the coaches for the drive back to Toulon. If the weather allows it, we'll even to drive to Gineste Hills, a stunning view point, famous in these areas - Make sure you pack your camera for this one.

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Sporting Barcelona

Football fans will get a real kick out of this tour around the world-famous football stadium, Nou Camp. Since 1957, Nou Camp has played host to Barcelona FC, arguably the best team in Spain. As you walk around the stadium, you’ll get an insight into the club’s history and prestige, which becomes oh so evident in the trophy room. Pretend you’re a football player as you take the journey from the changing room, through the tunnel, out onto the pitch, and into the press room. You’ll then get to see the outside of La Masia, the football academy where many famous players – including Cesc Fàbregas and Lionel Messi – started their careers. You can head into the museum and discover more about the history of the club and its best goals by wandering around the exhibition and its sculptures. After you’ve become an expert on Barcelona FC, the coach will take you back to the port. Be sure to look out for sights like the Montjuïc Mountain, the Olympic Ring, the Olympic stadium and the Spanish Village as you drive by. There’ll also be a photo stop during the tour – so don’t forget your camera.

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Barcelona Transfer

If you prefer to explore solo, then why not take our transfer to Barcelona from Tarragona? You’ll be dropped off in the majestic Catalan city and, from there, you can follow your own itinerary. Barcelona plays host to lots of famous monuments – including Gaudi’s incredible Sagrada Familia – so you’ll be spoilt for choice. You could visit the world famous Nou Camp stadium, the home of Barcelona FC, or get to know the real Barcelona in the Gothic Quarter. If you have time, explore Cituat Vella – the oldest part of the city. There you’ll find Carrer Montcada. This street has the largest collection of Gothic houses in the city, and one of them is the popular Picasso Museum. There’s also a zoo, an aquarium, and a cable car that’ll take you up to Montjuïc Mountain. Whatever you do, make sure you take a stroll down the most famous street in Europe, Las Ramblas. As you walk along you can watch street entertainers and have your portrait sketched by one of the talented artists. There’s also the option for a bit of retail therapy, as you can dip in and out of the chic boutiques dotted along the road.

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