Iconic Cities of the Western Mediterranean

• Day 1 UK - Barcelona (Spain)
  Step on board your ship to begin your journey. Columbus Monument. Port Vell. Arc de Triomf. These are just a few of the monumental sights you will see in Barcelona. Other scenic highlights include the Olympic Port, built for the 1992 Olympic Games, and the Passeig de Gràcia, a boulevard renowned for its architecture including works by Antoni Gaudí. Your overnight stay allows time to discover Barcelona on your own, or opt for a tour such as an evening performance of flamenco. Watch this vibrant dance while savoring a menu of traditional tapas.
• Day 2 Barcelona
  Awake in Barcelona and further explore the Catalonian capital. Start on Las Ramblas, the mile-long leafy pedestrian boulevard. Or take a turn through the myriad side streets of the Gothic Quarter, where the ancient and the modern sit side by side, perfect for a leisurely stroll. Or head to the Passeig de Gràcia, a boulevard renowned for its architecture including works by Antoni Gaudí. You may also choose from one of the many optional tours.
• Day 3 Montpelier (France)
  Montpellier has been a centre of learning for centuries. Its namesake university, founded in 1160, is one of the world’s oldest, predating the Renaissance. Still, a student population breathes life into a vibrant culture. The social and cultural centre of Montpellier is the Place de la Comédie, anchored by the elegant Three Graces fountain and the stunning, neoclassical Opéra Comédie. Other sites pay tribute to a rich heritage, from the art-filled Musée Fabre and impressive St. Clement Aqueduct to the St. Pierre Cathedral with its “floating” porch supported by a pair of towers.
• Day 4 Marseille
  Marseille is rich in historic treasures, nestled between the Mediterranean and rocky hills of limestone. Two 17th-century fortresses dominate the charming Vieux Port, or Old Port, the natural harbour that hosts all manner of watercraft, from sleek elegant yachts to old style fishing vessels. Its picturesque quay is one of the world’s most romantic walks, lined with dozens of cafés and shops. Also worth exploring is the city centre, graced by La Canebière boulevard. Linger in a café and sample the city’s signature bouillabaisse made from freshly caught fish.
• Day 5 Monte Carlo (Monaco)
  The chic city of Monte Carlo in the petite kingdom of Monaco boasts some of the world’s most exclusive shopping and a beautiful old port. A fairy-tale aura has settled on this glittering city of the Grimaldi family, perhaps nowhere more elegantly than at the Prince’s Palace, where the late American actress-turned-princess Grace Kelly presided with Prince Rainier III. Monte Carlo’s medieval quarter perches on “The Rock,” an escarpment at the foot of the Maritime Alps, and offers spectacular views of the Mediterranean and the harbour lined with mega-yachts.
• Day 6 Florence (Italy) - Pisa
  Tuscany is known equally as the cradle of the Renaissance and a centre of culinary delights and astounding wines. Throughout this emerald-green countryside dotted with cypress trees, endless delights unfold. Among them is Florence, a living museum of the Renaissance. Brunelleschi’s famous Duomo dominates the medieval cityscape—an architectural achievement. Another Tuscan treasure, the Square of Miracles, unfolds in Pisa. Here, a trinity of masterpieces—the Leaning Tower, Pisa Cathedral and Baptistery—comprise some of Europe’s finest art and architecture.
• Day 7 Pisa
  Tuscany is known for its scenic beauty and exudes a unique, rustic character. Vineyards, olive tree groves, wheat fields and endless expanses of farmland skirt the bases of medieval hill towns as they march across an undulating landscape of gentle hills. Fertile soils produce some of the world’s finest wines, including Chianti and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. More than this, many consider Tuscany the birthplace of the original farm-to-table movement. Simple, honest food graces the Tuscan table, from creamy cheeses to thick Florentine steak grilled over a wood fire.
• Day 8 Rome - UK
  Disembark your ship in Rome and transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK.

Iconic Cities of the Western Mediterranean ItineraryFor navigational reasons, the Captain of the ship reserves the right to modify the cruise itinerary.