Mediterranean: Round-trip Civitavecchia

All roads lead to Rome. The stunningly beautiful city on the Tiber is around 70 kilometers (44 miles) from the port of Civitavecchia. The highlights of the "Eternal City" are not limited to the seven hills of antiquity. The historic center and the Vatican State in Rome are both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In the city of Vespas and "la dolce vita", painters, sculptors and architects have left behind innumerable works of art over three millennia. Ancient sites, Renaissance palaces, Baroque squares, and fountains create a splendid backdrop for enjoying life in between the daily routine and eternity.

The chalk cliffs are visible even from a long way away and fall away steeply into the sea like a wall - around 70 metrers (230 feet) high. Hidden behind them is a fjord-like inlet, which provides the beautiful entrance into the natural harbor of Bonifacio. The elegant modern lower town is set around the harbor with a promenade that runs the length of the deep harbor bay and leads to the elegant marina. More than 187 stone steps, majestically named the "Staircase of the King of Aragon", lead you up to the medieval upper town which sits lofty and impregnable high up on the top of a steep chalk cliff.

In the 1960s, it was Prince Aga Khan who discovered the beauty of this wildly romantic landscape with the evocative name of Costa Smeralda. He preserved its natural beauty, saved it from overdevelopment, and transformed it into an idyllic and elegant holiday resort. The sea glows in all shades green from turquoise to emerald and sandy bays nestle picturesquely. Together with idiosyncratic granite formations and rugged rocks, these still form the ravishingly beautiful natural backdrop. The elegant town of Porto Cervo, with numerous megayachts in its luxurious marina, has established itself as a center for the international jet set and embodies the legend of the Costa Smeralda.

Calvi has something enjoyable to suit every taste. Romantics can take a walk through the old town and the view from the fortified walls is not to be missed. A stroll through the town's streets brings you to the colorful, lively lower town with its bars and exclusive cafés. Anyone who enjoys a walk on the sand will love the town's long beach. To the east, sheltered by the highest mountains in Corsica, a lush green wild garden has grown around Calvi, filled with olive groves and orange trees. In the La Balagne region in the interior, you can discover hidden picturesque villages which show you the traditional side of Corsica and, displaying the idiosyncratic pride on the island, there is scarcely a road sign that is not written in the Corsican language.

Portofino has a prominent position on a peninsula on the Italian Riviera and, since the 1950s, has developed into an elegant marina. The "dolce vita" seems to have been born here. You can unwind in classy bars and cafés in front of beautifully restored facades, browse for treasures in the backstreets, and observe the comings and goings on the port's promenade. At first glance, Portofino is a picturesque fishing village. However, you soon notice that it is also a sophisticated retreat for exclusive megayachts, as well as a great hideaway for anyone who knows how to enjoy the charming and stylish traditional atmosphere.

Although Elba is only a small Tuscan island, you may be surprised by how diverse it is. Imposing cliffs, white sandy beaches, avenues of cypresses, vineyards and olive groves, traditional villages, and elegant beach resorts make the place of Napoleon's exile somewhere you would in fact like to be banished for longer. The beautiful old town of Portoferraio with its narrow streets of steps and medieval fortress is set high up on a rocky headland. In the enchanting town of Porto Azzurro, the palm-lined promenades, charming piazzas, and small beach are at the center of the town's activities.

Arrive back at Civitavecchia, disembark after breakfast, and return home individually.