Mediterranean: Livorno - Nice

Livorno, itself a child of the Renaissance, is the gateway to Tuscany - the land of cypresses, the Italian lifestyle, art and architecture. Lucca is a Renaissance masterpiece. Magnificent palaces, richly decorated churches and elegant piazzas where you can see the Italians enjoying the summer - this jewel of a town combines the magnificence of typical Tuscan architecture with small-town charm. Siena is one of the most beautiful Italian Gothic cities. Its old quarter, like the medieval towers of the world-famous walled town of San Gimignano, is protected by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

Although Elba is only a small Tuscan island, you will 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 the 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.

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 will 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.

Nice lies in one of the world's most lavishly endowed natural landscapes. The sea glows azure and the mountains in the background rise picturesquely up into the sky. Castle Hill gives you a fantastic view over the rambling old town - a labyrinth of alleyways with Baroque churches, pastel-coloured houses and red-tiled roofs. The Promenade des Anglais, a sophisticated, five-kilometre-(3 miles)long walkway along the magnificent Baie des Anges and its long beach, lies at the heart of the elegant new town, with its splendid palaces and aristocratic hotels in the Belle-Époque and Art Deco styles.