Civitavecchia (Rome) to Nice

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.

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 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.

Relax aboard the Sea Cloud Spirit.

In the 19th century, artists discovered this picturesque fishing village on the Côte d'Azur and made it their source of inspiration. They were followed by the aristocracy and moneyed classes, and around fifty years ago, St. Tropez gained its international reputation as a refuge for the rich and famous. You can still find them today, in elegant Port Grimaud with its luxurious yachts from all over the world; in the upmarket bars and restaurants that line the promenade; on the elegant boulevards; in high-class shops; or at the sophisticated beach clubs. Even with all these distinguished guests, St. Tropez has still managed to preserve its picturesque and sleepy atmosphere.

Relax aboard the Sea Cloud Spirit as it sails toward Sète, France.

Discover beautiful views and explore Sète, France.

Flanked by monumental cliffs, surrounded by vineyards, and guarded by the ruins of a medieval castle, a picture-perfect fishing port, Cassis is the prettiest coastal town in Provence. It is best known for its delicate white wines and wild Calanques.

With its 16th-century ramparts and narrow cobblestone streets festooned with flowers, lovely Antibes has stolen the hearts of so many artists and writers, such as Max Ernst, Graham Greene, and Picasso, who featured the town in many paintings and now has a museum dedicated to him here.

Disembark this morning after breakfast. 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-colored houses, and red-tiled roofs. The Promenade des Anglais, a sophisticated, 5 km/3 mi 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.