Cruise the Italian coast on this 8-day trip from Nice, stopping at towns, beaches, and historic places. In Livorno, join a tour of Lucca’s old streets or see Florence’s famous buildings, with an option to taste local wine in the countryside. Walk through Portoferraio on Elba and visit the home where Napoleon once stayed. Sail past the Maddalena Islands to the old town of Alghero, then head to Porto Cervo to see beaches, rocky shores, and clear water. From Porto Santo Stefano, visit Siena’s old center or spend time at Feniglia Beach. In La Spezia, take a train to the colorful villages of the Cinque Terre or enjoy a boat ride to Portofino. Return to Nice after a relaxing journey full of local culture, sea views, and simple beauty.
Highlights
Explore Lucca’s medieval streets or Florence’s landmarks from Livorno port
Visit Portoferraio on Elba and tour Napoleon’s home above the harbor
Cruise past the Maddalena Islands with views of cliffs and clear blue water
Walk through Alghero’s old town with stone walls and narrow cobbled lanes
See Porto Cervo’s beaches, rocky coves, and views of the Costa Smeralda
Tour the Cinque Terre by train or cruise to Portofino from La Spezia
Activity options vary depending on destination and operator. Activity level is determined by the range and intensity of activities you choose to participate in. Discuss with your Trip Planner which options are best for you.
Arrive in Nice and transfer to the port for embarkation at 5:00 p.m. Settle into the cabin and prepare for departure aboard La Belle des Océans. The cruise begins with views of Nice’s coastline from the Sun Deck. Join the welcome cocktail to meet the crew, followed by dinner and evening entertainment on board. The ship begins its coastal journey.
CLASSIC: Visit Lucca—the City of 100 Churches. Explore one of Italy’s most well-preserved medieval cities, where careful restoration keeps the historic charm alive. Walk through streets, squares, and churches that feel frozen in time. See the Basilica of San Frediano and the detailed facade of San Michele in Foro. Then visit the Cathedral of Saint Martin of Tours, built over nearly 1,000 years. Inside, view the Holy Face of Lucca and the tomb of Ilaria del Carretto, sculpted by Jacopo della Quercia.
Return on board for lunch. In the afternoon, choose from the following:
CLASSIC: Explore the Tuscan countryside. Travel through rolling hills lined with vineyards, villages, and medieval towns. Enjoy changing landscapes and visit a local winery for a tasting of Chianti, one of Italy’s most well-known wines.
OR
DISCOVERY: Full-day tour of Florence (lunch included; approx. 10 hours including transfers). Join a guided walk through the city center and learn about Florence’s art and architecture. See the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Giotto’s Campanile, and the Baptistery of San Giovanni with its bronze doors. Cross the famous Ponte Vecchio bridge and finish at Piazza della Signoria, home to Palazzo Vecchio and Loggia dei Lanzi. Spend the afternoon exploring at your own pace—consider visiting the Oltrarno neighborhood or San Niccolò for a quieter view of the city.
In the evening, the ship sets sail for the island of Elba.
This morning, join one of the following excursions:
CLASSIC / DISCOVERY: Guided tour of Portoferraio. Visit the third-largest Italian island, known for its varied landscapes and as the first place of exile for Napoleon Bonaparte. After his abdication in 1814, Napoleon lived here for 300 days before escaping. Start on foot through the historic center, where pink limestone slabs line the streets. Visit Palazzina dei Mulini, Napoleon’s official residence, now a museum with his furniture, paintings, and personal items.
OR enjoy free time. A good option is Ghiaie Beach, known for its clear water, white pebbles, and seabed.
In the afternoon, cruise toward Sardinia. Enjoy a tasting of traditional Sardinian liqueur on the Sun Deck. Relax by the pool, book a treatment at the wellness salon, work out in the fitness center, or join a history talk in the lounge.
Spend the morning cruising along the Sardinian coast. Pass by the Maddalena Archipelago, a group of around 60 rocky islets and seven larger islands. The 180-kilometer shoreline features granite cliffs, clear waters, and quiet beaches. Watch the changing colors of the Mediterranean, from deep blue to bright green.
Later in the day, attend a presentation in the lounge.
In the afternoon, join the excursion below:
CLASSIC / DISCOVERY: Guided tour of Alghero. Visit one of the most well-preserved medieval towns in the region. Alghero was under Catalonian rule for centuries before joining the Duchy of Savoy in 1720. Walk through streets with Catalan names, see Aragonese towers, and explore the walled center with your guide.
This morning, choose from the following excursions:
CLASSIC: Porto Cervo and the Costa Smeralda. Visit Porto Cervo, one of the most popular summer spots in the Costa Smeralda, known for its harbor filled with luxury yachts. Walk through the town with a guide and see key sites. Then, take a panoramic drive along the Emerald Coast to see beaches, cliffs, bays, and coves. Stop in Baja Sardinia for photos and enjoy free time with views of Arzachena and the Maddalena Archipelago.
DISCOVERY: La Maddalena. Depart from the port town of Palau and head to Maddalena Island, part of a seven-island national park shaped by wind and waves. This area became Sardinia’s first national park in 1994 and is being considered for UNESCO World Heritage status.
In the afternoon, enjoy free time or join an optional excursion:
DISCOVERY: Relax at the beach. Visit Spiaggia del Principe, a white sand cove, or Spiaggia Capriccioli, surrounded by pine trees, olive trees, and native plants.
The ship cruises overnight to Porto Santo Stefano.
CLASSIC: Day trip to Siena (approx. 9 hours, including 4 hours of travel). Visit a city built across three hills, with a center listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walk through shaded streets with a guide to Piazza del Campo, one of Europe’s largest medieval squares and the site of the Palio horse race. Visit the Gothic cathedral, one of Italy’s most important churches. In the afternoon, explore streets lined with tower houses, castles, and churches from the 14th century.
DISCOVERY: Morning tour of Porto Santo Stefano. Walk through the city center and visit the Fortezza Spagnola. Built in the late 1500s by Spain, the fortress became part of the town’s foundation. During Napoleon’s rule, the French reinforced it to resist British attacks. From the top, see other watchtowers spread across the area.
In the afternoon, relax at Feniglia Beach, located in the Dune Feniglia nature reserve. The beach is set between the Orbetello lagoon and Ansedonia hill, surrounded by local plants like sea lily, juniper, and rosemary.
Later, attend a presentation in the lounge.
The day ends with a festive gala evening on board.
CLASSIC: The Italian Riviera (approx. 9.5 hours). Visit the seaside town of Santa Margherita Ligure, set on a bay surrounded by green hills. Spend time along this well-known part of the Riviera before boarding a boat to Portofino. From the sea, take in the view of the small, colorful harbor that draws visitors from around the world. Return to Santa Margherita Ligure by boat and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, stop in Sestri Levante, a growing beach town framed by the Bay of Silence and the Bay of Fairy Tales.
DISCOVERY: The Cinque Terre by train (approx. 9 hours). Travel along the Italian Riviera to see the Cinque Terre, a group of small fishing villages known for their bright homes and sea views. Visit Manarola, set high on a cliff, then take the train to Monterosso, the largest village. After lunch in a local restaurant, continue to Vernazza to walk around the main square and port. Return to La Spezia by train and walk back to the ship.
The cruise continues to Nice.
Day 8: Nice | Disembark
1 Breakfast
Enjoy breakfast on board this morning before disembarking at 9:00 a.m.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$3,9182-3 travelers
Rates are dynamic and fluctuate based on capacity. Contact us for a specific quote.
Horizon Suite - Deck 3
47 cabins (17 m²) featuring a marbled bathroom with walk-in shower, fitted wardrobe with personal safe, desk, flat-screen TV and a refrigerator. Located on Deck 3
Panorama Suites
4 cabins (25 m²) featuring a marbled bathroom with walk-in shower, fitted wardrobe with personal safe, desk, flat-screen TV and a refrigerator. Located on Deck 6
Riviera Suites
8 cabins (26 m²) featuring a marbled bathroom with walk-in shower, fitted wardrobe with personal safe, desk, flat-screen TV and a refrigerator. Located on Deck 6
Ocean Suite
1 cabin (38 m²) featuring a marbled bathroom with walk-in shower, fitted wardrobe with personal safe, desk, flat-screen TV and a refrigerator. Located on Deck 6
Horizon Suite - Deck 4
Cabin size for information : 17 m²
Spacious and comfortable cabin equipped with two single beds or one double bed, storage spaces, marbled bathroom with walk-in shower, dressing room with personal safe, desk, flat screen TV, fridge, hairdryer and telephone. Capture passing ocean scenes through your panoramic window while relaxing in the armchairs of the seating area.
Horizon Suite - Deck 5
Cabin size for information : 17 m²
Spacious and comfortable cabin equipped with two single beds or one double bed, storage spaces, marbled bathroom with walk-in shower, dressing room with personal safe, desk, flat screen TV, fridge, hairdryer and telephone. Capture passing ocean scenes through your panoramic window while relaxing in the armchairs of the seating area.
Initial deposit is 30%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure by Bank transfer or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
