Barcelona to Nice: A Mediterranean Canvas

Bienvenido a España. Upon arrival at Barcelona Airport, proceed to the Arrivals Hall to meet your representative before transferring to the group hotel. In the hotel lobby, visit the hospitality desk to meet the team, who will provide important information about pre-embarkation procedures and your time in Barcelona. You can also receive Aurora Expeditions cabin tags for your luggage—please ensure each is clearly labeled with your name and cabin number.

This evening, join for welcome drinks and canapés as you celebrate the beginning of your journey.

Accommodation: Barcelona Hotel

Note: To attend the Welcome Reception, please arrange flights to arrive in Barcelona no later than 2:00 p.m.

Socially, culturally, and industrially, Barcelona stands apart as a beacon of distinction in Spain. Proudly Catalonian first and Spanish second, its people are independent thinkers with a strong passion for freedom. Over the past 30 years, Barcelonans have shaped their city into one of Europe’s most admired destinations. The famed boulevard of Las Ramblas is a name known to every traveler, and the city’s vibrancy remains as compelling as it was at the height of the Spanish Empire. Once a royal stronghold of Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand, Barcelona welcomed Christopher Columbus upon his triumphant return from the New World—a moment that cemented its place in history.

Your locally guided panoramic tour highlights the artists and authors who helped define Barcelona as a living masterpiece. The city’s creative spirit is evident in its plazas, galleries, and architecture. Miró, Picasso, Vidal, and Montaner all left their mark, but it is the visionary Antoni Gaudí who continues to attract admirers worldwide.

Tour highlights include a visit to La Sagrada Família, Gaudí’s extraordinary fusion of imagination and devotion, where you learn about its symbolism, history, and ongoing construction. You also take in sweeping views from Montjuïc, pass Plaza de España, and travel along the elegant Gran Via.

Before arriving at the port, there is time to explore Barcelona’s streets at leisure—browse boutiques, enjoy a café, or simply absorb the city’s atmosphere. In the late afternoon, board the Douglas Mawson. This evening, enjoy a Welcome Dinner on board and meet the Aurora Expeditions Team and crew.

The intimate village of Port-Vendres provides access to inland treasures, allowing you to stroll the streets of surrealist-style Figueres, wander the lanes of Collioure, or scale the walls, in true Robin Hood style, of Hollywood's favorite movie set, the fortified town of Carcassonne; well, perhaps stand in the shade of its turrets. For those opting for a morning experience, your port location offers the perfect opportunity to explore the charming streets of an authentic French coastal town.

Personalize your exploration with the included 'Your Choice' experiences.

Option 1 – Morning experience: The Curious Case of Salvador Dalí

Your day starts with a drive, crossing the border into Spain, where you visit the birthplace of one of the world's great surrealist artists, Salvador Dalí. Few artists struck an exotic pose as well as Salvador Domingo Felipe Jacinto Dalí i Domènech. Famed for his dripping clocks, dream-induced flying tigers, and emotive spherical portraits, Dalí flaunted the art world's most artistic moustache, a persistently surprised expression, and the mind of a genius. True to his unique style, Dali roamed his hometown of Figueres, wearing a bread hat, leopard prints, and stripey suits. It is no wonder that a series of sculpted boiled eggs tops the museum dedicated to him! This theatre-like gallery is a 'stand and wonder', raise an eyebrow, laugh-out-loud style of museum. You leave with more questions than answers, but you also leave wanting to go back.

Option 2 – Morning experience: Collioure – A Fauvist mecca

Your morning is filled with art as you visit the Fauvist haven of Collioure. This former pirate town is a treasure trove of maritime and medieval wealth. Its clear blue sky, colorful buildings, historic heritage, and picturesque markets have long attracted great artists like Matisse, Signac, Derain, and Picasso. The Musée d'Art Moderne preserves the town's rich artistic history, highlighting the Fauvism movement that began here in the 20th century. Wander the Fauvism trail through cobblestoned alleys to see 20 reproductions of works by Matisse and Derain. Collioure is a must for art lovers and history buffs alike. For those wishing to linger longer, a popular coastal walk connects Collioure and Port-Vendres, offering a scenic two-mile walk, leading you back to where your ship awaits.

Option 3 – Full-day experience: The Prince of Walled Cities – Carcassonne

Surrounded by turreted walls and a deep moat, Carcassonne has attracted moviemakers since 1908, after French inventors the Lumiere brothers first produced short films using their newly developed motion-picture camera and projector. The setting for Charles Perrault's classic tale of Puss in Boots, Carcassonne's fortified walls offered a fairy-tale ambience. Yet, in reality, life in Carcassonne echoed the adventurous spirit of Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, which was fittingly filmed in the citadel. The reality of flaming arrows, grapnels, catapulted stones, and towers full of French soldiers shattering the peace as the town braced itself for invasion provides modern-day visitors with a truer tale of life in the Middle Ages.

The old port of Marseille grants you access to the inspirational fields, street side cafes, and hilltop villages of Provence. The boots of Roman engineers and the shoes of many an artist have trodden its soils, but none as famous as the clogs of Van Gogh and the slip-ons of Picasso. You spend time in their shoes with a palette of experiences to choose from today, before encouraging your own artistic ambitions by joining an onboard art or photography class this afternoon.

Personalize your exploration with the included 'Your Choice' experiences.

Option 1 – Morning experience: Masterpieces of Marseille

Embark on a captivating journey through Marseille, culminating in a visit to the magnificent Palais Longchamp, a local landmark that blends history, art, and architecture in a much-colonnaded splendor. The Palais Longchamp was originally constructed to address a severe water shortage caused by a cholera epidemic in the 19th century — symbolizing the city's resilience and innovation. Within the Palais, the Museum of Fine Arts showcases an impressive collection of 17th and 18th-century paintings, drawings, and sculptures, reflecting Marseille's rich artistic heritage. Set amid a beautifully landscaped park, the Palais Longchamp remains one of Marseille's most cherished and must-see attractions.

Option 2 – Morning experience: An Artist's Impression of Aix-en-Provence 

'Aix', as it is known to its inhabitants, abounds with leafy boulevards, public squares, and grand avenues – a sign of its wealth and status. Paul Cézanne, who died in 1906, is one of the most influential artists of the 19th century and remains the favorite son of Aix. This morning, you are introduced to the private world of the artist at the Terrain des Peintres. Cézanne often painted here in the later part of his life. As a centennial celebration of his work, these terraced gardens were converted into an open-air museum featuring reproductions of the artwork painted by the man himself at this very spot. Returning to the center of Aix, you view the popular pedestrian-only avenue of Cours Mirabeau. A verdant tunnel of foliage, this classic boulevard showcases the aristocratic facades of the city's opulent hotels and Belle Époque villas with their wrought iron balconies and intricately carved doorways, inviting visitors to stop and admire. There's time to explore Aix further before you return to Marseille and reboard your vessel for lunch.

Option 3 – Half-day experience: Impressionist Arles  

The Provençal town of Arles is forever linked with the artists of the Impressionist movement, but none more than Vincent Van Gogh and Paul Gauguin. Treading the quaint cobbled streets of Arles, one can only ponder what caused Vincent Van Gogh such melancholy. Inspired by the Provençal light, Van Gogh produced over 300 paintings during his 15 months here. Many of his paintings depict classic sights dotted around town, easily recognized as you follow in his footsteps, while the city bares its soul through his paintings. Your local guide tells tales of this ancient city, before you have time to stroll its streets and perhaps consider its influence on the artists who briefly called it home.

Set between Nice and Monaco, the picturesque enclave of Beaulieu-sur-Mer welcomes you today, with a rich selection of 'Your Choice' experiences. Hear tales of royal romance at Monaco's regal precinct, admire the cutting-edge automobile designs of Prince Albert's private collection, or indulge your artistic urges at Beatrice Rothschild's opulent Villa Ephrussi. Return to the ship to tap into your creative side with your art and photography workshops or stay ashore and soak up the sun on a French Riviera beach.

Personalize your exploration with the included 'Your Choice' experiences.

Option 1 – Morning experience: Prince Albert's private car collection

If you consider automobiles to be a work of art, you won't want to miss this one-off experience. Following the famous Corniche and Monaco's Formula One track, arrive at one of the principality's top sites - Monaco's Top Cars Collection Museum. From a wartime Ford Jeep to Prince Albert's favorite Bugatti Type 35, the prince's private collection is a treasure trove of automotive history. This impressive exhibit features over 100 rare and iconic vehicles, including Formula 1 champions, vintage models, and an enviable lineup of Ferraris, Lamborghinis, and the occasional Rolls-Royce. Whether you're a car enthusiast or simply curious to glimpse the collection, this carefully curated display, highlighting the prince's personal passion for classic cars, is sure to captivate.

Option 2 – Morning experience: The Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild

This experience showcases the French Riviera's decadent past, with a focus on the region's most exclusive enclave. A short drive from where you disembark from your tender vessels brings you to the private knoll of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. Synonymous with the word 'exclusive', Cap Ferrat is the home to generations of wealth. With a phone book full of famous names, a few stand out – one being Rothschild. The imitation Renaissance-style palazzo of Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild must be seen to be believed. Surrounded by exotic, Provençal, Japanese, and Florentine gardens, it was built in 1905 by Baroness Beatrice Rothschild to showcase her passion for all things art. Without an heir, the Baroness bequeathed the seven hectares of land and some 5,000 works of art to the Academy of Fine Arts, giving 'commonfolk' the chance to immerse themselves in her lifestyle, if only for a morning.

Option 3 - Half-day experience: The principality of Monaco

The superyacht harbor of Monaco welcomes you in true style, offering a gateway to this one-of-a-kind principality. The opulent attitude of the world's second smallest country is its greatest attraction. Smaller than New York's Central Park, Monaco's 500-acre size boasts the second-highest GDP per capita in the world. Although the 9,500 native Monégasque are banned by law from gambling, it is the nation's foreign-born citizens, with their oversized bank accounts, multi-million Euro apartments and high-roller habits, who frequent the casinos, with over 30 per cent of the principality's residents listed as millionaires.

Your locally guided walking tour offers an insight into Monaco's ruling family. In town to film To Catch a Thief, Grace Kelly met Prince Rainier III during a visit to Monaco. Within a year, they wed, and Grace became a princess, holding 140 official titles. The country continues to mourn her tragic passing, with her image, name, and favorite items found scattered throughout the principality as a reminder of her enduring legacy. Your guided walk visits the Saint Nicholas Cathedral, a palatial precinct known locally as 'the rock', where the couple were married and are now laid to rest. You linger to watch the changing of the guard at the Royal Palace, before offering you free time to explore the principality at your own pace, returning to the ship mid-afternoon.

When Italians give birth, they use the phrase, dare alla luce, which literally means to 'give to the light.' It is no coincidence that the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, widely acknowledged as having dragged Europe from the dark days of the Middle Ages into the light, was synonymous with the Renaissance or The Rebirth. Rising from the ruins of the Roman Empire, Tuscany flourished into a wealthy trading and banking center, becoming Europe's first capitalist state. The Duchy's ruling family, the Medicis, sponsored its artistic scene with fervor. Artists transitioned from tradespeople to celebrities overnight, with da Vinci playing lute at their private parties and Michelangelo befriended by men who would become popes. The ruling classes commissioned works of art such as Donatello's Penitent Magdalene, Cellini's Perseus with the Head of Medusa, Botticelli's Birth of Venus, and Raphael's Madonna del Cardellino. Throughout the Duchy, art was showcased in piazzas, scattered throughout the streets, and placed at the town hall steps—a form of propaganda and sign of power for all to see.

Personalize your exploration with the included 'Your Choice' experiences.

Option 1 – Morning experience: Scenic Tuscany

Italy's quintessential la dolce vita comes to life as you follow the scenic roads of Tuscany, where the scent of fresh basil mingles with rich espresso, and distant church bells echo gently over long, unhurried lunches. Framed by rolling hills, sun-drenched paddocks, and endless rows of grapevines, pause at a local winery for a talk by your vintner guide before joining a tasting of regional wines, soaking in views that feel like a window into the soul of Tuscany. Recharged and inspired, return to the ship ready to take part in an onboard art workshop, relax poolside, or further your photography skills with your resident photographer.

Option 2 – Morning experience: Pisa – more than a leaning tower

Renowned for its iconic Leaning Tower, Pisa offers far more than a quirky architectural icon. Once a powerful maritime republic, it flourished on Mediterranean trade and naval strength. Pisa's golden age in the 11th and 12th centuries brought immense wealth, although that was not to last as the Arno River silted up, cutting the city off from the sea and dimming its influence. This prosperity funded the creation of the precinct known as Piazza dei Miracoli, home to the Romanesque Cathedral, baptistery, and the famous bell tower. Its early designers, the Pisano family, helped shape the precinct's artistic legacy by blending architectural styles that influenced generations of Tuscan artists. However, the Leaning Tower began tilting soon after construction started, due to its shallow foundation and soft subsoil, which were unable to support the weight. Adding extra floors only worsened the lean, but the flaw became Pisa's most enduring symbol. Travel to Pisa by coach, then hop aboard a tourist train that takes you straight to the Piazza. You can have time to explore at your leisure, soaking in the history and artistry of Pisa before returning to the ship for lunch.

Option 3 – Full-day experience: The Rebirth of Florence

Accessible to all who visit, Florence's works of art are scattered throughout its streets as statues, fountains, chapels, and bell towers, and all looked down upon by Brunelleschi's magnificent domed cathedral. Even the gelato is sculpted in Florence!

Carved from a single slab of marble, Michelangelo's David is the ultimate Renaissance man, commissioned as the center piece for the city's main square. Today it sits in its own gallery, but a replica at its original location tells its story almost as well. Your locally guided tour walks you through a day in the life of a Renaissance man as you tread the streets where the early artists plied their trade, sought wealthy patrons, and huddled in backstreet studios to learn from the masters. This is followed by time to explore the center of Florence independently, before you return to Livorno late afternoon.

Disembark at the yacht-filled harbor of Nice, granting you a millionaire's access to the French Riviera.  

Its wide Promenade des Anglais, named after the English upper class who placed Nice at the top of their Grand Tour bucket list, follows the Mediterranean coast past an array of Belle Epoque hotels, Art Deco apartments, and umbrellaed beaches. At the limit of the ruling House of Savoy, the people of the Riviera voted to join France in the 1860s rather than the new Kingdom of Italy, making this region a unique blend of both cultures. The unique light, relaxed lifestyle, and extravagant parties attracted as many artists and literary elite of the 20th century as they had attracted aristocrats the century before. From Monet, Chaplin, and Valentino in Antibes to Bonnard at Le Cannet, and Picasso, to just about everywhere, it became the place to be seen for the avant-garde. This pocket of sunshine and decadence still attracts artists, authors, and actors, who paint its vistas, write its stories, and come to Cannes to be adored.

Spend the day exploring the scenic hinterland of the Riviera, where a cluster of medieval villages has long inspired some of the world's most celebrated artists. Along the way, pause at panoramic viewpoints that have captured the imagination of painters and poets alike.

Your journey culminates in the hilltop village of Saint-Paul de Vence — a jewel of Provençal charm. Here, your local guide brings the village's rich artistic legacy to life with captivating stories of legendary artists such as Picasso, Modigliani, Dufy, and Matisse, all of whom were drawn to its light and spirit. Marc Chagall, who lived here for 19 years after returning from exile during World War II, now rests in the village cemetery — a poignant testament to his deep connection with this place. You can have time to wander the cobbled streets, enjoy lunch at one of the Provençal bistros (own expense), or browse the village's inviting craft shops nestled among its winding alleys. Returning to Nice, check into your hotel for your two-night stay, with your evening at leisure to relax and enjoy the vibe of the French Riviera. 

Accommodation: Nice Hotel

Lingering in the city of Nice gives you a second day to soak in this stunning stretch of coastline, with a variety of 'Your Choice' experiences on offer this morning. This afternoon, art lovers are spoilt for choice, with free time to explore one of the city's many inviting galleries. Don't miss the Musée Matisse, home to one of the world's largest collections of Matisse's paintings, drawings, and sculptures, or the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Nice, which houses a vast collection of iconic artworks. For those following a photographic journey on your voyage, the Musée de la Photographie Charles Nègre offers compelling exhibitions celebrating the power of the lens.

To frame your journey, meet your fellow travelers this evening to enjoy drinks and canapes at a farewell reception.

Personalize your exploration with the included 'Your Choice' experiences.

Option 1 – Morning experience: A Nice Place to Paint

The Grande Dame of the French Riviera hosts your locally guided walking tour this morning. Throughout Nice's history, A-listers have flocked to it in abundance – Queen Victoria, the Russian Tsarinas, old money, new money, and entire Hollywood studios. Waiting in the wings to paint them, write about them, and dress them were Europe's artists, authors, and designers. Even Nice's colorful street markets and flower markets offer an artistic vibe. Search for Queen Victoria's favorite chocolate shop, stroll the streets of Nice's old town, and soak up the ambience of the Riviera's most celebrated city.

Option 2 – Morning experience: Nice's Russian treasures

Fill your morning with a visit to two of Nice's beloved Russian treasures. Known as the most important orthodox churches outside of Russia, St Nicholas Cathedral has become a shrine for the sacrificed family of Nicholas II, the last Tsar of Russia. Appealing to the Russian royal family as a winter retreat, Nice became a second home to much of Russian high society, whose Tsar built an ornate Cathedral as a place for them to worship in the early 20th century. This magnificent church is laden with opulent Orthodox artworks, icons, and ornate carved woodwork. It offers an insight into the last Russian royal family and remains a place of pilgrimage for those who consider them to be the rightful rulers of Russia.

Next, indulge your artistic minds with a visit to one of Nice's top cultural highlights — the Chagall Museum.  

Born in Belarus, Marc Chagall spent much of his creative life in France. During World War II, he fled Nazi-occupied France with the help of the group that would become the International Rescue Committee, eventually reaching New York. After the war, Chagall returned to France with a remarkable body of work, now housed in this museum. Renowned as one of the greatest Jewish artists of the 20th century, Chagall is celebrated for his dreamlike, emotionally rich paintings, often inspired by religious themes. A visit to the museum offers a moving artistic experience.

Option 3 – Morning experience: Picasso

Pablo Picasso, as vibrant, colorful, and surreal as his works, is one of the most captivating figures in art history. Spanish by birth, his heart found a home on the French Riviera and its enchanting hinterland. The two months Picasso spent at Antibes' Castle Grimaldi marked one of his most prolific periods, where painting and socializing became a daily rhythm. Amid the post-war exuberance, Picasso thrived in the Riviera's lively atmosphere, surrounded by friends, admirers, and a devoted 23-year-old girlfriend, all of whom adored him.

Explore Picasso's masterpieces at Castle Grimaldi, where his creativity flourished, before enjoying free time to wander the waterfront streets of Antibes. Browse its colorful markets, and admire the ancient city walls, or stroll the marina at Port Vauban, where luxury yachts gleam in true Riviera style.

Accommodation: Nice Hotel

After breakfast, check-out of your hotel and transfer to the airport for your onward flight.