Fly by scheduled flight to Barcelona. On arrival transfer to the port of Tarragona to embark the MS Serenissima. Enjoy welcome drinks and dinner as we sail tonight.

The former Greek colony of Roses is our base for a day on the Costa Brava. We will travel inland to Medieval Figueres, an impressive town of Modernist and Neoclassical architecture that is most renowned as the birthplace of Salvador Dali. Our tour includes the impressive 18th century castle of St Ferran and the old city walls before continuing to the Dali Theatre Museum. Designed by Dali himself, the museum takes us through the life of the artist. Return to the MS Serenissima for lunch and this afternoon we will travel along the coast to the archaeological site of Empuries. Founded by Greek merchants in the 6th century BC as Emporion, it was a commercial hub and became a major port. In 218 BC the town was taken by the Romans who built an even greater city above the Greek town.

The ‘Cote Vermeille’, or rocky coast, is one of the most beautiful parts of the Mediterranean and has inspired some of the world’s most famous artists. This morning we will drive the short distance to Collioure which has always been a source of inspiration for artists. Here we will have time to explore the colourful streets, visit the local artist studios and the 12th century Royal Castle. After lunch on board, the afternoon is free to explore Port Vendres at leisure.

From our berth in Marseilles, we will offer a choice of excursions today. You can choose to head inland to Aix en Provence which was founded by the Romans in the 1st century and is renowned as the home of artist Paul Cezanne. We will visit his studio which still houses his equipment and the objects he used for models and the Jas de Bouffan estate, Cezanne’s parents’ country house which contains many of the painter’s celebrated works. We will continue to the ‘Terrain des Peintres’ which is located on the heights of Aix en Provence, a few hundred metres from the Atelier Cezanne. It is famous for the wonderful views of the Montagne Sainte Victoire which Cezanne often painted in the latter part of his life. After lunch in a local restaurant we will spend some time in Aix with its leafy boulevards and public squares lined with 17th and 18th century mansions. Alternatively spend the day in Avignon, the great City of the Popes which boasts a number of splendid museums, churches and palaces. Our guided walking tour will include the Palais des Papes, one of the wonders of Provence and the largest and most important Medieval Gothic buildings in Europe, built in the 14th century as a fortified palace for the pontifical court. We also visit the cathedral and the famous Pont Benezet, a bridge that spans the Rhone between Villeneuve les Avignon and Avignon, and the Pont du Gard, one of the wonders of antiquity, built by Agrippa in 19 BC in order to provide the city of Nimes with fresh water from the Uzes area.

Arrive this morning in the port of La Seyne Sur Mer and enjoy a boat trip to Les Calanques, stunning fjord-like inlets carved into the limestone that stretch along the coast from Marseilles to Cassis. Return to the ship for lunch and this afternoon there will be an excursion inland to the hilltop Medieval village of Le Castellet. This remarkable stronghold, formerly owned by the Lords of Les Baux, has well preserved ramparts, a carefully restored 12th century church and a castle dating back to the 11th century. We will have time to explore the village and its winding streets before enjoying a wine tasting at one of Le Castellet’s centuries-old vineyards. Return to the MS Serenissima and set sail for Nice during dinner.

This morning we will have a choice of excursions. You may wish to join a drive along the coast to the charming village of Eze perched on a rocky peak overlooking the Mediterranean. Fortified in the 14th century we will have some time to wander the cobblestone streets, admire the beautiful stone buildings and enjoy the magnificent views. Alternatively visit the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild. Built in 1900 in Italian palazzo style and surrounded by magnificent gardens, it houses an unbelievable collection of works including tapestries, furniture, candelabras, terracottas, porcelains and Chinese vases. Return to the ship for lunch and spend the afternoon at leisure to explore Nice independently. Maybe choose to visit one of the city’s museums dedicated to artists such as Henri Matisse or Marc Chagall, walk amongst the charming architecture of the old city or enjoy a stroll along the palm tree lined Promenade des Anglais.

Many regard Genoa as having the largest historic city centre in Europe as a result of having been, for centuries, a powerful commercial seaport and city-state. It was the birthplace of Christopher Columbus and its maritime roots have fostered a dialect that has absorbed elements of Neapolitan, Calabrese and Portuguese over the centuries. Our morning walking tour through the historic town centre will include the Piazza de Ferrari and the Palazzo Ducale. We will visit the Cisterne del Ducale, the ancient cellars of the palace, where we will enjoy a light buffet of typical Genoese fare such as bruschetta and focaccia accompanied by some local wine. This afternoon will be at leisure to explore independently or relax on board. After an early dinner we will make the short walk to the Palazzo Doria Pamphili where we will discover the magnificent hidden treasures of this jewel of Italian Renaissance. This exclusive, private visit will also include a classical concert and cocktail before we return to the MS Serenissima.

This morning we will arrive in the port of Porto Venere, situated in the Gulf of Poets which was once popular with writers such as Byron, Shelley and DH Lawrence. The Shelley’s lived in nearby Lerici in an isolated old boathouse, Casa Magni, and it was to here that Byron used to swim across the bay from his home in Porto Venere. Explore the town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where the charming harbour is lined with brightly coloured houses and narrow Medieval streets that lead up the hill to a castle. Alternatively, on a full day tour, explore the Cinque Terre, a series of five villages along the coast which until recently were accessible only from the sea or via an ancient network of footpaths. We will board local boats and sail past the villages of Riomaggiore, Corniglia and Manarola before we step ashore and explore the picturesque villages of Vernazza and Monterosso. Please note that the vessel will be at anchor today and Zodiacs or local tenders will be used to transfer ashore.

From the port of Viareggio we will make our way inland to the lovely town of Lucca. Hidden behind imposing Renaissance walls it boasts delightful cobbled streets, handsome piazzas and shady promenades. Our tour will include the San Martino Cathedral and the Puccini Museum. After lunch in a local restaurant we will be treated to a private concert in the Santa Caterina Church before we return to the MS Serenissima. Please note that the vessel will be at anchor today and Zodiacs or local tenders will be used to transfer ashore.

Disembark this morning in Livorno and transfer to the airport for our scheduled flight to London.

Itineraries are subject to change.