Cruise Along the Italian Coastline - Tuscany, Sardinia, Elba, and the Cinque Terre

Boarding at 5:00 p.m. The best place to say au revoir to France is from the Sun Deck. As LA BELLE DES OCEANS casts off, you'll get a great view of Nice and its lovely cityscape. We'll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail before dinner on board. Enjoy an evening of entertainment.

In the morning, optional excursion proposed:-

CLASSIC: visit Lucca—the City of 100 Churches. Lucca is one of Italy's most fascinating and best-preserved medieval cities. The city has meticulously cared for its historic and cultural heritage so well, visitors find themselves in a virtual time capsule within its streets, squares, and churches. You'll set out to discover the remarkable center and its main monuments, including the exterior of the Basilica of San Frediano and San Michele in Foro's notable facade. You'll then visit the Saint Martin of Tours Cathedral, whose construction and, therefore, styles span almost 1,000 years. The cathedral's most precious possessions are the Holy Face of Lucca and Ilaria del Carretto's splendid tomb sculpted by Jacopo della Quercia.

Return on board for the lunch. In the afternoon, optional excursion proposed:-

CLASSIC: the Tuscan countryside. Overflowing with medieval cities, vineyards, and quaint villages, it is hard not to fall under Tuscany's spell. Amazing scenery unfurls across the hills—starting at the highest peaks and cascading down to the sea. Each season brings dramatic views, from the verdant summer and stretches of sunflower fields to the romantic, almost melancholic, fall colors as trees prepare for winter. During this tour, we'll visit a winery to enjoy a tasting of Chianti, Italy's most distinguished wine.

OR

Full-day DISCOVERY optional excursion in utterly irresistible Florence (lunch included, approximately 10 hours, including 4 hours of round-trip travel). Treat yourself to a guided tour of the magnificent city center to learn about Florence's exceptional artistic history. The visit includes the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, whose dome dominates the rooftops in the city center; Giotto's Campanile's white, green, and pink marble exterior; and the bronze doors on the Baptistery of San Giovanni. And of course, you'll get to cross through
the famous arch bridge Ponte Vecchio—brimming with crafts, souvenirs, and boutiques. The tour will finish up at the Piazza della Signoria, the hub of Florence's political and social life since the 14th century, where the Palazzo Vecchio and Loggia dei Lanzi take center stage.

Use your free time in the afternoon to discover the city at your own pace. We highly recommend strolling through the trendy Oltrarno neighborhood or exploring San Niccolò, whose old city walls transport you to another time.

Our ship will cast off for the island of Elba.

This morning, the optional excursion is:-

CLASSIC / DISCOVERY: Guided tour of Portoferraio. The third-largest Italian island is known for two things:The variety of its landscapes and as the first island of exile for Napoleon Bonaparte. After his forced abdication in 1814, Napoleon lived on the island for 300 days before escaping. Our tour will begin on foot at the historic center of Portoferraio, whose pink streets come from the limestone slabs used to pave them. Your guide will bring you to the Palazzina dei Mulini, Napoleon's official residence—now a museum housing furniture, paintings, and memorabilia once belonging to the former emperor.

OR

Enjoy some free time. We suggest you to join the Ghiaie Beach, known for its beautiful seabed and polished white pebbles.(5)

In the afternoon, we'll cruise towards Sardinia as we enjoy a tasting of a traditional Sardinian liqueur on the Sun Deck. Take advantage of a quiet moment to catch some rays poolside or enjoy a treatment in our wellness salon. More active passengers can keep in shape in the fitness center, and history buffs can attend the presentation in the lounge.

We’ll spend the morning cruising. We'll pass alongside the Maddalena Archipelago, a small corner of Sardinian paradise comprising 60 or so rocky islets and seven larger islands. The 111 miles (180 km) of coastline contain marvelous granite boulders, crystal-clear waters, and heavenly beaches. The kaleidoscope of Mediterranean Sea colors from deep blue to emerald green is a true feast for the eyes.

Later, there will be a presentation in the lounge.

The optional excursion this afternoon is:-

CLASSIC/DISCOVERY: Guided tour of Alghero, with the region's most beautiful medieval center and fortifications. The city belonged to Catalonia for several centuries before joining the Duchy of Savoy in 1720.T he streets still carry Catalonian names, and round, Aragonese towers still stand at the city's strategic points along the coastline. Stroll on the cobblestone streets, through medieval gates, and beside age-old Spanish bastions in the historical city center with your tour guide.

Our ship will cruise through the night.

This morning, the optional excursions are:-

CLASSIC: Porto Cervo and the Costa Smeralda. In the summer, Porto Cervo is the trendiest hangout in the Costa Smeralda—especially the harbor, often filled to the brim with luxury yachts. Ramble through the streets and see all the important sites with your tour guide. Then, set out for a panoramic excursion along Sardinia’s Costa Smeralda—the Emerald Coast—to take in the beaches lapped by crystal-clear waters, and the scenery dotted with cliffs, bays, and coves. We'll stop for a photo op in Baja Sardinia to spend some freetime taking in the splendid views of Arzacherna and the Maddalena Archipelago.-

DISCOVERY: La Maddalena. Starting at the charming port-town of Palau, our first stop will be Maddalena Island in the Maddalena Archipelago, a seven-island national park sculpted by the waves. The archipelago was declared the first national park in Sardinia in 1994 and has been on a tentative list for consideration as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2006.

Enjoy some free time on your own this afternoon or join us for an optional excursion:

DISCOVERY: Hit the beaches at Spiaggia del Principe—a beautiful, white sand cove—or Spiaggia Capriccioli, surrounded by lush Mediterranean brush and olive and pine trees.(5)

Our ship will cruise towards Porto Santo Stefano overnight.

Optional excursions proposed:-

CLASSIC: Day trip to Siena, the city set on three hills (approximately 9 hours, including 4 hours of round trip travel). While the city center is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the surrounding environment contains the best Italy has to offer. Siena looks much like it did back between the 12th and 15th centuries. Your guide will take you down the small, shaded streets to the heart of the city—the Piazza del Campo, one of the largest medieval squares in Europe and the starting point for the annual Palio horse race. You'll visit the cathedral, an impressive Gothic work that is also one of the most important in Italy. In the afternoon, explore the streets lined with 14th-century tower houses, Gothic castles, and churches.

DISCOVERY: Morning tour of Porto Santo Stefano. Stroll through the charming city center and visit the Fortezza Spagnola (Spanish Fortress). Built by Spain in the second half of the 16th century, the fortress is part of the city's foundation. Once construction was finished, Spanish and Italian families began to set up house in Porto Santo Stefano. During Napoleon's reign, the French reinforced the structure to better resist British ship attacks. From the top of the fortress, you can see the other watchtowers dotting the landscape. In the afternoon, hit the beaches at Feniglia.(5) It is located in the protected nature reserve of Dune Feniglia, between the lagoon of Orbetello and the hill of Ansedonia. There is a little natural wealth between sea lily, juniper, helichrysum, tamarisk and rosemary.

Later, there will be a presentation in the lounge.

Tonight is our festive gala evening

Optional full-day excursions:-

CLASSIC: The Italian Riviera (approximately 9.5 hours). Visit the seaside resort of Santa Margherita Ligure, located among verdant luxury on a beautiful bay. Enjoy some time along the most famous stretch of the Riviera. Our excursion includes a boat tour from Santa Margherita Ligure to Portofino.(3) Arriving from the sea, you'll have a great view of the particularly photogenic harbor in the village that has become "the place to be." We'll return to Santa Margherita Ligure by boat and enjoy lunch in a restaurant.
In the afternoon, we'll stop off at beautiful Sestri Levante, a once quiet fishing spot becoming increasingly popular. The Bay of Silence and the Bay of Fairy Tales cradle this city dotted with colorful, pastel facades.

DISCOVERY: The Cinque Terre by train (approximately 9 hours).(4) Full-day excursion to absorb the emblematic scenery in the Cinque Terre and the spectacular, colorful fishing villages along the Italian Riviera. Discover Manarola, considered the most charming village in the Cinque Terre. Built on a cliff high above the sea, its homes cascade downhill to the small port. We'll then leave for Monterosso by train for a visit to the largest of the five Cinque Terre towns and have lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, we'll continue by train towards Vernazza to stroll in the village and discover the large square surrounded by brightly colored homes and a port filled to the brim with all sorts of boats. The train will bring us back to La Spezia, where we'll return to the ship on foot.

We'll begin to cruise to Nice.

 Enjoy breakfast on board this morning before disembarking at 9:00 a.m.

Itineraries are subject to change