The Cinque Terre
Visit the Italian coast and islands bathed in the generous Mediterranean sun. Explore villages and cities bursting with charm, and traverse isolated islands in the famous boot-shaped country. At the very end of the journey, we'll even reach Malta and the city of Valletta.
Day 1 : NICE
Passengers are welcome to board at 5:00 p.m. The ship will begin to cruise to La Spezia. We'll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail. We'll enjoy dinner on board.
Day 2 : LA SPEZIA
Optional full-day excursions:
CLASSIC: The Italian Riviera. Visit the seaside resort of Santa Margherita Ligure, located in 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.(2) Arriving from the sea, you'll have a great view of the particularly photogenic harbor in a 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 the city dotted with colorful, pastel facades.
- DISCOVERY: The Cinque Terre by train.(3) 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.
Our ship will cruise to Elba.
Day 3 : PORTOFERRAIO
Optional CLASSIC/DISCOVERY excursion: Discover the Island of Elba. 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 of Elba 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. We'll then leave by coach for Porto Azzuro, on the eastern side of the island. Longone Fort dominates the pretty port founded by the Spanish at the beginning of the 17th century.
We'll return on board the ship. Our ship will begin to cruise to the Calabria. Join us for an onboard presentation: Elba from the Reign of the Medicis to Napoleon's Arrival.
Day 4 : At sea
We'll spend the day cruising the Mediterranean Sea. Take advantage of this time to participate in some of the services and activities offered on board. You might try working out in our fitness room, indulging in a massage, or just catching some rays on our Sun Deck. Presentation: The Mediterranean, a Coveted Space.
Join us on the Sun Deck at the end of the day for an aperitivo serenaded by Italian music.
Day 5 : VIBO MARINA
Optional CLASSIC/DISCOVERY excursion: Tropea, the pearl of the Calabria. Explore this relatively obscure region at the tip of the boot, bathed by the splendid crystal-clear Ionian and Tyrrhenian Seas. Discover Tropea, the pearl of the Calabria. Perched on a rocky promontory with a cliff-side view of the sea, this small city is a veritable jewel. Visit the historical center with its Norman cathedral and enjoy a tasting of regional products. Then enjoy some free time browsing the shops along the pedestrian street or chill out at a café.
We'll return on board the ship. Our ship will cast off for Sicily. Take advantage of the onboard pool under the Mediterranean skies, and then join our team for an Italian cocktail demonstration on the Sun Deck.
Edition 2023 - NLV_PP 2 / 5
Day 6 : SYRACUSE
This morning, the optional CLASSIC/DISCOVERY excursion is: The archaeological park in Syracuse and Ortigia. One of the most fascinating cities in Sicily—Syracuse—awaits us today. The Neapolis Archaeological Park in Syracuse contains a Roman and a Greek theater, making this one of the greatest archaeological sites in all of Italy. We'll then head to Ortigia, the small island that is the historical heart of the city. The tight-knit lanes are pleasant for strolling, and much of the island's charm lies in wandering down narrow medieval lanes, past romantically crumbling or lovingly restored baroque palaces and churches.
Spend some time on your own this afternoon to visit the treasures found in the city center. Stroll its narrow medieval streets and along the beautiful harbor. The Alfeo Promenade brings you to the magnificent Castello Maniace.
Our ship will begin to cruise to Malta. Tonight is our festive gala evening.
Day 7 : VALLETTA
We'll arrive in Malta in the morning.
Presentation: Malta, a Strategic Position in the Mediterranean.
This afternoon, the optional CLASSIC/DISCOVERY excursion is: Valletta. The splendid Maltese capital deserves a special visit. Perched on top of a steep cliff, its layout and architectural structures are remarkable. The city was built stone-by-stone by and for the Order of Knights of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem. We'll make an exclusive stop at Saint John's Co-Cathedral.
Day 8 : VALLETTA
Enjoy breakfast on board this morning before disembarking at 9:00 a.m.
