Vatican & Italian Riviera Cruise Tour

Listen closely and you’ll hear echoes of Europe’s past, from debates and discourse surrounding the broken columns and marble blocks in the Roman Forum, to the reverberating roar of smoking engines in 1920s roadsters winding up city streets to Monte Carlo’s Casino Square. Indulge your senses and engage your sense of wonder during this 9-day journey that combines a multi-day inland exploration to Rome with a scenic cruise along the steep and majestic Italian and French Rivieras. Tour the Sistine Chapel and discover the Colosseum, Rome’s most recognizable landmark. Savor fresh handmade pasta dishes and rich Chianti wines amidst the warm ambiance and sincere hospitality of a neighborhood Italian restaurant. Your cruise features unforgettable opportunities to experience the scenic Portoferraio Biosphere Reserve and explore the historic vineyards of Elba. Watch beachcombers from white-linen sidewalk cafés or sunbathe on romantic sandy beaches in Cannes. Inhale seafood aromas and herbal fragrances in a Barcelonan open market

The old meets the new in this sunny Catalan metropolis, where narrow alleyways contrast with grand boulevards, trendy cuisine meets homemade tapas, and everywhere you’re greeted by the warm, welcoming smiles of the fashionable locals. Don’t miss UNESCO sites like the mind-boggling architecture of Antoni Gaudí or La Sagrada Familia Cathedral, with its eight decorative spires soaring hundreds of feet into the sky.

Palamos is famous for the locally caught prawns found in the beautiful bay it sits beside, also known for the excellent swimming, surfing, snorkeling and windsurfing there. Here is the place to try fresh local Catalan cuisine. Two great highlights near Palamos are the Dali Museum, located in his home town of Figueres, and the UNESCO city of Girona, with its medieval architecture, walled Old Quarter and the Roman remains of Forca Vella Fortress.

When daydreamers long for “the south of France,” this is what they imagine. Set on the brilliant blue of the Mediterranean and flanked on three sides by the Pyrenees foothills, this beautiful harbor is home to the prestigious vineyards of Banyuls. Taste the wine, along with the wonderful seafood.   (Whether you’re in Port-Vendres or Collioure, you’ll experience the beauty of the south of France – the brilliant blue of the Mediterranean, the Pyrenees foothills, the prestigious vineyards and a beautiful harbor. 

France’s sunniest city, located on the French Riviera, was originally a small fishing village and still is adorned by a large collection of traditional wooden fishing boats. This is the home of a group of local artisan fisherman who sell their catch daily on the pier and where Jacques Cousteau had a residence, the Villa Baobab.

Glide into port in one of Europe’s most exclusive harbors. Mingle with other privileged yachtsmen or step ashore and start walking. The glittering Grand Casino, legendary for its exotic setting on screen and off, is a must see, as is the royal family’s palace and the tomb of Philadelphia-born Princess Grace in the Cathedral.

Spend a day wandering among the rich and famous in the chic epicenter of the French Riviera — a world of exclusive boutiques, palm-fringed boulevards, sun-drenched beaches, and elegant sidewalk cafés. Be sure to visit the Avenue of the Stars, where you can place your hands in the prints of international celebrities. An optional escorted walking tour guides you through the best of this extraordinary and stylish city. 

With its golden ochre and terracotta buildings, designer shops, and chic cafés, Portofino represents the height of Italian artistry and sophistication. Sip a cappuccino along the fabled marina or enjoy a day of shopping in one of the town’s tempting little boutiques. As you look out over the harbor from the famous Hotel Splendido, it’s hard not to admire the sleek, streamlined beauty of your Windstar ship.

Pine-scented forests and miles of sandy beach await your arrival on the tranquil island of Elba. Enjoy a glass of local Moscato with the fresh catch of the day before pondering your next move. Perhaps you’ll visit the nearby countryside with its small fishing villages and dramatic mountain passes. Or see the calming beauty of Tuscan Archipelago National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.  Or maybe you’ll decide to walk to the nearest beach and dip your toes into the warm Mediterranean.

In this enchanting city the past and present intersect in perfect harmony. Casually intermingled among ancient ruins and majestic cathedrals are the trappings of a modern metropolis: Skyscrapers,cafes, boutiques selling designer footwear. But of course what you seek first in the heart of Rome is its breathtaking history.  A good place to begin is the Vatican, with its Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica. Works by Bernini, Michelangelo, Caravaggio, and Raphael are just a few of those on display, any one of which is worth hours of contemplation. Then the ancient ruins—Colosseum, Forum, Circus Maximus. And of course the Trevi Fountain for the obligatory coins promising your return to the Eternal City.

Disembark the yacht and board a motor coach for the Eternal City. Your guide will take you on a local fruit and vegetables market tour, explaining the Roman lifestyle and street food. Discover the picturesque and hidden corners of Rome, next to the most glorious temples and fountains of the Roman and Papal times, while sampling some local delicacies such as pizza and gelato! The Roman Street Food experience is a foodie’s dream. After the active tour, drive to your hotel where you will be greeted by the hospitality staff and checked into your room.

(Includes overnight at Savoy Hotel and street food)

Breakfast is included at your hotel. Meet your guide at the hotel and set off to the Colosseum where you will visit and learn about the expansion and organization of Rome at the time of the Emperors. You will have the opportunity to enter the Colosseum. Approach the Forum and see a valley full of temples and ancient buildings reminiscent of the ancient city that lives below the modern one. Enjoy some free time for a cappuccino or or light lunch before moving to the Vatican City, for your tour of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel.  You will enter the museums by means of a skip-the-line reservation and you will admire the greatest collection of works of art with the help of an informative guide. At the end of the museums galleries you will enter the world-famous Sistine Chapel where the masterpieces of Michelangelo Buonarroti – such as the glorious fresco painting of the Last Judgment - a truly intense moment.
 
(Includes overnight at the Hotel Savoy and breakfast.)

Breakfast is included. Check out and transfer to the airport according to your flight schedule.
 
(Includes breakfast and airport transfer.)