Nice to Rome Cruise: La Dolce Vita

As one of the Mediterranean’s most iconic cities, Nice grants a millionaire’s access to the French Riviera today with our ‘Your Choice’ morning experiences offering a selection of excursions fit for a VIP. Indulge in a little boutique shopping, take a dip in ‘the Med’ or linger over a lunch of French treats this afternoon, before we gather for a welcome drink to celebrate the start of our journey.

To most travelers the name Promenade des Anglais is synonymous with the stretch of shoreline connecting Antibes to Nice. Named after the wealthy English upper class who placed Nice at the top of their Grand Tour bucket list, the Promenade des Anglais 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 it 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 idolized.

You can choose from a selection of morning shore excursion options that best suits your interests and level of fitness (ask your Adventure Specialist for details). On the guided Walking Nice tour, explore the Old Town for history, a flower market, Queen Victora’s cherished chocolate shop and more. Or visit The Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild in the ultra-wealthy Cap Ferrat to take in the imitation Renaissance-style palazzo’s exotic Japanese and Florentine gardens and its former Baroness’s flair for all things art. Lastly, Picasso’s Riviera Retreat travels to Castle Grimaldi to view Picasso’s masterpieces before free time to wander the waterfront streets of Antibes.

Depart Nice mid-morning for a scenic drive to the medieval village of Saint-Paul de Vence. Your journey follows the Mediterranean coast, where you’ll hear stories of the movies and moguls who’ve made this coastline famous, before heading inland to the magical hilltop enclave of Saint-Paul de Vence, where the vibrant colors and artistic heritage of Picasso, Modigliani, Dufy and Matisse run rich as its history. Marc Chagall, who returned from exile during World War II and lived in the village for 19 years, rests in the local cemetery, adding to the artistic prestige of the area. Here, your local guide will introduce you to tales of the renowned artists who were drawn to this quintessential Provençal village, before there’s time for you to explore at your own pace.

Mid-afternoon, return to Nice and board the ship, where you’ll enjoy a welcome dinner as you sail the French coastline towards the Italian Riviera.

The port of La Spezia is your base to explore the series of towns collectively known as the Cinque Terre; considered as works of art in their own right.

Literally translated as ‘the five lands,’ these villages span a series of coastal ravines and rugged ridges along a nine-mile stretch of the Ligurian coast. The steep coastal landscape of the Cinque Terre has afforded residents an idiosyncratic lifestyle for centuries, as they staved off pirates, fought off floods and resisted invasions. The UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore retain their authentic determination, preserving individual dialects, traditional trades and communal ties. Almost inaccessible until the 1870s, the Cinque Terre represent a microcosm of Italian coastal life: sun, sea, fine food and wine, and a relaxed charm—guaranteed to put a smile on the face of any traveler.

Board a private ferry for a picturesque journey to these scenic coastal villages. As you glide along the shoreline, a local guide shares the rich history and character of each charming waterfront hamlet. Once ashore, there’s time to explore and soak in the atmosphere at your own pace.

When Italian women 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 townhall steps. A form of propaganda and sign of power for all to see.

You can choose from a selection of morning and full-day shore excursion options that best suits your interests and level of fitness (ask your Adventure Specialist for details). The morning Pisa-More Than a Leaning Tower excursion offers a train ride straight to the renowned Piazza dei Miracoli, plus free time to wander Pisa. For a full-day experience, visit San Gimignano (where many classic Italian films were shot) with a local guide, followed by free time. The other full-day experience, The Rebirth of Florence, is a locally guided walking tour with a focus on the city’s street art and daily Renaissance life, plus free time.

Originally named Domiziana by its wealthy Roman inhabitants, the marina town of Porto Santo Stefano has rebuilt many of its colorful terraced homes after 95% of the town was destroyed by heavy bombing in World War II. Today, the gentle waters of the Mediterranean lap at a popular promenade and a harbor of leisure craft, providing a calmer atmosphere. Today’s ‘Your Choice’ experiences offer time to enjoy Port Santo Stefano at your leisure, before bidding farewell to your crew over a special dinner and sailing south, following the coast toward Rome.

You can choose between a morning and a half-day shore excursion, for the option that best suits your interests and level of fitness (ask your Adventure Specialist for details). The morning Tuscan Landscapes and Orbetello guided tour explores a botanical dry garden with over 1,500 Mediterranean plants and tree species, followed by free time to explore the lagoon-bound village of Orbetello and then free time to wander the charming Porto Santo Stefano after lunch back on board. Or choose the half-day Magliano in Toscana Paired With a Farm-to-Plate Vineyard Lunch for stories from a local guide during a scenic drive, free time to wander town and Tuscan delicacies at a nearby winery.

After breakfast on board, disembark and transfer to Rome for your two-night stay.

On arrival in Rome, your first stop is the charming Roman suburb of Trastevere. Known for its narrow-cobbled streets, vibrant piazzas and authentic Roman character, Trastevere offers a glimpse into local life, with medieval churches, artisan shops and lively cafés tucked around every corner. After an introduction to Trastevere by your local guide, there’s free time to try a Roman treat at a local trattoria, discover a hidden treasure or simply soak up the atmosphere of the popular part of Rome.

In the early afternoon, continue to the Vatican City for a guided visit to one of Christianity’s most iconic landmarks: St. Peter’s Basilica. Once the site of Emperor Nero’s brutal spectacles, the Vatican Hill was transformed into sacred ground by Constantine, Rome’s first Christian emperor, who declared it ‘the hill of the martyrs.’ Today, this sovereign city-state, which was granted independence from Italy in 1929, houses the heart of the Catholic Church.

Towering above it all is St. Peter’s Basilica, the largest church in Christendom and a breathtaking example of Renaissance architecture. Designed in part by Michelangelo, who at age 72 created the majestic dome, the basilica rises above what is believed to be the tomb of St. Peter, the first apostle and first Pope. Admire Michelangelo’s moving Pietà, Bernini’s grand baldachin, and the sheer scale and spiritual gravitas of this revered site. Note: As today is Sunday, the Vatican Museums are closed. Additionally, during Mass, access within St. Peter’s Basilica is restricted. For this reason, your visit to the Vatican is scheduled for the afternoon.

An intriguing tale of historical drama and legendary myths make Rome a popular topic in a game of trivia. Scandalous and sanguine, Roman lifestyle swung from democratic to autocratic, slavery to liberation, paganism to Christianity. The Roman empire’s public relations machine flaunted its sovereignty with triumphant arches and fluted columns, monolithic mausoleums, statue-filled stairways and masterfully engineered temples. Enhanced by the wealth of the Catholic Church, the city added to its opulence and grandeur with baroque fountains, obelisk-centered piazzas and Christendom’s domed cathedrals. The story of ancient Rome’s insurmountable empire, its dramatic demise and the rise of the powerful Catholic Church is one of Europe’s most compelling stories.

A tour of Rome is a highlight of any visit to Italy, especially for those whose homeland isn’t blessed with such a wealth of history. Imperial relics rekindle the era when Rome’s population of one million surpassed any other city worldwide. Your local guide(s) merge the city’s past and present through their stories on every street corner, along every alley and in every piazza.

Choose a shorter, comprehensive tour to see a slice of Roman life, or lace up your walking shoes and experience Rome from street level on a locally guided walking tour. In the afternoon, enjoy some time for independent exploration before gathering this evening for a farewell reception.

You can choose between a morning and a half-day shore excursion, for the option that best suits your interests and level of fitness (ask your Adventure Specialist for details). For a morning option, the Highlights of Rome tour (via coach bus) visits major sites like the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Trevi Fountain, followed by free time. For a half-day experience, try Roaming Rome by foot to take in all the major sites, concluding at the enchanting Piazza Navona.

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