14 nights from Civitavecchia (Italy) with Queen Victoria

Livorno

Villefranche Sur Mer

Ajaccio

The largest city in Corsica has all the attractions of a typical French Mediterranean resort, with beaches, palm trees, street cafés and a picturesque mountain range in the background.

If you didn't already know that Napoleon Bonaparte was born in Ajaccio, you will find out after just a few minutes of being here. With a glitzy marina, designer boutiques and trendy restaurants, Corsica's cosmopolitan capital honours its famous 'son' with street names, statues and various excellent museums.

Ajaccio is located in the most protected part of the Gulf of Ajaccio, an inlet of the Corsican Sea at the mouth of the Gravona and Prunelli rivers.

Its name comes from the Greek word 'Agation' (good port), due to its privileged position on the coast. The city has been occupied by the Romans, Pisans, and Genoese who built a fortifed citadel in 1492, and was populated by the Lunigiana families, including the Bonapartes. In 1769, one year after French occupation began, the city's most illustrious citizen was born: Napoleon.

Valencia

Barcelona

Valletta

Bari

Bari is one of the most flourishing cities in southern Italy renowned for its important historic centre, once enterly sorrounded by walls. Some of them are still visible and inside them you can visit churches, several theatres and numerous medieval palaces connected by narrow and picturesque streets. Located between two provinces, Brindisi and Foggia, is the third most populous city for number of inhabitants in southern Italy after Naples and Palermo. The relics of St Nicholas, the city's patron saint, are kept in Bari, making its church an important Orthodox centre.

The conformation of the city resembles that of an eagle, whose head is represented by Bari Vecchia, the oldest part of the city. We suggest to you to visit Bari especially in spring and autumn, when the climate is milder and rainfall is scarce. In Bari there are many monuments to visit to those who decide to embark from its port and perhaps take a tour of the city. Don't miss the Cathedral of San Sabino, palazzo de Gemmis and in the center of the Murat district palazzo Mincuzzi, rich in Art Nouveau decorations.

If your ship allows you a long stopover and you are a nature lover, don't miss the Alta Murgia nature park or the Gargano park about 2 hours away from the city. In Bari, the main city park is the 2 Giugno park, with a rich and cool pine forest where you can relax and perhaps have a snack of the classic zeppole. For lunch, we recommend a dish of the famous Apulian orecchiette, Bari's cuisine is rich in traditional agricultural products such as extra virgin olive oil, wheat and tomatoes. Friselle, panzerotti, taralli and fried polenta are very famous. Also of great importance at the table is fresh fish, from gilthead bream alla San Nicola to meatball casserole.

Split

Split (in Croatian Split, in Dalmatian Spalatro, in Ancient Greek Ασπάλαθος Aspálathos) is a city in Croatia, capital of Split-Dalmatian region, the principle center of Dalmatia and, with its population of 178,192 inhabitants (in 2011), is the second largest city of the country. Split is also an university and religious center.
The name of the city derives from the thorny broom, a very common shrub in the region, that in ancient Greek was called Aspálathos (Aσπάλαθος). Under the Roman Empire, the city was called 'Spalatum' and in the Middle Ages 'Spalatro' in the Dalmatian language. In the Slavic language it is called 'Split' while in italian 'Spalato'. In the early XIX century, the name became 'Spljet' and then returned to the form 'Split' again.

Zadar

Thanks to its geographical position, its beaches and attractive environment Zadar is an ideal destination for visiting the Dalmatia. Icing on the cake: the sunset would be the best in the world according to Alfred
Hitchcock.
Regional capital of northern Dalmatia, Zadar is a small coastal city in Croatia protected by lots of islands of the Kornati archipelago, one of the largest in the Mediterranean. If you want to enjoy your stay in this enchanting country, May, June and September are the most ideal times. A peaceful atmosphere is emanated from this ancient walled city. Surrounded by the sea and numerous pebble beaches, in the territory there are many national parks, in particular the most notably are the Plitvice Lakes, the Krka waterfalls and Velibit Mountain. Even after getting to know the city, you can admire the islands of the Kornati National Park, where you will find a labyrinth of untouched oases. This blessed place of the gods is ideal for diving and snorkling.

The surprising feature of Zadar: it is the only city in the world with a
marine 'organ', the waves produce a sound similar to the instrument used in the church. This is a further reason to discover this city rich in history and full of charm. This island has been inhabitaed for more that three decades, this is testifyed by its magnificent historical and archelogist ruins for example the 9th century monastery of San Donato, the 16th century Venetian bastions or the Porta della Terraferma, both Venetian. The central arch is decorated with a statue of St Chrysogonus, the patron saint of the city, these are just some of the places to visit. If you also plan to have fun, you will find several summer cultural events here, including Zara of Dreams or the musical nights of San Donato. For party-goers, we recommend one of the most famous clubs in Croatia, the Hacienda, which always hosts famous DJs and it is located between Zadar and Šibenik. While for liquors lovers, especially local ones, you can enjoy a typical local Maraschino in the evening.

Trieste

Trieste overlooks the Adriatic Sea and it is the starting point of serveral cruise ships. Set sail from Trieste and discover the pearls of the Adriatic, Dubrovink e Kotor, up to reach the enchanting Greek Islands for a unique cruise!

Trieste is a city located in the far end of the Adriatic Sea, in Friuli Venezia Giulia, Trieste is developed on several levels. One of its peculiarities are its wide streets, squares where there are majestic buildings of various architectural styles, they are typical of the Austrian domination era. One feature of the city that is known worldwide is its tourist and commercial port.

The port of Trieste has always been an important commercial centre, for example during the Habsburg Empire it was the main sea outlet for commercial activities.

We suggest you to visit the majestic Piazza dell'Unità d'Italia, that directly overlooks the sea and offers a very suggestive sight. Trieste is a city where the influence of the East is evident both in its traditions and in the local cuisine that has united flavours and various ingredients for unique recipts. The main dishes consist of soups and stews, but also gnocchi and stuffed pasta. If, on the other hand, you want to try a meat dish, don't miss the tasty cevapcici, very spicy meatballs of Balkan origin. While to finish, enjoy a presnitz, a pastry made of puff pastry and dried fruit of Hungarian origin.

If your ship sets sail from Trieste, do not miss the opportunity to visit this city and its most important monuments such as the Molo Audace. From here you can admire the sea before heading towards the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, built in Baroque style. Not to be missed is the San Giusto Hill and the famous Roman Theatre, which will leave all archaeology lovers speechless.