Jewels of the Italian Riviera – Nice to Venice

Nice, capital of the Alpes-Maritimes department on the French Riviera, sits on the pebbly shores of the Baie des Anges. Founded by the Greeks and later a retreat for 19th-century European elite, the city has also long attracted artists. Former resident Henri Matisse is honored with a career-spanning collection of paintings at Musée Matisse. Musée Marc Chagall features some of its namesake’s major religious works.

Prepare for a magnificent sail along the Gulf of Spezia’s rocky peninsula for a breathtaking view of the Cinque Terre National Park. A UNESCO World Heritage site, these five jewel-like villages combine medieval architecture with a touch of the Renaissance and nestle into a dramatic landscape that is truly without equal. Nearby, Portovenere with its narrow streets and pastel-coloured houses dating back to the 12th century has retained all the charms of a fishing village.

A rugged rocky promontory, the Portofino Peninsula is the loveliest spot on the Ligurian Riviera. At its feet lies the pretty port of Portofino (Italy), which has become a seaside destination for the Italian jet-set. A rugged stairway leads to a path into the heart of the luxuriant vegetation above.

An important commercial port on the Italian Coast for wood, marble and alabaster, Livorno was founded by the Medicis. From here we will venture out to discover the delights of tuscany and its great cities of art. Explore the aristocratic charm of secretive Pisa and its famous leaning tower, or the elegance of Florence, Dante’s homeland where the Renaissance was born.

Porto Santo Stefano is a seaport town on the west coast of Italy, in the municipality of Monte Argentario, in the Province of Grosseto, Tuscany. It is the municipal seat of Monte Argentario and one of the two major towns that form the township, along with Porto Ercole.

Since time immemorial, artists and travellers have fallen under the spell of these tiny villages lost amidst the orange and olive groves, the vineyards and bougainvillea. Amalfi and nearby Ravello, suspended between sea and sky, are the jewels of the Amalfi Coast. There is so much natural beauty to be admired here, including some magnificent gardens.

On the edge of Catania, Taormina (Italy) stands out against the slopes of Mount Tauro in the heart of a picturesque and charming location. Its ancient Greek theatre offers a magnificent panorama with the majestic Mount Etna, its lava flows still smoking, in the background.

Almost on the tip of the heel of Italy’s boot lies the peaceful town of Otranto. A Greek and Roman city, it was also one of the most important centres of Byzantine culture in the Middle Ages. Cradled in the curve of a natural bay of crystal clear water, this small borough is the perfect spot for lazing around or going for a swim.

Situated on the promontory of Monte Conero, Ancona, the capital of the Marche region, offers visitors all the charm of a typical Italian historical city. Founded by the Greeks in 390 BC and conquered by Julius Caesar in 49 BC, Ancona has a long history that was very much shaped by its harbour, a hub attracting different populations and cultures. When your ship calls here, take the time to discover the city’s many buildings, such as the cathedral dedicated to Judas Cyriacus and its façade made of white and pink marble, the Arch of Trajan, which is considered to be the port’s main embellishment, or the 15th century mansion where the painter Raphael was born and raised.

Ravenna is a city in Emilia-Romagna, Italy. It’s known for the colorful mosaics adorning many of its central buildings, like the octagonal Basilica di San Vitale, the 6th-century Basilica di Sant’Apollinare Nuovo and the cross-shaped Mausoleo di Galla Placidia.

Proud and eternal, Venice has reigned on its lagoon ever since the 6th century. You may think you know this city before even setting foot here. You will inevitably fall in love with the charm of the innumerable treasures of the Serenissima: Saint Mark’s square, the basilica, Doges palace, the Grand Canal and the gondolas. Yet, secret Venice is also waiting for you to explore its little interlacing streets and canals, to ramble through its squares and to push open the doors of its churches. The city’s extraordinary heritage shouldn’t stop you from enjoying a glass of Spritz and a few tramezzini.