Mediterranean Escapade: Spain & the French Riviera

Welcome to Spain and the spectacular coastal city of Barcelona. One of the most vibrant, cosmopolitan cities in Europe, Barcelona is famous for its beautiful beaches, incredible food, cutting-edge art scene and buzzing nightlife.

Your journey of wonder begins as soon as you step on board Scenic Eclipse. You’ll be warmly greeted by the crew and shown to your luxurious verandah suite. Take some time to settle in, meet your personal butler and pick the perfect pillow from the plush pillow menu. Explore the rest of your Discovery Yacht before dinner, from the outdoor Vitality Pool on Deck 10 to the indulgent Senses Spa on Deck 6 and the Observation Lounge and Terrace on Deck 5, where you can look out to the twinkling lights of Barcelona.

Step out onto your verandah this morning for a panoramic view of one of the most beautiful bays in the world. The city of Roses is on Spain’s Costa Brava, close to the border with France, in a stunning region where the mountains meet the sea. Its glorious natural harbour led the Greeks to establish a trading colony here in 776BC. Walk through the city’s fascinating past at the Ciutadella historic site. Roses is flanked by long, sandy beaches and secluded coves. The surrounding waters are famous for their marine life and there are many spots to snorkel close to shore.

You will enjoy a late departure tonight, meaning you can make the most of Roses’ famous sunsets. It is one of the few places on the Costa Brava with a western facing beach, so you will have a spectacular view of the setting sun from the sand or from one of the many restaurants and bars that dot the waterfront. Be sure to sample the local specialty, a delicious Catalan fish stew.

This morning, Scenic Eclipse will sail into another of the Mediterranean’s dazzling, natural deep-water harbours. Collioure has an intricate history, occupied by the Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Barbarians, Arabs, Spaniards and, ultimately, French over more than 2,500 years.

Bedecked with small beaches, castles by the sea, and pink-domed bell towers, it is little wonder that this town is favourite of artists. Known as the pearl of the Vermillion Coast, Collioure has azure waters lapping pebbled beaches and pastel houses surrounding sun dappled squares. Walk through the town and lose yourself on the streets lined with cafes and gelato shops. With a mix of French and Spanish influences, Collioure is famed for its wine and salted anchovies, both of which are exported all over France.

The town of Sanary-sur-Mer on the French Riviera began life as a fishing village and the marina is still crammed with hundreds of brightly coloured wooden boats. As it is only a small port, Scenic Eclipse will stop outside the harbour and use tenders to take guests ashore right in the centre of town. The Captain will employ the high-tech GPS Dynamic Positioning System to maintain the ship’s location without dropping anchor on ecologically sensitive seabeds.

You’ll quickly be charmed by the pretty palm-lined harbour, the quiet pedestrian streets and pastel-hued buildings, all clustered around a 13th century watchtower, which you can climb for sweeping views of the town. There are a number of interesting churches dotted throughout the town; visit the 16th century Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Pitié and the 19th century Gothic Revival style Église Saint Nazaire. Along the harbour, you’ll see fishermen pulling in the days catch which is then served up at the open-air restaurants looking out over the bobbing boats.

Saint-Tropez was once a sleepy fishing village. But in the mid-1950s, French screen siren Brigitte Bardot and the film And God Created Woman transformed it into the chicest travel hotspot for the international jet set. Today, it still retains all the glitz and glamour, alongside impossibly blue seas, stunning beaches and a bohemian art scene. Stroll along the cobblestone streets of the old fishing quarter of La Ponche and revel in the abstract architecture and sunlit landscapes that inspired great artists and filmmakers.

Enjoy a late departure tonight and see Saint-Tropez come alive after dark. It’s the perfect opportunity to join the beautiful people at open-air bars along the waterfront or chic rooftop cocktail bars with spectacular views. Listen for the sounds of live music and keep an eye out for any visiting celebrities.

Tucked in a deep bay between Nice and the Cap Ferrat peninsula, Villefranche-sur-Mer is one of the hidden gems of the Côte d’Azur. The old town dates to the 14th century, creamy apartment buildings tumble down to the shoreline and hidden stairways weave between it all. This is a tender port, so Scenic Eclipse will wait just offshore as you are ferried right into the centre of town.

Enjoy a full day to spend in Villefranche-sur-Mer, where you can explore the town or make the short trip into Nice to discover its many museums, historical sites and galleries. A late-night departure allows you ample time to wander along the waterfront to discover its cosy wine bars and glamorous rooftop cocktail spots.

Calvi, on the French island of Corsica, has a long and illustrious history. It was founded in the 13th century and its fiery medieval citadel still stands, overlooking the red tiled roofs. It has been a tourist hotspot since the 1920s, thanks to its a moon shaped bay lined with a golden, sandy beach and forested mountains on the horizon. Today, it has the feel of a chic resort on the French Riviera, with waterfront restaurants, luxury hotels and multi-million-dollar yachts at anchor. Explore the alleys of this historic old town, walk around the ramparts of the citadel, and try to find the house that is said to be the birthplace of Christopher Columbus.

Your cruise finishes in Monte Carlo. The most famous district in the world’s second-smallest country, Monaco, it attracts high-rollers and prodigious wealth with luxurious high-rise hotels, designer boutiques and beautiful people at every turn. Sleek and stylish Scenic Eclipse fits in perfectly among the private superyachts anchored at the marina.