GLITTER AND GLAM OF THE RIVIERAS
Based on the Windstar Cruises Fleet
Rome – Portoferraio – Portofino - Monte Carlo - Cannes - Sanary-sur-Mer - Port Vendres - Barcelona
Enjoy the world’s premier yachting playgrounds in a beautiful small ship that feels like your own private yacht. These beautiful ports string together like perfect pearls, each glowing with its own special beauty. Sparkling cities and charming villages. Secluded harbours and immaculate beaches. Discover the mystique and magic of the Rivieras that only an intimate yacht can show you.
DETAILED ITINERARY
DAY 1 ROME, ITALY
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, Internet cafes, boutiques selling designer footwear. But of course what you seek first in the heart of Rome is its breath taking 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…
DAY 2 PORTOFERRAIO, ITALY
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.
DAY 3 PORTOFINO, ITALY
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 harbour from the famous Hotel Splendido, it’s hard not to admire the sleek, streamlined beauty of your Windstar yacht.
DAY 4 MONTE CARLO, MONACO
Glide into port in one of Europe’s most exclusive harbours. 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.
DAY 5 CANNES, FRANCE
Spend a day wandering among the rich and famous in the chic epicentre 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.
DAY 6 SANARY-SUR-MER, FRANCE
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.
DAY 7 PORT VENDRES, FRANCE
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 harbour 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 harbour.
DAY 8 BARCELONA, SPAIN
The cosmopolitan capital of Catalonia, exuberant Barcelona celebrates the surreal work of Antoni Gaudí, the artistry of Picasso, and the pure joy and colour of Catalan life. Don’t miss the city’s amazingly well-preserved Gothic centre with its winding maze of narrow byways. Or wander down to La Fusta Wharf, a promenade near the Old Port where you’ll find a tempting array of excellent restaurants, cafés, and bars.
