The Western Mediterranean and Italian Riviera

Portsmouth

Embark Spirit of Discovery.

Depart 1700.

Spend the day at sea.

Spend the day at sea.

Spend the day at sea.

Gibraltar

Arrive 0800. Depart 1600.

Watching over the entrance to the Mediterranean, stands the unmistakable limestone Rock of Gibraltar. At its base lies Gibraltar which is connected to the end of the Iberian Peninsula by a sandy isthmus and offers an intriguing blend of British and Spanish culture. Discover Gibraltar’s Palladian architecture and typically British sights, such as red pillar boxes and familiar high street chains, during an included panoramic excursion.

Alternatively, visit the military museum or ascend the limestone monolith by cable car for panoramic views and to meet the mischievous Barbary macaques. From the top of the Rock you can look out over two continents: Africa lies just 13 miles to the south, whilst Europe stretches to the north.

Included excursion

Uncover Gibraltar’s quirky British charm on an included panoramic excursion.

Optional excursion

Go in search of dolphins in Gibraltar’s bay.

Cartagena, Spain.

Arrive 0900. Depart 1700. 

Cartagena is a historically significant city, a fact illustrated by its Roman theatre that was only unearthed in 1988. The surrounding hills are crowned by castles while the harbour is protected by an 18th-century sea wall. Set on the coast of Murcia, Cartagena has been a prized port since the Carthaginians wrapped it in ramparts and there are still portions of these Punic fortifications standing.

Other attractions include the 13th-century cathedral in the old town as well as an array of modernist gems, such as the town hall.

Optional excursion

Journey through the foothills of the Sierra Carrascoy to the city of Murcia, capital of the province of the same name. Settled by the Moors in the 9th century and conquered by the Christians in the 13th, this bustling city features an array of architectural styles, from Gothic to Baroque.

Palma, Majorca

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700. 

The elegant capital of the Balearics is characterised by attractive, palm-fringed squares lined with stylish shops and cafes, while the maze of streets in the old town reveal a distinctly Moorish heritage. Look forward to seeing more of your surroundings during an included panoramic excursion.

Included excursion

An included panoramic excursion offers a relaxing way to see the highlights.

Optional excursions

Explore the mysterious and otherworldly Drach Caves or visit a Majorcan winery.

Spend the day at sea.

Portoferraio ⚓, Elba

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

The rugged island of Elba, dotted with hilltop villages and castles, is set between Italy’s Tuscan coast and the island of Corsica. The principal town of Portoferraio sits at the tip of a deep bay on the northern coast. Yachts and pleasure craft fill the marina while boutiques and cafes line the narrow streets. A dominating fortress built by the powerful Medici family has guarded Portoferraio since the 16th century. The French emperor Napoleon spent a year in exile in Portoferraio and stayed at the Villa of the Mills, which enjoys a prime setting on a promontory overlooking the Ligurian Sea.

In contrast, Napolean’s simple summer villa in San Marino features a museum displaying art and antiques from the era. Mount Capanne is the highest point on the island of Elba. The summit, 3,340 feet above sea level, can be scaled by cable car, where you can take in far-reaching island views on a clear day.

Optional excursion

Visit the fishing village of Porto Azzuro, home to both natural and historic treasures, such as the Spanish fortress of Longone.

⚓ Land by launch or tender.

Livorno, Italy

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Set on the west coast of Tuscany, Livorno was founded in the 11th century to protect Pisa. During the Renaissance, the powerful Medici family commissioned its old town which features a latticework of canals and fortifications, including Fortezza Nuova. It became a free city during the 17th century, attracting traders which has contributed to its multicultural nature. Of note are the Baroque facades along Via della Madonna, the restored Duomo and the checkerboard promenade.

An included panoramic excursion will reveal this working port’s mix of old and new. The Renaissance city of Florence is 65 miles away.

Included excursion

See more of the city on an included panoramic excursion.

Optional excursions

See the highlights of Pisa or discover the Renaissance architecture of Florence.

Portofino ⚓, Italy

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Portofino’s collection of pastel-painted houses huddle around a yacht-filled bay backed by low, wooded hills. It has retained its traditional charm over recent decades which have seen it transform from a fishing town into an elite destination for the jet set. The scene is overlooked by Castello Brown, formerly known as the Castle of San Giorgio, a 15th-century fortification.

Explore the cobbled streets, shop for handmade macramé lace where patterns are handed down from one generation to the next, or stroll along the boardwalk to the old-fashioned town of Santa Margherita Ligure.

Optional excursion

Join a relaxing boat trip exploring the Italian Riviera.

⚓ Land by launch or tender.

Calvi ⚓, Corsica

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

The Corsican town of Calvi has a sweeping crescent-shaped bay and is overlooked by a vast 15th-century citadel. The walls enclose narrow cobbled alleyways packed with buildings, such as the Cathedral of St John the Baptist and the Oratory of St Anthony. The fortifications offer panoramic views across the bay to the mountains of la Balagne.

Optional excursion

Visit the seven-acre site of Saleccia Botanical Gardens, perched atop a hill with sea views and hundreds of plant species from Corsica and around the world.

⚓ Land by launch or tender.

Spend the day at sea.

Spend the day at sea.

Cádiz, Spain

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

3,000-year-old Cádiz is Western Europe’s oldest continually inhabited city since its founding by the ancient seafaring Phoenicians. It is strung along a peninsula, and was refortified in the 17th-century after the British attacked twice, nearly destroying the city. Key landmarks include the Baroque and neoclassical cathedral with its yellow dome and the adjoining El Sagarario, the Roman amphitheatre, Castillo de Santa Catalaina and the Torre Tavira – one of 129 watchtowers dotted throughout the city. An included panoramic excursion offers a relaxing introduction to the city.

Included excursion

See some of the city’s attractions, both old and new, during an included panoramic excursion.

Spend the day at sea.

Spend the day at sea.

Spend the day at sea.

Portsmouth

Arrive 0730.

Disembark Spirit of Discovery after breakfast.