Silversea Cruises

Nice to Rome - The Romantic Mediterranean

Itinerary

Monday - Nice, France
Nice, often referred to as the Queen of the Riviera, is a delightful city that is fashionable, yet relaxed and fun, with a wonderful blend of old and new.

The Old Town is a must to be explored. Its look has changed little since the 1700s. Narrow streets and winding alleys are lined with faded 17th- and 18th-century buildings. The famous flower market never ceases to delight visitors as well as residents. The Italian façades of modern Nice and early 20th-century residences, which made the city one of Europe’s most fashionable winter retreats, remain largely intact. Although not blessed with excellent beaches, its pebbled sands continue to attract scores of sun worshippers every year.

Adding to the city’s attractions are relics of its ancient past. Greek seafarers founded Nice around 350 BC. The Romans took control 196 years later, settling farther uphill in the area that is now Cimiez. Nice’s Italian flair results from its former association with the House of Savoy before Napoleon III assured French possession in 1860. Nice’s popularity grew considerably during the Victorian period when the English aristocracy made it their winter retreat for the mild climate.

The celebrated, palm-lined Promenade des Anglais follows the curved beachfront; it is a favorite place for strolling. Expensive shops, hotels, restaurants and art galleries line this popular promenade, among them the palatial Hotel Negresco.

North of the Old Town, the stately Place Massena is the main hub of Nice. The square is surrounded by neo-classical, arcaded buildings painted in shades of ochre and red. The central part of the city is particularly known for its pedestrian zone with many boutiques of well-known designer shops. North of the city center is the posh suburb of Cimiez, where several museums are located.

Tuesday - Marseille, France
Marseille is a vibrant, cosmopolitan port and the most populated city in the country after Paris. The craggy, mountainous hinterland of the Provence provides Marseille with a spectacular backdrop.

The unusual urban geography and atmosphere of the city are a result of the diversity of its population. As a Mediterranean melting pot, different people have mingled here as far back as 600 BC when the first settlers arrived from Greece. With a proud history of more than 2,000 years, Marseille is the oldest city in France. During the Revolution, some 500 volunteers marched to Paris, singing a catchy tune, La Marseillaise, which later became France's national anthem. In the 19th century, Marseille grew prosperous from colonial trade; commerce with North Africa grew rapidly after the French occupation of Algeria. During World War II, Marseille suffered from heavy bombing; German occupation forces caused additional damage.

Today, Marseille is the country's most important seaport and the largest one in the Mediterranean. The city is divided into 16 arrondissements fanning out from the Old Port. The large industrial port area virtually rubs shoulders with the intimate, picturesque old harbor, the Vieux Port. Packed with fishing boats and pleasure crafts, this is the heart of Marseille. Two fortresses guard the entrance to the harbor: Fort Saint Nicolas and, across the water, Fort Saint Jean.

Several vantage points offer spectacular views, including the striking Basilica Notre Dame de la Garde. This prominent landmark, overlooking the city, is crowned by a monumental gilded statue of the Virgin Mary. Marseille boasts numerous fine museums that are well worth a visit. Relaxing at one of the many outside cafés or strolling through the Old Port area allows you to enjoy the unpretentious charm of this city.

Wednesday - Calvi (Corsica), France
Sharply defined against a hazy backdrop of craggy mountains, Calvi enjoys a spectacular setting that includes an upper and lower town. Basse-Ville, as the lower town is called, is characterized by a finely drawn strip of red-roofed houses and spidery palm trees lining a picturesque promenade and a yacht-crammed marina.

From its beginning as a fishing village, Calvi fell victim to relentless raids. It wasn't until the arrival of the Genoese in 1268 that the town became a stronghold as evidenced by the massive citadel overlooking the port. The Republic of Genoa granted Calvi special privileges, such as free trading and tax exemptions in order to ensure the loyalty of the population.

Calvi suffered a terrible siege by the Turks and French in 1553. In 1794, Admiral Horatio Nelson's fleet launched an attack that ended in surrender. During World War II, the town served as a military base from where arms were smuggled to mainland France.

Perched above the marina stands the citadel, offering magnificent views from its bastions. Below extends the elegant Quai Landry, focal point of Calvi's social life and the best place to enjoy the town’s ambiance. A favorite with European glitterati in the 1950s, Calvi today has the atmosphere of an old-fashioned English resort. Add to its visual beauty a perpetually mild climate and you will understand why Calvi has been attracting year-round visitors for quite some time.

Thursday - Livorno, Italy
Livorno is Italy’s second largest port after Genoa. It also serves as a gateway to the Tuscany region and the great cultural centers of Florence, Lucca, Pisa and Siena. Tuscany delights visitors with its picturesque small towns and classic landscapes. The gently rounded hills, accented by clumps of slender cypresses, have been immortalized in numerous paintings. Lush vineyards are the source of the famous dry, dark-red Chianti wines.

From this part of Italy the national language evolved with Dante and other great Tuscan writers of his period. Even more important is the impact this area had on the culture of the rest of Italy and Europe, adding immense wealth to the architectural and artistic heritage. The Italian Renaissance, with its most active center in Florence, lasted from the 1400s to the 1700s. Its greatest support came from the all-powerful Medici family who commissioned Italy’s most talented painters, sculptors and architects to create some of the most outstanding works of art. Names such as Michelangelo, Machiavelli, Giotto, Vasari, Botticelli, da Vinci and Donatello come to mind, all of whom worked and lived in Florence at some time in their lives.

Other options for visits from Livorno may include the following: Lucca, the provincial capital and perhaps the area's best-kept secret. Pisa, famed for its great architectural ensemble, comprising the 11th-century Cathedral, the Baptistery and, most famous of all, the Bell Tower with its pillared galleries known for centuries as “The Leaning Tower.” Siena, laid out over three steep hills, is considered by many to be Italy’s most enchanting medieval city.

Whichever of the many attractions you choose to visit during the ship's call at Livorno, it will no doubt be a rewarding experience.

Friday - Day At Sea
While we're at sea, enjoy wine tastings, designer boutiques, language and dance classes. Take in a matinee movie, check the market or your e-mail in the Internet Point, slip away with a novel from the library to a sunny chaise or with a movie to your suite. Or just take in the sun pool side. The choice is yours.

Saturday - Sorrento, Italy
Set high atop the Mediterranean cliffs, Sorrento is a town of extraordinary beauty that has endured as a favored resort for centuries. In addition to its own attractions, Sorrento is also known as a popular gateway to Pompeii, Italy’s most celebrated classical ruins. They offer a look at the finest example of a Roman town and its way of life, presented to modern eyes by excavation.

The ever-popular Isle of Capri is just a short distance from Sorrento by jet-foil. It ranks as one of Italy’s most beautiful islands and has captured the fancy of visitors for centuries. Its excellent year-round climate, spectacular landscape and fantastic sea caverns ensure a never-ending stream of tourists. In addition, the island boasts lavish villas, elegant hotels, chic boutiques and quaint restaurants, making it is easy to understand why Capri has become so popular.

Discover the charm of Sorrento, enjoy the famous archaeological sites and breathtaking scenery of the Amalfi Drive, or sit in a shady sidewalk café with an espresso or a cold drink and savor the local ambiance.

Sunday - Poltu Quatu, Italy
The resort of Poltu Quatu Marina dell’Orso is located on the north-east of Sardinia: the famous area called “Costa Smeralda” is situated between the two most popular villages: Porto Cervo and Baja Sardinia.

Caprera Island can actually be seen from Poltu Quatu, whereas the islands of La Maddalena, Santa Maria, Budelli, Razzoli, Lavezzi, Cavallo and Corsica are close by.

It would not be an exaggeration to define the Sardinian landscape as the most stunning in the world and Poltu Quatu, (meaning “hidden port” in Sardinian dialect) is no exception.

Poltu Quatu looks like an old fishing village built around the traditional circular little square, with narrow alleyways and stone buildings, an area characterized by its red granite which has been sculpted into fantastic shapes by the “maestrale” wind. The granite rocks make a frame to a very clear sea in which you can count the sand grains even at 20 meters deep.

Poltu Quatu was founded in 1987 with the intention of providing a safe harbor for sailing and to appreciate the finer pleasures of life. Today, Poltu Quatu has a variety of nice bars, restaurants and shops.

Monday - Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy
Sprawled across seven legendary hills, romantic and beautiful Rome was one of the great centers of the ancient world. Although its beginning is shrouded in legend and its development is full of intrigue and struggle, Rome has always been and remains the Eternal City. Its greatest splendor was experienced during the 1st and 2nd centuries when art flourished, monumental works of architecture were erected, and the mighty Roman legions swept outward, conquering much of the known world. With Rome’s establishment as capital of the Western world, a new ascent to glory began.

Today’s Rome, with its splendid churches, ancient monuments and palaces, spacious parks, tree-lined boulevards, fountains, outdoor cafés and elegant shops, is one of the world’s most attractive and exciting cities. Among the most famous monuments is the Coliseum. As you walk its cool, dark passageways, imagine the voices that once filled the arena as 50,000 spectators watched combat between muscled gladiators and ferocious animals. Stop to see the remains of the Forum, once the city’s political and commercial center. In later times, Rome’s squares were enhanced with such imposing structures as the Vittorio Emanuele Monument, the grandiose Trevi fountain and Bernini’s Fountain of the Four Rivers, to name just a few.

Rome jars the senses and captures the soul. Join the many visitors who stand in awe of St. Peter's Basilica, Christendom’s most magnificent church. Admire the timeless masterpiece of Michelangelo’s frescoes in the Sistine Chapel. For the Millennium, Rome underwent an extensive beautification program that restored and cleaned churches, palaces, museums and piazzas. Many of the streets, squares and public spaces have been turned into pedestrian areas, causing additional strain on already horrendous traffic conditions.

When visiting Rome, guests must be aware that traffic and parking problems may cause delays. During the Easter Holiday, additional crowds can be expected at the most popular sites.

Cost of This Itinerary

The least expensive cabin costs:
$594 per person per night

The most expensive stateroom costs:
$2022 per person per night