Civitavecchia to Monte Carlo

All roads lead to Rome, and with good reason - this city is one of the world’s most thrilling, offering unmatched history along every street. An evocative, inspiring and utterly artistic capital of unrivalled cultural impact, Rome is a city of back-to-back landmarks, which will take you on an exhilarating journey through the ages. This may be one of the world’s oldest cities, but it’s well and truly lived in. The ruins are punctuated with murmuring cafes, and the outdoor seating of restaurants sprawls out across piazzas, enticing you to sample tangles of creamy pasta and crispy pizzas. Rome’s incredible Roman Forum is littered with the ruins of its ancient administrations, which have stood firm for 2,000 years, since the times when the area was the centre of the Western world. Few sites are more simultaneously beautiful and haunting than that of the storied Colosseum, which looms deep into Rome’s rich blue sky. Take a tour to learn details of the grisly goings-on within. The best way to experience Rome is to wander its streets, gelato in hand. There is a lot to see here - whether it’s the domed spectacle of the Pantheon, or the elaborate flowing waters and artistry of the Trevi Fountain. Vatican City is an astonishing, colossal display of Catholic grandeur, while the Spanish Steps – crowned by the Trinità dei Monti church – offer a beautiful spot to gather and soak up the lively atmosphere of this humming city. With so much on the to-do list, you’ll relish the breaks you take, enjoying simple pleasures like a strong espresso, or fresh pasta with tomato sauce and ripped basil.

The Tower of Matilde is an iconic structure of the city of Livorno. This medieval tower is said to have been built by the famous mathematician and astronomer Galileo Galilei. It is named after Matilde di Canossa, an influential noblewoman who played a key role in the political and religious conflicts of the 11th century. Matilde was a powerful figure in medieval Italy, and her legacy is still felt in Livorno today. The tower was built on her orders as a defensive stronghold to protect the city against invaders, and its strategic location on the coast made it an important part of the city's defenses. Over the centuries, the Tower of Matilde has been restored and renovated several times, but it still retains its original medieval charm. The tower is a classic example of medieval architecture, with its thick walls, narrow windows, and imposing structure. The tower was later used as a watchtower during World War II and is now a popular tourist attraction as visitors can climb to the top and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding area. The Tower of Matilde is also an important cultural landmark in Livorno. It is often used as a venue for cultural events and exhibitions, and its unique atmosphere and ambiance make it a popular destination for artists and writers.

Effervescent and exclusive, Portofino rests on a privileged peninsular. Lavish yachts mingle together, seeking out sought-after berths in the harbour, while gelato drips onto the stone-paved streets in this, the most alluring and glamorous town of the Italian Riviera. This section of the Ligurian Coast is a protected area, and home to some of the country’s most picturesque, and jaw-dropping scenery - which is best viewed from the deck of a sailing boat. Crisp white villas roll out across the verdant green hillsides, surrounded by laden vineyards and olive groves. Down in Portofino itself, the buzz of chatter and the clatter of cutlery, provide the soundtrack to busy terrace bars and restaurants, which serve up fine food and delicious sea views. Portofino’s achingly beautiful harbour arcs around the lapping waves, with a warmly-hued waterfront of peach and apricot colours - which also adorns postcards and promotional travel guides of Italy. For the authentic Portofino experience, sail out onto the tranquil waters of the Gulf of Tigullio, to mingle amongst the privileged at play, or settle back in the shade as you take aperitivo on the picturesque waterfront Piazzetta. Here you can sip the famous Ligurian wines, and stave off hunger with focaccia con il formaggio - or platters of fine cheese and hams. Deeper into Portofino, you’ll find artisans crafting their wares and weaving together lace, or you can ascend to viewpoints like the lemon shaded Church of San Giorgio, to look over the pretty jumble from up above. A wander out along the headland to the tapering tip of the peninsular, rewards with the views of Portofino’s iconic white lighthouse beaming out light and welcoming ships to this slice of Riviera heaven.

Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax unwind and catch up with what you’ve been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale watching, catching up on your reading or simply topping up your tan these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring shore side.

Encircled by dramatic medieval walls, which rise abruptly from deep-blue waters, Alghero’s defences shelter one of Sardinia’s largest and most spectacular old towns. Uneven cobbled streets, rich history and a fiery Catalan flare provide a real depth of character, and the Coral Riviera’s pristine beaches, which stretch out nearby, help to make Alghero a real highlight of Sardinia. Alghero has changed hands numerous times over its tempestuous history, but it’s the Catalan influence that you’ll feel most acutely, as you explore. It was the Catalans who upgraded the defensive ramparts of the ‘Sardinian Barcelonetta’ into the spectacular, imposing fortress we see today, enclosing the old town’s evocative knot of narrow streets and rose-gold-coloured masonry. Wander the streets at your leisure, enjoying the cooling shade of the tight, cobblestone streets with lemon-gelato in hand, or enjoying fresh tuna steak at the bustling La Boqueria market. Alghero Cathedral is hidden amid the labyrinth of narrow streets, but it’s the distinctive Baroque-dome of Chiesa di San Michele that you’ll immediately notice peeking ostentatiously over the terracotta roofs of the old town, flaunting its rainbow-coloured patterning. Plush restaurants revel in Alghero’s historical collision of cultures and produce delicious fare like plump clams tangled in tagliatelle, and succulent porcetto pork – slowly roasted to perfection in smoky wood ovens. Wash it down with mirto, a crushed berry liqueur, or sample the fruits of local vineyards, with a platter of Sardinia’s renowned pecorino sheep’s cheese. The city dominates Sardinia’s Coral Riviera – so named because of the red coral found here that’s been used for jewellery since Roman times. Lie back and listen to the waves washing ashore at Spiaggia di Maria Pia beach, breathing in the smell of pine-needles on the breeze.

Famed as the island birthplace of French Emperor, Napoléon Bonaparte, Ajaccio has made a towering contribution to European history. Bonaparte may be omnipresent in Ajaccio – with statues watching out over palm-tree lined boulevards bearing his name - but there is a lot more to this charming city, where an unhurried Mediterranean attitude mixes with the trendy buzz of a French Riviera resort. The stunning setting pairs glowing blue water with a dramatic backdrop of towering, snow-capped peaks. Bonaparte may have been famously short in stature, but he stands as a true giant of history. The National Bonaparte Museum is the ideal place to learn more of his life, in the very house where he was born in 1769. Just inside the modest Cathedral Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption – surrounded by frescoed walls – you’ll also see the stone font where he was baptised. Elsewhere, the perched watchtower of Îles Sanguinaires is a short boat ride away, or Plage de Capo di Feno’s stunning, isolated band of white sand and transparent waters may tempt you outside of the historic city. Settle at a restaurant near the harbour to taste succulent wild boar, stewed in rich red wine casserole, or to crack into soft lobster meat. You also have to enjoy the famous fiadone cheesecake made from local brocciu cheese while you’re here, and to let the magic of unique Corsican Polyphony music carry you away. Three singers expertly blend harmonies to create a spine-tingling combination of melody – you’ll notice the distinctive style, as they each cover an ear to focus more clearly on their individual contribution.

Built around a sheltered bay, with 1,700-foot Mount Faron as an impressive backdrop, Toulon is an important naval port and a city of industry and manufacturing. Its large harbor serves as the base for the French navy's Mediterranean fleet and as the home to a sizeable marina, with yachts and pleasure boats adding bright splashes of color. Toulon was the site where Napoleon Bonaparte first made a name for himself in 1793 during a siege in which the English, who had taken over Toulon, were expelled. During World War II, the bulk of the French fleet anchored off Toulon was scuttled by French crews to prevent its acquisition by occupying German forces. The city was liberated in 1944 by French troops. A maze of pedestrian streets constitutes the heart of old Toulon. Shops and colorful stalls make it an attractive area to explore. Avenue de la République runs parallel to the waterfront. At the western edge of the quay is the Naval Museum featuring an excellent collection of old and new ship models, figureheads, paintings and other items related to Toulon’s maritime history. The town’s attractions can be seen in a fairly short time. Most visitors come here to explore the hinterland and other parts of the Riviera.

Glitzy glamorous and unashamedly luxurious – live the high life in Monte Carlo. From the super-yachts jostling for position in the harbour to the lavish bars splashing out iced champagne tiny Monaco’s only city is a high rolling decadent affair - and a gloriously indulgent sun-soaked taste of the good life. Famed for its low tax status - and the Formula One race that roars through its hairpin bends and tight streets each year - Monaco is the ultimate playground of the rich and famous. Monaco may be the world’s second-smallest country - only the Vatican has a smaller footprint - but Monte Carlo has a confidence impact and appeal that few can match. The gilded Royal Palace adds an air of regal glory and whether you want to soak up the culture at the opera or raise the stakes at a casino - doing your finest 007 impressions - you’ll feel very much at home here. Soar above the high-rise hotels and glorious casinos in a helicopter to see the city from above and admire landmarks like the cathedral where Grace Kelly married the Prince of Monaco in 1956. High-end fashion fragrances and fancy adornments await in the gold-label shops of Monte Carlo's lavish shopping streets while the old town’s pink and lemon floral facades offer an authentic balance of historic character to counterpoint the well-heeled excesses. A wonderful escape revel in old-world glitz and glam as you admire twinkling chandeliers and wander between palatial architecture while enjoying your time in Monte Carlo's abundant wonderland.