Western Mediterranean from Genoa - Costa Smeralda

Day 1: Genoa, Italy

Embark the megaship Costa Smeralda. The ship departs from Genoa port at 18.00.

Day 2: Marseille, France

The ship arrives at Marseille port at 09:00 and departs at 18:00

A pleasant thing to do is simply sit down at one of the cafes overlooking the port of Marseilles and, sipping a Pastis, observe the landscape and the people who inhabit it. Also called the "Porpoise City ", Marseille is France’s sunniest town, charming with its gullies where you can swim, its history and culture and restaurants with cosmopolitan cuisine. You cannot leave without having first toured on the “Cours Julien”, the street for shopping. The port of Marseille is perhaps a typical tourist destination, but it deserves to be visited for the ferry that leaves from the Town Hall and the old church, which replaced a Templar building. 

Not to be missed: Aix-en-Provence and Avignon, the city of the Popes
 

Day 3: Barcelona, Spain

The ship arrives at Barcelona port at 08:00 and departs at 18:00

Among the "ramblas" you will discover great food and beer, but we are always under the watchful eye of Gaudi, who captured and expressed the soul of Barcelona in his architecture. The city is home to an innovative contemporary art museum, the Sagrada Familia Cathedral, and Camp Nou. Also, after visiting these popular destinations, you can discover the Catalan culture. During our stop in Barcelona,  take a walk down La Rambla before visiting the Picasso Museum. In the city, you can see memorable architecture everywhere. Before leaving pay a visit to the neighborhood in the port of Barcelona. Completely renovated for the Olympic Games in 1992, it has become a place filled with bars, clubs, and restaurants. 

Not to be missed: Helicopter ride, the masterpieces of Gaudí and Sightseeing tour of Barcelona and Camp Nou stadium

Day 4: At Sea

Day at your leisure to enjoy the facilities of Costa Smeralda ship.

Day 5: Cagliari, Italy

The ship arrives at Cagliari port at 07:00 and departs at 16:00.

Cagliari, the capital of Sardinia, provides the perfect blend of modern life and medieval mystery on your Italian cruise. Check out the thousands of mysterious nuraghi (stone dwellings) found on the island. See Mercato di San Benedetto, and photograph the amazing museum citadel.
Whilst in Cagliari, don't forget to visit Molentargius Saline Park - home to over 180 different species of birds and is famously known for its pink flamingos.

Fun Fact #1 - The Villa Clara, old mental hospital restored into the new provincial library, houses many cultural events throughout the year including the European Jazz Expo.

Fun Fact #2 - Cagliari is considered one of the greenest cities in Italy. Each inhabitant has access to 87.5 square metres of public gardens and parks.

Day 6: Naples

The ship arrives at Naples port at 10:00 and departs at 20:00.

Cruise to Naples, located on Italy's stunning Amalfi coast, a city rich in history. A tour around Naples' grand piazzas, cathedrals and castles in the old centre will take you back centuries.
Pompeii is not too far either, a dashing city which boasts diverse cultural offerings and charming streets. Buildings, churches, streets, ancient fortresses and castles in the sea, as well as natural caves make Naples unforgettable. Pizza was invented in Naples, Italy. The margherita pizza, topped with tomato sauce and mozzarella, was named after Queen Margherita. The Funicular in Naples is one of the longest funicular lines in the world. 
 

Day 7: Civitavecchia, Rome

The ship arrives at Civitavecchia port at 08:00 and departs at 19:00

Civitavecchia, a former Etruscan port, is the seaport for Rome. And what about it? Everything here reflects the glorious power of a people who ruled the world. Located in cove, protected to the north by Mignone and south by the Marangone, the Civitavecchia port was built on the Tyrrhenian coast in Etruscan times and still preserves traces of this history. In particular, the Michelangelo fort and the old town with its 9th-century walls bear witness to the splendour of a medieval past. We have to take advantage of this stop to visit Rome, the grandiose capital with its world-famous monuments: the Forum, the Colosseum, the Pantheon, Trajan's column, St Peter's Basilica, the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, Piazza Venezia, the Spanish Steps and so much more.

Not to be missed: The majestic Cathedral of St Francis of Assisi and The Fort Michelangelo, The Rocca, an impenetrable fortress

Day 8: Genoa, Italy

Costa Smeralda arrives at Genoa port at 08:30.