7 DAYS “Mediterranean Highlights” Cruise

From Nice, visiting Portoferraio (Elba), Bizerte, Port Mahon (Menorca), Ibiza, Barcelona, Marseilles, ending at Genoa.

Onboard “AQUAMARINE”

From March 06 to November 13

Nice, France
Nice itself is an attraction: the rich blue-green sea, diverse shopping, splendid dining and lovely art-deco façades. But there are several spots that a tourist simply must see, such as the Cours Saleya Flower Market, the Matisse Museum, ancient Roman ruins, the Russian Cathedral and more. Nice is second only to Paris in the number of museums and galleries. Be sure you know which spots have the most allure before you visit.

Portoferraio (Elba), Italy
This small island boasts 91 miles of Mediterranean coastline. For those traveling on foot, the waterfront with its elegant shops and the town square with its old churches and terraced streets are appealing places. Visit the two forts, Falcone and Stella, the Piazza Napoleone, and the Villa dei Molini, Napoleon’s official residence during his exile on Elba

Bizerte, Tunisia
You begin your drive, in the company of a local guide , along the coast to the picturesque village of Sidi Bou Said. This is an artist's paradise, with blue and white sugar-cube houses scattered across the hillside above the sea. There will be time to stroll and admire the typical architecture and local handicrafts , or to relax in one of the local tea houses with some delicious mint tea. Just down the hill from Sidi Bou Said lie the impressive ruins of Carthage. According to legend, the city of Carthage was founded in 800 B.C. by the Phoenicians, and it was from here that Hannibal began his journey. It was destroyed by the Romans in 146 B.C., then refounded by Julius Caesar and eventually became the Empire's second city after Rome.

Port Mahon (Menorca), Spain
It is 47 km east of Majorca, is about 48 km long by 16 km wide, with a total land area of approx. 702 sq km. The population is approximately 69,000 and is home to a diverse range of culture, language and outstanding natural beauty

Ibiza, Spain
Ibiza (Catalan: Eivissa) is an island and town located in the Mediterranean Sea about 80 km off the coast of Spain. It is the third largest of the Balearic Islands autonomous community (Spain). With Formentera, it is one of the two Pine Islands or Pityuses. Its largest cities are Ibiza Town (Catalan:Vila d'Eivissa or simply Vila), Santa Eulària des Riu and Sant Antoni de Portmany.

Eivissa is the official Catalan name (pronounced locally [əiˈvisə] and [əiˈβisə] in Standard Catalan), but the name in Spanish is Ibiza, usually pronounced using the standard Spanish variation [iˈβ̞iθa]. In British English, the name is usually pronounced the Spanish way

Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona is a major economic centre with one of Europe's principal Mediterranean ports, and Barcelona International Airport is the second largest in Spain after Madrid-Barajas Airport. Founded as a Roman city, Barcelona became the capital of the Counts of Barcelona. After merging with the Kingdom of Aragon, it became one of the most important cities of the Crown of Aragon. Besieged several times during its history, Barcelona is today an important cultural centre and a major tourist destination and has a rich cultural heritage. Particularly renowned are architectural works of Antoni Gaudí and Lluís Domènech i Montaner that have been designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The city is well known in recent times for the 1992 Summer Olympics. The headquarters of the Union for the Mediterranean are located in Barcelona.As the capital of Catalonia, Barcelona houses the seat of the Catalan government, known as the Generalitat de Catalunya; of particular note are the executive branch, the parliament, and the Supreme Court of Catalonia. The city is also the capital of the Barcelonès comarca (shire).

Marseilles, France
For 2,600 years, Marseilles has been a port: from Massalia, the Phocean city, to Marseilles gateway to the East, maritime adventure and the rapid expansion of trade in the 19th century are evoked from the Old Port. The large historic buildings representing many political and religious symbols, which tell the story of the city can be seen on this itinerary. These are all there: Saint Victor Abbey, Notre Dame de la Garde Basilica, the cathedrals, Palais Longchamps, and the famous Old Port with The Canebière. Also, you can see all the large residences, villas or mansions, chose the exceptional site of the Corniche: architectural surprises, extravagance or elegance, splendid views of the sea, Castle of If, can be seen everywhere

Genoa, Italy
Genua was a city of the ancient Ligurians. Its name is probably .Ligurian, meaning "knee", i.e. "angle", from its geographical position, thus akin to the name of Geneva. Or it could derive from the Celtic root genu-, genawa (pl. genowe), meaning "mouth",i.e., estuary, or from the Latin word of Celtic origin "ianua", meaning "door". Part of the old city of Genoa was inscribed on the World Heritage List (UNESCO) in 2006 The main features of central Genoa include Piazza De Ferrari,around which are sited the Opera and the Palace of the Doges.There is also a house where Christopher Columbus is said to have been born.