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Peregrine Travel Centre

Southern France and the Italian Riviera by Sea – with Smithsonian Journeys

Southern France and the Italian Riviera by Sea – with Smithsonian Journeys

From AUD $8,000

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Description

In alliance with Smithsonian Journeys.
This cruise is part of a collection of PONANT voyages that are specially-tailored for English-speaking travelers who want to engage with the world. In addition to the usual elements of the PONANT experience, the listed price for these voyages includes transfers to and from the ship, talks and discussions aboard ship by world class experts, and a shore excursion or activity in each port of call that encourages guests to embrace the sights, sounds, tastes, and smells of the local environment and culture.
Join us for this voyage along both the French and Italian Rivieras, exploring the rich history and culture of the fabled lands on the northern shores of the Mediterranean Sea.
Setting sail from Barcelona, your discovery of southern France begins from Sète in the Occitanie with the hilltop city of Carcassonne and its medieval citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The ancient port of Marseille is your gateway to either Aix-en-Provence, “city of a thousand fountains” and home to Paul Cézanne, or to Van Gogh’s Arles and the UNESCO World Heritage “City of Popes,” Avignon.
Nice, the last French port on this leg of your voyage, offers a tour of nearby Monte Carlo and a trip to the medieval hilltop village of Eze, with panoramic views of the Côte d’Azur. Or enjoy a journey to St. Paul de Vence to visit the Maeght Foundation’s collection of modern and contemporary art and sculpture.
The small Italian fishing village of Portofino, now a favored haunt of the rich and famous, welcomes you for a relaxing afternoon and evening of leisurely browsing through its shops and galleries and perhaps a chance to sample the local cuisine.
Porto Venere can serve as your gateway to discovery of the UNESCO World Heritage Cinque Terre, the villages at the heart of the Italian Riviera. Or you may spend the day exploring Romanesque Lucca, birthplace of Giacomo Puccini, and medieval Pisa, with its magnificent Duomo, Baptistry, and Leaning Tower.
From Livorno, a full day excursion to Florence introduces you to the heart of the Italian Renaissance. Or if you prefer, you may explore the Etruscan ruins and museum at nearby Volterra. 
Your voyage ends in the Roman port of Civitavecchia, with easy access to Rome.
Some departures may have slightly modified itineraries. Please confirm the itinerary with an Expedition Specialist.

Trip Name
Southern France and the Italian Riviera by Sea – with Smithsonian Journeys
Days
8
Overview
Vessel Type: Luxury Expedition / Cruise Ship Length: 142 meters Passenger Capacity: 264 (in twin cabins, 200 in Antarctica) Built: 2011 Le Boréal, along with her sisterships L’Austral, Le Soléal, and Le Lyrial, embodies PONANT’s signature blend of luxury, intimacy, and serene well-being. Designed with both conviviality and tranquillity in mind, she offers inviting shared spaces alongside peaceful retreats for moments of quiet escape. Her sleek exterior and refined interiors reflect the careful thought and craftsmanship that define the fleet, with a décor that captures the spirit of a private yacht. Featuring 132 staterooms and suites, she welcomes up to 264 guests in an atmosphere that feels both elegant and personal. Built in 2010 by Fincantieri in Ancona, Italy, Le Boréal measures 466 ft in length, with a beam of 59 ft, an ice-class 1C hull, and eco-design innovations continually updated to improve her environmental performance. With six passenger decks, 11 Zodiacs for exploration, and attentive French-flag service, she is equally at home navigating icy polar waters or warm, sunlit coasts. Life on board combines refined gastronomy, engaging social activities, and immersive excursions, creating a travel experience where elegance meets adventure.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 Barcelona
Located on the seashore between the mountains of Montjuïc and Tibidabo, Barcelona offers its many visitors a perfect blend of tradition and modernism. Truly an open-air museum, the “prodigious town” reveals an astonishing range of artistic treasures and museums, combining Roman ruins, medieval districts and a number of avant-garde elements from the 20th Century. Over the years, it has been marked by some of the greatest artists, such as Picasso, Miró or Gaudí, most of whose work has been listed as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. Take the time to stroll along the Ramblas and enjoy the gentle, typically Mediterranean lifestyle of the capital of Catalonia.
Day 2 - Day 2 Sète
The port of Sète, referred to by locals as the "Venice of Languedoc" because of its many canals, is a resort town known for its beaches and a thriving center of art. It’s also the gateway to nearby treasures of the Occitanie, including Nîmes, home to an exquisitely preserved Roman Amphitheater and the beautiful 18th-century Jardins de la Fontaine. The cities of Narbonne and Carcassonne are also within easy reach and serve as an introduction to the history and culture of this region. In Narbonne, you will want to visit the Palais des Archevêques and its Archaeological Museum, and in Carcassonne, you will be awed by the medieval citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Day 3 - Day 3 Marseille
 The oldest harbour in France, Marseille is the city where PONANT has chosen to set up its company headquarters. Heart vibrating in its setting of Mediterranean Calanques, it reveals its raw and authentic beauty, made up of a thousand influences and cultures which, over the centuries, have made up its wealth. A stroll through the Old Port will allow you to discover the places corresponding to the city founded by the Greeks as well as Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde Basilica, with its astonishing neo-Byzantine architecture, which overlooks it. Close to the quays, the Place de Lenche, which covers the ancient agora, will be perfect for a break in one of its lively cafés before melting into the maze of narrow streets with colourful houses in the Panier district, just a stone's throw away.
Day 4 - Day 4 Nice
Capital of the Cote d’Azur, Nice is surrounded by an amphitheatre of hills and mountains that protects it from the wind. You will probably want to explore the Promenade des Anglais, where you can sit on one of the famous blue chairs laid out opposite the baie des Anges. The Château hill is also a very pleasent place to walk. This is the entrance to the old city, with its bustling markets and regional products along the main street, the Cours Saleya.
Day 5 - Day 5 Portofino
Close to the Cinque Terre, Portofino is the jewel of the Ligurian Riviera. This "small village that stretches like a half moon around a silent basin", described by Guy de Maupassant, is today a pretty, lively little port that has managed to preserve the authenticity of its maritime traditions, which have been recognised since Ancient times. Built in the hollow of a small natural cove sheltered by the pine forest, the village is at the heart of a protected maritime reserve. The shimmering colours of its house fronts and the exceptional location of this village have inspired many authors and artists. You will also see the Portofino lighthouse, immaculate in its green setting. Perched on the Punta del Capo, it watches over the peninsula and its postcard setting.
Day 6 - Day 6 Porto Venere
Located on the magnificent chiselled coast of Liguria, to the north-west of the Italian peninsula, Portovenere is an unusual little fishing village. Clinging to the southernmost tip of the Cinque Terre National park, this charming town benefits from an exceptional location, at the mouth of the gulf of La Spezia. As soon as you set foot on land, you will be mesmerised by the pastel shades of the buildings. Via Capellini is its lively and welcoming main street, brimming with shops and restaurants. At the end of a long promenade, a steep road leads to Doria castle. Below, on its rocky spur, the Church of Saint Peter offers a splendid view of Palmaria island.
Day 7 - Days 7 - 8 Livorno
On the ligurian coast, Livorno invites us to Tuscany, a charming region offering archaeological vestiges, Renaissance treasures, undulating landscapes and a pleasant way of life. When the Medicis arrived in the 16th century they developed the city, which became one of the most important ports in the Mediterranean. Cosmopolitan and multireligious, Livorno has welcomed many immigrants and is a wonderful example of cultural diversity. Built during that period, Fortezza Vecchia and Fortezza Nuova attest to the city’s power. At the foot of the new fort, Nuova Venezia is an enchanting district with small canals and streets to stroll along to discover a few architectural treasures, such as the magnificent Santa Caterina da Siena church in the Tuscan baroque style.
Day 8 - Please note:
Itineraries are subject to change. 
Day 9 - Day 9 Civitavecchia (Rome)
Built on an Etruscan site, between the Tyrrhenian sea and the Monti della Tolfa, Civitavecchia respires the dolce vita. This very modern and easy going town combines art and history with panache. You can also visit superb historical sites like Fort Michelangelo or the Cathedral of Saint Francis of Assisi. Just 80 kilometres from Rome, the town is a beautiful first step to the Italian capital.
Day 10 - Please note:
Itineraries are subject to change. 

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
23-09-202601-10-2026AUD $13,520Deluxe Stateroom
23-09-202601-10-2026AUD $14,970Prestige Deck 4
23-09-202601-10-2026AUD $32,890Grand Deluxe Suite Deck 5
23-09-202601-10-2026AUD $34,140Privilege Suite Deck 5
23-09-202601-10-2026AUD $34,140Privilege Suite Deck 6
23-09-202601-10-2026AUD $37,470Grand Deluxe Suite Deck 6
23-09-202601-10-2026AUD $39,360Owner's Suite
23-09-202601-10-2026AUD $15,710Prestige Deck 5
23-09-202601-10-2026AUD $16,570Prestige Deck 6
23-09-202601-10-2026AUD $22,960Deluxe Suite Deck 6
23-09-202601-10-2026AUD $22,960Deluxe Suite Deck 4
23-09-202601-10-2026AUD $22,960Deluxe Suite Deck 5
23-09-202601-10-2026AUD $22,960Deluxe Suite Deck 3
23-09-202601-10-2026AUD $30,940Prestige Deck 5 Suite
23-09-202601-10-2026AUD $32,540Prestige Deck 6 Suite
01-09-202708-09-2027AUD $8,000Superior Stateroom
01-09-202708-09-2027AUD $8,630Deluxe Stateroom
01-09-202708-09-2027AUD $9,530Prestige Deck 4
01-09-202708-09-2027AUD $9,980Prestige Deck 5
01-09-202708-09-2027AUD $10,520Prestige Deck 6
01-09-202708-09-2027AUD $14,460Deluxe Suite
01-09-202708-09-2027AUD $19,400Prestige Deck 5 Suite
01-09-202708-09-2027AUD $20,390Prestige Deck 6 Suite
01-09-202708-09-2027AUD $32,970Owner's Suite

Inclusions

    • A voyage specially-tailored for English-speaking travelers including discussions with experts, transfers before and after your cruise, and an included excursion in each port of call.
    • Engaging discussions onboard with two Smithsonian Journeys Experts.
    • UNESCO World Heritage sites in Carcassonne, Avignon, Florence, and the Cinque Terre.
    • The art of Bonnard, Miró, and more in Nice and St. Paul de Vence.
    • The Palace of the Popes in Avignon.
    • An evening in the resort town of Portofino.
    • Pisa's Leaning Tower and the Duomo of Florence.
    • The natural beauty of the Riviera.

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