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Tuscany, Liguria and the French Riviera – Italy & France Luxury Cruise

Tuscany, Liguria and the French Riviera – Italy & France Luxury Cruise

From AUD $5,510

Description

This cruise will cultivate the art of peaceful travel as well as a family spirit, thanks to its customised activities on board and on shore for youngsters, with the Kid Explorers Club.
Set off on a Mediterranean interlude between Tuscany, the Ligurian Riviera and the French Riviera, featuring sun-drenched landscapes and villages of timeless charm. On these shores, you will discover a refined way of life between pretty ports, lively markets and sunny terraces. Fall under the spell of these captivating landscapes, typical of the region: cliffs sculpted by the wind, golden beaches, secret bays, brightly-coloured hilltop villages, groves of centuries-old olive trees… Porto Santo Stefano, a natural setting with preserved coves, charms with its authentic atmosphere, while Portofino, a small jewel of the Italian Riviera, will plunge you into the dolce vita.

Trip Name
Tuscany, Liguria and the French Riviera - Italy & France Luxury Cruise
Days
6
Overview
Vessel Type: Luxury Passenger Capacity: 92 cabins Built: 2017/2018 Le Bougainville is the third ship in the PONANT Explorers series, designed to merge elegant French style with advanced expedition technology. Carrying up to 184 guests across 92 luxurious staterooms and suites, it offers an intimate atmosphere with a focus on comfort and open connection to the sea. The ship’s sleek design invites light and space, featuring expansive lounges, panoramic decks, a swimming pool, theatre, and wellness facilities that create a relaxed yet sophisticated onboard experience. True to the French spirit of exploration, Le Bougainville celebrates both discovery and refinement. Guests can savour world-class cuisine in elegant dining venues, enjoy a quiet moment in the ship’s stylish lounges, or embark on Zodiac excursions directly from the marina platform. Equipped with the latest environmental technologies, the vessel embodies responsible luxury travel—offering guests the chance to explore the world’s most extraordinary destinations in style and harmony with nature.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 - 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 2 - Day 2 - Porto Santo Stefano
In Southern Tuscany, Porto Santo Stefano, a charming seaside resort located on the Monte Argentario peninsula, is renowned for its enchanting setting. Nestling on the side of a hill, the small town offers beautiful sandy beaches with crystal-clear water and a picturesque town centre. Stroll around its steep alleyways lined with coloured houses and discover La Rocca, a Spanish fortress built in the 17th century to protect the town against pirate attacks. There, you can enjoy a stunning view over the port and the Gulf of Talamone.
Day 3 - Day 3 - Portoferraio, Elba
In the elbow of a creek on the northern coastline of Elba Island, a small corner of paradise awaits in the form of Portoferraio. As you approach its coastlines, you will make out the powerful and majestic contours of its Medici fortresses. Napoleon Bonaparte spent many of his 300 days in exile here. The Palazzina dei Mulini, his first imperial residence, whose gardens offer outstanding views of the sea, is a must-see. Historical treasures are followed by another kind of treasure, namely white sand beaches, and equally tempting local specialities including gurguglione and rice with cuttlefish ink.
Day 4 - Day 4 - 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 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 - 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 7 - Please note:
Itineraries are subject to change. 
Day 8 - Days 8 - 9 AT SEA
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Day 9 - Day 10 RICHARDS BAY
A simple fishing village in the past, Richards Bay is now South Africa’s second port. Despite the significant development of industrial activity, particularly in terms of mineral extraction, Richards Bay is one of the country’s cleanest and most environmentally responsible towns. Bordering the Indian Ocean, the town is a haunt for water sport enthusiasts. In the heart of the Hluhluwe Game Reserve, nature lovers will be able to observe the wild fauna, made up of crocodiles, hippos and different bird species, as well as rich subtropical flora. Richards Bay is the departure point for many excursions heading off to discover Zulu country.
Day 10 - Day 11 DURBAN
As your vessel cruises along the coast of Durban, from the exterior decks you will be able to admire the long beaches washed by waves from the Indian Ocean and the skyscrapers that overlook the jacaranda-lined avenues. Not far from there, you will be captivated by the Valley of a Thousand Hills, the ancestral land of the Zulu people. The undulating, soft green hills are home to a multitude of small villages with traditional round huts. In the heart of the Phezulu Safari Park, the beliefs and rituals of the fascinating Zulu culture will be revealed to you and you will be treated to a show that pulsates to the beat of Zulu drums.
Day 11 - Day 12 AT SEA
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Day 12 - Day 13 PORT ELIZABETH
Discover Port Elizabeth, one of South Africa’s major cities. Located in the province of Eastern Cape, Port Elizabeth is nicknamed “The Friendly City”, in reference to the hospitality of its inhabitants. Renowned for the beauty of its beaches, Port Elizabeth is also home to rich wild life, particularly in the Addo National Park, famous for its elephants. Another key site in the city, the Donkin reserve is a public space home to numerous historic monuments. Port Elizabeth also reflects an important aspect of South African history, through both its colonial heritage and its contemporary history marked by the end of apartheid.
Day 13 - Day 14 AT SEA
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Day 14 - Day 15 CAPE TOWN
Dynamic and peaceful, cosmopolitan and hip, Cape Town offers its visitors a most unique mix. Here, the locals like to say that their city is “the quintessential melting pot of South Africa”. Located in the heart of one of the most beautiful bays in the world and dominated by the famous Table Mountain, it is graced with extraordinary landscapes including sheer cliffs that plunge into the Atlantic Ocean and vast whitesand beaches. We invite you to discover this incredible city, the South African capital of fashion, the art of living, and gastronomy. Further on, the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve awaits you and is home to a wide variety of endemic fauna and flora.
Day 15 - Please Note:
Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
26-05-202831-05-2028AUD $6,200Deluxe Stateroom
26-05-202831-05-2028AUD $6,500Prestige Stateroom Deck 4
26-05-202831-05-2028AUD $13,580Privilege Suite Deck 5
26-05-202831-05-2028AUD $13,580Privilege Suite Deck 6
26-05-202831-05-2028AUD $16,330Grand Deluxe Suite
26-05-202831-05-2028AUD $20,240Owner's Suite
26-05-202831-05-2028AUD $6,820Prestige Stateroom Deck 5
26-05-202831-05-2028AUD $7,180Prestige Stateroom Deck 6
26-05-202831-05-2028AUD $11,420Deluxe Suite Deck 6
26-05-202831-05-2028AUD $11,420Deluxe Suite Deck 4
26-05-202831-05-2028AUD $11,420Deluxe Suite Deck 3
26-05-202831-05-2028AUD $11,420Deluxe Suite Deck 5
26-05-202831-05-2028AUD $12,650Prestige Suite Deck 5
26-05-202831-05-2028AUD $12,960Prestige Suite Deck 6
19-08-202824-08-2028AUD $5,510Deluxe Stateroom
19-08-202824-08-2028AUD $5,780Prestige Stateroom Deck 4
19-08-202824-08-2028AUD $6,050Prestige Stateroom Deck 5
19-08-202824-08-2028AUD $6,370Prestige Stateroom Deck 6
19-08-202824-08-2028AUD $10,080Deluxe Suite Deck 6
19-08-202824-08-2028AUD $10,080Deluxe Suite Deck 4
19-08-202824-08-2028AUD $10,080Deluxe Suite Deck 3
19-08-202824-08-2028AUD $10,080Deluxe Suite Deck 5
19-08-202824-08-2028AUD $11,150Prestige Suite Deck 5
19-08-202824-08-2028AUD $11,430Prestige Suite Deck 6
19-08-202824-08-2028AUD $11,970Privilege Suite Deck 5
19-08-202824-08-2028AUD $11,970Privilege Suite Deck 6
19-08-202824-08-2028AUD $14,370Grand Deluxe Suite
19-08-202824-08-2028AUD $20,240Owner's Suite

Inclusions

    • Kids Explorer team for 4-13 year-olds, organising customised activities on board and on shore (outings, swimming sessions, workshops, paper chases, etc.).
    • Mediterranean escape between the Côte d’Azur, the Italian Riviera and the island of Elba.
    • Discovering captivating landscapes, typical of the region: cliffs sculpted by the wind, golden beaches, secret bays, hilltop villages, groves of centuries-old olive trees

Map