Late Summer in the French & Italian Rivieras

Fly by scheduled flight. Arrive in Marseille and transfer to the MS Hebridean Sky. Enjoy welcome drinks and dinner on board and moor overnight.

From our berth in Marseille, we will offer a choice of excursions today. You can choose to head inland to Aix en Provence which was founded by the Romans in the 1st century and is now more renowned as the home of artist Paul Cezanne. We will visit his studio which still houses his equipment and the objects he used for models and the Jas de Bouffan estate, Cezanne’s parents’ country house which contains many of the painter’s celebrated works. We will continue to the ‘Terrain des Peintres’ located on the heights of Aix en Provence, a few hundred metres from the Atelier Cezanne, and famous for the wonderful views of the Montagne Sainte Victoire which Cezanne often painted in the latter part of his life. After lunch in a local restaurant, we spend some time in Aix with its leafy boulevards and public squares lined with 17th and 18th century mansions. Alternatively spend the day in Avignon, the great City of the Popes which boasts a number of splendid museums, churches, and palaces. Our guided walking tour will include the Palais des Papes, one of the wonders of Provence and the largest and most important Medieval Gothic buildings in Europe, built in the 14th century as a fortified palace for the pontifical court. We also visit the cathedral and famous Pont Benezet, a bridge that spans the Rhone between Villeneuve les Avignon and Avignon and the Pont du Gard, one of the wonders of antiquity, built by Agrippa in 19 BC. This imposing aqueduct bridge was built by the Romans in order to provide the city of Nimes with fresh water from the Uzes area. Return to the MS Hebridean Sky for dinner and set sail late this evening.

Today we will berth in the maritime town of La Seyne sur Mer, fantastically located at the foot of Cap Sicie. Spend the morning at leisure relaxing on board or exploring the town independently. This afternoon there will be the choice of a boat trip to Les Calanques, stunning fjord like inlets carved into the limestone that stretch along the coast from Marseille to Cassis or alternatively join an excursion inland to the hilltop Medieval village of Le Castellet. This remarkable stronghold, formerly owned by the Lords of Les Baux, has well preserved ramparts, a carefully restored 12th century church and a castle dating back to the 11th century. We will have time to explore the village and its winding streets before enjoying a wine tasting at one of Le Castellet’s centuries-old vineyards.

Our base for today will be Cannes and on our morning excursion we will drive along the beautiful coastline to Antibes. Founded by the Greek merchants in the 5th century it is one of the oldest cities in France. On a walking tour we will explore the historic part of the city which is a maze of small, flower-bedecked streets with Roman and Medieval sections. Its 16th century ramparts overlook the Mediterranean Sea and still protect the heart of the Old Town. Our visit will also include the famous Picasso Museum, located inside the Medieval castle of Grimaldi. Just after the second world war Picasso was invited to Antibes by his friend Dor de la Souchière where he spent a few months, and it was during his stay he painted one of his masterpieces ‘Happiness’. There will be some free time in Antibes before we return to MS Hebridean Sky for lunch. This afternoon is at leisure to relax on board or explore Cannes independently. Just before dinner we sail the short distance to Nice where we will moor overnight. Please note that we will be at anchor today and will use the vessel’s Zodiacs or local tender to transfer ashore.

This morning enjoy a choice of tours. There will be the opportunity to explore two of the area’s finest museums in the exclusive Cimiez Hill District. We will begin with a visit to the Musee National Marc Chagall. Established by the artist himself, the collection features the most important permanent exhibition of his work. The main focus is a series of 17 canvases comprising his colourful ‘Biblical Message’. We will continue to the Musee Matisse which is housed in the 17th century Arena Villa. The exquisite collection details the great master’s development from the late 19th century through to 1954 when he died. Alternatively visit the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild. Built in 1900 in Italian palazzo style and surrounded by magnificent gardens, it houses an unbelievable collection of works including tapestries, furniture, candelabras, terracottas, porcelains and Chinese vases. We will return to the vessel for lunch and enjoy an afternoon at leisure to explore Nice independently. Perhaps walk amongst the charming architecture of the old city, explore Place Massena, or enjoy a stroll along the palm tree lined Promenade des Anglais.

Many regard Genoa as having the largest historic city centre in Europe as a result of having been, for centuries, a powerful commercial seaport and city-state. It was the birthplace of Christopher Columbus and its maritime roots have fostered a dialect that has absorbed elements of Neapolitan, Calabrese and Portuguese over the centuries. Our morning walking tour through the historic town centre will include the Piazza de Ferrari and the Palazzo Ducale. We will visit the Cisterne del Ducale, the ancient cellars of the palace, where we will enjoy a tasting of typical Genoese fare such as bruschetta and focaccia accompanied by some local wine. This afternoon will be at leisure to explore independently or relax on board. After an early dinner we will make the short walk to a local palazzo for a private visit which will include a classical music concert and cocktail before we return to the MS Hebridean Sky.

This morning drive along the gentle winding coastal road to the delightful village of Santa Margherite Ligure with its cobbled streets flanked by Medieval churches and intricately adorned Liberty (Art Nouveau) buildings. Here we will board a local boat and cruise the short distance to Portofino. Located in a beautiful cove surrounded by lush hills, olive groves and with a stunning colourful harbour we will enjoy a walking tour followed by free time before we continue our journey to San Fruttuoso. Not much more than an indentation along a mountainous coastline, surrounded by the hills and forests of the Portofino Regional Park, and only accessible by boat or foot, it is a stunning location. From our boat we will have the opportunity to admire the enchanting Benedictine Abbey positioned directly on the beach and learn about its history. Cruise back to Santa Margherite Ligure and choose to return to the MS Hebridean Sky for lunch or enjoy lunch in a local restaurant in the town of Recco, the gastronomic capital of Liguiria.

From the port of La Spezia today we will explore the Cinque Terre, a series of five villages along the coast which until recently were accessible only from the sea or via an ancient network of footpaths. We will board local boats and sail past the villages of Riomaggiore, Corniglia and Manarola before we step ashore and explore the picturesque villages of Vernazza and Monterosso. Lunch today will be served in a local restaurant before we return to the MS Hebridean Sky.

Today we will have a choice of excursions. On a full day tour we will make our way inland to the lovely town of Lucca. Hidden behind imposing Renaissance walls it boasts delightful, cobbled streets, handsome piazzas and shady promenades. Our tour will include the San Martino Cathedral and the Puccini Museum. After lunch in a local restaurant, we will be treated to a private concert in the Santa Caterina Church before we return to the MS Hebridean Sky. Alternatively on a morning tour we will make our way to the delightful town of Torre del Lago, overlooking the Lake of Massaciuccoli. After a boat trip on the lake visit Puccini’s villa which is now a museum and has been preserved almost exactly as it was during his residence. Return to the MS Hebridean Sky for lunch and enjoy an afternoon at leisure.

Disembark this morning and transfer to Pisa airport for our scheduled flight to London.

Itineraries are subject to change.