A new cruise offering from Smithsonian Journeys and PONANT
Trace the Mediterranean coasts of France and Italy, exploring Provence, the Côte d’Azur, the Italian Riviera, and Cinque Terre. Venture to the medieval walled towns of Carcassonne and Lucca, and trace the legacies of great artists from Cézanne and Van Gogh in Provence to Michelangelo in Florence.
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Southern France and the Italian Riviera by Sea
From Barcelona to Civitavecchia a 184-guest PONANT small ship
8-9 days from $6,720
A new cruise offering from Smithsonian Journeys and PONANT
Trace the Mediterranean coasts of France and Italy, exploring Provence, the Côte d’Azur, the Italian Riviera, and Cinque Terre. Venture to the medieval walled towns of Carcassonne and Lucca, and trace the legacies of great artists from Cézanne and Van Gogh in Provence to Michelangelo in Florence.
Overview
Pre-Cruise Program: Treasures of Catalonia: Barcelona and Montserrat — 3 Days, 2 Nights
April 24–26, 2025
Catalonia enjoys one of the richest cultural heritages in Spain. This specially designed program introduces you to two very different elements of that heritage: the 12th-century Benedictine monastery on Montserrat and the modernist city of Barcelona.
Day 1 – Barcelona, Spain
Arrive in Barcelona, where you will be met and transferred to the Hotel ME Barcelona. Check-in time is 3:00 PM. A local representative will be present at the hospitality desk in the afternoon to welcome you and to offer suggestions for dining and independent exploration. Join fellow travelers this evening for a welcome reception at the hotel. Dinner is on your own.
Day 2 – Barcelona | Montserrat
After breakfast, meet your guide for an excursion to the astonishing Monastery of Montserrat. A scenic drive through the countryside north of Barcelona brings you to a chain of serrated limestone mountains, where you board a cog railway for the steep climb up the mountain to the Benedictine monastery on a terrace near the summit. Your guided tour includes the ornate basilica, whose highlight is a wooden statue of the Virgin that has attracted pilgrims since the 12th century. You will also visit the museum, displaying pieces of art collected in the last century and containing important works of Monet, Rusiñol, Casas, and Picasso. Lunch will be served in the restaurant located in what were once the monastery's stables before you return to the hotel. The remainder of the day is at your leisure with time for independent exploration. Dinner is on your own.
Day 3 – Barcelona, Spain | Embark
After breakfast at the hotel, join an excursion to the monuments and neighborhoods that define the extraordinary personality and vitality of Barcelona. Begin with a scenic drive along the elegant Passeig de Gràcia, a boulevard adorned with stunning modernist architecture. Admire the architectural marvels of Gaudí's Casa Batlló and Puig i Cadafalch's Casa Amatller, two iconic buildings that form part of the renowned "Block of Discord." Next, immerse yourself in the spiritual and architectural wonder of Antoni Gaudi’s iconic Sagrada Familia. Begun in 1884 and still unfinished, this monument of spirituality awes and inspires visitors from around the world. Your guided tour will introduce you to Gaudí's vision and to the ongoing effort to achieve it. After enjoying lunch, delve into the heart of Barcelona’s history by exploring Barrio Gótico, the oldest part of the city. Wander through its narrow, winding streets and discover hidden gems like the great 14th-century Cathedral and Plaça Sant Jaume. End at the pier to embark your ship in the late afternoon.
Your hotel:
Your hotel, ME Barcelona, is a 5-star boutique hotel in Barcelona’s city center. It is only a few steps from Passeig de Gràcia, where you can find stylish shopping, restaurants, bars, and museums. The hotel itself houses a restaurant and a rooftop bar, a wellness and fitness center, a rooftop pool, and urban garden.
Your program includes:
- 2 nights at the Hotel ME Barcelona (or similar).
- Transfer and luggage handling from the airport to the hotel on the scheduled program arrival day.
- Transfer and luggage handling from the hotel to the ship on Day 3.
- Welcome cocktail reception on Day 1.
- Breakfast on Days 2 and 3.
- Lunch on Days 2 and 3.
- Sightseeing and programming as noted in the itinerary.
- Local English-speaking guide.
- Gratuities for the drivers and local guides.
Your program does not include:
- Transfer from the airport to the hotel on any day other than the scheduled program arrival day
- Personal expenses and other services and meals not mentioned as included in the program
Please note:
- It is imperative that your flight arrival details are communicated at least 90 days prior to the beginning of your cruise in order to secure your transfer from the airport to the hotel.
- Early check-in and/or late check-out are available depending on availability and at a supplement. An additional night is possible, upon request and depending on hotel availability. Please, contact reservations or your travel agent for further details.
- The official currency is the Euro. Credit cards are largely accepted in hotels, shops, and restaurants.
- This pre-cruise program is offered as a package. There will be no refunds for unused accommodations, meals, or excursions.
- Program is offered on a space available basis.
- Program is subject to change without notice.
To see itinerary, please click on an option below.
2025 Itinerary (8 days)
Day 1 — Barcelona, Spain
Arrive in Barcelona and transfer to the port. Embark our ship and begin your voyage north toward France. (D)
Day 2 — Carcassonne, France
Dock in Port-Vendres (April departure) or Sète (October departure) and travel inland to the fortified medieval city of Carcassonne. Spend the day discovering the ramparts, turrets, and towers of this World Heritage site and learn about its restoration at the hands of 19th-century architect Viollet-le-Duc, said to have invented modern restoration techniques. (B,L,D)
Day 3 — Marseille and Provence
Anchor in Marseille, France’s oldest city, and travel into Provence on your choice of excursions. Tour the boulevards and squares of Aix-en-Provence, an elegant university town known for its baroque architecture and for its native sons Émile Zola and Paul Cézanne. Or visit Arles, once a bustling Roman city founded by Julius Caesar. See its impressive Roman amphitheater, and trace the steps of Vincent Van Gogh, who spent one of the most prolific periods of his career in the city. Or drive along the Rhône to Avignon, seat of the papacy for much of the 14th century. Visit the extraordinary Papal Palace and enjoy time to explore the charming old town. (B,L,D)
Day 4 — Nice, St. Paul de Vence / Eze and Monte Carlo, Monaco
Sail along the Côte d’Azur to Nice, named a World Heritage site in 2021. Explore this cosmopolitan seaside city, long considered a winter resort for Europeans. Alternatively, head to Monaco for a tour of chic Monte Carlo, then journey to the picturesque hilltop town of Eze for a stroll along its medieval streets. Or travel to St. Paul de Vence and view the modern art at the Maeght Foundation. (B,L,D)
Day 5 — Portofino, Italy and the Italian Riviera
Cruise past the elegant resort towns that dot the rugged shores of the Italian Riviera. Anchor in the picturesque fishing village of Portofino, and take a walking tour of its winding lanes, lined with houses painted in warm hues. Then enjoy time at leisure to explore this magical spot on your own. (B,L,D)
Day 6 — Cinque Terre or Lucca and Pisa
Set off in private boats from Porto Venere to visit two of the villages of the Cinque Terre - Monterosso and Vernazza - on foot. Or travel into Tuscany to discover the historic walled town of Lucca and visit Pisa, once an important Roman port now known best for its famously leaning tower. (B,L,D)
Day 7 — Florence or Volterra
Immerse yourself in the spectacular Renaissance city of Florence, encountering some of its most iconic artistic treasures, from Brunelleschi’s dome to Michelangelo’s David. Tour the city’s piazzas and churches, and learn how the city of the de Medicis shaped art history. Alternatively, ascend to hilltop Volterra and visit Roman ruins and the Etruscan Museum, where an impressive collection of artifacts traces the rich legacy of this ancient civilization. (B,L,D)
Day 8 — Civitavecchia, Italy
After breakfast, disembark in Civitavecchia, northwest of Rome, and transfer to the airport for your flight home. (B)
Included meals are denoted as follows: Breakfast (B), Lunch (L), Reception (R), Dinner (D)
2026 Itinerary (9 days)
Day 1 — Barcelona, Spain
Arrive in Barcelona and transfer to the port. Embark our ship and begin your voyage north toward France. (D)
Day 2 — Carcassonne, France
Dock in Sète and travel inland to the fortified medieval city of Carcassonne. Spend the day discovering the ramparts, turrets, and towers of this World Heritage site and learn about its restoration at the hands of 19th-century architect Viollet-le-Duc, said to have invented modern restoration techniques. (B,L,D)
Day 3 — Marseille and Provence
Anchor in Marseille, France’s oldest city, and travel into Provence on your choice of excursions. Tour the boulevards and squares of Aix-en-Provence, an elegant university town known for its baroque architecture and for its native sons Émile Zola and Paul Cézanne. Or visit Arles, once a bustling Roman city founded by Julius Caesar. See its impressive Roman amphitheater, and trace the steps of Vincent Van Gogh, who spent one of the most prolific periods of his career in the city. Or drive along the Rhône to Avignon, seat of the papacy for much of the 14th century. Visit the extraordinary Papal Palace and enjoy time to explore the charming old town. (B,L,D)
Day 4 — Nice, St. Paul de Vence / Eze and Monte Carlo, Monaco
Sail along the Côte d’Azur to Nice, named a World Heritage site in 2021. From Villefranche-sur-Mer, explore this cosmopolitan seaside city of Nice, long considered a winter resort for Europeans. Alternatively, head to Monaco for a tour of chic Monte Carlo, or journey to the picturesque hilltop town of Eze for a stroll along its medieval streets. Or travel to St. Paul de Vence and view the modern art at the Maeght Foundation. (B,L,D)
Day 5 — Portofino, Italy and the Italian Riviera
Cruise past the elegant resort towns that dot the rugged shores of the Italian Riviera. Anchor in Santa Margherita Ligure and continue on to the picturesque fishing village of Portofino, and take a walking tour of its winding lanes, lined with houses painted in warm hues. Then enjoy time at leisure to explore this magical spot on your own. (B,L,D)
Day 6 — Cinque Terre or Lucca and Pisa
Set off in private boats from Porto Venere to visit two of the villages of the Cinque Terre - Monterosso and Vernazza - on foot. Or travel into Tuscany to discover the historic walled town of Lucca and visit Pisa, once an important Roman port now known best for its famously leaning tower. (B,L,D)
Day 7 — Florence or Volterra
Immerse yourself in the spectacular Renaissance city of Florence, encountering some of its most iconic artistic treasures, from Brunelleschi’s dome to Michelangelo’s David. Tour the city’s piazzas and churches, and learn how the city of the de Medicis shaped art history. Alternatively, ascend to hilltop Volterra and visit Roman ruins and the Etruscan Museum, where an impressive collection of artifacts traces the rich legacy of this ancient civilization. (B,L,D)
Day 8 - Bonifacio, Corsica
Follow the coast of Corsica to the fortress town of Bonifacio, perched on cliffs high above the sea. Set off into the labyrinthine streets of the medieval Citadel, visiting churches and historic monuments. Or choose to ride a local boat along the coast, exploring grottos tucked within the dramatically eroded limestone cliffs. (B,L,D)
Day 9 — Civitavecchia, Italy
After breakfast, disembark in Civitavecchia, northwest of Rome, and transfer to the airport for your flight home. (B)
Included meals are denoted as follows: Breakfast (B), Lunch (L), Reception (R), Dinner (D)
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