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La Dolce Vita along the Italian coastline
Preferred
Overview
Highlights (Bullets)
Highlights
- Exclusive itinerary along the Italian coastline
- Journey through the Maddalena Archipelago, an unworldly paradise
- THE MUSTS:
- The most beautiful cities in Tuscany: Florence, Lucca, and Siena
- Sardinia’s Costa Smeralda, with its crystal-clear waters and breathtaking scenery
- Portoferraio and its historical center on Elba
- The Italian Riviera and charming Portofino Harbor
Short Description
In the heart of Tuscany, Italian ingenuity came to life from the 12th to 14th centuries as the precursor to the Renaissance. The streets, squares, palaces, and churches in Florence and Lucca reflect the beauty, charm, and authenticity born from the movement. Outside the city, experience dazzling Tuscan vineyards and countrysides carpeted with olive and cypress trees. Discover the pink limestone streets of Portoferraio on Elba. We'll continue on to the Maddalena Archipelago in Sardinia, cruising past granite rocks and hidden beaches with turquoise waters. The Costa Smeralda shores offer views of jagged banks alternating with peaceful bays. Our last stop is the unforgettable Cinque Terre and its colorful homes suspended over the open sea.
Destinations
NetherlandsAttractions & Cities Visited
AmsterdamActivities & Interests
River cruiseItinerary
Day 1 NICE
Boarding at 5:00 p.m. The best place to say au revoir to France is from the Sun Deck. As LA BELLE DES OCEANS casts off, you'll get a great view of Nice and its lovely cityscape. We'll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail before dinner on board. Enjoy an evening of entertainment.
Day 1 NICE
Boarding.We’ll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail.Cruise to Italy overnight.
Day 2 LIVORNO
Excursions proposed:- CLASSIC:In the morning, visit Lucca—the City of 100 Churches. Lucca is one of Italy's most fascinating and best-preserved medieval cities. The city has meticulously cared for its historic and cultural heritage so well, visitors find themselves in a virtual time capsule within its streets, squares, and churches. You'll set out to discover the remarkable center and its main monuments, including the exterior of the Basilica of San Frediano and San Michele in Foro's notable facade. You'll then visit the Saint Martin of Tours Cathedral, whose construction and, therefore, styles span almost 1,000 years. The cathedral's most precious possessions are the Holy Face of Lucca and Ilaria del Carretto's splendid tomb sculpted by Jacopo della Quercia.Afterwards, we'll spend the afternoon exploring the Tuscan countryside. Overflowing with medieval cities, vineyards, and quaint villages, it is hard not to fall under Tuscany's spell. Amazing scenery unfurls across the hills—starting at the highest peaks and cascading down to the sea. Each season brings dramatic views, from the verdant summer and stretches of sunflower fields to the romantic, almost melancholic, fall colors as trees prepare for winter. During this tour, we'll visit a winery to enjoy a tasting of Chianti, Italy's most distinguished wine.- DISCOVERY:Spend the day in utterly irresistible Florence (approximately 10 hours, including 4 hours of round-trip travel). Treat yourself to a guided tour of the magnificent city center to learn about Florence's exceptional artistic history. The visit includes the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, whose dome dominates the rooftops in the city center; Giotto's Campanile's white, green, and pink marble exterior; and the bronze doors on the Baptistery of San Giovanni. And of course, you'll get to cross through the famous arch bridge Ponte Vecchio—brimming with crafts, souvenirs, and boutiques. The tour will finish up at the Piazza della Signoria, the hub of Florence's political and social life since the 14th century, where the Palazzo Vecchio and Loggia dei Lanzi take center stage. Use your free time in the afternoon to discover the city at your own pace. We highly recommend strolling through the trendy Oltrarno neighborhood or exploring San Niccolò, whose old city walls transport you to another time.Our ship will cast off for the island of Elba.
Day 2 LIVORNO
Excursions proposed:- CLASSIC: Lucca- CLASSIC: Discover the Tuscan countryside- DISCOVERY: A day in FlorenceCruise to Elba.
Day 3 PORTOFERRAIO
This morning, the excursion proposed is:- CLASSIC / DISCOVERY: Guided tour of Portoferraio. The third-largest Italian island is known for two things: The variety of its landscapes and as the first island of exile for Napoleon Bonaparte. After his forced abdication in 1814, Napoleon lived on the island for 300 days before escaping. Our tour will begin on foot at the historic center of Portoferraio, whose pink streets come from the limestone slabs used to pave them. Your guide will bring you to the Palazzina dei Mulini, Napoleon's official residence—now a museum housing furniture, paintings, and memorabilia once belonging to the former emperor.OR enjoy some free time. We suggest you to join the Ghiaie Beach, known for its beautiful seabed and polished white pebbles.(4)In the afternoon, we'll cruise towards Sardinia as we enjoy a tasting of a traditional Sardinian liqueur on the Sun Deck. Take advantage of a quiet moment to catch some rays poolside or enjoy a treatment in our wellness salon. More active passengers can keep in shape in the fitness center, and history buffs can attend the presentation in the lounge.
Day 3 PORTOFERRAIO
Excursion proposed:- CLASSIC / DISCOVERY: PortoferraioOR enjoy some free time to discover the Ghiaie Beach.(4)We’ll spend the afternoon cruising.
Day 4 ALGHERO(1)
We’ll spend the morning cruising. We'll pass alongside the Maddalena Archipelago, a small corner of Sardinian paradise comprising 60 or so rocky islets and seven larger islands. The 111 miles (180 km) of coastline contain marvelous granite boulders, crystal-clear waters, and heavenly beaches. The kaleidoscope of Mediterranean Sea colors from deep blue to emerald green is a true feast for the eyes.Later, there will be a presentation in the lounge.The excursion proposed this afternoon is:- CLASSIC/DISCOVERY: Guided tour of Alghero, with the region's most beautiful medieval center and fortifications. The city belonged to Catalonia for several centuries before joining the Duchy of Savoy in 1720. The streets still carry Catalonian names, and round, Aragonese towers still stand at the city's strategic points along the coastline. Stroll on the cobblestone streets, through medieval gates, and beside age-old Spanish bastions in the historical city center with your tour guide.Our ship will cruise through the night.
Day 4 ALGHERO(1)
We’ll spend the morning cruising.CLASSIC/DISCOVERY excursion proposed: Alghero.
Day 5 PORTO CERVO(1)
This morning, the excursions proposed are:- CLASSIC: Porto Cervo and the Costa Smeralda. In the summer, Porto Cervo is the trendiest hangout in the Costa Smeralda—especially the harbor, often filled to the brim with luxury yachts. Ramble through the streets and see all the important sites with your tour guide. Then, set out for a panoramic excursion along Sardinia’s Costa Smeralda—the Emerald Coast—to take in the beaches lapped by crystal-clear waters, and the scenery dotted with cliffs, bays, and coves. We'll stop for a photo op in Baja Sardinia to spend some free time taking in the splendid views of Arzacherna and the Maddalena Archipelago.- DISCOVERY: La Maddalena. Starting at the charming port-town of Palau, our first stop will be Maddalena Island in the Maddalena Archipelago, a seven-island national park sculpted by the waves. The archipelago was declared the first national park in Sardinia in 1994 and has been on a tentative list for consideration as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2006.Enjoy some free time on your own this afternoon or join us for an excursion:DISCOVERY: Hit the beaches at Spiaggia del Principe—a beautiful, white sand cove—or Spiaggia Capriccioli, surrounded by lush Mediterranean brush and olive and pine trees.(4)Our ship will cruise towards Porto Santo Stefano overnight.
Day 5 PORTO CERVO(1)
Excursions proposed:- CLASSIC: Porto Cervo and the Costa Smeralda- DISCOVERY: La Maddalena- DISCOVERY: Hit the beaches at Spiaggia del Principe or Spiaggia Capriccioli(4)Our ship will cruise towards Porto Santo Stefano overnight.
Day 6 PORTO SANTO STEFANO(1)
Excursions proposed:- CLASSIC: Day trip to Siena, the city set on three hills (approximately 9 hours, including 4 hours of round-trip travel). While the city center is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the surrounding environment contains the best Italy has to offer. Siena looks much like it did back between the 12th and 15th centuries. Your guide will take you down the small, shaded streets to the heart of the city—the Piazza del Campo, one of the largest medieval squares in Europe and the starting point for the annual Palio horse race. You'll visit the cathedral, an impressive Gothic work that is also one of the most important in Italy. In the afternoon, explore the streets lined with 14th-century tower houses, Gothic castles, and churches.- DISCOVERY: Morning tour of Porto Santo Stefano. Stroll through the charming city center and visit the Fortezza Spagnola (Spanish Fortress). Built by Spain in the second half of the 16th century, the fortress is part of the city's foundation. Once construction was finished, Spanish and Italian families began to set up house in Porto Santo Stefano. During Napoleon's reign, the French reinforced the structure to better resist British ship attacks. From the top of the fortress, you can see the other watchtowers dotting the landscape.In the afternoon, hit the beaches at Feniglia.(5) It is located in the protected nature reserve of Dune Feniglia, between the lagoon of Orbetello and the hill of Ansedonia. There is a little natural wealth between sea lily, juniper, helichrysum, tamarisk and rosemary.Later, there will be a presentation in the lounge.Tonight is our festive gala evening.
Day 6 PORTO SANTO STEFANO(1)
Excursions proposed:- CLASSIC: A day in Siena- DISCOVERY: Porto Santo Stefano- DISCOVERY: Hit the beaches at Feniglia(4)Festive gala evening.
Day 7 LA SPEZIA
Full-day excursions proposed:- CLASSIC: The Italian Riviera (approximately 9.5 hours). Visit the seaside resort of Santa Margherita Ligure, located among verdant luxury on a beautiful bay. Enjoy some time along the most famous stretch of the Riviera. Our excursion includes a boat tour from Santa Margherita Ligure to Portofino.(2) Arriving from the sea, you'll have a great view of the particularly photogenic harbor in the village that has become "the place to be." We'll return to Santa Margherita Ligure by boat and enjoy lunch in a restaurant.In the afternoon, we'll stop off at beautiful Sestri Levante, a once quiet fishing spot becoming increasingly popular. The Bay of Silence and the Bay of Fairy Tales cradle this city dotted with colorful, pastel facades.- DISCOVERY: The Cinque Terre by train (approximately 9 hours).(3) Full-day excursion to absorb the emblematic scenery in the Cinque Terre and the spectacular, colorful fishing villages along the Italian Riviera. Discover Manarola, considered the most charming village in the Cinque Terre. Built on a cliff high above the sea, its homes cascade downhill to the small port. We'll then leave for Monterosso by train for a visit to the largest of the five Cinque Terre towns and have lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, we'll continue by train towards Vernazza to stroll in the village and discover the large square surrounded by brightly colored homes and a port filled to the brim with all sorts of boats. The train will bring us back to La Spezia, where we'll return to the ship on foot.We'll begin to cruise to Nice.
Day 7 LA SPEZIA
Full-day excursions proposed:- CLASSIC: The Italian Riviera- DISCOVERY: The Cinque Terre by trainCruise to Nice.
Day 8 NICE
Enjoy breakfast on board this morning before disembarking at 9:00 a.m.
Day 8 NICE
Disembarkation.
Availability
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128 CroisiEurope Travel Reviews & Ratings
La Dolce Vita along the Italian coastline
Company Reviews
Great tours and food! Exceptional customer service
I am non-EU national, and very much enjoyed the international clientele .
My flight arrived later than the prescribed boarding time, the crew had my cabin ready, and held dinner. Both land side New York office and the onboard crew were very welcoming, and most attention to detail. Special recognition to Charina, my reservation agent, and Daniel the ship's purser.
The vessel's decor is very discreet, comfortable, and relaxing -- no neon, casino, etc. The elegance one would expect from a French company.
The land tours were very comprehensive, in comfortable coaches, with sufficient rest stops. Lunches ashore were included, as appropriate. As advertised, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages were included. In-town shopping was available, but not forced.
In all, a delightful experience. I look forward to another voyage with CroisiEurope. The company offers so many unique intineraries, it may be difficult to select.
A memorable four nights on the Seine - Le Havre to Paris
The Seine scenery was gorgeous and the boat was extremely comfortable—we loved that we could stay in our cabin, relax on various decks, or attend onboard activities, including a lively dance performance by a Normandy folk troupe. Even though we were the only English speakers on the cruise, the bilingual staff were always on hand to help us, and the other passengers (mostly French with a few Belgians/Swiss) were friendly and tolerant of our basic French. After our final night sleeping aboard the boat on Quai de Grenelle in Paris, we were rather sad to depart the beautiful Renoir.
The food, tours and service on the Miguel Torga exceeded our expectations, and we felt very safe with the Covid precautions being taken on board.
We had such a wonderful time on our cruise and absolutely intend to travel with CroisiEurope again. I was especially pleased with the attention to detail regarding food preferences and requests. I have a shellfish allergy, and our kids didn’t always like what was on the menu. The chef and staff always made every effort to accommodate and please us.
Our guide Deborah on the excursions was so informative and made great suggestions for sightseeing and shopping. I liked the way the excursions were managed by touring in the morning with lunch and sailing in the afternoon. We were the only Americans on board with mostly French speakers, but everyone was friendly, and we had no communication issues with the crew. Entertainment was simple but fun with games or local talent coming aboard for flamenco or folk singing and dancing. There were only 62 passengers and no young children. Our kids were 12 & 17, and they were happy with the pool on board, which was small, but ideal for cooling off after a morning in port. They surprised our 17-year-old with a special dessert on her birthday.
We’ve been on several other riverboat cruises (Viking, Peter Dielmann, Vodohod), and they did not match the value and service provided by CroisiEurope.
This barge hotel cruise on and along the Marne river was absolutely fantastic!
The crew were very attentive and hospitable. One of the biggest, if not THE biggest, highlight of the trip was the food. Breakfast was a typical French style buffet with all the trimmings. Lunch and dinner were menus, in the French style, prepared by our Chef and paired with a variety of wines and cheeses from around France. Each meal was unique and full of variety culminating at the end of the week with our Gala Dinner.
One of the excursion highlights, and a major reason why we chose this particular cruise, was the falconry demonstration at Chateau Thierry. It was very well done and quite a moving presentation, which included an American Bald Eagle and, even more surprisingly, Storks.
If you are looking for a more intimate way to cruise, Passenger to Crew ratio was 17 - 6, consider barge hotel cruises. We are most definitely looking forward to our next barge hotel cruise experience.
It’s affordable, the atmosphere on board is unique, the routes can be very interesting.
As seasoned cruisers, knowing well all aspects of cruising on seas and rivers, we had no experience about traveling on a barge in a canal. It was also time to overcome this lack.
A number of companies offer this kind of cruising on barge with 8 to 16 passengers, however very often at exorbitant prices. Luckily, we discovered that the company CroisiEurope offers one week cruise on various canals in Europe, at very decent price, especially considering that all is inclusive (full board, all alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and all excursions) on modern barges with a maximum of 22 passengers.
We opted for the barge Ms Deborah, which cruises on the canal de la Loire, with the Briare to Nevers’ route. We were looking forward to this itinerary because the proposed excursions particularly suited us. Unfortunately, only a few days before departure, we were informed that due of a lack of water in the Loire canal the Ms Deborah was switched over to the Haute Seine and Yonne for a new itinerary from Paris to Sens. Despites the fact that this new itinerary didn’t really meet our desires, especially the excursions, we decided to accept the change.
Our group of 6 persons from Switzerland was very warmly greeted by all members of the crew when arriving on the quai de Grenelle in Paris where we see the MS DEBORAH for the first time, our floating home for the week. With its two dominating colours blue and white, it is difficult not to fall in love with this beautiful small ship.
We were invited immediately for the welcome cocktail during which we met officially the crew and the other six individual passengers originating from New Zealand, England and the USA. With less time than it needs to tell, the relation between us was created, so that everyone felt part of a bunch of friends knowing each other for long time.
There is no need to present here the MS Deborah itself, as this is already thoroughly done on the Cruise Critic page.
The crew of 6 persons is composed of a captain, a sailor, a cruise director, a chef, a waitress and a cabin hostess who put all their efforts to satisfy the passengers and offer them the best possible service. The captain as well as the sailor are always trying to make passengers at ease, answer questions or even bring a drink. The lady cruise director is omnipresent, taking care of the passengers better than a mother hen would do. The talented young French chef aims to produce dishes which please everybody. His outstanding sauces and excellent desserts should be particularly praised. However, referring to comments we made during a cruise on the Seine Princess two years ago, we cannot understand that why today it is not possible to offer the choice of a light buffet at lunch instead a three or even four course menu! The always smiling and friendly Hungarian waitress was very caring and attentive, without forgetting the cabin hostess doing a great job in the cabins, the public spaces and even the kitchen. It wouldn’t be fair to name a single person as all members of the crew, without any exception, do all they can to make the cruise unforgettable.
Our one-week cruise on the barge Ms Deborah enables us today to make the following comments:
~ a cruise on a barge cannot be compared to any other kind of cruise
~ despite all the comfort offered on modern barge, one must be very aware that life on board happens at a restraint space, requiring therefore much flexibility and understanding in all aspects from all passengers
~ in our case, being only 12 passengers, we had the opportunity to take our meals on the terrace. We also never had the feeling that the boat was overcrowded. This can be different when the ship is full, especially by bad weather
~ the state of mind between the passengers who are mostly of foreign nationalities, who don’t know each other and don’t speak French, must function well right from the beginning
~ if the interrelation works, it is difficult to find a more relaxing and enjoyable way of travelling
~ the success on a barge is mainly due on the quality of its crew. Ms Deborah’s crew members have quickly created a family spirit on board, showing also that they genuinely like what they do
~ excursions can play a major role in choosing an itinerary. Not speaking French or English can be a handicap
Do we recommend to do a cruise on a barge? Yes, definitively! It’s affordable, the atmosphere on board is unique, the routes can be very interesting. In our case, this second try with CroisiEurope gives them a better note.
We are still waiting for a refund
Details
Flight & Transport Inclusions
All internal transport included (including local flights)
Group Size
Standard Group - 25 + people
Cancellation policy
INTERNET
SATELLITE CONNECTIONS
Our ship provides Internet connection via satellite while we cruise, which is different and slower than what we are used to through our regular home or office services. We cannot guarantee connection at all times. Please keep this in mind while you are enjoying your vacation with us.
TELEPHONE SERVICE
DURING CRUISE
When we are at sea, you can connect your device(s) to the onboard GSM/3G network. Your service provider will automatically send you the terms and conditions of use for this service. You will be able to make calls, send messages, or use the Internet through this network’s roaming services. The GSM network will be turned off once the ship enters a port.
WHILE IN PORT
When the ship is in a port, you will be able to receive and make calls via your international calling/service plan according to the country you are visiting.
WATCH OUT FOR SERVICE FEES
We strongly recommend that you contact your service provider before your departure; international calls and data usage can be very costly and are almost never included in basic operator packages.
PLEASE CHECK THE SETTINGS FOR YOUR DEVICE
Once you are on board, but before you connect to the Internet, please check the settings for your device(s). We request that you limit the downloading of videos and large-volume files. Automatic updates to your PC, tablet, and smartphones will affect the speed and cost of your connection. You probably have automatic updates for apps on your devices that you are not aware of. We recommend that you deactivate these updates while you are staying with us.
Additional Information
THE CROISIEUROPE DIFFERENCE
- All meals included - DRINKS INCLUDED with meals and at the bar
- Refined French cuisine - Gala dinner and evening - Welcome cocktail
- Free Wi-Fi onboard
- Headsets are included for excursions
- Official welcome from the captain and crew
- Onboard activities
- Travel assistance and repatriation insurance
- All port fees included
Rules & Other Requirements
Valid passport required. Non-EU nationals are advised to consult their embassy or consulate.
Trip ID#:
croisieurope-NIS_AIPP
What's excluded
drinks from our special lists or drinks ordered during excursions or transfers - transfers to/from departure/arrival points - cancellation and baggage insurance - personal expenses.
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