Southern France & The Italian Riviera - Le Lapérouse
Join Smithsonian 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.
SPECIAL OFFER
9.0*
ECO SCORE
148
PASSENGERS
8
DAYS
2.5/5
ACTIVITY LEVEL
France & Italy: Drink It In
Welcome Aboard the
Le Lapérouse
Setting sail from Barcelona, your discovery of southern France begins from Port-Vendres 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", 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.
The small Italian fishing village of Portofino welcomes you for a relaxing afternoon and evening to wander and sample the local cuisine. Porto Venere can serve as your gateway to discovery of the UNESCO World Heritage Cinque Terre. From Livorno, a full day excursion to Florence introduces you to the heart of the Italian Renaissance. Your voyage ends in the Roman port of Civitavecchia, with easy access to Rome.
- • Visit UNESCO World Heritage sites in Carcassonne, Avignon, Florence, and the Cinque Terre.
• Participate in engaging discussions onboard with two Smithsonian Journeys Experts, and immerse yourself in each destination with included excursions at each port of call.
• Admire impressive architecture, stroll along sparkling harbors, and explore Roman ruins and medieval districts. This itinerary has it all!
Travel Curator’s Insights:
Trip Sustainability Awards
Carbon
Optimizes the daily speed in order to reduce fuel consumption by 30%
Water
Ships equipped with freshwater purification systems that convert seawater into drinking water
Waste
Has eliminated use of single-use plastic bottles and straws
Itinerary
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: 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: Marseille
The oldest harbor in France. Heart vibrating in its setting of Mediterranean Calanques, Marseille 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 colorful houses in the Panier district, just a stone's throw away.
Day 4: Nice
Capital of the Cote d’Azur, Nice is surrounded by an amphitheater 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 pleasant 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: 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 colors 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: Porto Venere
Located on the magnificent chiseled 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 mesmerized 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: 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: 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 kilometers from Rome, the town is a beautiful first step to the Italian capital.
Le Lapérouse
Environmentally friendly, fitted with innovative equipment and complete with lounges designed to be largely open to the exterior, this new and intimately sized yacht offers a unique type of cruise experience. Onboard this ship sailing under the French flag, you'll experience the incomparable pleasure of a cosily intimate cruise offering the possibility of exploring an ever-increasing range of destinations in an ethnic chic ambiance and with five-star service. The Blue Eye, a multi-sensorial underwater lounge offering a unique experience unlike anything else in the world. The cabins onboard Le Lapérouse offer complete and absolute comfort. Tastefully decorated, the ship's 92 cabins and suites combine light tones and touches of blue with a softly muted, refined atmosphere. With their private balconies and terraces, all cabins benefit from high levels of light and luminosity and offer breathtaking views out towards the horizon.
• Capacity: 148 guests (Ship carries 184)
• Cabins: 92 cabins
• Specialists: Highly Credentialed Naturalists & Experts, 1.1.3 Guest to Staff Ratio
ACHIEVEMENTS
Condé Nast Traveller's "Europe's Leading Luxury Tour Operator" - 2022
Travel Weekly's "Best Tour Operator - Luxury" (17 Years)
Afar Magazine's "Best Cultural Trips" 2020
"Le Lapérouse is one of the most luxurious expedition ships at sea, and when operated by this world-class company, her voyages come alive with expert guiding and off-the-beaten-path itineraries. If you're looking for a way to see the world in comfort and style with expert service, enthusiastic staff, and a fantastic education program, we heartily recommend this lovely ship."
Wild Nectar
Life On Board
Deck Plan
Click to enlarge
Questions?
Rates
Who knows France and the Riviera better than this French operator? This trip is 100% in English however and includes Smithsonian guides to tell the stories behind the beautiful architecture and landscapes. Add a lovely, eco-conscious ship and you’re off on a grand adventure!
Joy Martinello, Founder
Questions?
What’s Included & Cancellation Policy:
WHAT'S INCLUDED:
A program of onboard enrichment provided by two Smithsonian Journeys Experts; Transfers and luggage handling from the airport in Barcelona to the ship on the day of embarkation; Comprehensive 7-night cruise aboard the deluxe Le Lapérouse; One included shore excursion in each port of call (see “Itinerary” for more information and choice of excursions, if applicable); Gratuities for ship crew and for guides and drivers on excursions; Transfer from the ship to the airport in Rome at the end of the cruise on the morning of disembarkation.
Includes accommodation in stateroom; the full meal plan; the Open Bar: beginning with boarding, and during the duration of the cruise, a wide selection of drinks (mineral water, soft drinks, wine, beer, Charles Heidsieck champagne, spirits, coffee, tea) is served on request and at any time of the day; free Wi-Fi internet access 24 hours a day; activities offered during expedition cruises; outings and disembarkations; all port taxes; access to all the common areas: fitness room, lounges, boutique & leisure area.
NOT INCLUDED:
Independent meals and beverages ashore; Personal expenses (such as laundry, telephone, etc.)
