
In alliance with Smithsonian Journeys
Southern France and the Italian Riviera by Sea – with Smithsonian Journeys
- ItineraryBarcelona to Civitavecchia (Rome)Duration9 days
- Dates23 Sept 26 to 1 Oct 26Prices from
Come aboard Le Champlain for an unforgettable voyage.
In alliance with Smithsonian Journeys.
This cruise is part of a collection of PONANT voyages that are specially-tailored for English-speaking travelers who want to engage with the world. In addition to the usual elements of the PONANT experience, the listed price for these voyages includes transfers to and from the ship, talks and discussions aboard ship by world class experts, and a shore excursion or activity in each port of call that encourages guests to embrace the sights, sounds, tastes, and smells of the local environment and culture.
Join us 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.
Setting sail from Barcelona, your discovery of southern France begins from Sète 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" and home to Paul Cézanne, or to Van Gogh's Arles and the UNESCO World Heritage "City of Popes," Avignon.
The resort town of Nice, the last French mainland 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. Or enjoy a visit to St. Paul de Vence to visit the Maeght Foundation’s collection of modern and contemporary art and sculpture.
The port of Santa Margherita Ligure provides access to the small Italian fishing village of Portofino, now a favored haunt of the rich and famous, where you may enjoy a relaxing afternoon of leisurely browsing through its shops and galleries and perhaps a chance to sample the local cuisine.
Porto Venere can serve as your gateway to discovery of the UNESCO World Heritage Cinque Terre, the villages at the heart of the Italian Riviera. Or you may spend the day exploring Romanesque Lucca, birthplace of Giacomo Puccini, and medieval Pisa, with its magnificent Duomo, Baptistry, and Leaning Tower.
From Livorno, a full day excursion to Florence introduces you to the heart of the Italian Renaissance. Or if you prefer, you may explore the Etruscan ruins and museum at nearby Volterra.
The last port of call brings you back to French soil and to the spectacular 'sentinel city' of Bonifacio, perched high on cliffs on Corsica's southern coast, where you can stroll along medieval lanes lined with brightly colored houses, or take a local boat to explore the caves and islets along Bonifacio’s scenic coast.
Your voyage ends in the Roman port of Civitavecchia, with easy access to Rome.
Your voyage
All-inclusive

Destination
Mediterranean
Barcelona to Civitavecchia (Rome)
Duration
9 days, 8 nights on board
Smithsonian Journeys, Timeless

Smithsonian Journeys

Ross King
Shore excursion in each port of call + transfers included
No single supplement, PONANT Bonus 20%
Ref: BC3745US - EC230926




Journey
Your daily itinerary
- A voyage specially-tailored for English-speaking travelers including discussions with experts, transfers before and after your cruise, and an included excursion in each port of call.
- Engaging lectures and discussions on board with two Smithsonian Journeys Experts, including Ross King, a best-selling author of books on French and Italian art and history. A second Smithsonian Journeys Expert will be confirmed prior to departure.
- UNESCO World Heritage sites in Carcassonne, Avignon, Florence, and the Cinque Terre.
- The art of Bonnard, Miró, and more in Nice and St. Paul de Vence.
- The Palace of the Popes in Avignon.
- An afternoon in the resort town of Portofino.
- Pisa's Leaning Tower and the Duomo of Florence.
- The natural beauty of the Riviera.

Customize your journey:

Date
1 Oct 26
Sharing your journey with

Ross King
Staterooms and suites
Elegance and refinement

Deluxe Stateroom
Guests
2
Size
19 m²

Prestige Stateroom
Guests
2
Size
19 m²

Deluxe Suite
Guests
3
Size
27 m²

Prestige Suite
Guests
4
Size
38 m²

Privilege Suite
Guests
3
Size
32 m²

Grand Deluxe Suite
Guests
4
Size
45 m²

Owner's Suite
Guests
4
Size
45 m²
*Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability, and subject to change at any time. The category of stateroom to which this price applies may no longer be available.
Details
More information
What's Included
Important travel details
In your luggage
Southern France and the Italian Riviera by Sea – with Smithsonian Journeys
Itinerary
Embarkation 23/09/26 from 16:00 to 17:00 Departure 23/09/26 at 18:00
23 Sept 26 - Barcelona

Arrival 24/09/26 early morning Departure 24/09/26 early evening
24 Sept 26 - Sète

Arrival 25/09/26 early morning Departure 25/09/26 late afternoon
25 Sept 26 - Marseille

Arrival 26/09/26 early morning Departure 26/09/26 evening
26 Sept 26 - Nice

Arrival 27/09/26 midday Departure 27/09/26 late evening
27 Sept 26 - Santa Margherita Ligure

Arrival 28/09/26 early morning Departure 28/09/26 late evening
28 Sept 26 - Porto Venere

Arrival 29/09/26 early morning Departure 29/09/26 late afternoon
29 Sept 26 - Livorno

Arrival 30/09/26 early morning Departure 30/09/26 late afternoon
30 Sept 26 - Bonifacio, Corsica

Arrival 01/10/26 early morning Disembarkation 01/10/26 at 8:00
1 Oct 26 - Civitavecchia (Rome)

Southern France and the Italian Riviera by Sea – with Smithsonian Journeys
Included package
Shore excursion in each port of call + transfers included
Southern France and the Italian Riviera by Sea – with Smithsonian Journeys
Customize your journey
Roman highlights (2 nights)

This program is carefully curated to give you a taste of the treasures of Rome and to introduce you to some of its most important monuments. The visit to Castel Gandolfo on the second day is a special treat, immersing you in the beauty of the countryside and in the relaxed atmosphere along the shore of Lake Albano.
Day 1 – Disembark |Civitavecchia | Rome
After breakfast aboard, drive into Rome, where your exploration of the Eternal City begins with a panoramic tour of its major monuments—the Caracalla Baths, Tiberina Island, Circus Maximus, and Villa Borghese Park. Then, leaving the coach behind, follow your guide on a walking tour of some of the most famous piazzas and fountains in Rome, including the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, and Navona Square.
After lunch at a local restaurant, visit the Forum, the heart of ancient Rome, and walk the Via Sacra, the route followed by generations of Romans as they worshipped their emperors and celebrated their triumphs when Rome considered itself the center of the world, “Caput Mundi." Stroll among the monuments of Palatine Hill, erected to memorialize grand victories, and of course, marvel at the Colosseum, symbol of the Roman Empire. A masterpiece of classical architecture, the Colosseum is an enormous amphitheater in which some 50,000 spectators could watch as gladiators battled to the death, wild beasts were unleashed on human prey, and whatever other entertainments were organized for their amusement.
Rejoin your coach for a short ride to the historic Sina Bernini Bristol Hotel, your home for the next two nights. The evening is at leisure and dinner is independent.
Day 2 – Rome
Today's excursion is to the resort town of Castel Gandolfo, about an hour south of Rome on the shores of Lake Albano. Toward the end of the 1st century CE, the Roman emperor Domitian built an enormous residence here, some remains of which are still visible. But the focus of your visit will be on the Papal enclave, which served as the Pope's summer retreat from the 17th century.
Begin your tour of this spectacular 135-acre property with a drive through the estate's magnificent gardens, including a stop at the Papal farm, where organic produce is grown on site. Continue to the Apostolic Palace, the former Papal residence, converted to a museum by Pope Francis in 2016, for a guided tour, including access to the Pope's private apartments. At the end of your visit, enjoy time at leisure to browse the charming town of Castel Gandolfo before sitting down to lunch at a local restaurant with views over the lake.
On your return to Rome and the Hotel Bernini Bristol, the balance of the day is at leisure. Dinner is independent.
Day 3 – Rome | Depart
After breakfast at the hotel and check out, transfer to the airport for flights homeward.
Your hotel:
Located in heart of Rome, the historic Sina Bernini Bristol is one of the most famous 5-star hotels in the Eternal City. Once the hotel of choice for Russian Tsars, Princes of Wales, the Rockefellers, and the Vanderbilts, the Bernini Bristol enjoys a privileged location between Piazza Barberini and Via Veneto, just a few minutes’ walk from the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps. The bedrooms are well appointed in classic and contemporary style. Each room features an Italian marble tile bathroom, satellite TV, a safe, minibar, and hairdryer. The hotel has a rooftop restaurant with panoramic views, as well as a spa and fitness center.
Your program includes:
· 2 nights at the Sina Bernini Bristol (or similar).
· Transfer and luggage handling from the pier to the hotel on Day 1.
· Transfer and luggage handling from the hotel to the airport on Day 3.
· Lunch on Days 1 and 2.
· Breakfast 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 hotel to the airport on any day other than the scheduled program departure day.
· Personal expenses and other services and meals not mentioned as included in the program.
Please note:
· Late check-out is 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.
· This program involves a lot of walking over uneven surfaces, cobblestones, and steps, and is not suitable for guests with mobility issues.
· The official currency is the Euro. Credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, shops, and restaurants.
· This post-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.
Hotel contact information:
Sina Bernini Bristol
Piazza Barberini 23,
00187 Rome
Italy
Telephone: +39 855-516-1090
1,850 €/person*
Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability.