Amalfi Coast, Italian Riviera & Corsica

Located on the east coast of Menorca, Mahón is the largest city on the island and has a maze of narrow streets lined with Georgian architecture, including buildings with sash windows and balconies. The city has a sheltered harbour, full of islets and coves, which are home to the protected Mediterranean pillow coral.

Savona is a charming coastal city located in the Liguria region of northwestern Italy, perfectly positioned between the mountains and the Mediterranean Sea, boasting a rich history, beautiful landscapes, and a blend of cultural and natural attractions. As you step ashore, you will have opportunities to explore the sandy shores and rocky coves of Savona’s coastline, framed by lush green hills. Alternatively, you can wander round the city, stopping to admire landmarks like the Torre della Quarda, a tower named in honour of Leon Pancaldo, who explored the world with Magellan; or the Priamar, a huge fortress built by the Genovese people. Amidst your explorations, savour opportunities to indulge in local dishes of panissa (deep-fried polenta-like dough) or trofie al pesto (a traditional Ligurian pasta made with basil pesto) along with a glass of fruity chinotto, perfect for summer.

The charming city of La Spezia, located on the Ligurain coast of Italy, offers a colourful blend of maritime heritage, natural beauty and culture. Known for its strategic maritime importance, the naval base here was reconstructed after it was decimated in World War Two, and still produces naval warships for the Italian Navy. The tranquil bay in La Spezia is known as the “Gulf of Poets”, and has inspired many writers and poets, including Lord Byron and Mary Shelley. The city is also gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Cinque Terre, with its beautifully coloured villages perched on rugged cliffs overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.

A busy port town, Bastia is located on the north-east coast of Corsica. The Vieux Port is lined with faded, coloured buildings stretching up through the hillside, through a network of alleyways and narrow streets to the 15th century citadel, set within the Terra Nova area of the town. Many of the churches here are built in either baroque or neoclassical style, but the real essence of Bastia for visitors is to experience its character and culture.

Positioned on the island’s south-west coast at the head of the Valinco Gulf, Propriano is a traditional Corsican town, with a charming harbour and marina area. There are many 19th century buildings in the town, along with remains from Roman and Greek settlements. Close by is the scenic town of Sartene, with houses so tall they seem to be carved from the rockface, but also renowned for its highly rated wine, of which Rose is the most popular.

As your cruise ship sails past the impossibly beautiful Amalfi Coast, the deep blue of the Tyrrhenian Sea stretches endlessly beneath the golden sun, while pastel-coloured villages cling to steep cliffs, their terraces overflowing with lemon trees and bougainvillea. From the decks of your ship, you may be able to see the legendary towns of Positano, with its charming beachfront; Amalfi, home to citrus groves and steeped in maritime history; and Ravello, offering dramatic views and tiny secluded coves.

Perfectly located between the Amalfi Coast and Cilento National Park, Salerno is an often overlooked destination in the Campania region. With centuries of rich history, influenced by the Romans, Goths and Byazantines, there are many churches and authentic trattorias laced through the towns narrow cobbled streets. The 11th century cathedral in Salerno is the city’s most important church, and has an abundance of artefacts dedicated to Saint Matthew, with stunning artwork on its ceilings and walls.

Sailing past one of Italy’s most unspoiled stretches of coastline offers the opportunity for you to marvel at secluded coves and rocky inlets that contrast against the deep turquoise of the Tyrrhenian Sea. The The coastline of Maratea, often referred to as the Pearl of the Tyrrhenian, offers views of small fishing villages and the Grotta delle Meraviglie, a natural sea cave of delicate limestone formations. Above the cliffs, you may be able to spot the white Statue of Christ the Redeemer of Maratea, bathed in sunlight, while the town of Maratea itself is a delight of pastel-hued houses and medieval charm. As you approach Scalea, the scenery softens into rolling hills and long stretches of sandy shorelines.

Situated just north of Sicily, Stromboli Island is one of the smallest Aeolian Islands, but arguably the most famous thanks to its intense volcanic activity. One of Europe’s most active volcanos after Mount Etna, Stromboli has been erupting for over 2,000 years and almost non-stop since 1932. The island’s eruptions are so distinctive that geologists use ‘Strombolian’ to describe similar eruptions around the world.

Located between the eastern tip of Sicily and the western tip of Calabria, the Strait of Messina separates mainland Italy with the island of Sicily with its narrowest point measuring just one nautical mile. The strait is home to strong tidal currents and a unique marine ecosystem, with a natural whirlpool at the northernmost point of the strait, said to be linked to the Greek legends of Scylla and Charybdis.