French Riviera with Monaco
MONACO GRAND PRIX TICKETS – The cost of tickets to watch the Monaco Grand Prix are not included within the cruise price and are a chargeable extra and operated through a shore excursion. Please be advised that our ticket allocation has now sold out.
This discovery of the French Riviera is specially planned to present an opportunity to experience the thrill of Monaco during its iconic Formula One Grand Prix weekend. From nearby Villefrance, you can tour to Monaco to get a feel for all the excitement and atmosphere of the world-famous motor race, and hear the roar of screaming F1 engines as the world’s greatest drivers push themselves to the limit, racing their 200mph, multi-million pound speed machines through the streets and tunnels of the glamourous principality. If you’re a fan of motorsport, or simply have a ‘need for speed’, this is not to be missed.
Experience the opulence, glamour and ‘jet-set’ lifestyle of the French Riviera, not only while spending a day amongst the hotels, casinos and yacht-packed marina of Monaco, but during visits to Cannes and Bandol too. Follow in the footsteps of film and sports stars, musicians and royalty, as you wander the elegant boulevards where supercars, high-end restaurants and designer boutiques are a typical sight; or simply relax on the palm-lined beaches. There’s also time on Spain’s Mediterranean coast; the beaches, monuments and historic sites of Alicante await, while there’s a day in Barcelona to seek out the Catalan capital’s Gaudi treasures, including Sagrada Familia and Park Güell, explore Las Ramblas and more. As you head for home, there’s even a stop at Gibraltar for one last day of beach relaxation, or a chance to climb ‘the rock’.
Your Itinerary
Southampton, England
May 22 | Depart - late afternoon
Considered the 'Cruise Capital of the UK', Southampton is the departure port for hundreds for cruise holidays every year, including a number of Fred. Olsen sailings on our smaller sized ships. But beyond being the starting poing for many cruise adventures, you can be assure that this historic city on England's sunny south coast has much to offer as a destination in its own right.
Whether you enjoy a call at Southampton as part of your cruise itinerary, or choose to spend time exploring either before of after your cruise from the city, you'll find there are plenty of attractions, highlights and sights to discover, showcasing fascinating history and local culture. Perhaps see the timber-framed treasures of the Old Town, including the beautiful Tudor House and Gardens, and visit the Sea City Museum to learn of Southampton's links to the Titanic's ill-fated voyage. Other Titanic-related sights include war memorials, the former White Star Line HQ and the Grapes Pub - wander the 'Titanic Trail' to take them in.
There are art galleries and museums aplenty too, as well as an abundance of places to shop, and a number of trendy bars, restaurants and cafés where you can always stop for something delicious. Alternatively, you might opt to explore nature trails and wetlands near to the city, or simply stroll through one of the green spaces or pretty parks.
Alicante, Spain
May 26 | Arrive - early morning | Depart - late afternoon
Located close to a host of beach resort towns, Alicante is considered by many – somewhat unfairly – as a mere gateway to Spain’s better-known holiday destinations. A dynamic, pretty and interesting city in its own right, Alicante is well worth exploring and enjoying, with plenty to see, do and experience within the city centre and beyond.
With a stunning harbour, beautiful beaches and vast promenades to stroll along, Alicante is the perfect place to simply relax and soak up the Mediterranean sun. There are numerous cafes and restaurants, and a number of monuments and archaeological sites in the Old Quarter and along the vast scenic walking trails around the city. Be sure to visit Santa Barbara Castle, a 12th century fortress built 166 metres above the city at the top of Mount Benacantil, to admire stunning views and explore the battle hardened fortifications.
For a little local culture, head to the Archaeological Museum of Alicante or perhaps admire the work of famous artists such as Picasso and Dali at the Asegurada Museum of Modern Art.
Barcelona, Spain
May 27 | Arrive - early morning | Depart - late afternoon
Spain's cosmopolitan second city, Barcelona, is awash with heritage and its mood is infused with a vibrant Catalan spirit. There's something around every corner of the city: jewels of Catalan and contemporary architecture, relaxing parks and beaches, mouth-watering markets and treasures from its Roman and Medieval past.
Barcelona's 2000-year-old city walls, temple columns and subterranean stone corridors provide a glimpse back to the time of the Romans, while the shady plazas and lanes of the Gothic quarter, and Barcelona’s Old Town district, the Ciutat Vella, reveal the origins of its medieval culture.
The city is famous for an incredible array of UNESCO-listed buildings from world-renowned architect Antoni Gaudi. His sculptural masterpieces of Modernisme are dotted across the city. La Sagrada Familia - Barcelona’s Gaudi-designed Roman Catholic Church – is the most famous landmark. With its astonishing details and stunning facades, this unique work of art is one of Europe’s most visited sites.
Barcelona has inspired many artists, including Salvador Dalí and Pablo Picasso, whose works feature in numerous museums and galleries. Away from the city centre, sun-drenched, Iberian beaches are the perfect place to walk, bike ride, take a refreshing dip, or merely relax and enjoy the gorgeous Mediterranean coastline.
Cannes, France
May 28 | Arrive - early morning | Depart - early evening
Given its association with the rich and famous, the city of Cannes is renowned for its film festival, glorious beaches and high-end shopping. Made famous by the Cannes Film Festival, this picturesque paradise located on the French Riviera is bathed in sunshine for most of the year. A stroll along the palm-lined Boulevard de la Croisette, which curves along the coast, has sandy beaches one side, and upmarket boutiques and palatial hotels on the other.
There is plenty to explore and discover in the city centre. Many boutiques selling top fashion and jewellery brands sit next to an array of restaurants serving the finest cuisine. Even having a coffee in Cannes is a glamourous, out-of-the-ordinary experience. Cannes of the 19th century can still be seen in its grand villas, and there are plenty of museums to enjoy – notably the Musée d'Art et d'Histoire de Provence. Of course, for those visitors feeling lucky, the luxury casinos are popular night-time spots.
Villefranche, France
May 29 | Arrive - early morning | Depart - late night
Situated between its energetic close neighbours, Nice and Monte Carlo, which are famous for their hustle, bustle and lifestyle that's popular with the 'jet set', Villefranche – one of the French Riviera's most picturesque destinations – quietly offers a contrasting, more traditional taste of life on the Cote d'Azur.
A beautiful harbour town, overlooking crystalline waters framed by Provençal greenery, Villefranche rises from the riviera's gorgeous Mediterranean coastline with its tall, brightly coloured, almost Italianate buildings, which line narrow streets and stairways that stretch in land from the town's sheltered harbour. Step ashore here, take a short stroll and you soon find yourself amongst the old town's winding streets, with their warm, orange-tinted façades that contrast with the pale shades of louvred shutters. Continue on into the maze of arcades and steps and you will probably end up on Rue Obscure – an underground street built in the 13th century for soldiers to pass through easily.
Along the charming, scenic waterfront, overlooking the fishing port and one of France's largest marinas, you find several cafés and restaurants perfect for simply watching the world – and Villefranche's friendly locals – go by over a cup of coffee or a plate of the delicious local cuisine. And, for a delve into the local history, there are plenty of historical highlights nearby, such as the citadel, founded in 1554 by the Duke of Savoy to guard the harbour.
Bandol, France
May 30 | Arrive - early morning | Depart - late afternoon
Bandol might not be quite as well known as more shouty destinations on the Côte d’Azur, such as St Tropez, Toulon and Cannes, but that's not to say that this beautiful seaside resort should sit within the shelter of its picturesque bay and be overlooked by anyone seeking out the charms of the French Riviera.
This fabulous region of sunny southern France is famed for its glitzy resort towns, gleaming azure waters, inviting beaches and people who appreciate a little glitz and glamour, and those who visit Bandol won't be disappointed by what is on offer here. Warm, golden sands await, providing a natural sunbed on which to relax and soak up the rays; the promenades and streets are alive with high-end shops, restaurants serving the finest French cuisine, and trendy cafés where locals stop by to drop their bags and enjoy an artisan coffee. Beyond this though, Bandol throws in a little something extra; it is situated close to a number of vineyards and wineries producing some of France's finest tipples, which the town's bars proudly serve to provide a taste of authentic local flavours.
Gibraltar, Gibraltar
Jun 01 | Arrive - early morning | Depart - early afternoon
British overseas territory, Gibraltar, on Spain's south coast is dominated by a 426m-high limestone ridge: The Rock. The Rock of Gibraltar is a sentinel that guards the Straits, and the overtly-British town nestled between the European and African continents. Its atmosphere is all the more familiar due to its helmeted policemen, red pillar boxes, fish and chip shops, traditional pubs and Marks & Spencer shops.
Layers of fortifications on The Rock include the remains of a 14th-century Moorish Castle and the 18th century Great Siege Tunnels. The Europa Point Lighthouse and St. Michael’s limestone cave light show are both well worth seeking out.
Resolutely British for nearly 300 years, Gibraltar’s unique history is of interest but it's the camera-loving Barbary Apes that tend to steal the show.
Southampton, England
Jun 04 | Arrive - early morning
Considered the 'Cruise Capital of the UK', Southampton is the departure port for hundreds for cruise holidays every year, including a number of Fred. Olsen sailings on our smaller sized ships. But beyond being the starting poing for many cruise adventures, you can be assure that this historic city on England's sunny south coast has much to offer as a destination in its own right.
Whether you enjoy a call at Southampton as part of your cruise itinerary, or choose to spend time exploring either before of after your cruise from the city, you'll find there are plenty of attractions, highlights and sights to discover, showcasing fascinating history and local culture. Perhaps see the timber-framed treasures of the Old Town, including the beautiful Tudor House and Gardens, and visit the Sea City Museum to learn of Southampton's links to the Titanic's ill-fated voyage. Other Titanic-related sights include war memorials, the former White Star Line HQ and the Grapes Pub - wander the 'Titanic Trail' to take them in.
There are art galleries and museums aplenty too, as well as an abundance of places to shop, and a number of trendy bars, restaurants and cafés where you can always stop for something delicious. Alternatively, you might opt to explore nature trails and wetlands near to the city, or simply stroll through one of the green spaces or pretty parks.