Western Mediterranean Cruise - from Nice - 132120

The capital of the Cote d'Azur stretches along the wonderful Baie des Anges. Thanks to its favourable geographical and climactic position, this location has had a settlement since early days. Nice is a flourishing modern town with cultural activities on a grand scale (congresses, exhibitions, festivals). The town nevertheless retains its old traditions, e.g. the famous carnival and the charm of its picturesque old town with bustling little streets, the colourful flower market and the old harbour. As soon as you say 'Nice', people immediately think of the famous "Promenade des Anglais'‚ which has become the town's landmark and is now an international meeting place. Sights worth seeing: the Palais Lascarris, the Hotel Négresco, Place Masenna, Museum Massena, the harbour area, the castle hill and the Cadran solaire humain de Rauba Capeu.

Livorno is around 20 km from Pisa. With a population of 180,000 it is the second-largest town in Tuscany. Via the "Fossi Medici" (italian meaning Medici moat), the canals of "new Venice" that connect the fort with the harbour, you come to the "Piazza Grande" with the San Francesco cathedral. Along the "Viale Italia" you can take a walk all the way to the Terrazza Mascagni, from where you can enjoy a wonderful view of the sea and the island of Gorgona which lies directly opposite. The seafront is also where you can find the municipal aquarium "Diacinto Cestoni", which is also the university's centre for marine biology.

The ferry port of Porto Torres is in the North-West of Sardinia. From here, it is not far to the Stintino peninsula and the Isola di Asinara, which forms the furthest point of the island to the north-west. The San Gavino Basilica is particularly worth seeing. It dates from the 11th century and is one of the most important Roman buildings on Sardinia. Around 30 kilometres north-west of Porto Torres there are beautiful sandy beaches nearby the fishing village of Stintino. The surrounding coastline is a paradise for fans of sailing and diving.

Olbia, the most important port and airport of Sardinia, lies at the end of a large bay. Olbia has a small tourist harbour and a yacht club and is framed to the North and the South by many beautiful beaches. Olbia is an excellent starting point for excursions to the renowned holiday destinations on the north-eastern (Golfo Aranci) and the south-eastern coastline to the bay of "Caletta di Siniscola". Among the interesting monuments in the old town is the former cathedral of San Simplicio. Just a few kilometres from Olbia, tourists can visit the castle Castello di Pedres.

The city of La Spezia, which has a population of approximately 110,000 lies nestled among the green hills of Italy. The port borders to the North onto the steep mountain ridges of "Cinque Terre" and has wonderful beaches to the South near Carrara. La Spezia is known as a modern port and industrial city with a touch of Art Nouveau charm. Palms and oleander trees are characteristic of the cityscape. The city is shaped by both tourism and the naval base located here. Sights include: the large Friday market at "Viale Garibaldi", the Museum of Shipbuilding "Museo Navale" and "Castello San Giorgio".

The capital of the Cote d'Azur stretches along the wonderful Baie des Anges. Thanks to its favourable geographical and climactic position, this location has had a settlement since early days. Nice is a flourishing modern town with cultural activities on a grand scale (congresses, exhibitions, festivals). The town nevertheless retains its old traditions, e.g. the famous carnival and the charm of its picturesque old town with bustling little streets, the colourful flower market and the old harbour. As soon as you say 'Nice', people immediately think of the famous "Promenade des Anglais'‚ which has become the town's landmark and is now an international meeting place. Sights worth seeing: the Palais Lascarris, the Hotel Négresco, Place Masenna, Museum Massena, the harbour area, the castle hill and the Cadran solaire humain de Rauba Capeu.