From Málaga to Rome (Civitavecchia) · Mediterranean · 14 nights
From Málaga to Rome (Civitavecchia)
Designed to provide an unrivalled level of luxury yet immersive global exploration, Scenic Eclipse has it all.
Scenic have gone all out to create the most luxurious, most
technologically advanced and most exciting expedition ship ever
built. We couldn’t have been more excited about the advances that
this ship represented when she launched in 2019, offering
enhancements to already thrilling itineraries.
Málaga has at times had its reputation dragged down by association with the overdevelopment and high rise horrors of the Costa del Sol, which is a great shame, as there is plenty to satisfy the discerning traveller. The labyrinthine historic centre is right next to the cruise port, and has been given something of a makeover in recent years. Nowadays there are plenty of chic restaurants and bars where you can ease into the rhythms of life in southern Spain, before exploring sights including the intriguing, unfinished Gothic cathedral, and a museum devoted to Málaga's most famous son, Pablo Picasso.
Situated on the sunniest stretch of the Andalusian coast, Almeria is little visited by tourists, but the narrow streets of the old town contain some intriguing Mudejar-style architecture. The surrounding landscape is almost lunar in appearance, and has served as the backdrop for many films, from spaghetti westerns to 'Lawrence of Arabia'.
Much more than just a gateway to the Costa Blanca, Alicante is an attractive and atmospheric city with plenty to recommend it. Founded by the Romans, then ruled by the Arabs for 500 years, the city has a rich history and a lovely old town, along with superb beaches and an excellent modern art museum.
From the warren-like medieval streets of the Barri Gòtic to the fantastical modernist architecture of Antoni Gaudí, from the dizzy heights of Mount Tibidabo to the golden sands of Barceloneta, there’s never a dull moment in Barcelona.
The rumbustious port of Marseille often gets a bad press, but the city has been transformed in recent years, with a host of new cultural attractions. The vibrant Vieux Port remains at the heart of life in Marseille, however, and is the best place to begin your exploration of the city’s many historic sights.
Ever since Brigitte Bardot put Saint Tropez on the map with the seminal ‘And God Created Woman’ in 1956, this diminutive fishing village on the French Riviera has been a magnet for the international glitterati.
Renowned for its casino, its Grand Prix and its oligarch-friendly tax policies, Monte Carlo is glamour and hedonism personified, with a price tag to match. This little principality enjoys a lovely setting, the villas and penthouses tumbling down the hillside towards the sweeping blue expanse of the Mediterranean.
Few ports conjure up images of glitz and movie star glamour quite so readily as Cannes. May is when the glitterati roll into town for the Film Festival, but there’s still plenty to divert you the rest of the year, including the old quarter, Le Suquet, and the dazzling Croisette.
The colourful facades along Portovenere’s UNESCO-listed harbourfront make this one of the most picturesque villages on the Ligurian coast, and it has often been described as the ‘sixth town’ of the Cinque Terre. Wandering the narrow alleyways is a delight, and it’s worth the climb to the impressive hilltop Castle Doria.
The faded port town of Livorno serves as a gateway to Tuscany’s star attractions. Wonderful Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance, is resplendent with beautiful architecture and unrivalled artistic treasures, while nearby Pisa is of course famous for its precarious Leaning Tower.
The bustling port of Bastia provides a more authentic slice of Corsican life than glitzy Calvi or Bonifacio, and the compact historic core, the Terra Vecchia, has bags of character. The photogenic old harbour, the Vieux Port, is another popular spot, surrounded by lively bars and restaurants.
Porto Santo Stefano sits on the slopes of Monte Argentario, a promontory connected to the Tuscan coast by three slender spits of land. The port was subjected to frequent pirate raids until the Spanish fortified it in the 16th century, and the fortress still looms over the harbour.
One of the world’s great cities, Rome continues to dazzle and delight visitors with a potent mix of architectural marvels, continent-defining history and buzzing nightlife. The Colosseum, the Vatican and the Forum are among the big ticket items, with the crowds to match, though in truth you will find history around almost every corner.
