Riviera Gems with Corsica & Sardinia

Welcome to France and the bustling city of Nice, one of the most famous ports of the Côte d’Azur. It’s been a popular tourist destination since the 1700s and offers an intriguing blend of French and Italian cultures, thanks to its location close to the border.

Scenic Eclipse II will be waiting for you alongside the multi-million-dollar superyachts in the marina. Be welcomed on board by your expert crew, meet your butler and take some time to settle into your spacious verandah suite. Join your fellow guests on the Sky Deck to watch the sun set over this picturesque waterfront city, as you set sail.

Please book your flight to arrive into Nice prior to 02:00 PM.

Docked: 22:00

United with France only since 1860, Nice has its own history and atmosphere, which dates back 230,000 years. It was on Colline du Château (now château-less) and at the Plage des Ponchettes, in front of the Old Town, that the Greeks established a market-port in 350 BC and named it Nikaia, which would become Marseilles' chief coastal rival. The Romans established themselves a little later on the hills of Cimiez (Cemenelum), already previously occupied by Ligurians and Celts, and quickly overshadowed the waterfront port. After falling to the Saracen invasions, Nice regained power as an independent state, becoming an important port in the early Middle Ages.So cocksure did it become that in 1388, Nice, along with the hill towns behind, effectively seceded from the county of Provence, under Louis d'Anjou, and allied itself with Savoie. Thus began its liaison with the House of Savoy, and through it with Piedmont and Sardinia, it was the Comté de Nice (Nice County). This relationship lasted some 500 years, tinting the culture, architecture, and dialect in rich Italian hues.By the 19th century Nice was flourishing commercially, locked in rivalry with the neighboring shipping port of Genoa. Another source of income: the dawning of tourism, as first the English, then the Russian nobility, discovered its extraordinary climate and superb waterfront position. A parade of fine stone mansions and hotels closed into a nearly solid wall of masonry, separated from the smooth-round rocks of the beach by what was originally named Camin deis Anglés (the English Way), which of course is now the famous Promenade des Anglais. This magnificent crescent, which is seeking UNESCO recognition, is one of the noblest in France. Many of Nice's most delightful attractions—the Cours Saleya market, the Old Town streets, the Hotel Negresco, and the Palais Masséna—are on or close to this 10-km (6-mile) waterfront, making it the first stop for most visitors, while the redevelopment of Nice's port, around the other side of the Colline du Château, makes it easier for amblers who want to take in the Genoese architecture or peruse the antiques at the Puces de Nice, now part of the Promenade des 100 Antiquaires, along Quai Papacino. Nice also has the distinction of the "Family Plus" label, with free strollers, play areas, and restaurants with child-friendly activities.

Portofino, one of Italy’s most famous resort towns. Postcard-perfect and oozing Mediterranean charm, Portofino is a place to soak up la dolce vita. Brightly coloured buildings sit against crystal-clear water with lush pine-covered hills in the background. Another late departure means there’s plenty of time to explore the luxury boutiques, swim in the turquoise bay, dine on exquisitely fresh seafood and look out for celebrities at the exclusive bars set around the Piazzetta.

Scenic Freechoice:
Portofino & Brown Castle: Discover Portofino on a guided walk through its colourful harbour, historic Castello Brown and scenic lighthouse. Visit the Church of St. George, then enjoy free time to explore the charming Piazzetta.

Downhill Hiking Tour: Start your hike from Santa Margherita Ligure through fragrant vineyards and olive groves, enjoying stunning sea and cliff views. Stop at a restored olive oil mill in Molini for a tasting of local white wine and focaccia, then continue past elegant villas surrounded by lush Mediterranean gardens. 

Portofino & Santa Margherita: Explore charming Santa Margherita with a stroll and artisanal ice cream, then enjoy a scenic boat ride to Portofino for a guided tour of its iconic harbour and colourful streets.

Offshore: 08:00 - 22:00

One of the most photographed villages along the coast, with a decidedly romantic and affluent aura, Portofino has long been a popular destination for the rich and famous. Once an ancient Roman colony and taken by the Republic of Genoa in 1229, it’s also been ruled by the French, English, Spanish, and Austrians, as well as by marauding bands of 16th-century pirates. Elite British tourists first flocked to the lush harbor in the mid-1800s. Some of Europe's wealthiest drop anchor in Portofino in summer, but they stay out of sight by day, appearing in the evening after buses and boats have carried off the day-trippers.There's not actually much to do in Portofino other than stroll around the wee harbor, see the castle, walk to Punta del Capo, browse at the pricey boutiques, and sip a coffee while people-watching. However, weaving through picture-perfect cliffside gardens and gazing at yachts framed by the sapphire Ligurian Sea and the cliffs of Santa Margherita can make for quite a relaxing afternoon. There are also several tame, photo-friendly hikes into the hills to nearby villages.Unless you're traveling on a deluxe budget, you may want to stay in Camogli or Santa Margherita Ligure rather than at one of Portofino's few very expensive hotels. Restaurants and cafés are good but also pricey (don't expect to have a beer here for much under €10).

Calvi, on the French island of Corsica, has a long and illustrious history. Founded in the 13th century, its fiery medieval citadel still stands above red tiled roofs. It’s been a tourist hotspot since the 1920s, thanks to its moon-shaped bay lined with a golden, sandy beach and forested mountains on the horizon.

Today, Calvi has the feel of a chic resort on the French Riviera, with waterfront restaurants, luxury hotels and multi-million-dollar yachts at anchor. Explore the alleys of this historic old town, walk the ramparts of the citadel, and try to find the house that is said to be the birthplace of Christopher Columbus.

Scenic Freechoice:
Calvi Walking Tour & Wine Tasting: Take a walking tour of Calvi and enjoy breathtaking vistas of red rooftops and the crystal-clear sea before a wine tasting at Domaine Alzipratu winery.

Old Villages of Corsica: Visit the ancient circular village of Sant’Antonio, the hilltop village of Pigna and the timeless beauty of Corbara and Aregno on this coastal tour.

Scenic South Coast Drive: Discover Corsica’s diverse landscapes on a half-day tour, from coastal bays to rugged mountains. Enjoy panoramic views, pass historic towers and traverse lush forests.

Offshore: 08:00 - 18:00

Calvi, Corsica's slice of the Riviera, has been described by author Dorothy Carrington as "an oasis of pleasure on an otherwise austere island." Calvi prospered by supplying products to Genoa; its citizens remained loyal supporters of Genoa long after the rest of the island declared independence. Calvi also claims to be the birthplace of Christopher Columbus. During the 18th century the town endured assaults from Corsican nationalists, including celebrated patriot Pasquale Paoli. Today Calvi sees a summertime invasion of tourists, drawn to the 6-km (4-mile) stretch of sandy white beach, impressive citadel overlooking the Old Town, lively restaurants, and buzzing nightlife.

Cross into Italy and the island of Sardinia, sitting off the west coast of the mainland in the Tyrrhenian Sea. The charming city of Alghero is on the island’s northwestern tip and is known for its gold sea walls, built in the 16th century. White sandy beaches, crystal clear water and blissful climate make it one of the Sardinia’s most popular resorts. Alghero’s culture is a fascinating blend of Spanish and Italian (the official language is Catalan) and you’ll see it in the architecture, lifestyle and cuisine.

Scenic Freechoice:
Villages of Sardinia & Coddu Vecchiu Giant's Tomb: Embark a scenic walk through San Pantaleo and the ancient Giants' Tomb at Coddu Vecchiu, ending with a relaxing stop in Baja Sardinia.

Sardinian Wine Tasting: Set off from Porto Cervo for a scenic drive to the charming village of San Pantaleo, nestled among Sardinia’s granite peaks. Then visit a local estate for a guided tasting of regional wines before a relaxing return through the countryside.

Tour of Alghero & Surroundings: Discover the charm of Alghero, exploring its historic old town with cobblestone streets, Catalan-Gothic architecture, and a picturesque harbor. Explore the surrounding landscapes, enjoying coastal views and local culture.

Offshore: 08:00 - 14:00

A tourist-friendly town of about 45,000 inhabitants with a distinctly Spanish flavor, Alghero is also known as "Barcelonetta" (little Barcelona). Rich wrought-iron scrollwork decorates balconies and screened windows; a Spanish motif appears in stone portals and bell towers. The town was built and inhabited in the 14th century by the Aragonese and Catalans, who constructed seaside ramparts and sturdy towers encompassing an inviting nucleus of narrow, winding streets with whitewashed palazzi. The native language spoken here is a version of Catalan, not Italian, although you probably have to attend one of the Masses conducted in Algherese (or listen in on stories swapped by older fishermen) to hear it. Besides its historic architectural gems such as the Alghero Cathedral and Palazzo d'Albis, the fortified city is well worth a visit to simply stroll and discover local culture on narrow cobblestone streets. The city also has a reputation to serve great food at reasonable prices.

Once a sleepy fishing village, French film star Brigitte Bardot put Saint-Tropez on the map in the 1950s, transforming it into a luxury hotspot for international travellers from all over the world. Today, it still retains all the glitz and glamour, alongside impossibly blue seas, stunning beaches and a bohemian art scene. Join the beautiful people at open-air bars along the waterfront, listen to the sounds of live music and keep an eye out for visiting celebrities.

Scenic Freechoice:
Walking Tour of Saint-Tropez: Take a guided tour of the charming village of Saint Tropez and its iconic landmarks. 

Visit to Domaine Rayol Gardens: Enjoy a guided tour of this beautiful natural protected site and enjoy a “pause gourmande”, a sweet break with refreshments.

Gassin & Wine Tasting: Stroll through the narrow streets of the picturesque Provence village of Gassin and enjoy a tasting at a local winery.

St Tropez Coastal Hike: Set out on a scenic four-mile coastal hike along a historic trail, guided past Cap Camarat’s lighthouse and luxurious villas. Enjoy refreshments and stunning views, then explore St. Tropez or return to the ship.

Offshore: 08:00 - 22:00

At first glance, it really doesn't look all that impressive. There's a pretty port with cafés charging €5 for a coffee and a picturesque old town in sugared-almond hues, but there are many prettier in the hills nearby. There are sandy beaches, rare enough on the Riviera, and old-fashioned squares with plane trees and pétanque players, but these are a dime a dozen throughout Provence. So what made St-Tropez an internationally known locale? Two words: Brigitte Bardot. When this pulpeuse (voluptuous) teenager showed up in St-Tropez on the arm of Roger Vadim in 1956 to film And God Created Woman, the heads of the world snapped around. Neither the gentle descriptions of writer Guy de Maupassant (1850–93), nor the watercolor tones of Impressionist Paul Signac (1863–1935), nor the stream of painters who followed (including Matisse and Bonnard) could focus the world's attention on this seaside hamlet as did this one sensual woman in a scarf, Ray-Bans, and capris. Vanity Fair ran a big article, "Saint Tropez Babylon," detailing the over-the-top petrodollar parties, megayachts, and Beyoncé–d paparazzi. But don't be turned off: the next year, Stewart, Tabori & Chang released an elegant coffee-table book, Houses of St-Tropez, packed with photos of supremely tasteful and pretty residences, many occupied by fashion designers, artists, and writers. Once a hangout for Colette, Anaïs Nin, and Françoise Sagan, the town still earns its old moniker, the "Montparnasse of the Mediterranean." Yet you might be surprised to find that this byword for billionaires is so small and insulated. The lack of train service, casinos, and chain hotels keeps it that way. Yet fame, in a sense, came too fast for St-Trop. Unlike the chic resorts farther east, it didn't have the decades-old reputation of the sort that would attract visitors all year around. For a good reason: its location on the south side of the gulf puts it at the mercy of the terrible mistral winter winds. So, in summer the crowds descend and the prices rise into the stratosphere. In July and August, you must be carefree about the sordid matter of cash. After all, at the most Dionysian nightclub in town, a glass of tap water goes for $37 and when the mojo really gets going, billionaires think nothing of "champagne-spraying" the partying crowds—think World Series celebrations but with $1,000 bottles of Roederer Cristal instead of Gatorade. Complaining about summer crowds, overpricing, and lack of customer service has become a tourist sport and yet this is what makes St-Tropez—described by the French daily newspaper Le Figaro as the place you can see "the greatest number of faces per square meter"—as intriguing as it is seductive.

As your Scenic Eclipse II journey draws to a close, bid farewell in the picturesque city of Nice, a renowned gem of the Côte d’Azur. After savouring a final delightful breakfast on board, it will be time to disembark and commence your onward journey or return home, carrying cherished memories with you.

Please book your flight to depart out of Nice after 12:00 PM.

Docked: 08:00

#Spa treatments at additional cost. +All drinks on board, including those stocked in your mini bar, are included, except for a very small number of rare, fine and vintage wines, Champagnes and spirits. Specialty restaurants require a reservation, enquire on board.

Helicopter not operational in France. Submersible not operational in Europe.

The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Scenic cannot guarantee the voyage will operate unaltered from the itinerary stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information.

United with France only since 1860, Nice has its own history and atmosphere, which dates back 230,000 years. It was on Colline du Château (now château-less) and at the Plage des Ponchettes, in front of the Old Town, that the Greeks established a market-port in 350 BC and named it Nikaia, which would become Marseilles' chief coastal rival. The Romans established themselves a little later on the hills of Cimiez (Cemenelum), already previously occupied by Ligurians and Celts, and quickly overshadowed the waterfront port. After falling to the Saracen invasions, Nice regained power as an independent state, becoming an important port in the early Middle Ages.So cocksure did it become that in 1388, Nice, along with the hill towns behind, effectively seceded from the county of Provence, under Louis d'Anjou, and allied itself with Savoie. Thus began its liaison with the House of Savoy, and through it with Piedmont and Sardinia, it was the Comté de Nice (Nice County). This relationship lasted some 500 years, tinting the culture, architecture, and dialect in rich Italian hues.By the 19th century Nice was flourishing commercially, locked in rivalry with the neighboring shipping port of Genoa. Another source of income: the dawning of tourism, as first the English, then the Russian nobility, discovered its extraordinary climate and superb waterfront position. A parade of fine stone mansions and hotels closed into a nearly solid wall of masonry, separated from the smooth-round rocks of the beach by what was originally named Camin deis Anglés (the English Way), which of course is now the famous Promenade des Anglais. This magnificent crescent, which is seeking UNESCO recognition, is one of the noblest in France. Many of Nice's most delightful attractions—the Cours Saleya market, the Old Town streets, the Hotel Negresco, and the Palais Masséna—are on or close to this 10-km (6-mile) waterfront, making it the first stop for most visitors, while the redevelopment of Nice's port, around the other side of the Colline du Château, makes it easier for amblers who want to take in the Genoese architecture or peruse the antiques at the Puces de Nice, now part of the Promenade des 100 Antiquaires, along Quai Papacino. Nice also has the distinction of the "Family Plus" label, with free strollers, play areas, and restaurants with child-friendly activities.