Viking Oceans Cruises – Mediterranean Explorer & Crossing (France, Italy, Monaco, Portugal, Spain) 24 Days

Step on board to begin your journey. The ship will be berthed in Civitavecchia, the closest port to the airport and Rome. Relax and settle in to your well-appointed stateroom and take time to get acquainted with the many ship amenities. Perhaps you will unwind at our Infinity Pool or browse the replicas of Viking artifacts at our onboard Viking Heritage exhibit.

Tuscany is known equally as the cradle of the Renaissance and a center of culinary delights and astounding wines. Throughout this emerald-green countryside dotted with cypress trees, endless delights unfold. Among them is Florence, a living museum of the Renaissance. Brunelleschi’s famous Duomo dominates the medieval cityscape—an architectural achievement. Another Tuscan treasure, the Square of Miracles, unfolds in Pisa. Here, a trinity of masterpieces—the Leaning Tower, Pisa Cathedral and Baptistery—comprise some of Europe’s finest art and architecture.

The chic city of Monte Carlo in the petite kingdom of Monaco boasts some of the world’s most exclusive shopping and a beautiful old port. A fairy-tale aura has settled on this glittering city of the Grimaldi family, perhaps nowhere more elegantly than at the Prince’s Palace, where the late American actress-turned-princess Grace Kelly presided with Prince Rainier III. Monte Carlo’s medieval quarter perches on “The Rock,” an escarpment at the foot of the Maritime Alps, and offers spectacular views of the Mediterranean and the harbor lined with mega-yachts.

Visit Marseille, France’s oldest city, rich in timeless treasures. Discover its atmospheric Old Port, overseen by two 17th-century fortresses. The picturesque quay was built on the order of Louis XII and Louis XIII and is one of the world’s most romantic walks. As you explore, take in the beauty of its natural harbor, dotted with elegant yachts. Marvel at the church of Notre Dame de la Garde and Palais Longchamp, or venture to Aix-en-Provence with its tree-shaded squares and wide boulevards.

On some dates, the ship will call in Toulon.

Explore Montpellier today, a center of learning for centuries. Its namesake university, founded in 1160, is one of the world’s oldest, predating the Renaissance. The social and cultural center of Montpellier is the Place de la Comédie, anchored by the elegant Three Graces fountain and the stunning, neoclassical Opéra Comédie. Other sites pay tribute to a rich heritage, from the art-filled Musée Fabre and impressive St. Clement Aqueduct to the St. Pierre Cathedral with its “floating” porch supported by a pair of towers.

On some dates, the ship will call in Marseille.

The vibrant city of Barcelona, with its lively culture and inviting outdoor spaces, preserves a rich history. Picturesque medieval lanes wind through the oldest part of the city, the Gothic Quarter, where remnants of the city’s Roman wall were uncovered. Its treasures include the neo-Gothic Barcelona Cathedral, the medieval Jewish district of El Call and the Romanesque Church of Santa Maria del Pi. In the evenings, diners relax in the Royal Plaza at restaurants along the elegant square’s perimeter.

Barcelona is steeped in history, with stunning architecture and a rich culture. Mediterranean breezes grace the shore and Catalonia’s capital is a feast for the senses. Long strolls on wide boulevards—such as Las Ramblas, the mile-long leafy pedestrian way, and the Passeig de Gràcia, lined with some of Europe’s most elegant buildings—set the tone for a city that moves to its own tempo. Native son and famed architect Antoni Gaudí adorned his city with whimsy, whether along fantastical city blocks or with his colossal masterpiece, the towering La Sagrada Família cathedral.

Spain’s Mediterranean port of Valencia is a mecca for lovers of one of the country’s most iconic dishes, paella. Choose from a wide array of variations of the dish at restaurants throughout town, perhaps with a glass of local wine. Or sample the city’s other specialty, horchata. You’ll also want to visit the famous Lladró porcelain factory, world renowned for its imaginative and delicate figurines.

The charms of Murcia lie in its embrace of its rural pleasures. Surrounded by farmland and fertile huertas, Murcianos are never at a loss for produce freshly plucked from “Europe’s orchard.” They, in turn, live by the patient cycle of the harvest, going about their days at a leisurely pace. The Moors founded the city in 825 and introduced a vast irrigation network for crops and for city use. They were expelled by Ferdinand III of Castile in 1243. Murcia province remained a vassal kingdom until 1812 and became an autonomous region of Spain in 1982.

Granada is a splendid canvas of Moorish architecture, rich Andalusian tradition and remarkable history. It was the last stronghold of the Moorish Nasrid dynasty, whose 250-year reign ended during the 1492 reconquest of Spain by Catholic monarchs. The grand Granada Cathedral is a soaring celebration of that victory; its Royal Chapel holds the tombs of Queen Isabel and King Ferdinand, the celebrated pair who oversaw the triumph. Their magnificent fortress-palace, the Alhambra, was long the stronghold of Moors, and so offers a magnificent blend of Islamic and Christian detail.

At today’s port, you’ll have a rare chance to explore what many considered the gateway to the New World for all the voyages that left here for unknown shores. The port of Cádiz offers a wealth of treasures. On an included tour, you’ll follow passageways into elaborate plazas. Stop at the Torre Tavira, once a lookout for merchants, and marvel at the city’s baroque, gold-domed cathedral. Alternately, explore the colorful city of Seville, where a grand Cathedral, Giralda Tower and the Alcázar Palace were built by the wealth of Spanish kings. Spend free time sipping sherry at a bodega or shopping for local wares.

Today, explore the labyrinthine streets of Lisbon’s Alfama District and the 12th-century Sé Cathedral (Lisbon Cathedral). On an included panoramic tour of this seafaring capital, you’ll also trace the Tagus River to the Elevador da Gloria, a funicular train that takes you to the hilltop suburb of Bairro Alto. Soak up magical views and shop the lively Chiado Quarter. Or, consider an excursion through the countryside to Sintra, renowned for its multi-hued palaces and stalwart castles. You can also choose an excursion to see Lisbon’s architectural masterpieces, including the ornate Jerónimos Monastery and the adjacent Belém Tower, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Today, explore the labyrinthine streets of Lisbon’s Alfama District and the 12th-century Sé Cathedral (Lisbon Cathedral). On an included walking tour of this seafaring capital, you’ll also trace the Tagus River to the Elevador da Gloria, a funicular train that takes you to the hilltop suburb of Bairro Alto. Soak up magical views and shop the lively quarter of Chiado. Or, consider an excursion through the countryside to Sintra, renowned for its multi-hued palaces and stalwart castles. You can also choose an excursion to see Lisbon’s architectural masterpieces, including the ornate Jerónimos Monastery and the adjacent Belém Tower, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This afternoon, we set sail to trace the historic coast of Portugal.

Sail legendary waters, where medieval Europeans believed “there be dragons” beyond the ocean’s horizon. Enjoy the amenities of your ship as you sail. Perhaps take a breath of fresh air on a brisk walk around the Promenade Deck or begin your day with a workout in the well-equipped Fitness Center.

Call on the capital of the Azores, Ponta Delgada, once a staging post for explorers continuing their voyage to the New World. Today, the cultural center of the island of São Miguel hosts impressive churches and tidy white houses that recall its supporting role in the Age of Discovery. Sample the culinary traditions of the island during your visit as you set out into its rural reaches. Alternately, marvel at Portugal’s famed “lake of two colors” or explore Ponta Delgada by tuk-tuk.

Relax to the rhythm of your trans-Atlantic crossing. During your second day at sea, you might indulge in a massage or facial or take a sauna in The Spa. Tonight, try some food and wine pairings at The Chef’s Table.

You will dock in the heart of Hamilton, the capital and cultural center of the British Territory of Bermuda. Breathtaking pink-sand beaches and a distinct English flavor greet you at every turn as you walk the pastel-hued streets, tour the historic town of St. George, the longest continuously inhabited English settlement in the New World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and explore the island’s old garrison.

Sail the Atlantic Ocean, divided in half, north to south, by the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Longer than the Rockies, the Himalayas and the Andes combined, this underwater mountain range is the longest on Earth. As you sail today, savor a range of international cuisine on board. Choose from a variety of international flavors at the World Café, enjoy al fresco dining on the Aquavit Terrace, or regional specialties in The Restaurant.

A beloved leisure destination for Floridians and visitors alike, the Ft. Lauderdale area exudes the carefree attitude of South Florida’s coast. In Miami, a thriving Cuban culture infuses Old Havana and gleaming high-rises overlook Biscayne Bay. On the outlying barrier islands, South Beach is an intoxicating blend of seaside glamour and art deco pastel brilliance. Farther north, the seven-mile-long Ft. Lauderdale Beach provides a more leisurely ambience. Along Las Olas Boulevard, cafés and boutiques invite lingering and endless browsing. After breakfast, disembark your ship and journey home.