7-night Western Mediterranean Explorer Cruise

Nice is undoubtedly the place for the opening up of art and culture. The Côte d'Azur has inspired, from time immemorial, the greatest painters, writers and musicians. It has compelled recognition of its avant-garde across the Atlantic, its museums are holding prestigious collections in edifices of renowned architecture. Nice is full of an extraordinary artistic and cultural heritage. The gentle way of life sustains the imaginary world of artists and stimulates their creativeness. A cultural and aesthetic atmosphere prevails here; the cultural life is intense. It is punctuated by temporary exhibitions in the museums and the municipal galleries, by the programming of the theatres of which the most important is the Theatre of Nice - National Dramatic Centre - directed by Jacques Weber. The Opera House of Nice's Theatre proposes events of great quality.

Located between Toulon and Marseille, Sanary Sur Mer is a town rich in old world charm combined with modern conveniences. Take a stroll along the colorful harbor, breathe in the fragrance of the flower market while sitting on the town hall steps, succumb to the happy atmosphere of village life. The town offers diving, sailing, tennis and squash, plus a golf course not far away. Attend a show at the Galli Theatre, see a film, take a boat ride, enjoy the various entertainment provided on the sea-front or visit the sights of the town. Sanary caters a visitor's every wish. The Automobile Museum, which presents the history of cabriolets and roadsters over the last 50 years, is situated very near the Botanical Garden, home to a rare collection of plants and animals.

Collioure is on the Languedoc coast, just north of the border with Spain. Originally a quiet fishing village, Collioure began to attract several famous artists in the 20th century including Matisse, and Pablo Picasso. The town offers a couple of beaches, vineyards, and picturesque mountains. There are two particular sights in the town. The church, Notre-Dame-des-Anges, sits almost in the harbor and its bell tower previously acted as the lighthouse. The second sight is the Royal Castle, which was once occupied by the templar knights. Also popular with visitors is the seafood restaurants along the waterfront - Collioure anchovies are especially highly regarded.

Tarragona is a port on the Mediterranean Sea on the Catalonian coast to the southwest of Barcelona. The monks of the Grande Chartreuse established their liqueur distillery here in 1903, when they were forced to leave France. The city's archaeological museum has an outstanding collection of Roman statuary. The remains of a Roman amphitheatre and defensive walls are in the city, and a two-tiered Roman aqueduct is nearby. The Romanesque cathedral, construction of which was begun in the 12th century, is famous for its Gothic facade. Nearby are the beaches and resorts of the Costa Dorado.

The Balearics are comprised of 16 islands; the three principal ones are Mallorca, Ibiza and Menorca. Lying just 60 miles off the Spanish mainland, the islands’ lush and rugged landscape combined with an extremely mild, sunny climate prove irresistible. The Balearics boast cosmopolitan resorts with lively nightlife and plenty of sports activities. Palma de Majorca is the capital of the archipelago. A cosmopolitan city with sophisticated shops and restaurants, it also offers buildings of spectacular Moorish and gothic architecture. Museo de Mallorca housed in the Palacio Ayamans boasts an interesting collection of Moorish, medieval and 18th- to 19th-century art. Those who wish to explore the northern end of the island will enjoy the dramatic land and seascape of Cabo Formentor at the end of a long, narrow peninsula. A winding road with magnificent views leads to the luxury Hotel Formentor, beautifully situated above the bay. The lighthouse of Cabo Formentor is the most northerly point on Majorca.

Alicante is located on Spain’s Costa Blanca in the Levant Region, along the country’s southeastern coast and is a tourist resort and commercial port. The region is marked by lush mountain ranges. During the Gothic era of the fifteenth through sixteenth centuries centuries, art and architecture flourished in Alicante and the remainder of the Levant Region. Immense palaces and grandiose churches were built with elaborate baroque details. Visitors can see a third century BC fortress - the citadel of Santa Bárbara built by ruler Amilcar Barca, a Carthaginian, Arrabal Roig - the old quarter, the Baroque town hall (1701-60), the Church of Santa María (14th century), and the Renaissance church of San Nicolás de Bari (18th century).

Today Spain's major commercial port and naval base, Cartagena lies on the coast of Murcia, its great indented bay guarded by rocky promontories, each topped by a fort. The city contains the remains of old walls, a castle constructed probably in Carthaginian times, and a church that was formerly a 13th-century cathedral. Attractive promenades extend along the harbour, while to the northeast is the famous beach and watersports resort area of the lagoon-like Mar Menor.

Malaga is a popular holiday destination - known as the birthplace of Picasso and for sweet Malaga dessert wines from vineyards outside of town. Points of interest include impressive Gothic architecture, remains of a Moorish castle and interesting museums. Malaga is a popular starting point for trips to Granada and resorts along Costa del Sol. Splendid Granada and famed Alhambra are the region’s most outstanding attractions. Magnificent Moorish palaces and fortifications contrast sharply with Christian churches from Spain’s 1492 Reconquest era. Ronda's incredible location affording spectacular views over the valley and distant hills. Malaga Fine Arts Museum holds works by Spanish artists of the 16th to 20th centuries and by artists from Malaga, including Picasso. Marbella, which has been favored by the rich and famous, is a very popular holiday and yachting resort destination. One of the first resorts of the Costa del Sol, Torremolinos has luxury hotels, busy plazas and shopping streets, a lively art scene, a Wax Museum created by Madame Tussaud, and a glitzy casino.