11 nights · Nice, France Riviera · Departs Villefranche-sur-Mer (France) · Visiting Livorno, Porto Santo Stefano, Sorrento, Trapani, Siracusa, Crotone, Taranto, Kotor, Venice · Aboard Azamara Cruises on the Azamara Onward
Image courtesy of Azamara Cruises ©
| Cruise line | Azamara Cruises |
|---|---|
| Ship | Azamara Onward |
| Duration | 11 nights |
| Port calls | 10 |
| Departures | 1 sailings |
| From fare | $4,259 per person |
| Year built | 1999 |
| Guests | 804 |
| Cabins | 352 |
| Crew | 373 |
| Length | 181 m |
| Beam | 25 m |
| Cruising speed | 18.0 kn |
Villefranche-sur-Mer makes an unusually graceful first impression: pastel houses rise above one of the Riviera’s deepest natural harbors. Wander the old town’s narrow lanes, then visit the 16th-century citadel and its museums. Jean Cocteau’s painted Chapel of Saint-Pierre adds a distinctive local detail. Nearby trains connect you with Nice; roads lead to Èze and the wider Côte d’Azur.
Livorno rewards those who look beyond the cruise terminal. Its canals, built in the style of Venice, wind through historic Venezia Nuova. The seafront promenade leads to Terrazza Mascagni, where black-and-white paving frames the sea. At Mercato Centrale, locals shop beneath a vast iron-and-glass roof. Try cacciucco, the city’s rich fish stew. Florence and Pisa are within reach, but Livorno merits time of its own.
Porto Santo Stefano brings you to Monte Argentario, where Tuscany meets the Tyrrhenian Sea. Its curved harbor remains a working port, lined with cafés, seafood restaurants, and boats bound for Giglio Island. Climb to the 16th-century Spanish Fortress for sweeping views across the waterfront and islands. Beyond town, coves and clear water reward a drive along the peninsula’s rugged coast.
Sorrento rises above the Bay of Naples, facing Mount Vesuvius across water busy with ferries. From here, ferries connect with Capri, while the town rewards a slower day among old lanes, churches, and sea-view terraces. Follow the scent of citrus to shops selling Sorrento lemons, locally made limoncello, and finely crafted marquetry. Then pause over lunch: the region’s seafood and Campanian produce are best enjoyed without hurry.
Trapani sits on Sicily’s western tip, where salt pans, fishing boats and old stone streets define the waterfront. Erice rises above the coast, reached from Trapani by cable car in about ten minutes. Stay in town for the Basilica-Santuario di Maria Santissima Annunziata and the lively lanes around the fish market. Local menus bring couscous, tuna and seafood to the table, reflecting Trapani’s long links with North Africa.
Siracusa rewards visitors who look beyond its handsome waterfront. On Ortigia, the old island heart, Greek temples, Baroque palaces and lively markets sit within an easy walk. Across the channel, Neapolis Archaeological Park preserves a Greek theatre, Roman amphitheatre and the famed Ear of Dionysius. Pause for granita or fresh seafood, then watch the light soften over the Ionian Sea.
Crotone puts ancient Magna Graecia within easy reach of Calabria’s Ionian coast. Greek settlers founded Croton in the eighth century BC, and Pythagoras later taught here. In the old town, narrow lanes lead to the 16th-century Castle of Charles V and the cathedral. At Capo Colonna, the last standing column marks Hera Lacinia’s ancient sanctuary. The headland opens to broad Ionian views.
Taranto rewards travelers who look beyond Italy’s familiar circuit. Its old town occupies an island between the Mar Grande and Mar Piccolo, linked to the modern city by bridges. The Aragonese Castle guards the channel, while the Cathedral of San Cataldo preserves a long history beneath its Baroque interior. At MArTA, the National Archaeological Museum, gold jewelry and Greek-era finds reveal Taranto’s importance in Magna Graecia.
At the head of Montenegro’s Bay of Kotor, the old town sits beneath steep mountains. Enter through the Sea Gate and follow stone lanes to St Tryphon’s Cathedral. Venetian-era walls frame squares, churches, and cafés within a compact UNESCO-listed center. For a broader view, climb toward San Giovanni Fortress; the steps are demanding. Take water and allow time for the ascent, especially in summer heat. From the harbor, the bay’s changing light makes a memorable arrival and departure.
Arrive in Venice by water, where the lagoon’s canals replace ordinary streets. St Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace anchor the celebrated Piazza San Marco. Take a vaporetto along the Grand Canal, then explore a quieter neighborhood on foot. Confirm your ship’s terminal and transfer arrangements before setting out; cruise access varies. Near Rialto, the market and bridge offer a lively glimpse of the city’s trade. Give yourself time to leave the main routes and follow smaller canals.
Published September 19, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard
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