9 nights · Nice, France Riviera · Departs Villefranche-sur-Mer (France) · Visiting Genoa, Santa Margherita Ligure, La Spezia, Livorno, Portoferraio, Olbia, Porto Santo Stefano, Civitavecchia-Rome · Aboard Azamara Cruises on the Azamara Quest
Image courtesy of Azamara Cruises ©
| Cruise line | Azamara Cruises |
|---|---|
| Ship | Azamara Quest |
| Duration | 9 nights |
| Port calls | 9 |
| Departures | 1 sailings |
| From fare | $2,659 per person |
| Year built | 2000 |
| Guests | 794 |
| Cabins | 361 |
| Crew | 408 |
| 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.
Genoa is a city shaped by the sea, with a busy port framed by hills and centuries of trade. In the old town, narrow caruggi lead to grand squares and Romanesque churches. The Palazzi dei Rolli, a UNESCO-listed group of aristocratic residences, reveal the city’s former wealth. Walk the restored Porto Antico, then sit down to basil-scented pesto or freshly caught seafood. Genoa rewards those who explore on foot.
Santa Margherita Ligure pairs a working harbour with pastel façades, palm-lined promenades and the Ligurian Sea. Ferries connect the town with Portofino, while coastal paths lead toward the abbey at San Fruttuoso. Browse the shops and cafés along the waterfront, then visit the 17th-century Basilica of Santa Margherita d’Antiochia. Allow time for a seafood lunch; local menus often feature anchovies, Ligurian pesto and fresh fish.
La Spezia sits at the head of the Gulf of Poets. Here, Liguria’s steep hills meet a sheltered stretch of Mediterranean coast. Its working harbor gives the city a lively maritime character, while cafés and broad streets reward an easy stroll. Trains connect La Spezia with the villages of the Cinque Terre; ferries sail to Portovenere. Allow time for the city itself, not just its celebrated neighbors.
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.
Portoferraio rises above Elba’s deep-blue harbor, its honey-colored walls reflecting the ambition of Cosimo I de’ Medici. Walk the steep lanes between the Medici fortresses, then visit Villa dei Mulini, Napoleon’s residence during his 1814–15 exile. Beyond the old town, clear coves and pale beaches invite a swim. Vineyards and coastal roads reward a longer stay. This is Tuscany with salt air and a storied past.
Olbia brings Sardinia’s northeast within easy reach, from its old centre to the Costa Smeralda. Corso Umberto passes cafés and shops; nearby stands the granite Romanesque Basilica of San Simplicio. The harbour and beaches at Pittulongu offer a change of pace, while the Costa Smeralda lies north by road. For a glimpse of the island’s ancient past, visit the Nuragic site of Riu Mulinu above the city.
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.
Your ship docks at Civitavecchia, Rome’s seaport, about 50 miles northwest of the capital. Rome’s great monuments are within reach, but the port town rewards a closer look. Walk the waterfront to Forte Michelangelo, a 16th-century fortress begun under Pope Julius II; explore the old streets and market. Prefer a quieter day? The town’s seafront and nearby beaches offer an easy change of pace. Choose Rome for art and antiquity, or Civitavecchia for coastal life beyond the terminal.
Published August 29, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard
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