7 nights · Spain · Departs Barcelona (Spain) · Visiting Toulon, Ajaccio, Civitavecchia-Rome, Salerno, Catania, Ravenna · Aboard Royal Caribbean on the Explorer Of The Seas
Image courtesy of Royal Caribbean ©
| Cruise line | Royal Caribbean |
|---|---|
| Ship | Explorer Of The Seas |
| Duration | 7 nights |
| Port calls | 7 |
| Departures | 4 sailings |
| From fare | $966 per person |
| Year built | 2000 |
| Guests | 3938 |
| Cabins | 1641 |
| Crew | 1180 |
| Length | 311 m |
| Beam | 49 m |
| Cruising speed | 24.0 kn |
Barcelona is a Mediterranean port city built on Roman foundations, with Gothic lanes and striking modernist architecture. La Rambla runs from Plaça de Catalunya towards the waterfront and the old town. Gaudí’s Sagrada Família and Park Güell show the city at its most distinctive. Set aside time for a market lunch and a walk through El Born, where medieval streets meet lively cafés. Barcelona’s beaches offer a welcome pause between visits.
Toulon is a working Mediterranean port, framed by limestone hills and one of Europe’s finest natural harbours. Look beyond the waterfront to the old town, where Cours Lafayette’s market fills the street with Provençal produce. For a wider view, ride the cable car up Mont Faron, then visit its memorial to the 1944 Allied landings. Nearby, the Îles d’Hyères, local beaches and cafés offer an easy-paced taste of coastal Provence.
Ajaccio brings Corsica’s character within easy reach of the quay. France’s island capital pairs a sheltered gulf with pastel façades, a lively old town and mountain ridges above the harbor. Napoleon Bonaparte was born here in 1769; his birthplace is now a museum. From Place Foch, browse the market before following narrow lanes to the cathedral and waterfront cafés. Allow time for a swim or a scenic drive along the coast, where coves and clear water reward exploration.
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.
Salerno puts southern Italy within easy reach, with ferries and roads leading toward the Amalfi Coast. Yet the city rewards a closer look: its old lanes gather around the handsome Duomo di San Matteo. Inside, bronze doors and a richly decorated crypt recall Salerno’s medieval importance as a center of learning. Climb to Arechi Castle for broad views across the Gulf, or venture inland to the Greek temples at Paestum.
Mount Etna sets the scale in Catania, where black lava stone gives the Sicilian city a character unlike any other. Rebuilt after the 1693 earthquake, its Baroque heart is part of the UNESCO-listed Val di Noto. Begin at Piazza del Duomo, then follow Via Etnea toward cafés, churches and views of the volcano. At La Pescheria, the fish market, Sicily’s daily life is on full display, best sampled before lunch.
Ravenna rewards travellers who look beyond the shoreline. From Porto Corsini, the historic centre lies about 12 kilometres inland. Eight UNESCO-listed monuments preserve some of Europe’s finest Byzantine mosaics. See the Basilica of San Vitale and the intimate Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, famed for its starry ceiling. Dante’s tomb and quiet piazzas complete a city best explored on foot, at an unhurried pace.
Published August 25, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard
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