19 nights · Brazil · Departs Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) · Visiting Maceio, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Tarragona, Ajaccio, Civitavecchia-Rome, Corfu Island, Bari, Trieste · Aboard MSC Cruises on the MSC Splendida
Image courtesy of MSC Cruises ©
| Cruise line | MSC Cruises |
|---|---|
| Ship | MSC Splendida |
| Duration | 19 nights |
| Port calls | 9 |
| Departures | 1 sailings |
| From fare | $2,369 per person |
| Year built | 2009 |
| Guests | 4363 |
| Cabins | 1637 |
| Crew | 1370 |
| Length | 333 m |
| Beam | 37 m |
| Cruising speed | 23.0 kn |
Granite peaks rise above Guanabara Bay; the city reaches toward the Atlantic. From the port, the landmarks are unmistakable: Sugarloaf Mountain guards the bay, and Christ the Redeemer watches from Corcovado. Balance the grand views with street-level pleasures: Copacabana, Ipanema, and the leafy avenues of the South Zone. Choose one or two sights, then leave room for a long lunch and the city’s beach culture.
Maceió, capital of Alagoas, sits between the Atlantic and Mundaú Lagoon, with turquoise water close at hand. At Pajuçara, traditional jangadas carry visitors to offshore natural pools at low tide. Nearby Ponta Verde pairs a beachfront promenade with cafés and seafood restaurants. Explore the historic center’s colonial-era churches, or visit the Museu Théo Brandão, whose collection celebrates Alagoas’s folk culture. Then return to the shore for grilled fish and sunset over the water.
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria pairs a working Atlantic port with one of Spain’s finest urban beaches. Explore Vegueta’s cobbled lanes, cathedral and Casa de Colón, a museum linked to Columbus’s voyages. The seafront promenade invites an easy stroll beside Las Canteras’ broad sands and sheltered waters. Local seafood and Canarian wines reward a longer pause before you return to the ship.
Step ashore in Tarragona, where Roman Tarraco meets the blue sweep of the Mediterranean. An amphitheatre still faces the sea, while ancient walls trace the edge of the old city. UNESCO-listed monuments, a Gothic cathedral and lively Rambla Nova make the historic centre rewarding to explore on foot. At the Balcó del Mediterrani, take in the coast before settling at a terrace for Catalan seafood and local wine.
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.
Corfu rewards visitors who look beyond the beach resorts. Its Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, bears the marks of centuries of Venetian rule. Walk the arcaded Liston, then climb to the Old Fortress for views across the rooftops and Ionian Sea. Beyond town, cypress-lined roads lead to Paleokastritsa’s coves, while the Achilleion palace recalls an imperial past. Allow time for lunch; Corfiot cooking pairs Ionian seafood with Italian and Greek influences.
Bari is Puglia’s lively capital, with a working port and a historic center close by. Enter Bari Vecchia on foot and follow its lanes toward the Basilica of Saint Nicholas. This Romanesque church draws pilgrims and visitors to the saint’s revered relics. On Arco Basso, local women have traditionally shaped orecchiette by hand. Then cross to the seafront or browse Via Sparano’s shops and cafés. Order seafood or a plate of Puglia’s distinctive pasta before returning to port.
Trieste rewards travellers who look beyond the waterfront. At the head of the Adriatic, this Italian city carries the marks of centuries under Habsburg rule. Start in Piazza Unità d’Italia, one of Europe’s largest seafront squares, opening directly onto the sea. Visit Miramare Castle, built for Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian, then order espresso in a city shaped by its coffee trade. Trieste is compact and cosmopolitan, with a Roman theatre and grand cafés recalling its Central European past.
Published August 7, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard
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