Nice, France Riviera Cruise from Villefranche-sur-Mer — 12 Days

11 nights · Nice, France Riviera · Departs Villefranche-sur-Mer (France) · Visiting Marseille, Sete, Port-Vendres, Port Mahon, Palma de Mallorca, Porto Santo Stefano, Portoferraio, Livorno, Portofino · Aboard Silversea Cruises on the Silver Shadow

Silversea Cruises logo
Cruise lineSilversea Cruises
ShipSilver Shadow
Duration11 nights
Port calls10
Departures1 sailings
From fare$10,800 per person
Year built2000
Guests466
Cabins194
Crew302
Length186 m
Beam24 m
Cruising speed21.0 kn
  1. Day 1

    Villefranche-sur-Mer, France

    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.

  2. Day 2

    Marseille, France

    Marseille is France’s oldest city, founded by Greek settlers around 600 BC, and it still faces the Mediterranean with confidence. Begin at the Vieux-Port, where fishing boats share the waterfront with cafés and ferries bound for nearby islands. Climb to Notre-Dame de la Garde for sweeping views, or explore Le Panier’s narrow lanes and lively squares. The Calanques’ limestone coves lie beyond the city; local markets bring Provençal flavors closer.

  3. Day 3

    Sete, France

    Sète is France’s working Mediterranean port, set between the sea and the vast Étang de Thau. Canals cross the centre, alongside fishing boats, cafés and a covered market. Ride or walk up Mont Saint-Clair for broad views across the harbour, lagoons and coast. Sample oysters from nearby Bouzigues or choose the day’s catch at a port-side restaurant. Museums honour poet Paul Valéry and singer Georges Brassens, both born here, adding cultural depth to this lively port.

  4. Day 4

    Port-Vendres, France

    Port-Vendres is a working harbour on France’s Côte Vermeille, where the Pyrenees meet the Mediterranean. Fishing boats and cargo vessels share its deep-water port, giving the town a distinctly maritime character. Nearby Collioure offers galleries and a colourful waterfront, just a short drive away. Back in Port-Vendres, look for local anchovies and wines from the surrounding hills.

  5. Day 5

    Port Mahon, Spain

    Mahón sits at the head of one of the world’s largest natural harbours, a deep-water inlet that shaped Menorca’s history. From the waterfront, climb to the old town for Georgian façades, lively markets and views across the port. Menorca’s British-era influence appears in its architecture and in gin, still distilled locally and served with lemonade. Allow time to explore beyond Mahón: the island’s quiet coves, prehistoric stone monuments and clear waters reward an unhurried visit.

  6. Day 6

    Palma de Mallorca, Spain

    Palma rewards an unhurried first walk. From the waterfront, the Gothic towers of La Seu rise above the old city, a landmark shaped over centuries. Inside, soaring columns and Antoni Gaudí’s modernist contributions add a striking note. Beyond the cathedral, lanes lead to shaded courtyards, shops and cafés serving local ensaimada. For a wider view, take a taxi to Bellver Castle, whose circular form overlooks the bay.

  7. Day 8

    Porto Santo Stefano, Italy

    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.

  8. Day 9

    Portoferraio, Italy

    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.

  9. Day 10

    Livorno, Italy

    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.

  10. Day 11

    Portofino, Italy

    Portofino is a small Ligurian harbour, framed by green hills and pastel façades. On its crescent waterfront, fishing boats share the view with polished yachts. From the piazzetta, lanes climb to Castello Brown, a former fortress overlooking the harbour and coast. Walk on to the lighthouse at Punta del Capo, or take a boat to nearby Santa Margherita Ligure. A table by the water offers the best reason to linger.

  11. Day 12

    Villefranche-sur-Mer, France

    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.

Silver Shadow Cruises

Published September 6, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard


Cruise Disclosure

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