Nice, France Riviera Cruise from Villefranche-sur-Mer to Venice — 25 Days

24 nights · Nice, France Riviera · Departs Villefranche-sur-Mer (France) · Visiting Ajaccio, Alghero, Port-Vendres, Palamos, Port Mahon, Ibiza, Alcudia, Barcelona, Sete, Saint-Tropez, Portoferraio, Porto Santo Stefano, Sorrento, Sarande, Kotor, Monopoli, Dubrovnik, Sibenik, Rovinj, Piran, Venice · Aboard Silversea Cruises on the Silver Shadow

Silversea Cruises logo
Cruise lineSilversea Cruises
ShipSilver Shadow
Duration24 nights
Port calls22
Departures1 sailings
From fare$14,400 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

    Ajaccio, France

    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.

  3. Day 3

    Alghero, Italy

    Alghero gives northwestern Sardinia a distinctly Catalan accent, heard in its dialect and seen in its old town. Walk the sea walls, then follow narrow lanes past Gothic churches, coral shops and cafés opening onto Piazza Civica. Beyond the ramparts, the coast leads to beaches and Capo Caccia, where boats reach the dramatic Neptune’s Grotto. Come ashore for history, seafood and a waterfront made for an unhurried stroll.

  4. Day 5

    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 6

    Palamos, Spain

    Palamós brings you to the heart of Spain’s Costa Brava, where a working fishing port meets a handsome old town. Its waterfront is famed for the prawns landed here, best sampled at a local table. Walk the promenade, visit the Fishing Museum, or follow coastal paths towards rocky coves and clear water. Girona and medieval villages lie inland, but Palamós rewards a slower day close to the sea.

  6. Day 7

    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.

  7. Day 8

    Ibiza, Spain

    Ibiza Town rewards a day ashore with more than its famous nightlife. Above the working harbor, Dalt Vila climbs within Renaissance walls, part of a UNESCO World Heritage site. Follow steep lanes to the cathedral and castle, where views sweep across the port and Mediterranean. Below, cafés, galleries and boutiques bring quieter pleasures to the waterfront and old quarter. Come early for history and cooler streets; linger into evening as harbor lights begin to glow.

  8. Day 9

    Alcudia, Spain

    Alcúdia gives you two Mallorcas in one easy visit: a working harbour and a beautifully preserved walled town. Walk the medieval lanes to Sant Jaume church, then trace the stone ramparts for views across rooftops and the bay. Nearby, the Roman remains of Pollentia reveal the island’s ancient past, while long sandy beaches invite a slower afternoon. Choose Alcúdia for history within walking distance of the sea, with cafés and seafood restaurants close at hand.

  9. Day 10

    Barcelona, Spain

    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.

  10. Day 11

    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.

  11. Day 12

    Saint-Tropez, France

    Saint-Tropez is more than a name on a yacht’s bow. Its Vieux Port remains active with fishing boats and pleasure craft. Ochre façades and narrow lanes lead into the old town. Climb to the 17th-century citadel for sea views and the Maritime History Museum. At Place des Lices, cafés and plane trees frame local life. Pampelonne’s celebrated beaches lie a short drive away.

  12. Day 13

    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.

  13. Day 14

    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.

  14. Day 15

    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.

  15. Day 16

    Sorrento, Italy

    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.

  16. Day 18

    Sarande, Albania

    At Sarandë, the Ionian Sea glitters; Corfu lies across the water, and Albania’s southern coast begins here. Palm-lined promenades, small beaches and seafood restaurants make the waterfront an easy place to settle. Then head south to Butrint, a UNESCO-listed archaeological site amid lagoons and woodland. Inland, the Blue Eye spring rewards a longer excursion with strikingly clear water. Look up to Lëkurësi Castle for broad views over town, sea and island.

  17. Day 19

    Kotor, Montenegro

    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.

  18. Day 20

    Monopoli, Italy

    Monopoli rewards a slower arrival. Fishing boats still line its old harbor, and whitewashed lanes lead into a compact historic centre. At the waterfront, the 16th-century Castle of Charles V overlooks the port. Nearby, the cathedral honors the Madonna della Madia, whose icon, local tradition says, arrived by sea. Come ashore for Adriatic light, fresh seafood, and the pleasures of Puglia’s limestone streets.

  19. Day 21

    Dubrovnik, Croatia

    Spend a day inside Dubrovnik’s UNESCO-listed Old Town, best explored on foot. Walk the city walls for close views of fortifications, roofs, and harbor. Then follow Stradun to Rector’s Palace and the Franciscan monastery. Book wall access in advance during busy months, and start early in summer. Mount Srđ offers a higher view, reached by cable car or road. Leave time for side lanes; their quieter corners reveal the city’s daily rhythm.

  20. Day 22

    Sibenik, Croatia

    Šibenik pairs a working waterfront with a medieval centre climbing the hillside. The Cathedral of St James, a UNESCO World Heritage site, was built entirely from stone. From St Michael’s Fortress, take in broad views across the islands, then explore the cafés and narrow lanes below. Four historic fortresses speak to the city’s strategic past. Krka National Park is a rewarding excursion inland.

  21. Day 23

    Rovinj, Croatia

    Rovinj rises above Istria’s western shore, its old town gathered on a peninsula. Follow narrow lanes uphill to St Euphemia’s Church and its landmark bell tower. From the summit, look across red roofs, harbor boats, and the Adriatic. Along the waterfront, restaurants serve Istrian seafood and local wines. Allow time for the marina and nearby coves; the center is best explored on foot. Rovinj rewards a slow walk, particularly in the quieter morning hours.

  22. Day 24

    Piran, Slovenia

    Piran’s Venetian façades, red roofs and church towers rise above a compact Adriatic peninsula. In Tartini Square, cafés and historic buildings frame the statue of violinist Giuseppe Tartini, born here in 1692. Climb the bell tower of St George’s Church for views across the rooftops and Gulf of Trieste. Beyond town, Sečovlje Salina Nature Park preserves centuries-old salt-making traditions and offers a quieter look at Slovenia’s coast.

  23. Day 25

    Venice, Italy

    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.

Silver Shadow Cruises

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


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