12 Days Nice-Nice Silver Shadow

---

Day 1 - Nice, France

Nice's sweeping bend of brilliant blue seawater - which once tempted the aristocracy of Europe - continues to entice and entrance visitors to these sun-soaked shores. A refined city of airy ocean boulevards, grandiose buildings and open spaces, fountain-sprinkled parks, and colorful floral displays add to the city's timeless appeal. Nice has lost none of its old-world luster, and there remains something of the divine in the Bay of Angels' endless sparkling waterfront. The vast, open Promenade des Anglais remains Nice's magnificent crowning glory, inviting the city out to jog, wander, and glide along the Mediterranean's most spectacular curve of seafront promenade. Dotted with sun worshippers and swimmers, it's an ode to the rejuvenating character of that unbeatable duo - the rich blue sea and endless sunshine. The crisp, clear, golden light also continues to make Nice a destination of creative pilgrimage and Matisse, Picasso, and Renoir are among the many artists to lavish in the city's eternal beauty. Drag yourself away from the waterfront to discover the old town, punctuated with Baroque churches rising, and the wafting scents of baking pastries, and lavender bundles. Follow the floral odors to Nice's famous flower market, which spills gorgeous colorful displays along Cours Saleya. There's a strong hint of Italy, explained by the fact that Nice only aligned with France in 1860 - following 500 years under the House of Savoy. A gorgeous Orthodox Russian church also rises incongruously with colorful onion domes, forming one of the city's unusual sights, and one of the largest such cathedrals outside of Russia. Walk in Nietzsche's footsteps and climb up to Colline du Château's charming green park and cascading waterfalls, to relish the views down over the city and sparkling sea expanse. Not without challenges over recent years, Nice continues to bloom and inspire its visitors with an intoxicating allure of sun, sea, and sophistication.

---

Day 2 - Livorno (Tuscany)

There are few more elegant places to salute the sunset than Terrazza Mascagni, Livorno's refined chessboard piazza. A historic port, and a beachy gateway to Tuscany, Livorno welcomes you ashore to explore this enchanted Italian region's sun-soaked beauty, rich flavors, and world-renowned fine art. Stay in Livorno to explore 'Piccolo Venezia', or - Little Venice - a quarter of the town that's laced with canals, little marble bridges, and plenty of tempting eateries. With its bustling market, fortresses, and iconic waterfront, there is plenty to keep you busy here, but most will be tempted to venture inland to explore more of Tuscany's many charms and artistic wonders. Test your nose, as you breathe in the subtleties of Tuscany's vineyard-draped scenery and visit wineries showcasing the best of the renowned flavors of the Bolgheri wine-growing area. Or head out to Prato, where you'll find tightly woven textile history. Pisa's showpiece tower is within reach, as is Florence's city of immense and imaginative Renaissance beauty. Admire the delicate carving of Michelangelo's masterpiece, the David statue, and note the provocative stance as he casts a dismissive glance towards Rome. Stand before the city's majestic black and white cathedral - the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore - with its colossal brick dome. The view down over Florence's river and grand dome from Piazzale Michelangelo, meanwhile, is one of Italy's finest. However you choose to spend your time in Tuscany, you'll discover an artistic region, filled with beauty designed to appeal to every sense.

---

Day 3 - Livorno (Tuscany), Italy

---

Day 4 - Porto Santo Stefano

A summer escape for Rome's historic elite, the stacked waterfront of Porto Santo Stefano is a secluded taste of idyllic southern Tuscany. Physically closer to Rome than Florence, the city is strung to Italy's western coast by two sandy harnesses and sits on the unique peninsula of Monte Argentario - which was once an island. Flamboyant pink flamingos and herons stroll through the encased lagoon, while Porto Santo Stefano's waterfront hums with clinking cafes and strolling visitors. The luxury yachts in the harbor show that Porto Santo Stefano has lost none of its luxury appeals, and with beaches, wild hikes, and waterfront beauty, it continues to lure visitors to this secluded escape. Known for its fishing and cuisine - which is based on heavy use of the Tyrrhenian Sea's juicy bounty. Stroll to Piazza dei Rioni for a dripping lemon gelato, or wander the streets noticing the lingering World War II damage - the city was heavily bombed during the conflict. Fortunately, the historic, star-shaped, Spanish fort was spared, and it still watches out resolutely over the waters. Built during the Napoleonic Wars, it fortified the exposed town against pirate raids and offers beautiful views over the old town's terracotta roofs. Rugged coastline falls to secluded beaches, with a wilder, unkempt charm. Sail the coves - seeing cascading olive groves - or island hop to Giglio and Giannuti, which lie 12 miles from shore, and can be seen from the monastery-topped Argentario Mountain. On the other side of the promontory, you'll find Porto Ercole - where the lifeless body of the Old Master, Caravaggio, was discovered.

---

Day 5 - Civitavecchia (Rome)

All roads lead to Rome, and with good reason - this city is one of the world's most thrilling, offering unmatched history along every street. An evocative, inspiring, and utterly artistic capital of unrivaled cultural impact, Rome is a city of back-to-back landmarks, which will take you on an exhilarating journey through the ages. This may be one of the world's oldest cities, but it's well and truly lived in. The ruins are punctuated with murmuring cafes, and the outdoor seating of restaurants sprawls out across piazzas, enticing you to sample tangles of creamy pasta and crispy pizzas. Rome's incredible Roman Forum is littered with the ruins of its ancient administrations, which have stood firm for 2,000 years, since the times when the area was the center of the Western world. Few sites are more simultaneously beautiful and haunting than that of the storied Colosseum, which looms deep into Rome's rich blue sky. Take a tour to learn details of the grisly goings-on within. The best way to experience Rome is to wander its streets, gelato in hand. There is a lot to see here - whether it's the domed spectacle of the Pantheon, or the elaborate flowing waters and artistry of the Trevi Fountain. Vatican City is an astonishing, colossal display of Catholic grandeur, while the Spanish Steps - crowned by the Trinità dei Monti church - offer a beautiful spot to gather and soak up the lively atmosphere of this humming city. With so much on the to-do list, you'll relish the breaks you take, enjoying simple pleasures like a strong espresso, or fresh pasta with tomato sauce and ripped basil.

---

Day 6 - At the Sea

Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind, and catch up with what you've been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale-watching, catching up on your reading, or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring shoreside.

---

Day 7- Valletta, Malta

Perched high on the imposing Sciberras Peninsula, Valletta immediately presents its massive, protective walls and vertical bastions to visitors arriving by sea. Rising to 47 metres in places, the fortifications protect lavish palaces, grand domes and illustrious gardens. Built by the Knights of St John on the narrow peninsular, Valletta is a compact, richly historical treasure trove of Baroque wonders. Ascend to reach the restful, flower-filled Upper Barrakka Gardens, where cannons fire and boom in salute at noon each day, sending echoing cracks of noise out across the waves below. Recognised as 2018’s European Capital of Culture, Valletta is a fascinating and dense haven of history and intrigue. A busy, bustling capital, the breathtaking St John’s Cathedral - commissioned in 1572 - is almost concealed among its narrow streets. The relatively modest exterior is counterpointed by a staggeringly opulent, gold-leaf bathed interior, containing a Caravaggio masterpiece - the shadowy vision of the Beheading of St John. Cinematic and magnificent, Valletta has served as a filming location for Game of Thrones - but real epic history abounds on this rocky isle too. From the prehistoric and megalithic sites of the Hypogeum of Paola and Tarxien, to the fascinating War Museum at Fort St Elmo. Mdina also waits nearby, and the former medieval capital is a striking contrast to the island’s main city. Cars are barred from its streets, and it offers endlessly atmospheric old-time wanders. With a strategic positioning in the Mediterranean, Malta is a jewel that many have wrestled for over the centuries. Independence from Britain was finally achieved in 1964, but the close allegiance remains evident, with English recognised as an official language, cars driving on the left, and red post boxes and telephone gleaming in Malta’s sunshine.

---

Day 8 - Giardini Naxos (Sicily)

Hugging a long, sweeping bay, Giardini Naxos welcomes you ashore to some of Sicily's most scenic and historic sites. Naxos was the first Greek settlement in Sicily, and it is surrounded by remarkable remains and swirling mythology. With a long arc of sun-soaked golden sand, you can kick back by the waves - and cool off with a dip into the sea's refreshing embrace. Up above the seaside revelry, the spectacular Taormina hillside town perches - containing rich Roman and Greek history. Visit to encounter one of Sicily's best views, as you look down over the rejuvenating blue of the sea, and the looming backdrop of Mount Etna rising in the distance. The majestic, honey-colored Greek theater is a highlight, standing before the distant loom of the volcano. Head towards the puffs of cloud, and wisps of smoke, that gather around the peak of Sicily's mighty volcano, which is among the most active in Europe. Arrive through vineyards, thriving in this fertile soil, before taking the 1,737-meter incline to the summit of the legendary mountain of fire, across fields of solidified lava flows. Known to the Greeks as the home of the God of Fire, and the one-eyed Cyclops, the mountain continues to amaze and awe with its restless power. Vineyards carpet the scenery - interrupted by occasional cacti and citrus groves - and produce some of Sicily's most refined flavors. Enjoy a glass of wine on Giardini Naxos' seafront, and toast your time on these rich Sicilian shores.

---

Day 9 - Salerno, Italy

Have a taste of dolce vita in Salerno. The city is situated at the northern end of the Gulf of Salerno, near the stunning Amalfi Coast. The old town, rising up the slopes of the hill on the site of the ancient Salernum, still bears evidence of its great days during the medieval period. It had the oldest medical school in Europe, which flourished from the 11th century until it was closed down by Napoleon's brother-in-law, Murat, in 1812. Today, Salerno's main attraction is an imposing Romanesque cathedral, built in 1085 and remodeled in the late 18th century. A flight of steps leads up to an atrium with 28 columns from Paestum and fourteen ancient sarcophagi. The magnificent bronze doors were made in Constantinople in 1099. Inside is the ornate tomb of Margaret of Anjou and the tomb of Pope Gregory VII, who died in Salerno in 1085. In the richly decorated crypt under the altar lie the remains of the Evangelist Matthew, brought here from Paestum. A 45-minute walk from the cathedral leads to a hilltop crowned by the old Lombard Castello, from where extensive views are available. Along the seafront, to the east of the harbor, extends a fine promenade lined with impressive modern buildings. The Corso Giuseppe Garibaldi is the town's principal traffic artery. Salerno is the gateway for travelers for visits to the Greek temples of Paestum. Other favorite excursions from here are to Pompeii and to visit the popular resort towns of Amalfi and Ravello.

---

Day 10 - Gaeta, Italy

---

 Day 11 - Portoferraio (Elba)

Napoleon Bonaparte may have been forced into exile here in 1814, but nowadays this picturesque Tuscan island draws no end of visitors who come by their own free will. Offshore in the Tyrrhenian Sea, Elba is a mountainous mirage of glowing beaches, turquoise waters, and craggy coastline. The island capital's sun-faded pink and yellow buildings stack up over the waterfront, offering sweeping views back to the mainland. The harbor's tiny wooden fishing boats are now dwarfed by the gleaming yachts that visit, and Elba invites you to join them, dropping in to relish a secluded, sun-soaked taste of the island's good life. Elba is the third-biggest Italian island, and the protected Tuscan archipelago's largest, with no fewer than 90 miles of gorgeous coastline rolling out for you to explore. Grown from the ruins of the Roman settlement of Fabricia, steep fortifications, and a scenic natural harbor all add to Portoferraio's appeals. Bonaparte hung around for just ten months - but the sea panorama from his former residence, Villa dei Mulini - which is now a museum - keeps visitors coming back for more. An island of steep inclines, which reward with spectacular vistas, Elba's villages cling to precipitous drops, while beautiful beaches unravel along its shores and enchanting scenery of chestnut tree woods, olive groves, and vineyards coat its lands. Take the cable car up to Monte Capanne - which offers more of the island's trademark views, without the need to break a sweat. Settle down to taste the island's succulent seafood, and tuck into juicy, grilled sardines and plump octopus - rounded off with a glass of the famous local, sweet wine.

---

Day 12 - Bastia, Corsica, France

Corsica’s second-largest city - and former capital - welcomes you to this Mediterranean island of glorious beaches, rugged mountains, and entrancing azure seas. Colourful waterfront buildings cluster attractively around the Old Port’s harbour, where the familiar bell towers of the Saint-Jean-Baptiste church dominate the skyline, guiding tiny fishing boats back home. Watch the comings and goings from relaxed waterfront eateries, or wander the Terra Vecchia area, where narrow streets of sun-faded facades and characterful churches unfurl. A fragrant breeze may lure you to Romieu Gardens. Climb amid blooms of colour for views of the harbour waters sparkling below from the apricot-hued citadel. Built by the Genoese in the 15th century, the fortress continues to watch over Bastia’s bustling activity. The city waits at the bottom of the reaching Cap Corse peninsula - a slender arm of land that reaches back towards the city’s origins, pointing north towards Genoa across the blue Ligurian Sea. Explorations along this scenic promontory reveal a wealth of nested villages, terraced vineyards, and tucked-away beaches along steep, scenic roads.

---

Day 13 - Nice