Italian Riviera with Cinque Terra - 24 September 2025
Highlights:
Visit a string of charming towns perched on coastal cliffs, including the emerging gem of Cinque Terre, Corsica’s quaint Bonifacio and the picturesque village of Portofino. Guests can also uncover the region’s rich maritime history, particularly in Genoa, home to ancient city walls and the birthplace of explorer Christopher Columbus.
Bolette will take you to visit a string of charming towns perched on coastal cliffs, including the emerging gem of Cinque Terre, Corsica’s quaint Bonifacio, and the picturesque village of Portofino. You can experience the allure of the Italian Riviera while immersing yourself in authentic culture and cuisine from indulging in fresh seafood to savouring focaccia and pesto in its place of origin, Genoa. Beautiful Cinque Terre, known for olive growing and winemaking, will enchant your taste buds with trofie pasta, zesty lemons and local wines like Sciacchetrà. You can also uncover the region’s rich maritime history, particularly in Genoa, home to ancient city walls and the birthplace of explorer Christopher Columbus.
Price Includes:
DINING & LOUNGES
- À la carte breakfast, lunch & dinner
- Daily buffet dining options
- Late night Supper Club
- Afternoon tea
- Self-service tea & coffee
- In-cabin dining & snacks
TREATS & PASTIMES
- Evening shows
- Live music & dancing
- Dance classes
- Lectures & talks
- Cookery demonstrations
- Traditional deck games
- Daily games & quizzes
RELAXATION & FITNESS
- Swimming Pools
- Jacuzzis
- Fitness Centre
- Fitness Classes
Itinerary
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24 September 2025 Departing Liverpool
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28 September 2025 Gibraltar
The British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar is dominated by The Rock, a 426m-high limestone ridge, home to the mischievous Barbary apes, which are hugely entertaining but must be remembered that they are still wild animals. Elsewhere, the town is resolutely British, with red pillar boxes, helmeted police officers, traditional pubs and even Marks & Spencer. The waters surrounding Gibraltar are also a haven for various cetaceans, including three species of dolphin.
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29 September 2025 Cartagena, Spain
Originally constructed in 223 BC by the Carthaginians, Cartagena is immersed in ancient history and has been through some incredibly turbulent times. Its heyday was during the Roman era, and there are several archaeological sites in the city, many only discovered when built over in recent years. The first of these sites to be discovered was the Roman Theatre, which held 6,000 spectators; and other sites including the Baths and the Augsteum.
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1 October 2025 Portofino, Italy
Sailing along the glorious Italian Riviera coastline, it’s easy to miss Portofino, the perfect fishing village tucked away in a beautiful tree-sheltered bay just south of Genoa. However its pastel-coloured houses, overlooking the harbour lined with super-yachts, is a gem waiting to be discovered.
Chic boutiques and fabulous seafood restaurants fringe the small, cobbled Portofino Piazzetta. A path leads from the square to the imposing Castello Brown, a 16th century fortress that towers over a gorgeous hanging garden. Its museum has art exhibitions and offers panoramic views of the Ligurian Sea. The 12th century Church of San Giorgio – Portofino’s patron saint, and the lighthouse on Punta del Capo both merit a visit, and also offer unspoilt views of the bay.
Arriving at Portofino via the warm, aquamarine waters surrounding the peninsula is an unforgettable experience in itself. Little wonder so many artists, celebrities and members of the ‘jet-set’ dock their expensive yachts here every summer. A drink by Portofino's harbour or a stroll around its designer shops provides a rich slice of the good life. -
2 October 2025 Genoa, Italy
The port city, Genoa, is the capital of Italy's Liguria region and the birthplace of Christopher Columbus and pesto sauce. With a maritime trade that rivalled Venice over the centuries, Genoa’s medieval Old Town is as stunning as any other in Europe.
Genoa’s famously winding, narrow lanes open onto majestic squares like Piazza de Ferrari, site of an iconic bronze fountain and the Teatro Carlo Felice opera house. The city boasts a moored submarine, an aquarium and on the harbour front is the 14th century Palazzo San Giorgio. -
3 October 2025 La Spezia, Italy
The charming city of La Spezia, located on the Ligurain coast of Italy, offers a colourful blend of maritime heritage, natural beauty and culture. Known for its strategic maritime importance, the naval base here was reconstructed after it was decimated in World War Two, and still produces naval warships for the Italian Navy. The tranquil bay in La Spezia is known as the “Gulf of Poets”, and has inspired many writers and poets, including Lord Byron and Mary Shelley. The city is also gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Cinque Terre, with its beautifully coloured villages perched on rugged cliffs overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.
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4 October 2025 Propriano, France
Positioned on the island’s south-west coast at the head of the Valinco Gulf, Propriano is a traditional Corsican town, with a charming harbour and marina area. There are many 19th century buildings in the town, along with remains from Roman and Greek settlements. Close by is the scenic town of Sartene, with houses so tall they seem to be carved from the rockface, but also renowned for its highly rated wine, of which Rose is the most popular.
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7 October 2025 Lisbon, Portugal
Overlooking the River Tagus, Portugal’s capital city offers an abundance of maritime highlights, including the iconic Ponte de Abril suspension bridge, and the UNESCO-listed Belém Tower, which served as an embarkation and disembarkation point for Vasco de Gama and other Portuguese explorers. The delicious pastéis de nata are also not to be missed when visiting Lisbon, particularly when sampled at the original bakery, which opened in 1837.
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10 October 2025 Return to Liverpool