| Cruise |
Douglas Mawson, 12 nights The Rivieras; A Mediterranean Masterpiece ex Barcelona to Rome |
| Cruise Line |
Aurora Expeditions |
| Ship |
Douglas Mawson |
| Destination |
EU Mediterranean |
| Brief Description |
9 Night small ship cruise sailing from Barcelona to Porto Santo Stefano aboard Douglas Mawson. 1 night hotel stay pre-cruise in Barcelona and 2 nights hotel stay post-cruise in Rome. |
| Type of Cruise |
Expedition |
| Departure Date |
30 Jun 2026 |
| Cruise Description |
9 Night small ship cruise sailing from Barcelona to Porto Santo Stefano aboard Douglas Mawson. 1 night hotel stay pre-cruise in Barcelona and 2 nights hotel stay post-cruise in Rome.
Day 1 Barcelona, Spain
Bienvenido a España. On arrival at Barcelona Airport make your way to the Arrivals Hall to meet our representative, followed by a transfer to our group hotel. At the hotel, visit our hospitality desk in the lobby to meet our team who will provide you with useful information regarding pre-embarkation procedures and about your time in Barcelona. You will also receive cabin tags for your luggage. Please clearly label the tags with your name and your cabin number on the ship.
This evening, we celebrate our journey together at a Welcome Event in true Spanish style. The artform of flamenco combines song, guitar and dance as it weaves its story, rousing an emotional reaction from its audience. Originally performed by the Roma peoples of Andalusia, flamenco creates a state of mind that is difficult to ignore. Its musical style, where the lyrics often express loneliness and heartbreak, can be compared to the US blues scene with the intensity of the performance stirring deep sentiment. Tonight, we immerse ourselves in tales of the past, told by Barcelona’s master storytellers in the form of music and dance as we embrace the fervour of flamenco.
Accommodation: Barcelona Hotel
Meals: Flamenco Welcome Event
Day 2 Embark Barcelona (Port: Barcelona)
Socially, culturally and industrially, Barcelona shines as a beacon of difference in Spain. Proudly Catalonian first and Spanish second, its people are free-spirited, liberal thinkers with a passion for their freedom. In the last 30 years, Barcelonans have sculpted their city into one of Europe’s most venerated travel destinations. Its boulevard-style main street, Las Ramblas, is the name on every traveller’s lips, and Barcelona’s vibrant is as sought after as it was during the Spanish Empire’s monarchal peak. A palatial stronghold of the 15th century power couple, Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand, Barcelona greeted a jubilant Christopher Columbus upon his return to Spain and the rest as they say, is history. The city has never looked back.
Our locally guided tour this morning celebrates the artists and authors who have long revered Barcelona as a masterpiece for centuries. Famed for its vibrant arts scene, Barcelona shows off its style with works scattered along its plazas and throughout its parks. Miró, Picasso, Vidal, and Montaner all called Barcelona home. But it is the name Antoni Gaudi, which attracts 21st century art aficionados worldwide. We start our day in Barcelona at his masterpiece of modernist architecture – La Sagrada Familia. We explore its intricate interior and exterior with our specialist guide and learn about the history and symbolism of this ongoing construction project, before descending to Plaza de España, Gran Via and the surrounding streets. Next is the elegant avenue of Paseo de Gracia, home to Barcelona’s most inspired modernist architecture.
Having familiarised yourself with the city, your afternoon is free to explore Barcelona’s many attractions. Enjoy a leisurely lunch, stroll along Las Ramblas, visit one of the city’s renowned galleries, or shop to your heart’s content. Late afternoon, we transfer to the Douglas Mawson. This evening, we enjoy a Welcome Dinner onboard where we meet our Aurora Expeditions Team and crew.
Day 3 Port Vendres, France (Port: Port-Vendres)
The intimate village of Port-Vendres provides access to inland treasures, giving us the opportunity to walk the streets of surrealist-style Figueres, wander the lanes of Collioure, or scale the walls, in true Robin Hood style, of Hollywood’s favourite movie set, the fortified town of Carcassonne. Well, perhaps stand in the shade of its turrets.
Day 4 Provence (Port: Marseille)
The old port of Marseille grants us access to the inspirational fields, streetside cafes and hilltop villages of Provence. The boots of Roman engineers, and the shoes of many an artist, have trodden its soils, but none as famous as the clogs of van Gogh and the slip-ons of Picasso. We spend a day in their shoes with a palette of experiences to choose from.
Day 5 Nice (Port: Nice)
The yacht-filled harbour of Nice plays host to the Douglas Mawson today, granting us a millionaire's access to the French Riviera. To most travellers this name depicts the shoreline connecting Antibes to Nice. Its wide Promenade des Anglais, named after the English upper class who placed Nice at the top of their Grand Tour bucket list, follows the Mediterranean coast past an array of Belle Epoque hotels, Art Deco apartments and sun umbrellaed beaches. At the limit of the ruling House of Savoy both physically and politically, the people of the riviera voted to join France in the 1860s rather than the new Kingdom of Italy, making this region a unique blend of both cultures. The angle of light, relaxed lifestyle and extravagant parties attracted as many artists and members of the literary alumni in the 20th century as it had aristocrats the century before. From Monet, Chaplin and Valentino in Antibes to Bonnard at Le Cannet, and Picasso – well just about everywhere – it became the place to be seen for the avant-garde. This pocket of sunshine and decadence still attracts artists, authors and actors, who paint its vistas, write its stories and come to Cannes to be adored.
Day 6 Cinque Terre, Italy (Port: La Spezia)
The port of La Spezia is our base today for two of the region’s favourite experiences. One, a series of towns collectively seen as works of art. The other, the source of art’s most cherished material.
Day 7 Tuscany (Port: Livorno)
When Italians give birth they use the phrase, dare alla luce, which literally means to ‘give to the light.’ It is no coincidence that the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, widely acknowledged as having dragged Europe from the dark days of the Middle Ages into the light, was synonymous with the Rennaissance or The Rebirth. Rising from the ruins of the Roman Empire, Tuscany flourished into a wealthy trading and banking centre becoming Europe’s first capitalist state. The Duchy’s ruling family, the Medicis, sponsored its artistic scene with fervour. Artists transitioned from tradespeople to celebrities overnight, with da Vinci playing lute at their private parties and Michelangelo befriended by men who would become popes. The ruling classes commissioned works of art such as Donatello’s Penitent Magdalene, Cellini’s Perseus with the Head of Medusa, Botticelli’s Birth of Venus and Raphael’s Madonna del Cardellino. Throughout the Duchy, art was showcased in piazzas, scattered throughout the streets and placed at the townhall steps. A form of propaganda and sign of power for all to see.
Day 8 Portoferraio, Elba, Italy (Port: Portoferraio)
Sailing south we arrive at the island of Elba. Elba’s rich history extends far beyond its famed connection to Napoleon Bonaparte. Portoferraio, the island’s capital, is perched on a dramatic promontory and is one of Elba’s oldest settlements, tracing its roots back to the Ligurians, Etruscans and Greeks. The town’s current form was shaped under the Tuscan Grand Duke, Cosimo I, who renamed it Cosmopoli and fortified it in 1548 to protect against pirate raids. These formidable defences, visible from the sea, successfully repelled the notorious Turkish privateer Dragut. Portoferraio is also celebrated as Napoleon’s residence during his exile from 4 May 1814 to 26 February 1815, adding a significant layer to its historical allure. Follow the footsteps of ‘the little emperor’ or enjoy a swim in ‘the Med’ before returning to the ship for lunch. There’s time this afternoon to explore Portoferraio before we sail to Corsica in the early evening.
Day 9 Bastia, Corsica, France (Port: Bastia)
Our journey today takes us to a slice of France in the Mediterranean. Though it has been part of France since 1769, Corsica maintains a distinct identity, blending Italian and French influences due to its historical ties with both nations. Known for its rugged landscapes, winding roads and craggy coves, Corsica’s 340,000 inhabitants have a strong sense of regional pride, tested annually by an influx of three million tourists. The island’s status as a territorial collectivity grants it greater autonomy within the French Republic, allowing for the preservation of its Corsican language and customs. This blend of French governance and Corsican heritage creates a rich, multifaceted culture that sets the island apart from mainland France.
Our first port of call sits on the northern tip of this ‘holiday’ island; Bastia. Founded in 1378 by the Genoese, Bastia retains a flamboyant mix of French and Italianate flavours more than much of the island, making it quintessentially Corsican. This Baroque coastal town's historic centre exudes the timeless, salty atmosphere of an ancient Mediterranean port. Its name derives from "bastion” - referring to the Genoese fortress built as a stronghold against rebellious islanders. The Terra Vecchia (Old Town) is best explored on foot where vibrantly coloured houses once served as recognisable markers for sailors upon their return from sea voyages, a tradition still honoured today.
Day 10 Bonifacio (Port: Bonifacio)
Our second Corsican port of call is a unique city built high on cliffs overlooking ‘the Med’. Strategically positioned for trade, Corsica’s southern town of Bonifacio was once a key commercial hub. During your visit, choose from our 'Your Choice' experiences: spend the morning exploring Bonifacio with your afternoon free to discover its charming streets on your own, or venture inland to delve into the island’s burgeoning wine culture. Each option provides a unique way to immerse yourself in Corsica’s vibrant heritage.
Day 11 Disembark Porto Santo Stefano, Italy (Port: Porto Santo Stefano) – Rome
Originally named Domiziana by its wealthy Roman inhabitants, the marina-fronting town of Porto Santo Stefano has rebuilt many of its colourful terraced homes after 95 per cent of the town was destroyed by heavy bombing in World War II. Today, the gentle waters of the Mediterranean lap at a popular promenade and a harbour of leisure craft, providing a calmer atmosphere. Disembarking at Porto Santo Stefano, we transfer to Rome for a two-night stay in this ancient city.
On arrival at Rome, we meet our Rome guides and visit St Peters, the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel when we spend time at The Vatican City. A former circus where Nero staged barbaric spectacles to entertain the masses, the Vatican City became consecrated ground when Rome’s first Christian emperor, Constantine declared the land to be ‘the hill of the martyrs’. This sovereign state, gifted independence from Italy in 1929, encapsulates St Peters Cathedral, the Vatican museums and a labyrinth of corridors, apartments and gardens housing the Pope and his staff.
Christendom's largest church, St Peters Cathedral, is another Michelangelo masterpiece. At 72 he designed the cupola to cover the sky above the bones of the first apostle, St Peter, and his successors – the Popes. Yet it is his sculpture of the Virgin Mary cradling the body of her son, the Pieta, which he created at only 22 years of age, that so succinctly distils the grandeur of St Peters to a personal experience so succinctly.
Next door, the 55 gallerias that make up the Vatican Museum, house the world's greatest artistic treasure chest. Ranging from the Vatican library with its 65,000 manuscripts including the original love letter from Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn, to the sarcophagus of Saint Helen, Constantine’s mother. Each sala builds on the wonders of the previous. There are rooms decorated by Raphael, barrel vaulted ceilings covered with ancient maps, endless halls lined by statuesque marble sculptures and corridors of secret souvenirs collected by various Popes over centuries of rule - capped off by Michelangelo’s masterful frescoes of the Sistine Chapel. When viewed in real life, The Sistine Chapel will take your breath away.
In the late afternoon we check-in at our hotel. This evening there is time to relax and enjoy dinner at one of the local trattorias (own expense).
Accommodation: Rome Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 12 Rome
An intriguing tale of historical drama and legendary myths make Rome every trivia buff’s dream. Scandalous and sanguine, Roman lifestyle swung from democratic to autocratic, slavery to liberation, paganism to Christianity. The Roman empire’s public relations machine flaunted its sovereignty with triumphant arches and fluted columns, monolithic mausoleums, statue-ridden stairways and masterfully engineered temples. Enhanced by the wealth of the Catholic Church, the city added to its opulence and grandeur with baroque fountains, obelisk-centred piazzas and Christendom’s domed cathedrals. The story of ancient Rome’s insurmountable empire, its dramatic demise and the rise of the powerful Catholic Church is one of Europe’s most compelling stories.
A tour of Rome is a highlight of any visit to Italy, especially for those of us whose homeland is anything other than ancient. Imperial relics rekindle the era when Rome’s population of one million surpassed any other city worldwide. Our local guides merge the city’s past and present through their stories on every street corner, along every alley and in every piazza.
Choose a shorter, comprehensive tour or lace up your walking shoes and experience Rome from street level on a locally guided walking tour. In the afternoon, enjoy some time for independent exploration before we gather for a Farewell Event, Roman style.
Day 13 Depart Rome
After breakfast, check-out of your hotel and transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
Meals: Breakfast |
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| Sailing Dates |
| 30 Jun 2026 |
| Pricing |
| Please enquire for pricing |
Cruise Itinerary
| Date |
Port |
Arrive |
Depart |
| 30 Jun 2026 |
Barcelona, Spain |
|
Hotel |
| 1 Jul 2026 |
Barcelona, Spain |
Embark |
|
| 2 Jul 2026 |
Port Vendres, France |
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|
| 3 Jul 2026 |
Marseilles, France |
Provence |
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| 4 Jul 2026 |
Nice, France |
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| 5 Jul 2026 |
La Spezia, Italy |
Cinque Terre |
|
| 6 Jul 2026 |
Livorno, (Florence, Pisa) Italy |
Tuscany |
|
| 7 Jul 2026 |
Portoferraio, Italy |
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| 8 Jul 2026 |
Bastia, Corsica. FR |
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| 9 Jul 2026 |
Bonifacio, Corsica. FR |
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| 10 Jul 2026 |
Porto Santo Stefano, Italy |
Disembark |
Transfer to Rome |
| 10 Jul 2026 |
Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy |
|
Hotel |
| 11 Jul 2026 |
Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy |
|
Hotel |
| 12 Jul 2026 |
Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy |
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All itineraries and ports of call at the discretion of the cruise line subject to local weather conditions and may change without notice.
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