Welcome to Aurora’s Barcelona to Nice: A Mediterranean Canvas
The sun-kissed skies and famed sands of the Spanish and French rivieras have attracted artists and artisans for centuries, inspiring works that capture the very essence of this breathtaking stretch of coastline. A voyage in their footsteps promises to be as eclectic as the region itself. From the modest studios of Cézanne, Gauguin, and Van Gogh to the Provençal hilltop retreats and opulent seaside villas of Picasso, Matisse and Chagall their stories showcase the region's most popular and lesser-known treasures.
Create your own Mediterranean Masterpiece
*Sailing a coastline that has inspired generations of artists and the world's legendary paparazzi, we invite you to explore your own creativity with a series of relaxed onboard photography workshops. Join our Resident Photographer for sessions held onboard, with time beforehand to enjoy a 'Your Choice' experience ashore. Whether you're using your camera or cell phone, you'll receive gentle guidance, helpful tips, and encouragement in a casual, welcoming environment. Each session is designed for budding photographers and hobbyists alike, with the focus on enjoyment rather than perfection.
Places are limited, and passengers may join one afternoon class per day (subject to availability) from Day 3 to Day 6. Spaces can be reserved through our passenger portal, which opens 60 days before departure. As places are limited, we kindly ask that you only book if you genuinely plan to attend so we can ensure as many aspiring artists and photographers as possible have the chance to take part. Note: on occasion we offer full-day or half-day ‘Your Choice’ experiences due to distances or opening times. These excursions may not return to the ship in time to join a photography workshop.
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.
Join us this evening for drinks and canapes as we celebrate the start of our journey.
Accommodation: Hilton Diagonal Mar Barcelona (or similar)
Meals: Welcome Reception (including drinks and canapes)
Note: Should you wish to attend our Welcome Reception, please ensure your flight arrives in Barcelona no later than 2:00pm.
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 vibrancy 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 celebrates the artists and authors who have long revered Barcelona as a living masterpiece. Renowned for its vibrant arts scene, the city wears its creativity proudly, with works scattered across plazas and woven into its very architecture. Miró, Picasso, Vidal, and Montaner all called Barcelona home, but it’s the visionary Antoni Gaudí who continues to draw art lovers from around the world.
Among the highlights is a viewing of La Sagrada Família, Gaudí’s breathtaking fusion of imagination and faith, where we’ll hear tales of the cathedral’s rich history, intricate symbolism, and the story behind its ongoing construction. We'll also take in sweeping views and cultural landmarks at Barcelona’s hilltop lookout of Montjuïc and pass through iconic areas such as Plaza de España and the elegant Gran Via.
Before arriving at the port, there’s a little time to stroll Barcelona’s charming streets, whether you choose to browse local boutiques, lunch at a café, or simply soak in the atmosphere of this captivating city. This afternoon, we transfer to the southern port of Tarragona to embark the Douglas Mawson. This evening, enjoy a Welcome Dinner onboard where we meet our Vantage Explorations Team and crew.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner onboard
The intimate village of Port-Vendres provides access to inland treasures, giving us the opportunity to stroll the streets 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. For those opting for a morning experience, our port location offers the perfect opportunity to explore the charming streets of an authentic French coastal town.
Personalise your exploration with our included ‘Your Choice’ experiences.
Option 1 – Morning experience: Colourful Collioure
Our 15-minute drive offers us a morning filled with art as we visit the Fauvist haven of Collioure. This former pirate town is a treasure trove of maritime and medieval wealth. It's clear blue sky, colourful buildings, historic heritage and picturesque markets, have long attracted great artists like Matisse, Signac, Derain, and Picasso. We will wander the Fauvism trail with our local guide, through cobblestoned alleys to see 20 reproductions of works by Matisse and Derain, before time to enjoy the town at your own pace.
For those who would like to stretch their legs this morning, the choice will be offered to join us for a scenic 6 km walk from Port-Vendres to Collioure. Our route traces the Côte Vermeille coastline via a variety of unpaved, uneven coastal paths, waterfront promenades, paved sidewalks, and seafront walkways. Along the way, enjoy ever-changing views across the Mediterranean, passing picturesque bays, historic landmarks, and some of the region's most captivating coastal scenery before arriving in the colourful Harbor town of Collioure.
On arrival, we will continue our exploration along the Chemin du Fauvisme, following in the footsteps of Henri Matisse and André Derain through the harbour, around the Château Royal, and into the heart of the old town. After time at leisure to explore Collioure's charming streets, galleries, and cafés, a shuttle will return us to Port-Vendres.
Option 2 – Full-day experience: The Prince of Walled Cities – Carcassonne
Surrounded by turreted walls and a deep moat, Carcassonne has attracted moviemakers since 1908, after French inventors the Lumiere brothers first produced short films using their newly developed motion-picture camera and projector. The setting for Charles Perrault’s classic tale of Puss in Boots, Carcassonne’s fortified walls offered a fairy-tale ambience, yet in reality, life in Carcassonne echoed the adventurous spirit of Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, which was fittingly filmed in the citadel. The reality of flaming arrows, grapnels, catapulted stones and towers full of French soldiers shattering the peace as the town braced itself for invasion, provides modern-day visitors with a truer tale of life in the Middle Ages. Note: To maximise your time at leisure in Carcassonne, lunch has not been included in this excursion.
Founded by Greek sailors more than 2,600 years ago, Marseille is France's oldest city and a vibrant Mediterranean crossroads shaped by centuries of trade, culture, and seafaring adventure. Its historic Old Port, lined with fishing boats, cafés, and bustling quays, serves as the gateway to Provence and its timeless landscapes. The old port of Marseille grants us access to the inspirational fields, streetside cafés 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.
Our ‘Your Choice’ experiences introduce you to two remarkable locations whose story inspired generations of artists, including some of the greatest names in modern art, and whose creative legacy endures to this day. Those choosing Aix-en-Provence will have a free afternoon to explore Marseille at their own pace, with a shuttle provided dependent on our berth allocation.
Personalise your exploration with our included ‘Your Choice’ experiences.
Option 1 – Morning experience: Aix-en-Provence
‘Aix’, as it is simply known to its inhabitants, abounds with leafy boulevards, publics squares and grand avenues – a sign of its wealth and status. Paul Cézanne, who died in 1906, is one of the most influential artists of the 19th century and remains the favourite son of Aix. This morning, we are introduced to the private world of the artist at the Terrain des Peintres. Cézanne often painted here in the later part of his life. As a centennial celebration of his work, these terraced gardens were converted into an open-air museum featuring reproductions of the artwork painted by the man himself at this very spot. Returning to the centre of Aix, we view the popular pedestrian-only avenue of Cours Mirabeau. A verdant tunnel of foliage, this classic boulevard showcases the aristocratic facades of the city’s opulent hotels and Belle Époque villas with their wrought iron balconies and intricately carved doorways inviting visitors to stop and admire. There’s time to explore Aix further. Perhaps browse the food and flower focused Place Richelme markets or try a little retail therapy, before we return to Marseille and reboard the ship for lunch.
Option 2 – Half day experience: Inspirational Arles
A one-hour drive through the Provençal countryside, brings us to Arles where we begin with one of the city's Wednesday traditions, a stroll through the lively Boulevard Émile-Combes market, where we're spoilt for choice as we discover the famously fresh produce that makes Provençal cooking so special.
From here, we continue into Arles’ historic heart to admire the remarkably preserved 1st century Roman Amphitheatre. Designed to host gladiatorial contests and public spectacles, it remains one of the finest reminders of Roman heritage in France.
Forever linked with Vincent van Gogh and Paul Gauguin, Arles inspired some of the most celebrated works of the Post-Impressionist movement. Drawn by the extraordinary Provençal light, Van Gogh produced more than 300 paintings during his 15 months here. Many of his works depict familiar scenes dotted around town, which you'll recognise if you choose to follow in his footsteps and discover the city through the lens of his art during your free time, before we return to Marseille in the mid-afternoon. Note: To maximise your time at leisure in Arles, lunch has not been included in this excursion.
Fronted by a marina packed with yachts and a port dominated by the French Navy, Toulon is a city on the rise.
Not as glitzy as Saint-Tropez, Nice or Cannes, Toulon is a working town with coastal appeal and a vibrant culinary scene, attracting predominantly French holidaymakers. A crucial naval port since the 15th century, Toulon’s strategic harbour has played a vital role in French maritime operations. During World War II, the local Resistance fighters, including the Maquis, undertook numerous acts of sabotage which stand as a testament to the city’s resilient spirit, and add to its rough charm and very “French” attitude.
Personalise your exploration with our included ‘Your Choice’ experiences.
Option 1 – Morning experience: Toulon’s finest hour
Toulon's cable car carries us high above the city to the summit of Mont Faron and the Mémorial du Débarquement et de la Libération de Provence, home to one of the most dramatic chapters in the history of southern France.
High above the harbour, Mont Faron commands sweeping views across a city whose destiny was shaped by war, occupation and liberation. During World War II, Toulon was home to the French Mediterranean Fleet and one of the most important naval bases in Europe. Recognising its strategic value, Nazi forces moved to seize the fleet in 1942.
But in an extraordinary act of defiance, French sailors chose destruction over surrender, scuttling more than 70 warships in the harbour, with the flames and smoke that engulfed the bay becoming a powerful symbol of resistance in one of France's darkest hours. Yet Toulon's story is ultimately one of liberation. Following the Allied landings in Provence in August 1944, fierce fighting engulfed the city before it was finally freed. For the people of Toulon, after years of occupation and isolation, the return of freedom brought scenes of overwhelming joy as crowds filled the streets to welcome their liberators.
These stories of courage, sacrifice and resilience come vividly to life at the Libération Museum, where personal accounts, wartime artefacts and immersive exhibits recount the battle for southern France. Following our visit, we return to the ship, leaving the afternoon free to discover historic Toulon and its waterfront directly from the ship at our own pace.
Option 2 –Full day experience: Live the High Life in Saint-Tropez
Following the narrow winding roads through rolling hills and past craggy coves for around 1 to 1.5 hours, we reach a waterfront town like no other. Few cities on the French Riviera evoke decadence like Saint-Tropez. A seaside playground adorned with superyachts, waterfront cafes and designer boutiques, it exudes luxury at every turn. Michelin-starred restaurants and chic boutiques line the marina region, frequented by the elite who arrive in Ferraris and dock their multi-million-euro yachts without turning heads.
Saint-Tropez’s allure as a playground for the super-rich began in the 1950s, when artists and celebrities discovered its charm and tranquillity. Since then, it has become synonymous with exclusivity and extravagance, drawing the world’s elite to its shores. Today, it remains a symbol of wealth and status, where a leisurely stroll offers a fleeting glimpse into a realm that epitomises the pinnacle of luxury living ‒ a place that everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime.
After a brief walking tour to points out the local sites, there’s plenty of time for you to indulge in what the French Riviera’s most famous town has to offer. Note: To maximise your time at leisure in St Tropez, lunch has not been included in this excursion.
We drop in to the yacht-filled harbour of Nice, granting us a much-warranted ‘double dip’ into the French Riviera for the day, prior to our time to be spent here after the voyage.
Nice’s 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 umbrellaed beaches. At the limit of the ruling House of Savoy, 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 unique light, relaxed lifestyle and extravagant parties attracted as many artists and literary elite of the 20th century as it had attracted aristocrats the century before. From Monet, Chaplin and Valentino in Antibes to Bonnard at Le Cannet, and Picasso – to 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.
Personalise your exploration with our included ‘Your Choice’ experiences.
Option 1 – Morning experience: Nice’s Russian treasures
We fill our morning with a visit to two of Nice’s beloved Russian treasures. Known as the most important orthodox churches outside of Russia, St Nicholas Cathedral has become a shrine for the sacrificed family of Nicholas II, the last Tsar of Russia. Appealing to the Russian royal family as a winter retreat, Nice became a second home to much of Russian high society, who’s Tsar built an ornate Cathedral as a place for them to worship in the early 20th century. This magnificent church is laden with opulent orthodox artworks, icons and ornate carved woodwork. It offers an insight into the last Russian royal family and remains a place of pilgrimage for those who consider them to remain the rightful rulers of Russia.
Next, we indulge our artistic minds with a visit to one of Nice’s top cultural highlights — the Chagall Museum.
Born in Belarus, Marc Chagall spent much of his creative life in France. During World War II, he fled Nazi-occupied France with the help of the group that would become the International Rescue Committee, eventually reaching New York. After the war, Chagall returned to France with a remarkable body of work, now housed in this museum. Renowned as one of the greatest Jewish artists of the 20th century, Chagall is celebrated for his dreamlike, emotionally rich paintings, often inspired by religious themes. A visit to the museum offers a moving artistic experience.
Option 2 – Morning experience: Picasso’s Antibes
Pablo Picasso, as vibrant, colourful and surreal as his works, is one of the most captivating figures in art history. Spanish by birth, his heart found a home on the French Riviera and its enchanting hinterland. The two months Picasso spent at Antibes’ Castle Grimaldi marked one of his most prolific periods, where painting and socialising became a daily rhythm. Amid the post-war exuberance, Picasso thrived in the Riviera’s lively atmosphere, surrounded by friends, admirers, and a devoted 23-year-old girlfriend, all of whom adored him.
Explore Picasso’s masterpieces at Castle Grimaldi, where his creativity flourished, before enjoying free time to wander the waterfront streets of Antibes. Browse its colourful markets, and admire the ancient city walls, or stroll the marina at Port Vauban, where luxury yachts gleam in true riviera style.
The superyacht harbour of Monaco welcomes us in true style this morning, offering a gateway to this one-of-a-kind principality.
From the days of its early Genoese rulers, the ever-expanding Principality of Monaco has been a political curiosity on the map of southern Europe. Ruled as a business rather than a country by the Grimaldi family, this exclusive enclave offers an insight into the lives of the ‘filthy rich’. Ferraris replace Fiats, designer dogs are carried in handbags and champagne flows like water, all thanks to an economy, which has earned the respect of, rather than robbed from, the rich. Smaller than New York’s Central Park, Monaco’s 500 acre size, boasts the second highest GDP per capita in the world. Although the 9,500 native Monégasque are banned by law from gambling, it is the nation’s foreign-born citizens with their bulging bank accounts, multi-million-euro apartments and high-roller habits who boost the principality’s income, with over 30 per cent of its residents listed as millionaires.
Our locally guided walking tour visit offers an insight into Monaco’s ruling family. In town to film To Catch a Thief, Grace Kelly met Prince Rainier III during a visit to Monaco. Within a year they wed and Grace became a princess, holding 140 official titles. The country continues to mourn her tragic passing, with her image, name and favourite items found scattered throughout the principality as a reminder of her enduring legacy. Our guided walk visits the Saint Nicholas Cathedral, a palatial precinct known locally as ‘the rock’, where the couple were married and are now laid to rest. We linger to watch the changing of the guard at the Royal Palace, before offering you free time to explore the principality at your own pace. We transfer to Nice mid-afternoon, for our two-night stay.
Today's ‘Your Choice’ experience takes you to one of the Côte d'Azur's celebrated hilltop villages, with time this afternoon to catch up on your tan, catch up on some retail therapy or catch up on another on the many sites that Nice has to offer, before we gather for a farewell toast this evening.
Personalise your exploration with our included ‘Your Choice’ experiences.
Option 1 – Morning experience: St Paul de Vence
We spend this morning exploring the scenic hinterland of the Riviera, where a cluster of medieval villages have long inspired some of the world’s most celebrated artists. Along the way, we pause at panoramic viewpoints that have captured the imagination of painters and poets alike, while our journey culminates in the hilltop village of Saint-Paul de Vence — a jewel of Provençal charm. Here, our local guide brings the village’s rich artistic legacy to life with captivating stories of legendary artists such as Picasso, Modigliani, Dufy, and Matisse, all of whom were drawn to its light and spirit. Marc Chagall, who lived here for 19 years after returning from exile during World War II, now rests in the village cemetery — a poignant testament to his deep connection with this place. You'll have time to wander the cobbled streets, enjoy lunch at one of the Provençal bistros (own expense), or browse the village’s inviting craft stalls nestled among its winding alleys.
Option 2 – Morning experience: Medieval Èze
Perched on a rocky peak high above the Mediterranean, Èze is a village with more than 2,000 years of history. Its dramatic location was chosen for defence, allowing residents to watch over the coastline and protect themselves from pirates and invading armies. Over time, the settlement evolved into a fortified medieval village, earning its reputation as impenetrable. Today, winding through its cobbled lanes and stone passageways feels like stepping back in time. Artisan boutiques, hidden squares and centuries-old houses preserve the character of this remarkable hilltop retreat.
As a highlight we visit the Jardin Exotique, created by renowned botanist Jean Gastaud. Built on the ruins of the village's former fortress, the garden takes full advantage of its sun-drenched, well-drained setting, where cacti, agaves, aloes and other succulents from around the world flourish against a backdrop of sparkling Mediterranean blue. From its highest terraces, visitors enjoy one of the most breathtaking panoramas on the Côte d'Azur, stretching from Cap Ferrat towards Monaco and the Italian coastline. Combining history, medieval character and unforgettable views, Èze remains one of the French Riviera's most enchanting destinations.
Accommodation: Radisson Blu Nice (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Farewell reception (includes drinks and canapes)
After breakfast, check-out of your hotel and transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
Meals: Breakfast
