22 nightsFrom Barcelona20 ports of call
22-Day Solar Eclipse: Spain, France & Italy
Seabourn · Seabourn Ovation
Overview
A 22-night voyage aboard Seabourn Ovation, departing Barcelona on 15 Jul 2027 and arriving in Dubrovnik, calling at 20 destinations along the way.
BarcelonaValenciaMahon, SpainPalamosPort VendresSete, FranceSanary-Sur-Mer, FranceMonte CarloPortofinoCalviAjaccioBonifacioOlbia/SardiniaCivitavecchia, RomeAmalfi, ItalyTaorminaMaltaSarandeBariDubrovnik
Itinerary
22 nights · 23 ports of call- 1
Day 1 ·Barcelona, SpainEmbark
15 Jul 2027Depart 17:00Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia, is said to have been founded by the Phoenicians, and was once the rival of the powerful states of Venice and Genoa for control of the Mediterranean trade. Today, it is Spain's second largest city and has long rivaled, even surpassed Madrid in industry and commerce. The medieval atmosphere of the Gothic Quarter and the elegant boulevards combine to make the city one of Europe's most beautiful. Barcelona's active cultural life and heritage brought forth such greats as the architect Antonio Gaudi, the painter Joan Miro, and Pablo Picasso, who spent his formative years here. Other famous native Catalan artists include cellist Pau Casals, surrealist Salvador Dali, and opera singers Montserrat Caballe and Josep Carreras. Barcelona accomplished a long-cherished goal with the opportunity to host the Olympics in 1992. This big event prompted a massive building program and created a focal point of the world's attention. - 2
Day 2 ·Valencia, Spain
16 Jul 2027Arrive 08:00Depart 18:00Valencia is located in the middle of Europe's most densely developed agricultural region. Originally a Greek settlement, the town was taken over by Romans in 138 BC and turned into a retirement town for old soldiers. The Moors controlled the land for 500 years, and this fertile plain, which today yields three to four crops, was considered to be heaven on earth. El Cid conquered Valencia for Spain in 1094, but it fell back into Moorish hands after his death. Incorporated into Spain in the 15th century, Valencia remains the nation's breadbasket. - 3
Day 3 ·At Sea
17 Jul 2027 - 4
Day 4 ·Mahon, Menorca, Spain
18 Jul 2027Arrive 08:00Depart 18:00Mahon is the capital of Menorca, second largest of the Balearic Islands. It stands out from the others because of the abundance of prehistoric structures, and because its culture was influenced by British occupation in the 18th century. The people who built the prehistoric constructions are believed to have been responsible for similar works in Sardinia, and for Stonehenge in England. Believed to have been founded by the Carthaginian General Mago, Mahon was held by the Moors from the 8th to the 13th century and in turn occupied by the English, the French and the Spanish. Mahon was finally ceded to Spain by the Treaty of Amiens in 1802. - 5
Day 5 ·Palamos, Spain
19 Jul 2027Arrive 08:00Depart 18:00Located at the foot of the mountains on Spain's rugged Costa Brava, Palamos boasts seven superb beaches, Iberian archeological remains from the year 6 BC, and the Church of Sant Esteve on the beach. Highlighting the town center is its 16th-century cathedral. - 6
Day 6 ·Port Vendres, France
20 Jul 2027Arrive 08:00Depart 18:00The gem of the Vermillion Coast, the chosen retreat of kings past, the inspiration of great 20th-century artists, Collioure is nestled in a small, rocky bay, dwarfed by the Alberes Mountains. The village is perfectly integrated into the countryside; the church and the stone chateau are the color of the rocks, the beach and the mountains. The town has kept much of its medieval character, with the bay separated into halves by the 13th-century royal castle of the Kings of Mallorca. Between the castle and the sea is a bustling old town, full of cafes, shops and art galleries. Among the great artists who have congregated here are Matisse, Picasso, Braque, Dufy and Derain. - 7
Day 7 ·Sete, France
21 Jul 2027Arrive 08:00Depart 18:00The port town of Sete hugs the tiny Mont St. Clair, and is caught between the Mediterranean and the Bassin de Thau, a salt lake directly behind it. It is crisscrossed by numerous canals which link the lake to the sea, and connected by 12 bridges. Along the quay, renovated buildings provide a multitude of architectural details from the 18th and 19th centuries. The life of the town is found in its squares: Place Leon Blum, with its fountain and Wednesday morning flower market; Place Aristide, with its old fashioned bandstand; and Place de la Republique, with its huge retaining walls and vaulted loggias. Sete retains its historic purpose as a fishing boat haven for North African trade; the old harbor dates from the time of Louis XIV. - 8
Day 8 ·Sanary-Sur-Mer, France
22 Jul 2027Arrive 08:00Depart 18:00Along the Cote d'Azur, nothing is so rare as a genuine, old-fashioned fishing village. Strolling the inner harbour here, you'll see the men of the working fishing fleet going about their business as if they weren't a part of the world's most glamorous seacoast. Simply put, Sanary and her old streets and charming quay invite discovery. - 9
Day 9 ·Monte Carlo, Monaco
23 Jul 2027Arrive 07:00Depart 17:00The Principality of Monaco is the epitome of Riviera chic. This tiny enclave of 370 acres surrounds a sheltered harbor that draws yachts from around the world to enjoy the beautiful scenery, mild weather and elegant casino. Glamorous Monte Carlo is one of Monaco's four quarters, which also include La Condamine, the business district; Monaco-ville, the capital; and Fontvieille, an area built on reclaimed land. Ruled by Prince Albert II, Monaco has a population of over 32,000, of which about 16 percent are citizens, or Monégasques. - 10
Day 10 ·Portofino, Italy
24 Jul 2027Arrive 08:00Depart 18:00Portofino is a charming, popular resort village on the Italian Riviera, a favorite with artists and seasoned travelers. Situated on a beautiful bay, the surrounding mountains covered with dense vegetation of olive and cypress trees, form a unique setting of incomparable beauty. The ship will anchor in the bay and tenders will transport you to this tiny resort village, which is closed to vehicle traffic. Everything is concentrated around a small square offering an opportunity to stroll around on foot, shop, or just relax at one of the many open-air cafes. - 11
Day 11 ·Calvi, Corsica, France
25 Jul 2027Arrive 08:00Depart 18:00Settled first by the Romans, then ruled by Genoans for nearly half a millennium, Calvi was freed by Corsica's native son Napoleon in 1791. In 1982 it was given special status and now enjoys a uniquely autonomous position within the realm of France.
Ringed with alternating precipitous cliffs and fine sand beaches, the island resembles a mountain thrust up out of the water, but its ruggedness is tempered by brilliant sunlight and groves of olive and orange trees. Napoleon once said that he could recognize Corsica with his eyes closed - by its perfume alone. While touring Corsica, be advised that the roads about this mountainous island are quite winding with many curves. - 12
Day 12 ·Ajaccio, Corsica, France
26 Jul 2027Arrive 08:00Depart 18:00Corsica, the "scented isle," was the birthplace of Napoleon, and as late as the last century bands of brigands controlled his mountainous and rugged homeland. The beaches of Ajaccio, ranging from narrow crescents to broad, golden expanses help to account for the city's rise as a popular resort. Such scenic attractions as the Calanches of Piana, those red granite mountains with their spectacular slopes and formations add an additional element of interest. - 13
Day 13 ·Bonifacio, Corsica, France
27 Jul 2027Arrive 08:00Depart 17:00The scented isle of Corsica, birthplace of Napoleon, was controlled for centuries by Genoa and did not become a region of France until 1768. As late as the last century, the rugged island was still a haven for bands of brigands. Today, the island's inviting beaches and scenic beauty attract an increasing number of tourists hoping to escape the much more hectic pace of the Riviera. Bonifacio, perched at the top of towering white cliffs, is a striking sight from the sea. Watch for the 15th-century staircase carved into the cliff face which runs right down to the water's edge as you approach the harbor. - 14
Day 14 ·Olbia, Sardinia, Italy
28 Jul 2027Arrive 08:00Depart 18:00The rugged Italian island of Sardinia is blessed with a rocky coastline interrupted by soft sand beaches and washed by limpid seas. Olbia is a very ancient town. It was founded by Phoenicians, and later occupied by Greeks and Romans in their turns. The church of San Simplicio dates from the 11th or 12th century, and that dedicated to St. Paul the Apostle is medieval. The town’s Museum of Archaeology can help you visualize the timeline. Everything changed dramatically in the 1960s, when the Prince Karim Aga Khan selected a 20-kilometer stretch of the nearby coastline to develop an exclusive resort complex he called the Costa Smeralda. Today this enchanting shoreline is encrusted with jewel-like resorts and hotels, private villas and beach facilities, yacht marinas and heliports. It is reputedly the most expensive real estate per square meter in Europe. Without doubt it is beautiful, and it is not necessarily that expensive to just look. - 15
Day 15 ·Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy
29 Jul 2027Arrive 07:00Depart 18:00Originally built by Emperor Trajan who had a villa here, Civitavecchia has flourished as a major port for Rome since the 13th century. Today it is an important ferry terminal and for many travelers the gateway to the Eternal City, Rome. The Renaissance fortifications that surround the harbor area were begun by Bramante and completed by Michelangelo in 1535. - 16
Day 16 ·Amalfi, Italy
30 Jul 2027Arrive 08:00Depart 18:00The Amalfi Coast has been called the greatest meeting of land and sea on earth. Situated in the Campania region between Sorrento and Salerno, Amalfi and Positano are the two main towns on the world-famous Amalfi Drive - renowned as the most scenic and romantic road in Italy. The road is carved into the side of rocky cliffs plunging into the sparkling sea. Erosion has sculpted the rocky slopes into gargoyle shapes and hollowed out fairy grottoes where the air is tinted turquoise by the glowing blue water below. During the Middle Ages, Amalfi was an independent maritime state with a population of 50,000. The ship compass was invented here in 1302. Approximately 10 miles away from Amalfi is the village of Ravello. An enchanting village with wonderful views and quiet lanes, Ravello boasts romantic gardens surrounding medieval ruins, affording magnificent views of the entire Bay of Salerno. - 17
Day 17 ·Giardini Naxos (Taormina), Italy
31 Jul 2027Arrive 08:00Depart 18:00This harbor on the eastern shore of Sicily near Messina gives us close access to the fabulous Greco-Roman ruins of Taormina, as well as the active volcano Mt. Etna. The temples, streets and large amphitheater of Taormina make it one of Italy’s premier ancient sites. Its location overlooking the sea and with the backdrop of snow-capped Etna complete the package and make it among the most famous attractions in the Mediterranean region. Giardini Naxos itself boasts a lovely beach at Lido Europa, and intrepid visitors can climb Mt. Etna to see a volcano close up - 18
Day 18 ·Valletta, Malta
1 Aug 2027Arrive 08:00Depart 18:00Occupied successively by the Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, Arabs, French and British, Malta has been of strategic importance throughout history. A British Crown Colony until 1964, Malta received the George Cross for its valiant resistance to German occupation in WWII. The island's rich heritage is reflected in the architecture of Valletta, the current capital, and Medina, the capital until 1565. In Valletta the Knights of St. John built such masterpieces as St. John's Co-Cathedral and the Palace of the Grand Masters, along with the fortifications that guard the town's magnificent harbors. - 19
Day 19 ·Solar Eclipse
2 Aug 2027Arrive 10:00Depart 12:00 - 20
Day 20 ·At Sea
3 Aug 2027 - 21
Day 21 ·Sarande, Albania
4 Aug 2027Arrive 08:00Depart 18:00This important port on Southern Albania curls around a superb natural harbor, dominated by the hilltop 16th century Lekuresi Castle with distinctive round towers. In the town center are the ruins of a 5th century synagogue, later a Christian basilica, with remnant mosaic floors. Another picturesque ruin is the Forty Saints Monastery from the 6th century, which is thought to have been an important pilgrimage site. But the main attraction in southern Albania is the archaeological site of Butrint, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with extensive ruins of communities dating from prehistory, though the Greek and Roman eras, as well as the Byzantine period, until the medieval period. - 22
Day 22 ·Bari (Puglia), Italy
5 Aug 2027Arrive 08:00Depart 18:00Bari, with a population of over half a million, is comprised of an old town clustered on a promontory, and a modern town with wide avenues. It was, for a time, capital for Byzantium's possessions in Italy and a very prosperous port in the Middle Ages serving as a port of embarkation for the Crusader's and as a pilgrimage destination for the shrine of St. Nicholas.
Bari is the capital of Apulia, one of the three regions that cover the foot of the Italian "boot". The region is located on the Adriatic coast and produces cereal crops, almonds, grapes and olives. Apulian production of olive oil represents 10% of the world's production. Bari itself is a port, industrial and commercial center, which enjoys trade links with other Adriatic and Mediterranean countries as well as the Middle East. The country to the south of Bari has an almost oriental aspect with strange customs and unique buildings called "truilli". - 23
Day 23 ·Dubrovnik, CroatiaDisembark
6 Aug 2027Arrive 07:00Founded in the 7th century, Dubrovnik rose to greatness as a merchant state, independent republic and cultural crossroads. The traffic-free Old Town has been called a Croatian Athens. This UNESCO designated World Heritage Site is a living museum of the ages with fortifications, chapels, monastic cloisters and Europe's second-oldest synagogue crowded into its ancient walls. Relax at a sidewalk café, listen to the chimes of the 14th-century bell tower or join the promenade down the palace-lined avenue known as the Stradun.
Your ship: Seabourn Ovation
Explore Seabourn Ovation's cabins, dining and onboard facilities.
