The infinite variety of street life, the nooks and crannies of the medieval Barri Gòtic, the ceramic tile and stained glass of Art Nouveau facades, the art and music, the throb of street life, the food (ah, the food!)—one way or another, Barcelona will find a way to get your full attention. The capital of Catalonia is a banquet for the senses, with its beguiling mix of ancient and modern architecture, tempting cafés and markets, and sun-drenched Mediterranean beaches. A stroll along La Rambla and through waterfront Barceloneta, as well as a tour of Gaudí’s majestic Sagrada Famíliaand his other unique creations, are part of a visit to Spain’s second-largest city. Modern art museums and chic shops call for attention, too. Barcelona’s vibe stays lively well into the night, when you can linger over regional wine and cuisine at buzzing tapas bars.
Since being designated a European Capital of Culture for 2013, with an estimated €660 million of funding in the bargain, Marseille has been in the throes of an extraordinary transformation, with no fewer than five major new arts centers, a beautifully refurbished port, revitalized neighborhoods, and a slew of new shops and restaurants. Once the underdog, this time-burnished city is now welcoming an influx of weekend tourists who have colonized entire neighborhoods and transformed them into elegant pieds-à-terre (or should we say, mer). The second-largest city in France, Marseille is one of Europe’s most vibrant destinations. Feisty and fond of broad gestures, it is also as complicated and as cosmopolitan now as it was when a band of Phoenician Greeks first sailed into the harbor that is today’s Vieux Port in 600 BC. Legend has it that on that same day a local chieftain’s daughter, Gyptis, needed to choose a husband, and her wandering eyes settled on the Greeks’ handsome commander Protis. Her dowry brought land near the mouth of the Rhône, where the Greeks founded Massalia, the most important Continental shipping port in antiquity. The port flourished for some 500 years as a typical Greek city, enjoying the full flush of classical culture, its gods, its democratic political system, its sports and theater, and its naval prowess. Caesar changed all that, besieging the city in 49 BC and seizing most of its colonies. In 1214 Marseille was seized again, this time by Charles d’Anjou, and was later annexed to France by Henri IV in 1481, but it was not until Louis XIV took the throne that the biggest transformations of the port began; he pulled down the city walls in 1666 and expanded the port to the Rive Neuve (New Riverbank). The city was devastated by plague in 1720, losing more than half its population. By the time of the Revolution, Marseille was on the rebound once again, with industries of soap manufacturing and oil processing flourishing, encouraging a wave of immigration from Provence and Italy. With the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, Marseille became the greatest boomtown in 19th-century Europe. With a large influx of immigrants from areas as exotic as Tangiers, the city quickly acquired the multicultural population it maintains to this day.
On one of the best stretches of the Mediterranean, this classic luxury destination is one of the most sought-after addresses in the world. With all the high-rise towers you have to look hard to find the Belle Époque grace of yesteryear. But if you head to the town’s great 1864 landmark Hôtel de Paris—still a veritable crossroads of the buffed and befurred Euro-gentry—or enjoy a grand bouffe at its famous Louis XV restaurant, or attend the opera, or visit the ballrooms of the casino, you may still be able to conjure up Monaco’s elegant past. Prince Albert II, a political science graduate from Amherst College, traces his ancestry to Otto Canella, who was born in 1070. The Grimaldi dynasty began with Otto’s great-great-great-grandson, Francesco Grimaldi, also known as Frank the Rogue. Expelled from Genoa, Frank and his cronies disguised themselves as monks and in 1297 seized the fortified medieval town known today as Le Rocher (the Rock). Except for a short break under Napoléon, the Grimaldis have been here ever since, which makes them the oldest reigning family in Europe. In the 1850s a Grimaldi named Charles III made a decision that turned the Rock into a giant blue chip. Needing revenue but not wanting to impose additional taxes on his subjects, he contracted with a company to open a gambling facility. The first spin of the roulette wheel was on December 14, 1856. There was no easy way to reach Monaco then—no carriage roads or railroads—so no one came. Between March 15 and March 20, 1857, one person entered the casino—and won two francs. In 1868, however, the railroad reached Monaco, and it was filled with Englishmen who came to escape the London fog. The effects were immediate. Profits were so great that Charles eventually abolished all direct taxes. Almost overnight, a threadbare principality became an elegant watering hole for European society. Dukes (and their mistresses) and duchesses (and their gigolos) danced and dined their way through a world of spinning roulette wheels and bubbling champagne—preening themselves for nights at the opera, where such artists as Vaslav Nijinsky, Sarah Bernhardt, and Enrico Caruso came to perform. Along with the tax system, its sensational position on a broad, steep peninsula that bulges into the Mediterranean—its harbor sparkling with luxury cruisers, its posh mansions angling awnings toward the nearly perpetual sun—continues to draw the rich and famous. One of the latest French celebrities to declare himself “Monégasque,” thus giving up his French passport, is superchef Alain Ducasse, who said that he made the choice out of affection for Monaco rather than tax reasons. Pleasure boats vie with luxury cruisers in their brash beauty and Titanic scale, and teams of handsome young men—themselves dyed blond and tanned to match—scour and polish every gleaming surface. As you might expect, all this glitz doesn’t come cheap. Eating is expensive, and even the most modest hotels cost more here than in nearby Nice or Menton. As for taxis, they don’t even have meters so you are completely at the driver’s mercy (with prices skyrocketing during events such as the Grand Prix). For the frugal, Monaco is the ultimate day-trip, although parking is as coveted as a room with a view. At the very least you can afford a coffee at Starbucks. The harbor district, known as La Condamine, connects the new quarter, officially known as Monte Carlo with Monaco-Ville (or Le Rocher), a medieval town on the Rock, topped by the palace, the cathedral, and the Oceanography Museum. Have no fear that you’ll need to climb countless steps to get to Monaco-Ville, as there are plenty of elevators and escalators climbing the steep cliffs. But shuttling between the lovely casino grounds of Monte Carlo and Old Monaco, separated by a vast port, is a daunting proposition for ordinary mortals without wings, so hop on the No. 1 bus from Saint Roman, or No. 2 from the Jardin Exotique – Both stop at Place du Casino and come up to Monaco Ville.
If you look north of the cathedral (La Seu, or the seat of the bishopric, to Mallorcans) on a map of the city of Palma, you can see around the Plaça Santa Eulàlia a jumble of tiny streets that made up the earliest settlement. Farther out, a ring of wide boulevards traces the fortifications built by the Moors to defend the larger city that emerged by the 12th century. The zigzags mark the bastions that jutted out at regular intervals. By the end of the 19th century, most of the walls had been demolished; the only place where you can still see the massive defenses is at Ses Voltes, along the seafront west of the cathedral.A torrent (streambed) used to run through the middle of the old city, dry for most of the year but often a raging flood in the rainy season. In the 17th century it was diverted to the east, along the moat that ran outside the city walls. Two of Palma’s main arteries, La Rambla and the Passeig d’es Born, now follow the stream’s natural course. The traditional evening paseo (promenade) takes place on the Born.If you come to Palma by car, park in the garage beneath the Parc de la Mar (the ramp is just off the highway from the airport, as you reach the cathedral) and stroll along the park. Beside it run the huge bastions guarding the Almudaina Palace; the cathedral, golden and massive, rises beyond. Where you exit the garage, there’s a ceramic mural by the late Catalan artist and Mallorca resident Joan Miró, facing the cathedral across the pool that runs the length of the park.If you begin early enough, a walk along the ramparts at Ses Voltes from the mirador beside the cathedral is spectacular. The first rays of the sun turn the upper pinnacles of La Seu bright gold and then begin to work their way down the sandstone walls. From the Parc de la Mar, follow Avinguda Antoni Maura past the steps to the palace. Just below the Plaça de la Reina, where the Passeig d’es Born begins, turn left on Carrer de la Boteria into the Plaça de la Llotja (if the Llotja itself is open, don’t miss a chance to visit—it’s the Mediterranean’s finest Gothic-style civic building). From there stroll through the Plaça Drassana to the Museu d’Es Baluard, at the end of Carrer Sant Pere. Retrace your steps to Avinguda Antoni Maura. Walk up the Passeig d’es Born to Plaça Joan Carles I, then right on Avenida de La Unió.
The infinite variety of street life, the nooks and crannies of the medieval Barri Gòtic, the ceramic tile and stained glass of Art Nouveau facades, the art and music, the throb of street life, the food (ah, the food!)—one way or another, Barcelona will find a way to get your full attention. The capital of Catalonia is a banquet for the senses, with its beguiling mix of ancient and modern architecture, tempting cafés and markets, and sun-drenched Mediterranean beaches. A stroll along La Rambla and through waterfront Barceloneta, as well as a tour of Gaudí’s majestic Sagrada Famíliaand his other unique creations, are part of a visit to Spain’s second-largest city. Modern art museums and chic shops call for attention, too. Barcelona’s vibe stays lively well into the night, when you can linger over regional wine and cuisine at buzzing tapas bars.
Natural light streams through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the Owner’s Suite, illuminating the interior of up to 1,033 square feet. The contemporary living area includes an in-suite bar for hosting cocktail hour before enjoying dinner with friends in the dining area — or alfresco on the expansive private terrace. After sunset, unwind under the stars in the terrace’s whirlpool spa and indulge in a soothing outdoor shower before heading inside to retire. The bedroom welcomes you to a sanctum of repose, complete with a custom king bed and spacious walk-in wardrobe, and the marble bath includes a modern shower, soaking tub, double vanity and in select suites, a powder room that can be accessed conveniently from the foyer.
OWNER SUITE
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Spacious indoors and out, the Concierge Suite offers up to 786 square feet of interior area and a private terrace of up to 409 square feet. The bedroom includes a generous walk-in wardrobe and dressing area as well as a marble bath with a double vanity, walk-in shower, soaking tub and an enclosed powder room accessible from the foyer. Sunlight casts a warm glow through the floor-to-ceiling glass in the bedroom and living room, which both open onto the terrace so you can step out to take in the view, or enjoy an outdoor shower. The interior and outdoor spaces each feature an elegant dining area and a comfortable living area with a plush sofa, perfect for entertaining guests or enjoying a romantic evening for two.
CONCIERGE SUITE
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With spacious interiors of 883 square feet, the Residential Suite truly feels like a home upon the sea. The entire space brings the outdoors in through floor-to-ceiling glass that opens onto the 156-square-foot terrace from both the living room and bedroom. Invite friends to join you for dinner in the indoor dining area, or enjoy a romantic meal for just the two of you at the alfresco dining table. Within the private bedroom retreat, an ample walk-in wardrobe leads to the luxurious master bath with a soaking tub and shower, and the suite also features a separate powder room for guests.
RESIDENTIAL SUITE
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The Luminara Suite embraces the ever-changing vistas along the horizon with an expansive private terrace of 291 to 301 square feet. Sunbathe with a traveling companion on the dual chaise lounges or curl up with a bestseller on the comfortable outdoor sofa. Host friends for dinner with a seaside harbor as a backdrop when you dine alfresco on the terrace or view the tableau through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the indoor dining area. Within up to 657 square feet of interior space, the cozy bedroom retreat features a luxurious king bed, spacious closets, and a modern shower system in the bath, which may also include a separate soaking tub.
LUMINARA SUITE
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Within the View Suite interiors of up to 689 square feet, dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows in the living area and bedroom connect you to the surrounding seascapes. Step from the bedroom onto your private terrace of up to 205 square feet, where fresh sea breezes and scenic views await. After an alfresco breakfast, prepare for your day in the spacious marble bath featuring a double vanity, modern soaking tub and separate shower. The walk-in wardrobe and dressing area in the bedroom provide ample space to ready yourself for the day’s exploration. When evening comes, invite friends to join you in the dining area of your suite, which may also include a separate powder room for your guests.
VIEW SUITE
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With 560 square feet of interior luxury plus a private terrace of up to 199 square feet, the Grand Suite has all the comforts of home and then some. Host friends for dinner at the stylish dining table for four and enjoy after-dinner drinks and conversation in the spacious living area. When it’s time to retire, open the double doors onto your bedroom retreat, which includes dual walk-in wardrobes, and enjoy a relaxing soak in the marble-clad tub before drifting off in the comfort of the custom king bed. Each morning, sip an espresso on your terrace as you take in the view of the enchanting destination you’re about to explore.
GRAND SUITE
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The welcoming entry corridor of the Signature Suite leads to an intimate dining area for two, where you can enjoy a delicious meal at any time of day or night. Then take in a movie from the plush sofa in the living area, or from the custom king bed in the spacious bedroom that features a second television. The bath offers the convenience of a double vanity for couples, a walk-in shower and a soaking tub, perfect for unwinding after adventures ashore. The ample 409 square feet of interior space is complemented by a private outdoor terrace of up to 151 square feet, where a comfortable lounger is equally suited to sunbathing or stargazing.
SIGNATURE SUITE
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The airy interiors of the Terrace Suite offer 294 square feet of comfort, and just beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows, the namesake private terrace provides up to 108 square feet overlooking the sea. This personal oasis includes a custom king bed, an ample wardrobe and a separate sitting area for curling up with a good book. The marble bath features luxurious amenities by Diptyque Paris, a modern shower system and a double vanity — ideal when sharing the space with a companion. Wake each morning to fresh coffee from the in-suite espresso machine and conclude each day with a nightcap from the mini-bar, while a Suite Ambassador attends to your wishes in the moments in between.
TERRACE SUITE
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Spacious yet intimate, the main restaurant features an ever-changing menu of dishes inspired by the diverse regions that Luminara explores.
Elegant and modern in design, the specialty dining experience offers decadent tasting menus featuring exquisite cuisine deeply rooted in Italian traditions.
Join friends at a private enclave within Tides for an exclusive dining experience, the perfect setting for celebratory dinners and other special events.
Have a seat at the sushi bar or grab a table indoors or alfresco to savor creative interpretations of Southeast Asian cuisine.
Dine indoors or alfresco on Latin-inspired cuisine, complemented by craft beers, bold wines and an elevated tequila selection, in this elegant yet relaxed space evoking a chic beach club.
Just steps from the Main Pool, Mistral invites you to a celebration of timeless Mediterranean cuisine.
This comfortable gathering place with a library transforms from a coffee bar to a cocktail lounge with live music at night and serves ready-made treats throughout the day.
Designer apparel, jewelry and leather goods entice shoppers, as do the collaborations with local artisans showcasing their work in select ports.
Panoramic views of the sea and shore provide the perfect backdrop for relaxing, socializing and sunbathing.
Sip a fine cognac and enjoy an exceptional selection of hand-rolled cigars showcased in a state-of-the-art humidor.
Enjoy drinks and light bites with views of the sea on a spacious terrace just steps above the Marina.
Relax on a comfortable chaise, sun yourself on the pool’s tanning ledge, or cool off with a dip in the water at The Pool Deck, an inviting space at any time of day.
Luminara..Listen to the gentle lap of waves while reclining on a massage table, savoring a therapeutic spa treatment from the private terrace of one of our treatment rooms. Inspired by the destinations we visit and curated to fulfill your needs, our treatments feature the finest ESPA products to awaken the senses, refresh the body and renew the spirit. Arrive early, stay a while and drift away into relaxation aboard your oasis at sea.
The Fitness Studio is home to a health and wellness program that integrates fitness and spa with lectures and nutrition that can be customized for each guest. From personal training to sunrise yoga and mat Pilates, each voyage has opportunities to maintain a healthy lifestyle. With a selection of machines such as bikes, rowers and ellipticals as well as free weights and other equipment, guests can take their regular exercise routine onboard.
The Salon offers a variety of beauty and hair services including manicure and pedicure treatments, hair consultations, cutting, styling and blow drying. Next door at The Barber, gentlemen can enjoy a close shave or invigorating facial before heading ashore to explore the port feeling refreshed and revitalised.
An extension of the Beach House, the aft Infinity Pool features comfortable loungers and views that stretch as far as the horizon.
Ritz Kids is an educational and fun-filled programs that encourage kids to explore the world around them.