Western Mediterranean cruise with MSC Cruises

Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain and the capital of Catalonia. It is located on the shores of the Mediterranean and enjoys a mild climate all year round.Barcelona is one of Europe’s largest and most successful ports and one of the world’s leading cities in art and architecture. From the modern cruise terminal at the docks you will need a taxi or tour to see the artistic beauty of this unique destination, credited to the talents of Joan Miro, Pablo Picasso, Antonio Gaudi, Jose Clara and others. Stroll the mosaic-paved Ramblas, the city's social hub, with open-air cafes, street entertainers and flower displays. See its unique Catalonian cultural heritage in the ancient Gothic Quarter, the surrealistic architecture of Antonio Gaudi and some outstanding museums. Sights of interest include the Columbus Monument, the Cathedral of Santa Eulalia (1298 to 1454), the Maritime Museum, Picasso Gallery, La Sagrada Familia (Gaudi's unfinished cathedral), Palau Guell (Gaudi mansion) and the Olympic stadiums. Things to See & Do * La Rambla * World-famous opera house El Liceu * Plaça Reial (Royal Square) * Cathedral of Santa Eulàlia * The National Museum of Art of Catalonia

Cruising at sea.

La Goulette is the port of Tunis, the capital of Tunisia. Tunisia lies on the Mediterranean coast of Africa, 130km (80 miles) southwest of Sicily and 160km (100 miles) due south of Sardinia. The landscape varies from rich arable land to desert. Tunis is a modern international metropolis with sophisticated hotels, shops and flower-lined avenues, but within it is the medina, one of the best-preserved medieval cities in the Islamic world. Tunis' broad boulevards, lined with cafes and flower stalls, stand alongside the Old Town, unchanged, a world of living stone and hidden treasures. La Goulette is a very busy fishing port, and has a reputation of having some of the best seafood restaurants in Tunisia. With its 16th century fortress, La Goulette is the landing point for a memorable visit to Tunis, Carthage and Sidi Bou Said. Things to See & Do * Tunis sites * Ruins of Carthage (15 km north of Tunis) * Take a walking tour of the ancient buildings, mosques, and gates of the medina at Tunis * 16th century fortress at La Goulette * Souks at Tunis

Palermo is the principal city of Sicily, Italy as well as the capital of the Province of Palermo. Palermo has a noteworthy architectural heritage and is notable for its many Norman buildings, including churches, palaces and museums. Palermo is a lively city which offers many attractions including the Quattro Canti, which is the heart of the old city center. Palermo’s Arabic quarter, Real Tenuta della Favorita park and the Orto botanico - Botanical Gardens are also worth visiting whilst in Palermo. A walk round the Vucciria market is also highly recommended; visitors will experience the unique, strongly Sicilian atmosphere as well as taste and smell typical local produce from the land and sea. Things to See & Do * Norman churches, palaces and museums * Capuchin Catacombs * Palazzo dei Normanni * Vucciria market * Quattro Canti

Naples sits within the Bay of Naples in south eastern Italy and is the capital of Campagnia. It has a rich history for art culture and food – so much so that the city is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. At one end of the Bay sits Vesuvius dominating the southern skyline of the city. The city has some of the most important museums in Italy including the National Archaeological Museum and the Museo di Capodimonte. The latter is also a very important art gallery featuring major works by some of Italy’s finest artists. There are also a host of churches with the most famous being the Cathedral of Naples. In the bay itself you can visit the islands of Capri, Ischia and Procida and of course the famous ruins at Pompeii and Herculaneum are a must to see. Things to See & Do * San Carlo Theatre * Palazzo reale (Royal Palace) * Sites of Mount Vesuvius, Herculaneum and Pompeii. * Grandoni Di Chiaia – an imposing street in Naples * Napoli Sotterranea - a fascinating series of underground tunnels * Duomo - an ancient cathedral

Livorno is a port city on the Tyrrhenian Sea on the western edge of Tuscany, Italy. It is the capital of the Province of Livorno and the third-largest port on the western coast of Italy. Livorno is one of the most important ferry ports in Italy offering sailings to both Corsica and Sardinia and is also one of the countries major naval towns. Livorno itself is surrounded by beautiful sea and nature with a wonderful countryside including rich parks. Attractions in Livorno include the Natural History Museum and the Aquarium, the Villa Henderson, which combines antique finds with modern educational tours, and also has a Botanic Garden. The quarter known as Nuova Venezia (New Venice), built during the 17th century, still preserves some of its original features. Particularly interesting are the Medicean Fossi, a network of navigable canals connecting the warehouses and homes of merchants which, like those in Venice, had entrances at water level leading to rooms where goods were once stored. Piazza della Republica is still admired today for its unusual architecture. It is in fact a bridge covering a long stretch of navigable canal. Things to See & Do * Natural History Museum and Aquarium * Medicean Fossi - a network of navigable canals * Nuova Venezia (New Venice) * Villa Henderson * Piazza della Republica

Marseille is the second-largest city of France and forms the third-largest metropolitan area, (Paris and Lyon are larger). Located on the Mediterranean Sea, it is France's largest commercial port and the capital of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur région, The Old Port or Vieux-Port is the main harbour and marina of the city. It is guarded by two massive forts (Fort St Nicolas and Fort Saint Jean) and is one the main places to eat in the city. Dozens of cafés line the waterfront. The Quai des Belges at the end of the harbour is the site of the daily fish market. Things to See & Do * Old Port area * Phare de Sainte Marie, a lighthouse on the inlet to the Old Port * The Centre Bourse and the adjacent rue St Ferreol district - the main shopping area *Museums and historical buildings * Abbey of Saint Victor

Disembark.