Costa Toscana | 8 Days and 7 Nights in the Mediterranean in Early Winter | Escape the Cold | Embark and Disembark in Barcelona, Spain

Located in Barcelona, Spain, Park Güell was designed by architect Antoni Gaudí and is one of the finest examples of the fusion of nature and architectural art. The park is filled with colorful mosaics, curved benches, and unusual structures, creating an imaginative, fairytale-like atmosphere. Built on a hillside, it offers views over the city and the Mediterranean, showcasing the charm of its distinctive artistic style blended with the urban landscape.

Plaça de Catalunya is located in the heart of Barcelona, connecting the old town with the Eixample district. It is also the starting point for two of the city's main avenues, La Rambla and Passeig de Gràcia. The beautiful, spacious square is covered with green lawns and features an elegant stone statue of a woman in contemplation, her expression calm and solemn. Its fountains send sparkling jets of water into the air, like a crystal palace.

The Sagrada Família, or Holy Family, is a church complex made up of numerous spires and towers, and a masterpiece by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí. Construction began in 1884. Its slender lines are a defining feature, while its dome and interior structure display a Neo-Gothic style.

Casa Milà was built between 1906 and 1912 in Barcelona’s Eixample district, on Passeig de Gràcia. Its arches take the form of parabolas or catenary curves. Designed by Gaudí as a private residence, Casa Milà is often called La Pedrera (Catalan for “the stone quarry”). Its three undulating façades, balcony railings made of twisted, curling iron bars and plates, and large windows are striking. In 1986, Casa Milà was acquired by Caixa de Catalunya bank and extensively renovated. The ground floor now hosts exhibitions by the bank’s foundation. The building’s six floors, attic, and rooftop terrace are open to visitors. Its rooftop chimneys are especially distinctive, and from the terrace you can look out over parts of the city and see the Sagrada Família in the distance.

Plaça d'Espanya—an important square in Barcelona, built for the 1929 World’s Fair and located at the foot of Montjuïc. It is one of Barcelona’s largest squares and a major junction for several thoroughfares.

Barcelona Olympic Stadium hosted the 1992 Olympic Games and is best known for its Olympic rings. The opening and closing ceremonies, track and field events, and some football matches were held here. The renovated stadium retains its original elegant, classic exterior, while its interior facilities have been completely modernized. It is grand and imposing.

Casa Batlló is an apartment building with a colorful mosaic-decorated facade, located in the famous “Block of Discord.” Antoni Gaudí completely renovated the original building between 1905 and 1907, giving it a magical character.

Plaça de Colom is located at the end of La Rambla, near the Port of Barcelona. It is an important public space linking the Old Town with the waterfront. At its center stands the Columbus Monument, commemorating the historic occasion when navigator Christopher Columbus reported to the Spanish Crown after returning from his first voyage. With open views and nearby port scenery, historic buildings, and city streets, the square showcases Barcelona’s distinctive maritime culture and urban character.

Near the Olympic Village, Barceloneta Beach is Barcelona’s most famous beach and a seductive stretch of coastline, 1.6 kilometers long. Around the beach, you’ll often see Spaniards relaxing in the sun, cycling, jogging, rollerblading and walking their dogs. The deep-blue Mediterranean is ever-gentle and graceful, its beautiful rhythms swaying in the breeze as a sense of contentment and relaxation washes over you.

Barcelona’s Arc de Triomf was built as the main entrance to the 1888 World’s Fair. Constructed of red brick, it is in the Moorish Revival style. The inscription on the front reads “Barcelona rep les nacions,” meaning “Barcelona welcomes the nations.”

The Picasso Museum Barcelona is housed in a beautiful 15th-century mansion with tranquil courtyards and ornate walls and windows. The museum houses works by Picasso and other artists.

Camp Nou, also known domestically as Camp Nou and in Cantonese as Lo Ying Stadium (literally, “camp”; the correct translation should be “military camp”), is the home ground of Spanish La Liga giants FC Barcelona. When it was completed in 1957, it could accommodate only 93,053 spectators (the original plan to accommodate 150,000 was later scrapped); it can now hold 109,815. The stadium measures 107 x 72 meters (Camp Nou is now 105 x 68, meeting UEFA requirements). Its main materials are concrete and steel.

La Rambla is in Barcelona and is the city's widest avenue. As street performers of all kinds put on shows here and the street is lined with an array of living statues, it is also more commonly known as the Street of the Ramblers. This long “ribbon,” stretching from Plaça de Catalunya down to the port area, is over 1,800 meters long and is divided into five main sections. The flower market and the area around La Boqueria market are especially famous.

Show description: Palacio del Flamenco is one of Barcelona’s best-known flamenco venues. The show lasts one hour, and you’ll enjoy the largest flamenco performance in Barcelona.   Package details: Package 1: Show ticket & drink (Show y copa) Package 2: Show ticket & regular dinner (Show + menú especial) Package 3: Show ticket & tapas dinner (Show + menú Tapas) Package 4: Show ticket & children’s meal (Show + menú niños)

The Elephant Tower (Elephant Tower) was built in 1307. Its name comes from a small stone elephant carved inside the tower. Climb to the top for a view over the entire city.

The Church of Saint Mary was built by the Pisans, and records indicate that it was expanded in the late 13th century. The entire church is Baroque in style and was renovated again in the 17th and 18th centuries. The interior is exceptionally ornate and atmospheric, and there is also a Gothic chapel.

The deep blue sea blends seamlessly with the blue sky and white clouds. Put on a comfortable pair of beach shoes and stroll along the shore, enjoying the blue sky, white clouds, and passersby—it’s wonderfully relaxing.

The Church of Saint Mary (Santa Maria) was built by the Pisans and expanded in the late 13th century. The church is Baroque in style and was later renovated in the 17th and 18th centuries. Its interior is very ornate and includes a Gothic chapel.

Also known as Castel Nuovo, it was built by order of the first king of the Kingdom of Naples. Castel Nuovo includes the Civic Museum and the castle ruins. The museum, which mainly displays paintings, is on the first floor. The second floor offers sea views, while the ground floor contains the castle ruins (the floor is made of transparent glass; travelers with a fear of heights should take particular care. Beneath the glass are ancient architectural remains and human bones). Castel Nuovo also contains the Sala dei Baroni (literally, the Hall of the Barons), whose ceiling is particularly distinctive.

The Church of Saint Francis of Paola is located on the west side of Piazza del Plebiscito in Naples, Italy. It is an important local Neoclassical religious building and one of the city’s iconic skyline landmarks.

Umberto I Gallery is a historic arcade in Naples, Italy, built in the late 19th century. Its interior features a glass dome, creating a spacious, bright atmosphere, and the floor is decorated with exquisite mosaics. Cafés and shops line the surrounding area, creating an elegant yet lively ambiance. The gallery showcases the fusion of Neapolitan urban culture and architectural art and is one of the city’s most representative public spaces.

Located in the Italian town of Caserta, the Royal Palace has 1,200 rooms, 24 state reception halls, a vast park with four fountains and several gardens, and oil paintings and sculptures that have drawn art lovers for centuries. Construction began in the mid-18th century, when the palace was built for the Bourbon dynasty to rule the Kingdom of Naples. Its architect, Luigi Vanvitelli, hoped it would rival the world-famous Palace of Versailles. In 1997, the Royal Palace of Caserta became a UNESCO World Heritage Site, described by the organization as “the swan song of Baroque architecture on a grand scale.” The palace served as a filming location for the Star Wars prequel trilogy, appearing as the royal palace of Queen Amidala and Queen Jamillia, and was also featured in Mission: Impossible III.

This is Italy’s most important archaeological museum. Most of its collections were excavated from several towns near Naples that were buried by ash during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in August 79 AD (for example, Pompeii, Stabiae, and Herculaneum). If you visit Pompeii, don’t miss the National Archaeological Museum in Naples. The artifacts unearthed at Pompeii are displayed in the museum, and seeing them together is even more impressive. Admission: Full price: €8; €3.50 with an Artecard. €4 for EU citizens aged 18–24 and teachers. Free for citizens under 18 or over 65. Audio guide: €5, lasting 1 hour and 30 minutes. Languages: English, French, and Italian.

Castel dell’Ovo is Naples’ oldest castle, with a history spanning more than 2,000 years. Legend has it that a wizard placed an egg beneath the castle, which was built in the 6th century BC. If the egg breaks, the castle will immediately disappear, bringing disaster to Naples. This was the site of the lavish villa built by the Roman nobleman Lucullus, and where the last Western Roman emperor was exiled by a Roman military commander. Located by the sea, the castle offers wonderful views. From the top, you can lean by a window and admire the sea and sunset.

The Royal Palace of Naples is a historic royal building in the heart of Naples, Italy. It was once the residence of the Neapolitan royal family and the House of Bourbon. Its stately, imposing exterior and lavish interior feature spacious halls, exquisite frescoes, and an extensive collection of historic furnishings, reflecting the lifestyle and artistic tastes of European royalty. Today, it is an important cultural and historical landmark.

The square in the center of Capri town is where several small pedestrian streets meet. The whitewashed stone buildings along the streets are ideal subjects for visitors' cameras. There are some eye-catching salons and expensive cafés.

Italy’s boot-shaped peninsula gives it a graceful form and a coastline with a wealth of breathtaking scenery. The Amalfi Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was named by National Geographic as one of the 51 most beautiful places to visit in a lifetime. The northern Amalfi Coast features a captivating shoreline steeped in Southern European charm, backed by mountains and cliffs stretching for dozens of kilometers. A winding mountain road runs along the sheer cliffs, with towering heights on one side and sweeping views of the Mediterranean on the other.

The largest city in southern Italy, Naples is renowned for its beautiful scenery and is one of the Mediterranean's most famous scenic destinations. By the sea, Naples basks in the embrace of the alluring blue Mediterranean, with a gentle breeze in the air.

Genoa is an important Italian commercial port and industrial center. It was once the capital of the maritime Republic of Genoa and is also the hometown of the famous explorer Christopher Columbus and violin virtuoso Niccolò Paganini. As a city with a long history, Genoa is home to many historic landmarks, including the Cathedral of San Lorenzo (Cattedrale di San Lorenzo), the Church of Santa Maria, Palazzo San Giorgio, the Strada Nuova Museums, the home of the great explorer Christopher Columbus, and Europe's largest aquarium. Genoa's Strada Nuova and Palazzi dei Rolli are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Genoa is known as the City of the Lighthouse. The Lanterna (Torre della Lanterna) is the main lighthouse in the Port of Genoa. In addition to serving as a guide for ships at night, it is a landmark of the city and one of the oldest structures of its kind in the world. The tower bears the Christian fish symbol and the Cross of St. George.

The Basilica of San Lorenzo once served as the Medici family’s chapel for generations. It consists of spaces from three different eras, each with its own architectural style: the Old Sacristy, built by Brunelleschi; the New Sacristy, built by Michelangelo; and the 17th-century Chapel of the Princes. The Old Sacristy is in the early Renaissance Neoclassical style, eschewing excessive ornamentation and creating an elegant, serene atmosphere. To enter the New Sacristy, go around to the Medici Chapels behind the church, which house nine sculptures by Michelangelo. From the graceful courtyard, climb the stairs designed by Michelangelo to the second floor to reach the Laurentian Library, which holds a collection of 10,000 ancient books gathered by generations of the Medici family. This is also where the Medici family tombs are located.

Château d’If, located on the island of If in the waters of Marseille Harbor, France, is a fortress that became world-famous as the setting of Alexandre Dumas’s celebrated novel The Count of Monte Cristo. If Island is one of the islands in the Frioul Archipelago (Archipel du Frioul).

The French Riviera refers to France’s southeastern coast, best known for the three cities of Nice, Cannes and Marseille.

The Old Port is bustling early in the morning when the fish market is open. Locals discuss the day’s catch in their dialect, creating a lively, down-to-earth atmosphere. The air is filled with salty sea breezes and the strong smell of fish, while numerous boats and wealthy owners’ yachts line the shore.

【Cassis】 Located east of Marseille, Cassis is a renowned tourist destination in southern France. A short walk along the coastline brings you to the town’s famous calanques. These inlets are a distinctive feature of the Mediterranean coast, and those around Cassis are especially celebrated. Their unique geological formations inspire awe at nature’s remarkable artistry. The yachts lining the Cassis coastline offer a glimpse of the leisurely local way of life.

This is a symbol of Marseille, built atop a hill 150 meters high. From here, you can gaze out over the entire city and the Mediterranean, a truly spectacular view. Above the main building stands a 9.7-meter-tall gilded statue of the Virgin Mary. It is said that the glittering statue can be seen from almost anywhere in Marseille, making the basilica a city landmark. Enter through the church’s main doors to find the monks’ quarters, home to around 30 monks. They devote their lives to prayer here, beginning their first prayers at 2 a.m. and returning to their quarters for evening prayers. Descend the steps on the east side to enter the church, where you’ll find many model ships offered in prayer for safe voyages. Bullet marks from clashes between German and Allied forces during the Second World War are still visible on the walls.

This distinctive attraction in central Marseille occupies the site of a small bay called Lacydon, discovered by the Greeks 2,600 years ago. Today, it is a harbor that can accommodate 350 recreational boats. Many famous historic sites surround the Old Port, including Fort Saint-Jean and Fort Saint-Nicolas, both built during the reign of Louis XIV as defensive works and fortifications. In fact, the “Old Port” is not very old—it was rebuilt after the Second World War—but locals still call it the Old Port. This is partly out of habit, but also reflects their attachment to its history. The Old Port district is the heart and essence of Marseille, not only because this is where the city began, but also because it is the best place to experience the authentic spirit of Marseille. Address: 32-34 Quai du Port, 13002 Marseille, France

This is a magnificent building in Marseille, located on Boulevard du Jardin-Zoologique in the 4th arrondissement. Its basic layout features a sculptural group and fountain in the center, with a colonnade extending out on either side. At the end of each colonnade is a museum: the Museum of Fine Arts and the Marseille History Museum. The central figure in the sculptural group is a river god. The goddesses on either side hold grapes and ears of wheat, symbolizing wine-making and agriculture. Several bulls around the outside represent the region’s livestock farming and bullfighting traditions. The spirited herd, charging with hooves flying, evokes the grandeur of ancient gods riding dragons and phoenixes through a cosmic battle. Address: 22 Boulevard Longchamp

Located in Barcelona, Spain, Park Güell was designed by architect Antoni Gaudí and is one of the finest examples of the fusion of nature and architectural art. The park is filled with colorful mosaics, curved benches, and unusual structures, creating an imaginative, fairytale-like atmosphere. Built on a hillside, it offers views over the city and the Mediterranean, showcasing the charm of its distinctive artistic style blended with the urban landscape.

Plaça de Catalunya is located in the heart of Barcelona, connecting the old town with the Eixample district. It is also the starting point for two of the city's main avenues, La Rambla and Passeig de Gràcia. The beautiful, spacious square is covered with green lawns and features an elegant stone statue of a woman in contemplation, her expression calm and solemn. Its fountains send sparkling jets of water into the air, like a crystal palace.

The Sagrada Família, or Holy Family, is a church complex made up of numerous spires and towers, and a masterpiece by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí. Construction began in 1884. Its slender lines are a defining feature, while its dome and interior structure display a Neo-Gothic style.

Barcelona Olympic Stadium hosted the 1992 Olympic Games and is best known for its Olympic rings. The opening and closing ceremonies, track and field events, and some football matches were held here. The renovated stadium retains its original elegant, classic exterior, while its interior facilities have been completely modernized. It is grand and imposing.

Plaça de Colom is located at the end of La Rambla, near the Port of Barcelona. It is an important public space linking the Old Town with the waterfront. At its center stands the Columbus Monument, commemorating the historic occasion when navigator Christopher Columbus reported to the Spanish Crown after returning from his first voyage. With open views and nearby port scenery, historic buildings, and city streets, the square showcases Barcelona’s distinctive maritime culture and urban character.

Near the Olympic Village, Barceloneta Beach is Barcelona’s most famous beach and a seductive stretch of coastline, 1.6 kilometers long. Around the beach, you’ll often see Spaniards relaxing in the sun, cycling, jogging, rollerblading and walking their dogs. The deep-blue Mediterranean is ever-gentle and graceful, its beautiful rhythms swaying in the breeze as a sense of contentment and relaxation washes over you.

Barcelona’s Arc de Triomf was built as the main entrance to the 1888 World’s Fair. Constructed of red brick, it is in the Moorish Revival style. The inscription on the front reads “Barcelona rep les nacions,” meaning “Barcelona welcomes the nations.”