Barcelona, the self-confident and progressive capital of Spain, is a tremendous place to be. Though it boasts outstanding Gothic and Art Nouveau buildings, and some great museums – most notably those dedicated to Picasso and Catalan art – it is above all a place where there's enjoyment simply in walking the streets, stopping in at bars and cafés, drinking in the atmosphere. A thriving port and the most prosperous commercial centre in Spain, it has a sophistication and cultural dynamism way ahead of the rest of the country. In part this reflects the city's proximity to France, whose influence is apparent in the elegant boulevards and imaginative cooking. But Barcelona has also evolved an individual and eclectic cultural identity, most perfectly and eccentrically expressed in the architecture of Antoni Gaudí. Scattered as Barcelona's main sights may be, the greatest concentration of interest is around the old town (La Ciutat Vella). These cramped streets above the harbor are easily manageable, and far more enjoyable, on foot. Start, as everyone else does, with the Ramblas.
Sister ship to Vista, Allura mirrors the collective fascination with the world’s vast spectrum of cultures, people and cuisines. From the beauty of ancient cities lining the Eastern Mediterranean to the distinctive charms of ports across the vast mosaic of the Americas, Allura’s 2025 Inaugural Season invites you to sail away to treasured favorites alongside intriguing off-the-beaten-path destinations that illuminate unique travel experiences through a series of extraordinary voyage itineraries.
Apr 24, 2028 - Barcelona
Barcelona, the self-confident and progressive capital of Spain, is a tremendous place to be. Though it boasts outstanding Gothic and Art Nouveau buildings, and some great museums – most notably those dedicated to Picasso and Catalan art – it is above all a place where there's enjoyment simply in walking the streets, stopping in at bars and cafés, drinking in the atmosphere. A thriving port and the most prosperous commercial centre in Spain, it has a sophistication and cultural dynamism way ahead of the rest of the country. In part this reflects the city's proximity to France, whose influence is apparent in the elegant boulevards and imaginative cooking. But Barcelona has also evolved an individual and eclectic cultural identity, most perfectly and eccentrically expressed in the architecture of Antoni Gaudí. Scattered as Barcelona's main sights may be, the greatest concentration of interest is around the old town (La Ciutat Vella). These cramped streets above the harbor are easily manageable, and far more enjoyable, on foot. Start, as everyone else does, with the Ramblas.
Apr 25, 2028 - Palamos
Costa Brava means wild coast. Though the scenery is strikingly dramatic, below the rugged headlands and rocky promontories you'll find quiet, beach bordered bays rimmed by piney woodlands. Palamos is the southernmost of a series of small isolated ports that cling like oysters to tiny harbors set along Catalunya's northern coast. The "old" part of Palamos was founded in 1277. Palamos is a favorite destination for yachts that vie for space with local fishing boats.
Apr 26, 2028 - Sete
Situated at the Golf du Lion in South France, Sète has been an important port for three hundred years and today is the country’s second busiest port after Marseilles. Upper town straddles the slopes of Mont St. Clair, which overlooks the vast Bassin de Thau, a breeding ground of mussels and oysters. Lower town is intersected by waterways lined with tall terraces and seafood restaurants. Surrounding hills offer great hiking opportunities, and other interesting destinations include the university city of Montpellier and Agde. In Sète, pedestrian streets allow visitors leisurely strolling, and scattered café tables invite visitors to relax, sip an apéritif and people-watch. The sailor’s cemetery located on Mont St. Chair overlooks the harbor. The poet Paul Valéry, a native of Sète, is buried in the cemetery and the town honors him with the Musée Valéry, located across from the cemetery. The museum features a collection of modern French paintings and a room dedicated to singer and songwriter Georges Brassens, born and raised in Sète.
Apr 27, 2028 - St. Tropez
Glitz and glamour are the two key-words to St. Tropez’s reputation. Set like a jewel in the crown of the Mediterranean, St. Tropez has long been a mecca to artists and the summer vacationers alike, who are drawn to the picturesque setting and the old-world charm of the town’s architecture. In the 1920s, St. Tropez became a fashion headquarters and an international playground, an association that has hardly been dispelled with time.
Apr 28, 2028 - Portofino
Picturesquely situated in a narrow cove on Italy's northern coast lies enchanting Portofino. This Pearl of the Mediterranean has been a favored gathering place for the elite who appreciate the charm and intimacy of the cliff-lined harbor. Overlooking rocky coastline, quaint Portofino surprises with incredible views of Gulf of Rapallo and surrounding hillsides. The church of San Giorgio offers a beautiful view of the resort and harbor. More extensive views are available from Fortezza de San Giorgio. In 1935, the city government of Genoa declared Portofino a national monument. Visitors enjoy the unique ambiance, chic boutiques and quaint cafes that overlook the small yacht harbor and line narrow, cobbled streets. Others explore the surrounding coastline, where tiny villages are tucked away in hidden coves. Don't miss out on a favorite pastime - people-watching while relaxing in an outdoor cafe. The boutiques and designer shops tempt with chic resortwear and Italian designer clothing. Two miles from Portofino is Paraggi, with a sparkling cove good for a swim.
Apr 29, 2028 - Florence/Pisa (Livorno)
Livorno serves as a convenient gateway to Tuscany - which is known for classic landscapes and lush vineyards. Visitors come to see great art centers of Florence, Lucca and Pisa - where names like Michelangelo, Machiavelli, Boticelli, da Vinci, Donatello and Dante come to mind. Pisa is known for its brilliant monuments, which include the 11th-century Cathedral, the Baptistery and the leaning Bell Tower. Lucca is one of the most handsome Romanesque cities in Europe. Its historic center features several fine old churches and lovely squares. Lucca is also known as home of composer Giacomo Puccini, whose birthplace is now a museum. Walking in the historic center, shopping in its elegant stores and enjoying a meal of renowned Tuscan cuisine are some highlights of this area. Downtown Livorno has a fine local market and a variety of fine shops and restaurants. Sights include the 14th-century Loggia della Signoria assembly hall in Florence; the Uffizi Gallery, which houses one of the world's famed museums and the Accademia best-known for Michelangelo's sculptures.
Apr 30, 2028 - Portoferraio, Elba
Portoferraio, with its lemon-yellow buildings, is among the most elegant of the old Mediterranean ports. Beyond the town lies an island of great natural beauty. The hills are covered with pine forests and the scent of wildflowers fills the air; discover the island's medieval and Napoleonic history on a countryside tour.
May 01, 2028 - Rome (Civitavecchia)
Civitavecchia is the port city for Rome. Rome has always been and remains the Eternal City. With its splendid churches, ancient monuments and palaces, spacious parks, tree-lined boulevards, fountains, outdoor cafés and elegant shops, Rome is one of the world’s most attractive cities. Among the most famous monuments is the Colosseum where spectators watched combats between muscled gladiators and ferocious animals. Stop to see the remains of the Forum, once a political and commercial center. Rome’s squares were enhanced with such imposing structures as the Vittorio Emanuele Monument and grandiose fountains like the Fontana di Trevi. Awe at Christendom’s most magnificent church, the Sistine Chapel. The busy square Piazza Venezia is easily recognized by its imposing Vittorio Emanuele II Monument. Take a stroll to Rome's famous Trevi Fountain. Vatican City is the site of lovely St. Peter's Square and St. Peter's Basilica, where for 200 years, Renaissance masters worked on its design and created an unparalleled masterpiece. Visit Vatican Museum.
May 02, 2028 - Salerno
Salerno is situated at the northern end of the Gulf of Salerno. The old town, rising up the slopes of the hill on the site of ancient Salernum, still bears evidence of its medieval period. Salerno's main attraction is a Romanesque cathedral, built in 1085 and remodeled in the late 18th century. Inside is the ornate tomb of Margaret of Anjou and the tomb of Pope Gregory VII, who died here in 1085. In the richly decorated crypt under the alter lie the remains of Evangelist Matthew, brought here from Paestum. A hilltop crowned by the old Lombard Castello offers extensive views. Along the seafront, to the east of the harbor, extends a promenade lined with impressive modern buildings. Visit the Greek temples of Paestum. Other favorite excursions from here are to Pompeii and to the popular resort towns of Amalfi and Ravello. The Museo Diocesano houses a fine collection of medieval carved tablets. Occupying two floors of the San Benedetto Monastery, the main attraction at Museo Provinciale is a handsome bronze head of Apollo fished out of the bay in the 1930s.
May 03, 2028 - Messina, Sicily
Situated on the western shore of the Strait bearing its name, the port at the entrance to Sicily is one of the deepest and safest in the Mediterranean. The city's was rebuilt low buildings to minimize the danger of earthquakes. This gives the center a pleasant, open townscape combining sea, sky and hills. Train-ferries, car-ferries and hydrofoils make the connection across the Strait of Messina to Reggio Calabria on the Italian mainland. Among the main attractions is the Norman-Romanesque cathedral, with an adjoining bell tower. The works of Renaissance painter Antonello da Messina and two large Caravaggios can be seen at the Museo Regionale - which features an interesting collection of material salvaged after the 1908 earthquake. From Messina, excursions are possible to Taormina, Mount Etna and across the Strait to mainland Italy.
May 04, 2028 - Valletta
Valletta is the capital of Malta. This remarkable fortified city with its massive bastions followed the most advanced Renaissance ideas in town planning, with streets laid straight on a grid looking over the Grand Harbour. Outside the 'City Gate' is the famous Triton Fountain. 'City Gate' has public buses and vendors selling soft drinks and all sorts of traditional fresh Maltese bread and sweets. Freedom Square shows an extraordinary capital with buildings of fine architecture of different tastes and styles ranging from the Mannerism to Baroque to Rococo to Neoclassicism. Valletta is a fascinating city for wandering around looking at what used to be the Knight's own cathedrals and Auberges. The city's backbone is Republic Street, which runs straight through the city center to Fort St. Elmo. Valletta has several narrow, steep side streets decorated with traditional Maltese pastel colored balconies and a statue on almost every street corner. There are plenty of shops, cafes, and restaurants to choose from.
May 05, 2028 - Ionian Sea
May 06, 2028 - Igoumenitsa (Meteora)
Igoumenitsa has been inhabited since the Palaeolithic period (250,000-9000 BC), initially within the Sideris Cave. This northwestern Grecian coastal city boasts of its rich history dating back to ancient times, and serves as a stop before boat vessels cross the Adriatic. Stroll along the waterfront promenade for views of the sea.
May 07, 2028 - Bar
One of the most popular summer destinations in Montenegro, Bar's coastline is 27 mi/44 km long, making it a favorite with beach lovers. Located 47 mi/76 km southwest of Podgorica, Bar consists of the Old Town and the New Town.
The Old Town (Stari Bar) is an ancient city on a rocky hill located approximately 3 mi/5 km from the Adriatic Sea, and the New Town is located directly on the Adriatic seashore. In the Old Town, you can see cultural sites including ramparts, a citadel, an 11th-century town gate and a restored Diocesan palace.
The Old Town has been deserted since the 19th century, when most of the buildings were destroyed during an invasion by the Turks. Some restoration has been done to the ruins, particularly after a major earthquake in 1979. Ferries are available from Bar to Ancona and Bari in Italy.
May 08, 2028 - Dubrovnik
Classed as a world heritage treasure by UNESCO, Dubrovnik is a place of ancient streets lined with stone palaces, Venetian-style buildings and bell towers. The city is enclosed by stone walls, and the highlight is a leisurely walk atop these massive walls for a great view of the city and the sea. Entering Dubrovnik, you are greeted by an impressive pedestrian promenade, the Placa, which extends before you all the way to the clock tower at the other end of town. The Orlando Tower here is a favorite meeting place. Just inside the city walls near the Pile Gate is the Franciscan Monastery housing the third-oldest functioning pharmacy in Europe, operating since 1391. For a fantastic panorama of the city, take a cable car ride to the summit of the 1,340-foot Mount Srdj.
May 09, 2028 - Split
Split, the largest Croatian city on the Adriatic coast, is the heart of Dalmatia. The old town is built around the harbor on the south side of a high peninsula sheltered from the open sea by many islands. Split achieved fame when the Roman emperor Diocletian (245-313), noted for his persecution of early Christians, had his retirement palace built here from 295 to 305. Since 1945 Split has grown into a major industrial city with large apartment-block housing areas. Much of old Split remains, however, and this combined with its exuberant nature makes it one of the most fascinating cities in Europe.
May 10, 2028 - Zadar
Zadar's many promenadors on the shore have a feeling they are on board the starboards of which are being laved by the waves carried by the warm zephyrus. Zadar is a town on the seaside. It is floating on the reef and closing from times a gap between itself and land, a harbor which was a pulse of its history. All the maritime and land ways led to this harbour and on their crossings the ancient marketplace was made, which became the origin of the Town, the very springwell of its life.
May 11, 2028 - Trieste
Trieste is an interesting city and a flourishing center of trade and commerce. It was a literary and cultural center in the 20th century, and the town has Viennese influence and style - along with grand squares, palazzi and churches. The main square, Piazza dell'Unita d'Italia, has Viennese cafes, Palazzo del Governo, and Palazzo del Comune with its clock tower. All of these buildings were built in the 19th century. The promenade is a worth a stroll. Upper town, Colle di San Giusto - with its terrific views - has beautiful Castello di San Giusto and its musuem at the top of the hill, Piazza Cattedrale. Basilica di San Giusto is two churches in several styles, including Roman and Byzantine, with frescoes depicting San Giusto (the town's patron saint), mosaics, and the lovely rose window. The civic museum here has art, religious items and historical items inside. Orto Lapidario displays pottery and statues. Visit Civico Museo Revoltella. Stop at Castello di Miramare and her gardens. Villa Opicina has a wonderful belvedere and views, and Grotta Gigante is an amazing walkable cave museum.