Virgin Voyages - Italy and French Riviera 2026

Virgin Voyages - Italy and French Riviera 2026

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Overview

Four nights in Madrid first, then eight nights aboard Virgin Voyages' Valiant Lady, sailing round-trip from Barcelona through the French Riviera, the Amalfi Coast, and Sicily. Provence, Nice, Rome, Salerno, Catania, and Palermo, with a sea day to enjoy the ship.

Itinerary

4 nights in Madrid · 8 nights aboard Valiant Lady · 6–20 Jul 2026

  1. Before the cruise
  2. Jul 6 In transit See the day · 6 posts
  3. Jul 7 Madrid See the day · 4 posts
  4. Jul 8 Madrid See the day · 5 posts
  5. Jul 9 Madrid See the day · 4 posts
  6. Jul 10 Madrid to Barcelona See the day · 5 posts
  7. The cruise
  8. Jul 11 Barcelona See the day · 6 posts
  9. Jul 12 Marseille See the day · 3 posts
  10. Jul 13 Nice See the day · 3 posts
  11. Jul 14 Rome See the day · 5 posts
  12. Jul 15 Amalfi Coast See the day · 5 posts
  13. Jul 16 Catania See the day · 3 posts
  14. Jul 17 Palermo See the day · 3 posts
  15. Jul 18 Sailing
  16. Jul 19 Barcelona See the day · 6 posts
  17. After the cruise
  18. Jul 20 Fly home See the day · 2 posts

Before the cruise

Jul 6 In transit

In transit

Travel to Madrid

Flights to Madrid.

  • Dinner In Premium Economy
  • United Airlines Aperitif Cheese & Breadsticks
  • Next Stop… Madrid.
See the day · 6 posts
Jul 7 Madrid

Madrid

Spain Arrival
  • Today’s Food
  • I Could Eat Tortilla All Day.
  • Pestana At The Plaza Mayor
See the day · 4 posts
Jul 8 Madrid

Madrid

Spain
  • Reunited At Last - Our Luggage Came!
  • Veranos De La Villa - Opera And Orchestra
  • Mid Day Snack
See the day · 5 posts
Jul 9 Madrid

Madrid

Spain
  • Thanks To Wes And Felipe.
  • Airpod Live Translation Actually Works!!!
  • The Best Burger In The World?
See the day · 4 posts
Jul 10 Madrid

Madrid to Barcelona

Spain To Barcelona

Travel to Barcelona for embarkation.

  • Sagrada Família At Sunset
  • Parking Pizza
  • White Stork Nests
See the day · 5 posts

The cruise

Jul 11 Embark

Barcelona

Spain Departs 6:00 PM

All aboard 1 hr before departure.

  • Pink Agave
  • Sail Away Party.
  • Settling In Nicely.
See the day · 6 posts
Jul 12

Marseille

Provence, France 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
  • The Coffee Shop Is Where It Is At.
  • City Tour Of Marseille
  • Dining
See the day · 3 posts
Jul 13

Nice

Villefranche, France 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Tender port. Limited mobility access.

  • Monaco
  • The Yacht
  • Nice And Monaco
See the day · 3 posts
Jul 14

Rome

Civitavecchia, Italy 8:30 AM - 8:00 PM
  • Mediterranean Sunset
  • Test Kitchen - Visit 2
  • When In Rome… Spa!
See the day · 5 posts
Jul 15

Amalfi Coast

Salerno, Italy 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
  • The Bus Ride Along The Amalfi Coast
  • Delizia Al Limone
  • Sorrento And Amalfi Coast
See the day · 5 posts
Jul 16

Catania

Sicily, Italy 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Gunbae - The Korean Bbq
  • Pasta In Sicily
  • 36° In Sicily.
See the day · 3 posts
Jul 17

Palermo

Sicily, Italy 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
  • Ariya For Dinner… Indian.
  • It Has Been A Rough Day.
  • Palermo, Italy
See the day · 3 posts
Jul 18 Sea day

Sailing

Sea day
Jul 19 Disembark

Barcelona

Spain Arrives 6:30 AM

Allow up to an hour for the gangway to open.

  • Ending Our Vacation In Spain With A Spain Win.
  • Sartoria Panatieri
  • Moco In Barcelona
See the day · 6 posts

After the cruise

Jul 20 In transit

Fly home

Departure

Flights home from Barcelona.

  • Why Smoked Fish As An Appetizer On Air Canada
  • Air Canada Home
See the day · 2 posts

Feed

Why Smoked Fish As An Appetizer On Air Canada

Why Smoked Fish As An Appetizer On Air Canada

In-flight

Why do airlines feel that smoked salmon is an option for a meal where the appetizer is not a choice. 

Today we got smoked salmon AND smoked cod. With a bit of lumpfish roe, I guess a caviar?

I was not a fan and I didn’t know how to eat it even if I did want to. Do I put the mayo and apple slaw on the smoked fish?

The braised beef was good though… and I’m always a fan of a lemon tart for dessert.

Why Smoked Fish As An Appetizer On Air Canada
Why Smoked Fish As An Appetizer On Air Canada
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View Jul 20 · Fly home
Air Canada Home

Air Canada Home

Air Canada

We are finally coming home. Seems the Barcelona airport is gently air conditioned so I’m happy to be on an Air Canada with the AC pumping. We are flying home Business (J) class which is always nice when returning tired and ready for home. When it is a day flight that always maximizes the experience. So I’m settled in and have already started Scream 7.

Air Canada Home
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View Jul 20 · Fly home

Ending Our Vacation In Spain With A Spain Win.

Barcelona, Spain

We were fortunate enough to be in Spain, Barcelona to be exact, during the FIFA World Cup final. Our hotel also happens to be next to a huge plaza where many fans congregated after the win so we went to check it out.

View Jul 19 · Barcelona
Sartoria Panatieri

Sartoria Panatieri

Barcelona, Spain

This place came recommended by a friend and it didn’t disappoint. According to some ranking this was the best pizza in the world but is now second…

We started with burrata and focaccia. Man, that was delicious.

We ordered two pizzas to share:

Award-Winning Margherita: A modern interpretation topped with roasted cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, and a signature basil hollandaise sauce. It received the official title of "Best Margherita in the World" at The Best Pizza award

Sobrasada, Mahón Cheese & Honey: Features house-cured artisan sobrasada, local Mahón cheese, wild fennel, honey, and mozzarella, seamlessly blending Catalan charcuterie traditions with Italian pizza craftsmanship.

Both pizzas were quite delicious… the dough is chewy and oh so good.

Sartoria Panatieri
Sartoria Panatieri
Sartoria Panatieri

✨ Found online

Sartoria Panatieri is a highly acclaimed pizzeria in Barcelona, Spain, known for its focus on organic, locally sourced Catalan ingredients and Neapolitan techniques. It has been recognized globally as one of the best pizzerias in the world by the 50 Top Pizza ranking.

Hours: Mon-Sun 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM, 7:30 PM - 11:00 PM

Address: Carrer de l'Encarnació, 51, 08024 Barcelona (Gràcia) & Carrer de Provença, 330, 08037 Barcelona (Eixample), Spain

Website: www.sartoriapanatieri.com

Price Range: $$

What To Know: The restaurant cures its own artisan charcuterie and prepares organic cheeses on-site, championing a strict farm-to-table, zero-waste philosophy with local producers.

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View Jul 19 · Barcelona
Moco In Barcelona

Moco In Barcelona

MOCO

What a great way to spend a hot day, the Modern and Contemporary Museum in Barcelona. A beautiful space with lots of fun art to see including Robbie Williams (singer), Banksy, Kaws…

Moco In Barcelona
Moco In Barcelona
Moco In Barcelona
Moco In Barcelona
Moco In Barcelona
Moco In Barcelona
Moco In Barcelona
Moco In Barcelona
Moco In Barcelona
Moco In Barcelona
Moco In Barcelona
Moco In Barcelona
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View Jul 19 · Barcelona
Trip To Mcdonalds

Trip To Mcdonalds

Plaça de Catalunya, Barcelona

McExtreme which I really liked! There is some bacon under there. And some wedge fries. 

Trip To Mcdonalds
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View Jul 19 · Barcelona

Details

Cruise line Virgin Voyages
Ship Valiant Lady
Dates 6–20 Jul 2026
Madrid 7–10 Jul (4 nights)
Cruise 11–19 Jul (8 nights)
Route Round-trip from Barcelona
Status Upcoming

Upcoming voyages