Cosmopolitan Charms – August 2026 Solar Eclipse Sailing from Marella Cruises
Setting sail 11th August 2026 the 7-night Cosmopolitan Charms itinerary onboard the Marella Discovery 2 from Palma, Spain, will see you chasing the 12th August total eclipse giving you the chance to see this cosmic phenomenon in style. Ports of call also include Palamos, Spain, Propriano, France, Civitavecchia (for Rome), Italy, Salerno (for Pompeii and Amalfi), Italy, and Palermo, Sicily. This cruise is the perfect way to not only experience the eclipse, but to also see some of the world’s most important historical and cultural sites, and also to kick back and relax in picturesque coastal towns. Read on for more info:
Cosmopolitan Charms Cruise Itinerary - Marella Discovery 2 -Fly Cruise
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Tuesday, August 11, 2026, for 7 night cruise - onboard the Marella Discovery 2, Cosmopolitan Charms itinerary, Decks 2/3 Inside Cabin - All Inclusive with Marella Cruise - fly from London Gatwick airport, departure port Palma.
Your Itinerary: Palma - Ship at Sea - Palermo - Naples (for Pompeii and Capri) - Piombino (for Siena and Pisa) - Propriano - Palamos - Palma

Detailed Itinerary:
Cosmopolitan Charms - Itinerary day 1: Palma
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Think leafy boulevards that echo with the stilettos of stylish shoppers, tiny tapas bars tucked down narrow side streets, and architectural gems hidden in the historic quarter. With its trademark cathedral dominating the skyline, cosmopolitan Palma never fails to impress.
- Spend some time exploring the city, snapping photos of 14th century Bellver Castle, browsing boutique shops, and tasting tapas in the authentic bars that barnacle the backstreets.
- Take a short drive into the Tramuntana mountains to visit Valldemossa, a village of cobbled streets, artisan shops and cafés, and the Royal Charterhouse where Chopin and George Sand once stayed.
- Don’t miss Palma Cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece with soaring arches and sweeping bay views – and try to catch it glowing as your ship leaves the city.
Cosmopolitan Charms - Itinerary day 2 : Ship at Sea
Cosmopolitan Charms - Itinerary day 3: Palermo
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Sicily’s capital is an exotic blend of Middle Eastern architecture, Baroque buildings and colourful marketplaces you’ll love to explore.
Cosmopolitan Charms - Itinerary day 4: Naples (for Pompeii and Capri)
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Naples is Italy’s most red-blooded city. This is the place where the pizza is so good people don’t wait for their slices at restaurant tables, they order it to-go from street side windows. And it’s the city where the soundtrack is the beeping of moped horns. For all its joy de vive, you wouldn’t know Naples is actually one of the oldest continuously-inhabited cities in the world. The city centre is actually a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it’s dripping with ancient architecture, cathedrals and churches.
- Visit the time-frozen cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, whose citizens were stopped in their tracks by the famous eruptions of 79 AD.
- Teeter on the brink of Mount Vesuvius, the only active volcano you can climb in Europe.
- Visit Spaccanapoli – a lively street that runs through the heart of Naples. It’s dotted with Baroque churches and street food places.
Cosmopolitan Charms - Itinerary day 5: Piombino (for Siena and Pisa)
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Piombino is the gateway to the Tuscan cities of Siena and Pisa. Hilly Siena is packed with Gothic architecture, Medieval monuments and hundreds of restaurants. Pisa, meanwhile, is home to the legendary leaning tower.
- Siena’s sloping Piazza del Campo is the setting for the famous Palio horse race featured in the James Bond film Quantum of Solace. Make a wish at the Gaia Fountain, climb to the top of the Torre del Mangia bell-tower, or watch the world go by over a scoop of gelato.
- The Siena Cathedral is an Italian work of art. Inside, it’s filled with elaborate floor mosaics, painted naves propped up by black-and-white marble pillars, and masterpieces by the likes of Donatello and Michelangelo.
- Take selfies with the 11th-century Leaning Tower of Pisa, which sways to one side because of an error made during construction. You can also climb the 297-step spiral staircase for an elevated view of the nearby Duomo and the Baptistery of St John.
Cosmopolitan Charms - Itinerary days 6: Propriano
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Sandwiched between Sardinia and the top of Italy’s boot, Propriano delivers a taste of the go-slow Mediterranean lifestyle. It’s a far cry from Corsica’s busiest coastal stop-offs, but the pretty marina and rolling green hills will have you reaching for your camera. There’s a tropical feel to the beaches, with white stretches of sand all around the turquoise bay. Stroll beyond the seafront promenade of cafes, and you’ll see baskets swinging from cast-iron balconies on the narrow streets.
- Explore the Bonifacio sea caves on a boat trip. You’ll find them inside the soft limestone cliffs that make up the dramatic coastline around the town of Bonifacio, and they can only be accessed by boat.
- Propriano might be on the small side, but its restaurant scene is up there with the best. The waterside promenade is overflowing with eateries, all a stone’s throw from the marina’s bobbing masts. Our top tip is to sample the fresh seafood. The jumbo prawns and lobster are worth the trip alone.
- The beaches here have a private feel – there are more than 10 of them dotted around the tucked-away cove. The biggest is about a kilometre in length, while the more intimate sunbathing spots only have space for a handful of people.
Cosmopolitan Charms - Itinerary days 7: Palamos
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Fringed by a ribbon of sun-kissed sand on the Costa Brava, Palamos began as a tiny fishing village. The harbour still buzzes each afternoon as the day’s catch goes on sale, with prawns among the best in the Med. Kick back on the beach, or head off to explore the coastline and nearby villages.
- Wander through the old quarter’s narrow streets, then head to the harbour to visit the Fishing Museum for a glimpse into Palamos’ maritime heritage.
- Nearby seafront towns like Tossa de Mar and Lloret are full of lively promenades, long beaches, medieval walls and even clifftop gardens.
- Barcelona’s an option for a day trip, around 90 minutes away, to explore Gaudi gems, stroll down Las Ramblas, or call in at Nou Camp, home of Barcelona FC.
Cosmopolitan Charms - Itinerary day 8: Palma
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Think leafy boulevards that echo with the stilettos of stylish shoppers, tiny tapas bars tucked down narrow side streets, and architectural gems hidden in the historic quarter. With its trademark cathedral dominating the skyline, cosmopolitan Palma never fails to impress.
- Spend some time exploring the city, snapping photos of 14th century Bellver Castle, browsing boutique shops, and tasting tapas in the authentic bars that barnacle the backstreets.
- Take a short drive into the Tramuntana mountains to visit Valldemossa, a village of cobbled streets, artisan shops and cafés, and the Royal Charterhouse where Chopin and George Sand once stayed.
- Don’t miss Palma Cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece with soaring arches and sweeping bay views – and try to catch it glowing as your ship leaves the city.
Cruise Ship Details - Marella Discovery 2 :
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- 9 restaurants
- 7 bars
- 2 lounges
- Casino
- 4 whirlpools
- 2 swimming pools
- Minigolf
- Rock climbing wall
Marella Discovery 2 is the sister ship to Marella Discovery, which means it shares most of the same top-notch facilities. These include an outdoor cinema, a rock climbing wall and a minigolf course. Not to mention the two pools – one indoor and one outdoor – plus, nine restaurants and a spa. And to top the lot, there are Broadway-style performances are on every night in the show lounge.

