From its sun-soaked waterfront to its vibrant food markets and historic Gothic Quarter, Barcelona is a destination that invites unhurried discovery. It’s the perfect place to shake off travel fatigue, savor a few unforgettable meals, and start your journey feeling inspired—a city where Mediterranean breezes meet world-class art, architecture, and cuisine. Arriving early lets you wander Gaudí’s masterpieces, explore lively neighborhoods, and settle effortlessly into vacation mode before boarding the ship.

Our Barcelona PreTour packs in the city’s greatest hits—La Rambla, the Gothic Quarter, a lively tapas crawl, La Sagrada Família, and the colorful heights of Park Güell. We’ll also venture to Montserrat to visit the famed Black Madonna, creating a vibrant, story-filled start to your journey.

Embark day – Santana’s team will greet flights arriving into Barcelona’s International Airport on embark morning. After a hosted bike building session and rental bike acceptance, we’ll embark the MV World Traveler for an unforgettable cycling adventure across the Mediterranean.

Day 2 – If there’s a day perfectly built for cycling enthusiasts, this is it. The rollout from Alcúdia is smooth and social, the perfect warm-up before you hit the gears for the climb to Mirador Es Colomer.

The switchbacks here reward every effort with views that get bigger and bolder the higher you go. From the top, the Dragon’s Tail delivers classic Mallorca riding—rollers, ridgelines, tunnels, sweeping corners—and before long you’re standing at the Formentor Lighthouse, grinning at what you’ve just accomplished. The descent is pure joy, dropping you neatly toward Formentor Beach, where a cold drink and a salty breeze reset the legs.

The final spin back to Alcúdia is relaxed, with the bay stretching wide beside you and everyone sharing their favorite moments of the day. And though the route rises and falls through the cliffs, our 2025 participants rated it their favorite ride of the year.

Day 3 – Our second day of rides in Spain begins with the jaw-dropping island of Menorca. Harder to reach than Mallorca, but even more beautiful, Menorca is a cyclists’ paradise!

In the early 90s, Menorca was named a Biosphere Reserve to protect the incredible scenic beauty and wildlife of the island. Nearly half of the island is nature reserves, which lends itself perfectly to beautiful sunny days of cycling.

Menorca is home to numerous beachfront cafes and restaurants, be sure to take in the views over an ice cold sangria!

We’ll ride gentle coastal roads overlooking the crystal clear aquamarine water, and meet friendly locals eager to share their unique fusion of Balearic and Spanish culture. Along the way we’ll sample the local gin, cheese, and herb infused wines.

Afternoon routes will guide us back to our yacht, where we’ll taste more of the Spanish culture with a selection of the chef’s favorite tapas showcasing favorite ingredients of the Balearic islands.

Day 4 – After saying adios to Mallorca and Menorca, it’s Buongiorno to Sardinia, a remote slice of Italy that’s relatively unspoiled by progress or tourism.

Your day begins with a graceful roll out of Alghero, gliding past the curving shoreline and soft-white sands of Maria Pia before entering the quiet bays of Porto Conte. After our serene morning warm up, the route reaches a charming cove with crystalline waters framed by pale limestone. After a coffee stop at the cafe, we’re ready for the stage everyone’s been waiting for.

The landscape rides toward the high terrace of Capo Caccia—the steady climb rewards you with ever-widening views of the Mediterranean until you reach the coastal ramparts. After reaching the pinnacle, we’ll park our bikes to descend stone-cut steps and hike the dramatic cliffside path on a journey to Neptune’s Grotto. The cave greets you with cool air and dreamlike architecture—still pools reflecting ceilings of stone, massive chambers, and columns shaped by the centuries.

Once you’ve risen back to the plateau, you’ll enjoy a long, elegant descent, rejoining the quiet roads of Porto Conte. At the shoreline, the route pauses at the Porto Conte Lighthouse, perched above the bay like a watchful guardian.

From the lighthouse, the ride softens into a calm shoreline spin with an optional rest at one of dozens of white-sand beaches or delightful seaside restaurants before you glide back to the ship, finishing this perfectly curated Sardinian showcase.

Day 5 – When was the last time you rode your bike across an international border? How about three countries in one day?

Our ride begins in Imperia, a lovely Ligurian town known across the Italian Riviera for colorful flowers and bountiful olive trees. Pedaling west along a rugged coast (this is where the Alps meet the Mediterranean), we soon find the entrance of what might be Europe’s finest bike trail. After train service linking Rome with the Rivieras was modernized and moved inland, the incredibly scenic coastal route was converted to a wide and smoothly-paved bike trail that allows cyclists to choose 17 miles with curves and tunnels, instead of a slightly longer route with traffic, hills and signals.

After passing through San Remo, the Italian resort town where pro-cycling finishes the earliest race of each season, it’s an easy coastal ride to the French border. From here the best cycling route to the French resort town of Menton follows a beautiful old corniche (or shelf road) above the newer highway.

Looking for a little afternoon boost? A pit-stop in Menton for macarons and espresso may be just what you need!

On a day where the shortest option is barely 40 miles, the second border crossing separates France from Monaco, a country that’s considerably smaller than New York City’s Central Park. In this diminutive Royal Principality famous for yachts and annual Grand Prix auto race, contains a snug cruise ship dock where we’ve reserved the first ever stay for a ship filled with cyclists.

Overnighting in Monaco means that if you’ve ever wanted to don that tuxedo and grace the velvet tables of the Monte Carlo Casino like a legendary British secret agent, now’s your time to shine!

Day 6 – A fun day with a choice of mild-to-wild loops from the royal stronghold of Monaco—where the ruling monarch is a former Olympian and serious cyclist!

Today’s longest option climbs into the adjacent Alps to conquer Col de la Madone, the Alpes-Maritimes pass that inspired Trek’s premiere model name.

A pair of shorter options only climb as far as the French village of La Turbie, a favorite coffee stop for local cyclists, who will help you choose which route you’ll use to return to Monaco. Those with an allergy to climbs will cruise the old coast highway through Cote d’Azur villages to reach Villefranche-Sur-Mer.

Day 7 – Nestled amongst the spectacular coastline of Liguria, the villages on Cinque Terre await our exploration. While cycling is certainly an option, a series of unique hiking trails connect the iconic villages of Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore.

As this is Santana’s fourth cycling cruise to include Cinque Terre’s rarely-cycled coast, we’ve found the best strategies for pedalers and non-pedalers. Starting the morning in La Spezia, both options include breathtaking views of the most photographed coastal villages in the world. Whether you plan to ride or hike, we’ll provide day passes for the hiking trails and frequent shuttle trains that interconnect all five villages.

Host to dozens of restaurants, Cinque Terre is a perfect place to explore the culinary delights of the Ligurian coast.

Whether you opt to cycle or hike, this day concludes in the yacht harbor of Portovenere, where our ship will have moved to await our return.

Day 8 – Andy’s favorite ride. Back in 1996, a week after the press conference, Santana contacted Andy Hampsten, who remains the only American to ever win the Giro d’Italia. Andy had just announced his decision to retire from the pro peloton to start a new business. Our offer? If Andy Hampsten would help to plan and co-host a Santana tandem tour through Tuscany, where he’d lived and trained for nearly a decade, we’d help him to launch his now-famous Cinghiale Cycling Tours. With Andy’s help and guidance Santana hosted hotel-based tours of Tuscany in 1998, 2002 and 2007. The 1998 version doubled as Cinghiale’s first event.

While living in Tuscany as a pro cyclist Andy logged 400-500 miles per week. On his rest day he kicked back with a “coffee” ride over his favorite stretch of back road. Andy’s ride, perfect beyond imagination, was a gentle warmup spin to cappuccino in the medieval walled village of Suvareto, followed by a very easy uphill return to where he might stop for a gelato in Sassetta. Cars? Although the road’s gradient is mild, the twists and turns are endless. Now that a newer road links this delightful pair of Tuscan villages, the old one is largely vacant.

Jan and I have hosted rides over Andy’s twisting road through oak forests many times over the last 3 decades, and each time members of our groups have pronounced it their “best ride ever.”

Descending through a third village (Castagneto Carducci was Andy’s Italian home) we pass Italy’s finest vineyards and wineries—home of the vaunted Super Tuscans such as Ornelaia and Sassicaia—and turn onto the cypress-lined Poet’s Road to reach Bolgheri.

Lunch? Following up on a more recent recommendation from Andy, after riding as few as 32 miles, our routes of up to 55 miles will coalesce for a special winemaker’s feast at a hidden restaurant, where Andy’s favorite chef will pair local cuisine with three fabulous wines.

After dessert and coffee, some will opt for a motorized shuttle while others finish a day with a fast 20-mile return along Tuscany’s Via Principessa (route of the Princess). Tonight, we’ll repack our bikes on the sun-deck as we sail off into the Tuscan sunset.

Disembark day – After our morning disembark in Livorno, Santana’s team will say farewell to participants departing on flights from Pisa’s International Airport on disembark morning.

Florence PostTour – For those not flying home from Pisa on disembark morning, our 3-Night Florence PostTour offers the perfect finale to your journey. We’ll pause in Pisa for lunch and a visit to its world-famous Cathedral and Leaning Tower before continuing to Florence, where a signature dinner sets the stage for a magical stay.

Over the next two days, expert guides will lead you through the masterpieces and hidden stories of the Accademia, Palazzo Vecchio, the Uffizi, Santa Croce, and the historic heart of Florence.

The world of cruising has changed. After decades of ever-larger ships, the newest and most innovative ships are distinctly smaller, and designed for travelers instead of tourists. By design, these yacht-size cruise ships are able to reach niche destinations that larger ships can’t enter. Perfect for a hand-tailored cycling experience.

In late 2020 we heard about a new cruise line being launched by a wizened group of cruise veterans from around the world. Synthesizing decades of experience on cruise ships with countless stays at stylish hotels, these worldly travelers created something entirely their own. Atlas Ocean Voyages has developed a new concept for cruise travel. They’ve taken the sophistication and luxury of a boutique resort hotel and transformed it into a marriage of modern and vintage in their new fleet of “luxe-adventure” cruise ships.

We are proud to announce that we have chartered Atlas’ World Traveller for our 2027 Barcelona to Florence Cycling Cruise!

Each of the 95 staterooms and suites are tastefully finished with the finest materials. Mahogany trim and modern bathrooms are softened with elegant carpets and luxurious bedding.

All of the staterooms are comfortably spacious, and most have room to socialize. Nearly two thirds of the staterooms have a private balcony with table and chairs—a perfect place to relax and watch the port sink into the horizon while enjoying the champagne and a snack delivered by room service. The small collection of super-suites are especially large, and most include the service of a butler.

The lounge is a great place to relax and recount the day’s ride while getting to know your fellow adventurers.

The largest of the six dining options is Porto, a beautiful salon where you can savor the inspiration of Atlas’ Portuguese heritage as you experience regionally inspired favorites of our journey in the Canary Islands.

Prefer to dine al fresco? Porto’s refined-dining menu is also available on the ship’s aft view-deck. Start with a savory appetizer, move onto a mouthwatering main course and finish with a delicious dessert to satisfy your sweet tooth. Relish it all with a fresh ocean breeze

and expansive horizon views.

7-Aft, a New York style BBQ grill chophouse specializes in jospering, a grilling method originated in Barcelona and now considered a legendary form of gourmet charcoal cuisine. Satiate your hunger with choice burgers, ribs, lamb and many more.

The Dome has a delightful array of snacks, teas, cookies, and finger sandwiches alongside an open bar or opt for a late, light lunch. Complete with 270-degree and overhead views, it’s a feast for all the senses.

The Pantry is where you can grab a fresh-pressed juice or hot cup of Milano coffee on your way to exploring. Go for a quick breakfast or snack, be it a tasty specialty sandwich or delightful cupcake, for a satisfying and refreshing meal on the go.

Or, for a more intimate dining experience, the ship has a room service menu and provides 24-hour service.

The Zephyr Lounge is one of the best places to sit with friends while watching the port get smaller and smaller as you sail towards the next day of your cycling adventure. Other great spots are the ship’s pool and pair of hot tubs, L’Occitane Spa, and open bridge.

Unless you’d rather “attend” by watching from your stateroom’s TV, the ship’s Forum is where you’ll learn about the next day’s choice of routes and activities. On those days you elect to cycle, it’s also the place for our morning route talks.

Atlas Ocean Voyages is leading the way with some of the smallest luxury-expedition ships at sea. Combining a style defined as simple elegance with invigorating immersions, they provide a luxe-adventure travel experience made for seasoned explorers like you.