Made in Italy

An exclusive voyage, unveiling the arts and crafts of Italian Fashion Houses. (Photo Credit: Courtesy of Ginori 1735)

An Unprecedented Collaboration

Designed for those who love well-kept secrets, PONANT EXPLORATIONS extends an invitation to go behind the scenes of five iconic Italian fashion houses rarely opened to the public. From the most confidential ateliers of Florence to the sequestered palazzi of Venice, the unprecedented collaboration opens doors to the houses of Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Brioni, Pomellato, and Ginori 1735.

Sailing from September 8-18, 2027 aboard the small luxury ship, Le Boréal, the Florence to Venice itinerary offers a masterclass in Italian elegance—chic and relaxed, timeless, and impeccably tailored. From clothing to accessories, it is luxury as only Italy can define it, and for 11 days, this exclusive circle of artistic excellence is yours to discover with rare insider access.

Imagine stepping into private receptions to share conversations with Italy’s finest artisans, and watching their expertise unfold at bespoke events and dedicated workshops. The exclusive experiences on shore are complemented by the refined intimacy enjoyed aboard a ship renowned for its sun-kissed cuisine, impeccable service and stylish design.

A custom-tailored Brioni Bespoke jacket is measured to precision. (Photo Credit: Chris Brooks)

Where Craft Meets Couture

The essence of Italian luxury and creative excellence define the identity of Gucci, which ranks among the world’s leading luxury houses. A sensorial experience awaits as the doors of the Gucci Archive—housed in a 15th-century Renaissance palazzo closed to the public—are opened exclusively to receive guests of Le Boréal. In the heart of Florence, the Palazzo Gucci showcases iconic archival garments and classic handbags with multi-media storytelling. On board, an exclusive exhibition dedicated to “The Art of Travel” enhances the insight. 

Embodying Italian design at its most imaginative and refined, Bottega Veneta celebrates understated elegance, defined by its innovative craft and signature Intrecciato leather weave. Guests are treated to an insider’s glimpse of Bottega Veneta’s exceptional artisanship in the making. An exclusive itinerary through Venice reveals hidden treasures, culminating with a cocktail at the Bottega Veneta Residence in Palazzo Soranzo Van Axel.  

Founded in Rome in 1945, Brioni represents the pinnacle of sartorial elegance, where refined ease and uncompromising craftmanship define a uniquely modern vision of elegance. This exclusive experience spotlights Brioni’s expertise by a master tailor, unveiling the secrets of exquisite artistic finesse, where tradition, sophistication, and technical perfection intersect, and every detail is crafted with precision.

Precious stones in gradient sizes are carefully selected and placed into an intricate necklace setting. (Photo Credit: Courtesy of Pomellato)

A pioneer of free-spirited, elegant, and colorful jewelry, the exceptional Milanese jeweler Pomellato brings out the the best in precious stones with sensual creations, combining goldsmithing with tradition and innovation. Stefano Cortecci, Gem Master and Director of Precious Stone Purchasing, guides guests on an insightful journey of discovery through the captivating universe of jewelery.

Ginori 1735 embodies the excellence of Italian design through the art of porcelain, with each piece reflecting exceptional savoir-faire. An exclusive tour of its historic Florentine Manifatrura features craftsmen demonstrating the beauty of a tradition handed down through generations. Aboard Le Boréal, an artisan hosts a porcelain painting demonstration, while a Café Ginori experience in the ship’s observation lounge celebrates “true Italian-style coffee.”

Le Boréal sails the azure waters of the Mediterranean. (Photo Credit: @StudioPONANT)

The Deep Soul of Italy’s Bel Paese

Under the soft light of the Mediterranean in autumn, a different side of Italy comes into view—one shaped less by monuments than by mood. Le Boréal traces a slow arc between Florence and Venice, favoring quiet discovery over checklists: a stroll through sunlit lanes, a glass poured at a small estate, a table set with whatever the coastline yields that day.

From Livorno—the port for Florence—the road climbs into Tuscany, to Pietrasanta, where sculptors still work marble in the shadow of Michelangelo. Another road leads to to Lucca, Puccini’s birthplace with its old Roman amphitheatre now a graceful, boutique-lined piazza. On Elba, vineyards lead to Villa San Martino, Napoleon’s country refuge in exile, before an afternoon settles into a tasting at a local winery. Sorrento opens the crossing to Capri, its lanes still as beguiling as when they first lured writers and artists ashore.

Taormina pairs an ancient Greco-Roman theatre with views clear to Mount Etna; Otranto trades its medieval ramparts for sea caves along the Apulian coast and the baroque flourish of Lecce. Inland from Ancona, Urbino’s Renaissance court once gathered Piero della Francesca and Raphael’s own father, setting a young Raffaello on his path to greatness. The voyage closes in Venice, where mask-makers and gondola-builders still keep centuries-old trades alive, and Tintoretto’s and Tiepolo’s masterworks glow inside the city’s Scuole.

From Tuscan hillsides to the Venetian lagoon

Join us on this unprecedented voyage from Florence to Venice on September 8-18, 2027 aboard Le Boréal on a journey where culture, artistry and artisanal mastery coalesce to create a truly unforgettable experience.

Sail into the heart of history, culture, art and fashion with PONANT EXPLORATIONS.