The artistically-inclined Italian cruise company supports upcoming exhibition at Genoa’s Palazzo Ducale

“Mediterranean – From Courbet to Monet to Matisse”, an exhibition showcasing French paintings from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, will be the star attraction at Genoa’s Palazzo Ducale in an artistic endeavour sponsored by Costa Cruises.

The Mediterranean and art are the two intrinsic themes linking Costa Cruises to this major cultural event, to be staged from 27 November 2010 to 1 May 2011. The exhibition showcases paintings from the late 19th and early 20th centuries featuring a series of works bearing witness to the way that “The Med” has always fascinated the onlooker and inspired artists.  The collection assembled in Genoa includes a variety of artistic movements from Classicism to Expressionism.

With a total of 79 artworks on loan from museums around the world, the exhibition will feature the colours and vistas of the Mediterranean Sea.

Costa Cruises integrates the world of art into the philosophy behind the interior design and decoration of the ships, and it is this artistic flair which has helped make Costa one of Europe’s leading cruise companies.  The architecture and design of the Costa fleet dates back to the trend-setting collaboration between Costa Cruises and Gustavo Pulitzer Finali and Nino Zoncada, with each ship unique in her own distinctive style and original layout, decor and artwork displayed on board.

The entire Costa fleet showcases works by established Italian and international artists as well as emerging young talent.  On board the ships are approximately 4,200 original works and 50,000 copies of fine art, on display for the enjoyment of over one million passengers annually.

As an Italian company, Costa Cruises has been at home in the Mediterranean for over 60 years, and its ships have helped promote contact between people and cultures in the region.  The Mediterranean voyages are particularly popular with holiday-makers, and Costa has been operating regular Mediterranean cruises year round since the mid-1980s.  The company is synonymous with the Mediterranean lifestyle, as its fleet of 14 ships, all flying the Italian flag, offer the very best in Italian style, hospitality, cuisine, fun and entertainment.

This winter, Costa has scheduled three 8 to 12-day Mediterranean itineraries with cruises to the Canary Islands on the Costa Concordia, Costa Pacifica and Costa Magica with departures from the Italian ports of Savona, Civitavecchia and Palermo.

Beginning in April 2011 there will be six 7-day Mediterranean cruises on the Costa Magica, Costa Concordia, Costa Serena, Costa Atlantica, Costa Victoria and Costa Romantica with departures from Savona, Civitavecchia, Naples, Palermo, Catania, Messina, Venice, Ancona and Bari.

Also shortly to be sailing the Mediterranean will be the Costa Favolosa – at 114,500 gross tonnage and accommodating 3,780 total guests, she will be the 15th member of the artistic fleet.  Due for a grand July delivery, Costa Favolosa sets sail on her inaugural journey from Venice on 7th July on a 10-day itinerary to Israel, Greece and Turkey with stopovers in Bari, Corfu, Haifa, Izmir and Dubrovnik.  Continuing throughout the summer season the Costa Favolosa will offer a similar 7-day cruise departing from Venice, taking in the sights at Bari, Olympia, Izmir, Istanbul, and Dubrovnik.