Day 1 | Low-Cost Air USA to Rome
Fly from Select USA cities to Rome (other cities on request).
Day 2 | Arrive Rome
Upon arrival FREE TRANSFERS are included from Rome airport to your hotel. Upon arrival you check into your first class (4 star) River Palace or Crowne Plaza Hotel (or similar). The rest of the day is yours to rest up and enjoy free time
Day 3 | Rome & Sightseeing
Breakfast is included this morning. Today you enjoy a 3 hour guided tour of this wonderful city. Once the center of the Ancient World from which emperors ruled over nearly all of western civilization, Rome is still a cultural mecca. Only a few cities in the world can boast such a well-preserved level of architecture, art, and religious iconography. Visit the ROMAN FORUM where you will discover ruins of several important ancient buildings; then walk up PALATINE HILL with the ruins of the emperor's palaces and a beautiful view over the city. You will have skip-the line-tickets for entrance to the COLOSSEUM, the largest amphitheater ever built and model for modern stadiums. (Colosseum regular route - NO UNDERGROUND).
Day 4 | Rome at leisure
Breakfast is included this morning with the full day at leisure to explore. Optional tours are available.
Day 5 | Rome to Civitavecchia Cruise Port
Breakfast is included this morning. You will be transferred to Civitavecchia’s cruise ship pier and board the Celebrity Infinity for a 7-night cruise.
Day 6 | Messina, Sicily, Italy 12 PM to 8 PM
Located in northeastern Sicily on the slopes of the Peloritani Mountains, Messina is an ancient place with a fascinating history. Walk by the ruins of the Santa Maria Alemanna Church, built in 1220 A.D. You'll also want to see the Duomo, a Romanesque and Norman cathedral that includes a display of artifacts in its treasury.
Day 7 | Valletta, Malta 8 AM to 6 PM
This town is known for the many fortifications built by the Knights of Malta, who for years helped care for European pilgrims and crusaders en route to and from the Holy Land. The Knights of St. John founded the walled city of Valletta in 1565 and it remains a masterfully preserved medieval treasure. From the glittering baroque interior of the Co-Cathedral of St. John to the charm found wandering the old cobbled avenues, it’s no wonder this tiny city has earned World Heritage status. Hidden among the foreboding fortresses and decorative masterpieces is a city with growing appreciation for contemporary design, exciting, culinary offerings, and burgeoning nightlife scene. Maltese cuisine is a fusion of Mediterranean dishes and influences with touches of French and Sicilian. Fresh seafood and the Maltese wines from the distinguished local vineyards are always on the menu. Stroll along the cobblestone streets of Mdina to see its medieval churches, cathedrals, and palaces. Experience two Maltese treasures: The Blue Grotto and Marsaxlokk village. Or, set off on a Maltese sightseeing adventure beginning at Valleta’s Upper Barrakka Gardens. It’s a wonderfully small capital that’s bursting with stories. Valleta is a place you’re sure to create a few stories of your own while visiting.
Day 8 | Cruising: At Sea
Cruising in Style while relaxing at sea, Modern Luxury Lives here
Day 9 | Argostoli, Kefalonia, Greece (Ionian Islands) 7 AM to 4 PM
The Port of Argostoli is on Kefalonia, one of the Ionian Islands of Greece. Due to being laid flat during the 1953 earthquake, Argostili's rebuilt streets feels very new. And though it might like lack much architectural gravitas, it has a lively buzz about it, with Lithostroto, a long pedestrian friendly street, running through a gauntlet of stylish shops. Many tourists consider this a great place to shop or as a beach stop. Charming Plateia Valianou is where locals come to chat and eat at the many restaurants. In summer, “Kantadoroi” (locals) amble the streets singing kantades, traditional songs accompanied by guitar and mandolin
Day 10 | Cruising: Dubrovnik, Croatia 9 AM to 5 PM
Established 1,300 years ago on the far southern tip of the Dalmatian Coast, this city once rivaled Venice in terms of its importance. Take a walking tour to the Dominican Monastery and marvel at the finest collection of Renaissance paintings, including a painting by Titian. Prepare to be riveted when first laying eyes on the old walled of Dubrovnik. Enjoy a leisurely stroll through this ancient amazing walled city. And, there’s plenty of seafood, specifically mussels and oysters, deliciously prepared in authentic regional styles on offer at restaurants throughout town. If beach going is on the agenda, make sure to wear appropriate footwear, as the beaches here tend to be of the pebbly variety. That said, the beautiful emerald green waters and coves make the slight inconvenience more than worthwhile.
Day 11 | Cruising: Zadar, Croatia 9 AM to 5 PM
Located on the Dalmatian coast of the Adriatic Sea, Zadar is a Roman-era city with a modern and youthful vibe. Stroll along its beautiful tree-lined promenade. Start at The Sea Organ, an art installation consisting of 35 pipes cut into the promenade. Soothing chords become a cacophony when the waves are choppy, creating an unpredictable concert orchestrated by the sea. Classical sights include the Roman forum, of which only a few columns and an altar remain. Stones from here were used to build the neighboring rotunda of 9th-century St. Donat's Church. The church of St. Simeon contains a beautifully crafted silver reliquary, while more can be seen in the Gold and Silver of Zadar exhibition at St. Mary's church.
Day 12 | Disembark ship in Venice, Venice transfers, Venice Guided Tour
This morning you arrive at the Venice pier you will be transferred to your Barcelona Hotel, the Newly built Deluxe AC Venice Hotel (or similar). After transfer you will immediately embark on a 3-hour water taxi & walking tour of Venice. After a short water taxi transfer with your guide, you will begin with a short introduction about St. Mark’s Square and its history, admiring its incredible monuments, as the clock tower, the Procuratorie and the bell tower. Later you'll visit the Basilica of Saint Mark, with Skip-the-Line access, to view its amazing medieval mosaics, and much more! After the basilica, we'll go to the Doge's Palace, the hearth of the ancient Venetian political life. Marvelous example of medieval art, the palace is a treasure chest of art and history; absolutely the best spot to admire masterpiece of Venetian painting. If time permits, we will see the Armory, the state's rooms and the dark prisons too! To get to them we'll cross the famous bride of Sighs, discovering why it has this strange name. After lunch, enjoy lunch on your own and free afternoon time in this amazing city of canals.
Day 13 | Venice
Breakfast is included this morning with the full day at leisure to explore. Optional tours are available.
Day 14 | Fly home
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home.
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