Day 1 - Tuesday - Dec 20, 2022
Step onboard your ship to begin your journey. Columbus Monument, Port Vell, Arc de Triomf-these are just a few of the monumental sights you will see in Barcelona. Other scenic highlights include the Olympic Port, built for the 1992 Olympic Games, and the Passeig de Gracia, a boulevard renowned for its architecture including works by Antoni Gaudi. Your overnight stay allows time to discover Barcelona on your own, or opt for a tour such as an evening performance of flamenco. Watch this vibrant dance while savoring a menu of traditional tapas.
Day 2 - Wednesday - Dec 21, 2022
Awake in Barcelona and further explore the Catalonian capital. Start on Las Ramblas, the mile-long leafy pedestrian boulevard. Or take a turn through the myriad side streets of the Gothic Quarter, where the ancient and the modern sit side by side, perfect for a leisurely stroll. Or head to the Passeig de Gracia, a boulevard renowned for its architecture including works by Antoni Gaudi. You may also choose from one of the many optional tours.
Day 3 - Thursday - Dec 22, 2022
Explore Montpellier today, a center of learning for centuries. Its namesake university, founded in 1160, is one of the world's oldest, predating the Renaissance. The social and cultural center of Montpellier is the Place de la Comedie, anchored by the elegant Three Graces fountain and the stunning neoclassical Opera Comedie. Other sites pay tribute to a rich heritage, from the art-filled Musee Fabre and impressive St. Clement Aqueduct to the St. Pierre Cathedral with its "floating" porch supported by a pair of towers.
Day 4 - Friday - Dec 23, 2022
Visit Marseille, France's oldest city, rich in timeless treasures. Discover its atmospheric Old Port, overseen by two 17th-century fortresses. The picturesque quay was built on the order of Louis XII and Louis XIII and is one of the world's most romantic walks. As you explore, take in the beauty of its natural harbor, dotted with elegant yachts. Marvel at the church of Notre Dame de la Garde and Palais Longchamp, or venture to Aix-en-Provence with its tree-shaded squares and wide boulevards.
Day 5 - Saturday - Dec 24, 2022
Enjoy a full day in Monaco, the playground for the rich and famous, as well as the gateway to the beautiful South of France. Visit medieval Monaco, stopping at the Prince's Palace and St. Nicholas Cathedral, the burial site of the royal family, including American actress Grace Kelly. You will have time to step inside the Casino de Monte-Carlo, the most prestigious and celebrated gambling mecca on Earth. As an option, venture out of town to the legendary perfumeries in Grasse, or stroll along the English promenade in glamorous Nice.
Day 6 - Sunday - Dec 25, 2022
Immerse yourself in the beauty of Tuscany with an included, well-curated tour of Pisa. Alternatively, enjoy a full-day tour that combines Pisa and Florence. Begin with a scenic drive through the countryside to Florence, where you will stroll by the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore. Continue to the medieval Ponte Vecchio, and the attractive Basilica di Santa Croce, resting place of Michelangelo. In Pisa, you will have time to explore the Square of Miracles, including the famous Leaning Tower, the Cathedral and Baptistery.
Day 7 - Monday - Dec 26, 2022
With its rolling vistas and sprawling vineyards, beautiful Tuscany is known equally as the cradle of the Renaissance and a center of culinary delights and astounding wines. Throughout this emerald-green countryside dotted with cypress trees, endless delights are waiting to be discovered. Among them is Florence, a living museum of the Renaissance. Much of the city's history was overseen by the hulking Palazzo Vecchio. The imposing palace rests on the Piazza della Signoria and its gallery of statues, including a replica of Michelangelo's David.
Day 8 - Tuesday - Dec 27, 2022
| Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy |
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Explore the "Eternal City" today. For centuries, the city ruled much of Europe. Ancient structures recall those heady days when the cheers of 80,000 spectators roared from the Colosseum, citizens mingled in the Forum, and senators asked the gods for guidance in the Pantheon. Time permitting, marvel at the magnificent Colosseum, the historic Roman Forum, and Vatican City.
Day 9 - Wednesday - Dec 28, 2022
In Naples, your choice of excursions abounds. Take in magnificent examples of Greek and Roman architecture and the Piazza del Plebiscito, the grandest public square in the city, facing the former Royal Palace of the King of Naples. Optionally, also explore Herculaneum, Italy's "other" Pompeii, drive along the stunning Amalfi Coast, or take a trip to the summit of Vesuvius. In your spare time, sample a hot espresso, a slice of pizza (the world's first pizzeria opened here in 1830), or a locally made limoncello.
Day 10 - Thursday - Dec 29, 2022
Today, you will call on the Sicilian city of Messina, celebrated as one of Europe's ten greatest cities when it fell under Spain's purview in the 17th century. Admire the surrounding mountains, picturesque orange and olive groves, and rolling vineyards. You will see the best of the city during a tour, including the expansive Piazza Municipio and the hillside Votive Temple of Christ the King. Or, choose to climb the towering Mt. Etna and marvel at the ancient temples and arenas of Taormina.
Day 11 - Friday - Dec 30, 2022
As you cruise to your next port, spend the day savoring the amenities of your elegant ship. Indulge in Nordic-inspired treatments at The Spa or find your inner calm with some yoga on the Sports Deck. Tonight, dine on thoughtfully prepared cuisine that connects you to the flavors of Italy and the Mediterranean and watch a movie beneath the stars at the Main Pool.
Day 12 - Saturday - Dec 31, 2022
Explore Souda Bay today, an important port since antiquity because of its natural harbor and location along Mediterranean trade routes. Visit the remnants of the once-grand Palace of Knossos, the center of the Minoan kingdom that ruled over the island of Crete from approximately 2600 to 1100 BC. Or, tour an olive oil factory and winery to learn how these ancient Cretan traditions have been influenced by modern production techniques. Alternatively, see the influences of former rulers, such as the Venetians and Ottomans, during a walking tour of Chania's Old Town.
Day 13 - Sunday - Jan 1, 2023
| Kusadasi (Ephesus), Turkey |
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Journey into the ancient world today with a visit to Ephesus, one of the best-preserved cities of antiquity in the world. Stroll the uneven streets of this once-powerful metropolis and pass sights such as the massive Great Theater and the magnificent Library of Celsus. Visit the remains of the Byzantine Basilica of St. John and see the modest home where legend states that the Virgin Mary lived out her final days. Or, take a scenic drive to the Oracle of Didyma and the Temple of Apollo, part of a once-elaborate Hellenic sanctuary.
Day 14 - Monday - Jan 2, 2023
| Athens (Port of Piraeus), Greece |
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Awake in Athens and take time to explore this fascinating ancient city. Perhaps visit the Hellenic Parliament, Syntagma (Constitution) Square, the Panathenaic Stadium or the iconic Temple of Zeus. Explore the bustling Plaka District at the base of the Acropolis Hill and sample the delights of Greek cuisine at a local taverna.
Day 15 - Tuesday - Jan 3, 2023
| Athens (Port of Piraeus), Greece |
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Today, you will have the entire day to journey into ancient Athens via a panoramic drive, passing the promenade at Mikrolimano Marina as you enter the city's heart. Your ship remains docked overnight, giving you time to take in the wonders of the Acropolis or travel to the Temple of Apollo, where the legendary oracle of Delphi once dispensed her prophetic wisdom.
Day 16 - Wednesday - Jan 4, 2023
| Athens (Port of Piraeus), Greece |
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Spend a full day in Greece's iconic capital city of Athens, known as the "birthplace of democracy". Visit the acclaimed National Archaeological Museum, with its vast collection of Greek antiquities, and partake of the city's rich cafe culture.
Day 17 - Thursday - Jan 5, 2023
Home to the ancient Minoans and a former Venetian stronghold, Crete harbors a millennia-old history. Greek mythology tells us that Zeus was born here, and Theseus destroyed the Minotaur at Knossos. Later, Saint Titus of Crete preached in Heraklion's streets. Bask in Aegean breezes while exploring the cafe-lined Lions Square and the arched gallery of the celebrated Venetian Loggia.
Day 18 - Friday - Jan 6, 2023
Discover the Old Town of Rhodes today. This "Island of Knights" prospered from the wealth brought here from the Holy Land by the Knights of Saint John of Jerusalem. Follow the Street of the Knights to the most imposing building in Rhodes: the Palace of the Grand Master, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tour this fascinating building, which was first a castle, then a royal palace. Our berth is near the city's historic quarter, allowing you to linger at your leisure after your included walking tour. Or, opt to visit the Acropolis of Lindos; from its rocky perch, you will have magnificent views of the whitewashed village and harbor below.
Day 19 - Saturday - Jan 7, 2023
| Kusadasi (Ephesus), Turkey |
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Explore ancient times as you discover the life of the Roman civilization in one of the world's oldest cities. Only Roman citizens were permitted to reside in the city center; their impressive homes have been remarkably preserved and are still adorned with colorful frescoes. Alternatively, head out to view the ruins of the Temple of Artemis-one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The structure was built to resemble the famed Parthenon of Athens and served as a place of worship to the Greek goddess Artemis.
Day 20 - Sunday - Jan 8, 2023
Located on the Dardanelles, a key waterway linking the Sea of Marmara to the Aegean Sea, Canakkale was an object of desire dating back to the ancient Greeks. Today, explore Canakkale or the nearby ruins of Troy, once a powerhouse of Asia Minor. The remarkably preserved structures of this UNESCO World Heritage Site provide a glimpse of the region's former glory and offer hints of life here in the days of Alexander the Great and the Roman emperor Augustus.
Day 21 - Monday - Jan 9, 2023
Discover where East meets West as you arrive in Istanbul. Take time to admire this city that straddles two continents across the Bosporus Strait, with its Old Quarter skyline of domes and minarets and the twinkling lights of modern Istanbul across the water. Sample delicious cuisine for a taste of this fusion, combining fresh Mediterranean fare with spices from the Far East and Asia. Enjoy a wealth of religious sites, such as the spectacular "Blue Mosque" and the legendary Hagia Sophia.
Day 22 - Tuesday - Jan 10, 2023
Awake in Istanbul, where you will disembark your ship. From here, you can easily take a few extra days to further explore this historic city with our post-cruise extension.
