Day 1 - Saturday - Apr 16, 2022
| Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy |
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Step onboard to begin your journey. The ship will be berthed in Civitavecchia, the closest port to the airport and Rome. Relax and settle into your well-appointed stateroom and take time to get acquainted with the many ship amenities. Perhaps you will unwind at our Infinity Pool or browse the replicas of Viking artifacts at our onboard Viking Heritage exhibit.
Day 2 - Sunday - Apr 17, 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 3 - Monday - Apr 18, 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 4 - Tuesday - Apr 19, 2022
Uncover the deep past of Crotone, founded as a Greek colony in 710 BC. Boasting a vast array of archaeological relics, the city was once heralded as the home of some of the Hellenic Empire's most celebrated figures, including many victors of the Olympic Games and Pythagoras, whose mathematical theories altered Western thought. During your visit, marvel at the impressive cathedral, a neoclassical wonder, browse the Pythagoras Museum and Gardens, and explore the waterfront and Crotone castle.
Day 5 - Wednesday - Apr 20, 2022
Explore sunny palm-lined Bari, where streets are lined with romantic honey-toned balconied houses, welcoming courtyards, and Romanesque and Baroque churches. Visit the Norman-Swabian Castle, the splendid Romanesque Basilica of St. Nicholas, and the Petruzzelli Theater, one of Italy's most important opera houses, and stroll the picturesque waterfront. Or perhaps visit Alberobello and its fascinating trulli houses, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of whitewashed buildings with conical roofs.
Day 6 - Thursday - Apr 21, 2022
Cruise the scenic St. Anthony Channel into the oldest Croatian city on the Dalmatian Coast, Sibenik. Resting at the mouth of the Krka River, this UNESCO World Heritage Site has a remarkably preserved Old Town. Roam its narrow streets past medieval houses and churches, all surrounded by four historic fortresses. The city's St. James Cathedral is the most important Renaissance structure in Croatia. Perhaps you will join an excursion to view the impressive waterfalls of the Krka River.
Day 7 - Friday - Apr 22, 2022
Welcome to Venice, where the magical city renowned for its art, architecture, and culture is the ultimate destination on your epic voyage. You can enjoy a panoramic boat ride toward the magnificent St. Mark's Square on your included tour, and with your guide, you will admire the glorious facade of the Doge's Palace and tour the ornate interior of St. Mark's Basilica. Or take a boat to Murano to see glassmakers at work in their centuries-old tradition with a stop to visit the historic island of San Giorgio Maggiore. As we will remain in port overnight, enjoy a fine restaurant, the vibrant nightlife and perhaps even a romantic evening gondola ride along the Grand Canal.
Day 8 - Saturday - Apr 23, 2022
Awake and further explore central Venice on your own this morning, as you investigate the out-of-the-way passages that reveal beautiful, hidden piazzas, or cross the lagoon to Murano and Burano to view the world-renowned glassblowing craftsmen. As we will remain in port overnight, enjoy a fine restaurant, the vibrant nightlife, and perhaps even a romantic evening gondola ride along the Grand Canal.
Day 9 - Sunday - Apr 24, 2022
Enjoy another day in Venice exploring on your own. Your ship sets sail this afternoon so you can enjoy a spectacular view of the lagoon as we sail away.
Day 10 - Monday - Apr 25, 2022
Experience the age of antiquity as you wander through the center of the city that is built around the Diocletian Palace, walking through the well-preserved cellars before continuing to the Ethnographic Museum. In this historic quarter, you will notice the results of over 17 centuries of construction, passing pre-Romanesque churches and Gothic chapels. You may also choose more natural pursuits, from a rafting trip on the Cetina River or a journey through the Croatian hinterland to the famous waterfalls of the Krka National Park. Or, spend the entire day discovering the small, more intimate destinations along the Dalmatian Coast.
Day 11 - Tuesday - Apr 26, 2022
Where city meets coastline, you will sail to this beautiful 12th-century walled city in Croatia. The playwright George Bernard Shaw once declared, "Those who seek paradise on earth should come to Dubrovnik". Enjoy an entire day here to take an inclusive tour and take in magnificent views of the city and countryside. Then, enter the city on foot through the historic Pile Gate, passing by the Sponza Palace, the 15th-century Onofrio's Fountain, and stop inside the Dominican Monastery to see Renaissance paintings. You may also wish to consider exploring the famed Dubrovnik Riviera with a cruise along the Lapad peninsula.
Day 12 - Wednesday - Apr 27, 2022
Spend the day traversing the medieval streets of this historic Montenegro town with a walking tour. Pass by Venetian walls constructed in 1420 en route to the Cathedral of St. Tryphon, built in 1166. Notice its mismatched towers, the result of an earthquake and a budget too small to rebuild properly. Included on this tour is a visit to the Maritime Museum, which documents Kotor's heritage. As an option, venture to the small towns of Budva and Sveti Stefan, the latter once a hideaway for the rich and famous.
Day 13 - Thursday - Apr 28, 2022
Spend the entire day on the romantic island of Corfu, resplendent with charming pastel town houses and pristine white beaches. Our included tour takes us on a drive to Kanoni, where we will make a photo stop to view tiny Mouse Island and the Vlacherna Monastery. Following the coastline through Garitsa Bay, you will reach the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Old Town. See the fabled Esplanade, one of Europe's largest public squares, and the Liston Promenade, once exclusively reserved for the local aristocracy.
Day 14 - Friday - Apr 29, 2022
| Katakolon (Olympia), Greece |
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Visit the quaint Greek port of Katakolon, huddled around a pretty little harbor dotted with colorful fishing boats. During your visit, venture into the fertile valleys of the western Peloponnese to the legendary city of Olympia, the classical birthplace of the modern-day Olympic Games on the slopes of Mt. Kronos. Walk among the ancient city's ruins with an expert guide and historian, admiring the remains of temples, the Palaestra, or wrestling school, and the Gymnasium. You will gain insight into the very first Olympic Games at the fascinating museum.
Day 15 - Saturday - Apr 30, 2022
| Athens (Port of Piraeus), Greece |
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Arrive in Athens this morning, the magnificent cultural capital of ancient Greece. You will disembark your ship and depart for home. Or, spend more time uncovering the mysteries of this fascinating city, the hilltop Acropolis, and the inviting Plaka District.
