DAY 1, Sunday – Depart the USA
Depart the USA for Italy. Your flight includes meals, drinks, and in-flight entertainment for your journey

DAY 2, Monday – Arrive in Venice
Arrive and transfer to your hotel. Balance of the day at leisure. This evening, enjoy an orientation meeting with your Rome cruise tour escort, followed by a welcome dinner
Overnight: Venice
Meals: Dinner

DAY 3, Tuesday – Venice City Tour
Today begins with a boat ride to the Island of Murano, known throughout the world for its fine glasswork industry. Then, visit St. Mark’s Square to begin a guided walking tour of romantic Venice. View the Golden Basilica of San Marco, the Bridge of Sighs and visit the Doge’s Palace, whose facade features a massive late-Gothic gate, known as the Porta della Carta. Take the remainder of the day to explore Venice on your own
Optional: Gondola Ride with Music (PM)
Overnight: Venice
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 4, Wednesday – Pisa Sightseeing En Route to Florence
Travel through the stunning panorama of Tuscany to Pisa. On arrival, view the famous Piazza del Miracoli with its Leaning Tower, the Baptistery, the Duomo, and the Monumental Cemetery. The four monuments of this extraordinary piazza make for a unique architectural blend of Romanesque and Gothic styles. En route to Florence, visit a local Tuscan farm in the countryside for a wine tasting with local specialties. Evening at leisure
Overnight: Florence
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 5, Thursday – Florence City Tour
Today’s morning tour begins with a visit to the Accademia of Fine Arts, where Michelangelo’s David is housed. Walk to the Duomo, celebrated for its magnificent dome designed by Brunelleschi, and view the Baptistery’s renowned “Gates of Paradise” by Ghiberti. Continue to explore the open air art museum of Signoria Square ending at Ponte Vecchio, known as the “Old Bridge.” Enjoy the afternoon at leisure in Florence. This evening, dine in an authentic Tuscan restaurant in the countryside
(Optional Uffizi Gallery Tour PM, $65): **available for purchase Only in Italy from your tour escort. **
Florence and the fine arts are synonymous. This guided tour of the Uffizi Gallery provides insight to the history of the structure and its collections. Originally the private collection of the Medici family, the palazzo was opened to the public in 1765. Your tour highlights exceptional examples of Florentine painting with an aim to help you better understand the works of masters including Giotto, Botticelli and Leonardo da Vinci. Following the tour, enjoy a refreshment break and complimentary beverage at the museum’s cafe, which features a breathtaking view of the city. Tour participation guarantees immediate entry to the Gallery, with no lengthy waits in oftentimes two-three hour queues. **Important: Please note that the Museum has a limited maximum capacity and therefore reserves the right to restrict admission. In this case we may not be able to offer the tour. Price is based on minimum number of passengers.
Overnight: Florence
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 6, Friday – Sun Route Via Assisi to Rome
Today travel along the famous “Sun Route” motorway to the medieval city of Assisi, renowned for its 13th-century Basilica of St. Francis and Giotto’s frescoes. Continue to your hotel in Rome
Overnight: Rome
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 7, Saturday – Vatican Museum & Sistine Chapel
Today begins with the visit to the Vatican Museums and Michelangelo’s breathtaking Sistine Chapel. Stroll through St. Peter’s Square, passing Bernini’s famous colonnade, to visit St. Peter’s Basilica, where you will view Michelangelo’s Pieta. This highly-finished marble sculpture depicts the body of Jesus in the arms of Mary after the Crucifixion and is considered to be among the most compelling of all works of art in the Western world. The remainder of the day is at leisure
Optional: Piazzas of Rome (PM)
Overnight: Rome
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 8, Sunday – Embark Cruise
Enjoy the morning at leisure in Rome. Perhaps take a stroll through the grounds of ancient Rome to view the Forum, the Colosseum and Pantheon, or admire the breathtaking grandeur of the Trevi Fountain. In the early afternoon, transfer to the port in Civitavecchia. The ship sails at 5:00 pm. Sail overnight to Messina
Overnight: Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 9, Monday – Full Day in Messina, Sicily
Today, arrive in Messina at 10:00 am. Messina, located just three miles from the Italian mainland, is one of the oldest and culturally rich ports in Sicily. Although the town suffered an earthquake in 1908, the city has been rebuilt and refurbished, creating an interesting blend of traditional and modern architecture. See the world’s largest astronomical clock in the Piazza del Duomo along with the town’s main cathedral, first constructed in 1160, or make a wish by tossing a coin in the Fontana di Orione. This evening at 7:00 pm, set sail for Kusadasi
Overnight: Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 10, Tuesday – At Sea
Enjoy a day at sea aboard the ship as you sail across the sparkling Mediterranean to Greece. Take the opportunity to explore the amazing amenities of your ship. Walk the interior Promenade, designed to be like Main Street on the water, featuring small shops, cafes and street performers, or try your luck at the casino this evening
Overnight: Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 11, Wednesday – Full Day in Kusadasi, Turkey
Arrive at 7:00 am and enjoy a full day at leisure while docked at Kusadasi. Renowned for its beaches and attractive view of the Aegean, Kusadasi is near to several historical sites including Ephesus, the Temple of Artemis and the House of the Virgin Mary. Set sail at 6:00 pm for Athens
Overnight: Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 12, Thursday – Full Day in Athens
This morning around 7:00 am, arrive in Piraeus, the historical port of Athens. Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore the city on your own. At Constitution Square, perhaps catch a glimpse of the colorfully-costumed Evzone guards, outfitted in the traditional Greek style. See the Acropolis and Pantheon, walk through the impressive temples and public buildings of Ancient Agora or do some shopping in the old Plaka district. Set sail this evening for Crete at 6:00 pm
Overnight: Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 13, Friday – Full Day in Chania, Crete
This morning at 6:30 am, dock at Chania, the second largest city on the Greek island of Crete. The city is the site of the ancient Minoan settlement that was called Cydonia by the Greeks and has been continuously occupied for the last 5000 years. View the many historic buildings that blend Venetian, Turkish and Greek architecture. Perhaps visit the ancient city of Aptera, built around 700 BC, or the Firkas Fort, constructed in 1629 and today houses the Maritime Museum of Crete which offers astounding views of the harbor below, Sail for Italy at 3:00 pm
Overnight: Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 14, Saturday – At Sea
Enjoy another day at sea aboard the ship as you sail across the Mediterranean to Italy. Take advantage of your ship’s many unique features including the rock climbing wall and indoor ice-skating rink, or simply relax by one of the pools
Overnight: Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 15, Sunday – Depart for the USA
This morning, arrive to Civitavecchia at 7:00 am. Disembark the ship and transfer independently to the airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast

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