Grand Mediterranean Cruise

Departure Dates: July 11-23 & August 16-28, 2008

Day 1: Arrival in Barcelona
Barcelona is one of Europe's principal Mediterranean ports with cultural roots going back 2,000 years. Many of the buildings date from medieval times, some from as far back as the Roman settlement of Barcelona. Several of the renowned architectural works are the creations of Antoni Gaudí. His best known work is the immense but still unfinished church of the Sagrada Família, which has been under construction since 1882, and is still financed by private donations. Completion is planned for 2026. Barcelona is a city that stands above the rest in total architectural achievements.

Day 2: Marseille (Provence), France

This morning your ship arrives in Marseille, France. Explore this bustling port city or venture out and enjoy the diverse and scenic Provence region which is nestled in the triangle between the Alps, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Rhone Valley. From the mountain slopes of Haute Provence to the "Grand Canyon" of the Gorges du Verdon, to the fertile plains of the Rhone, Cézanne and Van Gogh painted its essence on canvas. The Greeks and Romans however, created much of their subject matter. The Greeks introduced numerous tree varieties and developed the infrastructure of the villa, forum, amphitheater and aqueduct, much of it still in working order today. The mountain scenery, scattered with vineyards and fields of lavender, is a treat to your senses.

Day 3: Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Italy
Port of call today is Livorno in the Tyrrhenian Sea located on the western edge of Tuscany. You may want to travel to Florence, an open-air exhibition of art and culture, the heart of the Renaissance period and the home of fine arts and literature. Florence displays Italian and European culture everywhere, making it difficult to identify this city with just one symbol. It may be the sculpture of David by Michelangelo, or perhaps the romantic Ponte Vecchio, or Giotto's bell tower.

Pisa, renowned worldwide for its Leaning Tower is a treasure chest full of surprises, from the bright Lungarni quays walled by noble buildings, to the web of narrow, medieval alleys leading to the famous Piazza dei Miracoli. Pisa's origins remain uncertain even to this day - some theories say the city is of Greek origin; however the city was most probably founded by the Ligurians or Etruscans. During the Roman Empire Pisa became a privileged center due to the excellent disembarkation possibilities offered by its port.

Day 4: Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy
Rome, though located on the Tiber River, is too small to accommodate cruise ships – your ship will port in Civitavecchia, on the Mediterranean Sea. Ancient legends claim Rome was founded on the seven hills flanking the Tiber by the two brothers Romulus and Remus. Enjoy the glory of ancient Rome on one side of the Tiber River and St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museum on the other side. Try to picture the animals and gladiators in the small rooms underneath the Coliseum floor. Across the street from the Coliseum is the ancient Roman Forum. You can walk the same streets the ancient Roman citizens walked, and marvel at the Trevi Fountain, fed with water from the Acqua Vergine aqueduct which was completed in 1762.

Day 5: Naples/Capri, Italy
Naples, the third most populated city in Italy, was once home to emperors. The ruins of Pompeii, towering Mount Vesuvius, and some of the finest dining and shopping opportunities in Italy await you there. Enticing sights on the alluring Isle of Capri include the Arco Naturale and the Pissolungo, the remains of a grotto that penetrated the mountains, the Villa Jovis, Gardens of Augustus, and the Blue Grotto.

Day 6: At Sea
Today is yours to relax and enjoy the amenities of the beautiful Emerald Princess cruise ship. With four pools and accommodations for 3,070 passengers this is no little puddle jumper! The ship features a 24 hour internet café and the Movies under the Stars Theater, as well as the Grand Princes Theater.

Day 7: Mykonos, Greece
One of the most famous Greek Islands, Mykonos is a treasure of natural beauty and rich history. White peasant architecture and meandering stretches of some of the world's most beautiful beaches are set against the brilliant blue background of the Aegean Sea. Archaeological museums and delightful shops dot the island, making a stroll through this picturesque town an unforgettable experience.

Day 8: Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul is a cosmopolitan city built on two continents, Asia on the residential side and Europe on the commercial and cultural side. It is further divided into two districts, the Old City and the modern downtown, separated by a narrow channel of water called the Golden Horn. Istanbul is truly one of the great romantic cities, with history dating back to Constantinople and the head of the Ottoman Empire. Istanbul is Turkey's cultural capital, famous for fun, architectural expressions, and the sultan's harem. Bargain hunters - you may want to check out the Kapali Carsi (Grand Bazar).

Day 9: Kusadasi (Ephesus), Turkey
The primary appeal to Turkey's Kusadasi is its proximity to the ancient Roman city of Ephesus, the best preserved classical city in the Eastern Mediterranean. Here you find the ruins of the Temple of Artemis, the Pollio Fountain and 'palaces' on the slopes. Kusadasi's Grand and Orient Bazaars have fast become the modern tourist attraction. You can however, still find old Turkish markets along small streets where bargaining with the locals for fine rugs and treasures can be a lot of fun. Tired of walking the streets? Kick back and sip Turkish wine at a seafront café, dine on just-caught fish, or try other delicious cuisine guaranteed to satisfy the most adventurous palate.

Day 10: Athens (Piraeus), Greece
This morning your ship arrives in Piraeus, located a few miles south-west of Athens' city center. Seven thousand years of rich history and legends, along with inspiring architecture, form the heart of Athens, Greece. With its stunning array of museums, the Roman Agora, Plato's Academy, the Panathenaic Stadium, and Athens City Hall, you'll be riveted by the sheer number of marvels available for viewing. The most important site is the Acropolis and it is, along with other major sights, concentrated in a relatively small area. This makes the distance manageable and there is no better way to get a feel for a place than on foot. If you find this alternative a bit much, just catch a taxi - they are amazingly inexpensive.

Day 11: At Sea
Another day to relax and catch your breath while basking in the warm summer sun. You have plenty to do including choosing a place to dine this evening. There are great restaurants like the Crown Grill (steak & seafood), Sabatini's (Italian restaurant), or the anytime restaurants, Michelangelo Dining Room or Da Vinci Dining Room. After dinner you may want to stop at Crooner's Bar or the Explorers Lounge, where you can enjoy nightclub style performances. Don't forget, there's always a big performance each evening in the main theater.

Day 12: Venice, Italy
This picture-perfect city is a fitting close to this incredible tour. Venice really is built on water. The people of the Veneto region built the city on a salt marshland at the mouth of the Adriatic Sea in the year 421. It has around 150 canals connected by 409 bridges, and over 3,000 alleyways on the 117 islands. Basically every bridge is connecting two islands. The Grand Canal is the widest canal in Venice and divides the city into two parts, the west (San Polo, Dorsoduro and Santa Croce) and the east, (San Marco, Castello and Canneregio). One of the most photographed images in the world is that of the Venice gondolas. Gondolas are handmade using 8 different types of wood (fir, oak, cherry, walnut, elm, mahogany, larch and lime) and are composed of 280 pieces. The oars are made of beech wood and the left side of the gondola is made longer than the right side to counterbalance the weight of the gondolier. In the 16th-century a law was passed to ensure that all gondolas are painted with seven layers of black lacquer.

From the grandeur of the Ponte di Rialto stone bridge built in the 1500's, to St. Mark's Square and Academia Galleries, to the Basilica di San Marco and Palazzo Ducale, this amazing city will keep you mesmerized.

Day 13: Venice, Italy
Today disembark with treasured memories to share with friends.