ITINERARY
ITINERARY
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Dubrovnik, Croatia
Ancient city walls. Higgledy-piggledy red rooftops. Cobbled streets worn by time. That’s Dubrovnik, a heart-stealing city that takes you right back to the Medieval times…
Departs: 21:00
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Messina (for Mount Etna & Taormina), Sicily
From the tangle of timeworn streets to the sickle-shaped harbour dotted with rustic trattorias, it’s easy to see why Shakespeare chose Messina as the setting of his romantic…
Time in port: 08:00 - 16:00Show Top Things to Do
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Mount Etna
Enjoy a scenic drive to Europe’s largest active volcano, the famous Mount Etna. Upon arrival at the Crateri Silvestri, around 1,950 metres above sea level, you’ll see slopes that soar up to 3,296 metres and mountains covered with cones and craters. From the top of the Silvestri crater, enjoy great views over the Gulf of Catania. However, the real attraction here is the crater itself and the remnants of awe-inspiring lava streams. Etna’s known to have erupted regularly during antiquity. The black lava around the crater dates from recent eruptions, while the grey lava is much older. Don’t miss your chance to see one of the most impressive volcanoes in the world.
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Taormina
One of the prettiest towns in Italy, Taormina’s been a holiday resort since Roman times. And here’s your chance to get to know this characterful Medieval town, whose cliff-top setting alone is enough to win you over. Set off on a guided walking tour, passing places like the Gothic Corvaja Palace. Taormina’s star turn though is a Greek amphitheatre, known as 'Teatro Greco'. Work began on the place back in the 3rd-century BC and it owes much of its appearance to the Romans, the Greeks' successors in Sicily. Architecture aside, it’s the backdrop that’ll really take your breath away. Cue sparkling blue waters, jagged peaks and Mount Etna smoking in the distance. After you’ve had a good look around, there’s time for a little souvenir shopping or a stroll down Piazza del Duomo before heading back to your ship.
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Godfather Villages (Savoca & Forza D'Agro)
Set on the southern slopes of the Peloritan Mountains, Savoca was founded in the first half of the 12th-century. Your local guide will show you round this pretty little town and take you the Chiesa Madre. Afterwards, stop in front of the famous Bar Vitelli made famous by The Godfather film for a photo opportunity. Then walk through the ruins of the Medieval Castle, soaking up the Sicilian atmosphere. Your tour will continue to the gorgeous Medieval village of Forza D'Agro. Overlooking the Ionian Sea, it’s protected by a rock on which the 16th-century castle was built. Walk to the Church of Annunciation, where Michael Corleone's wedding was filmed in The Godfather II, then have some free time for photos before returning to your coach.
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Naples (for Pompeii & Capri), Italy
Naples is Italy’s most red-blooded city. This is the place where the pizza is so good people don’t wait for their slices at restaurant tables, they order it to-go from…
Time in port: 08:00 - 18:00Show Top Things to Do
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Pompeii
Explore the historical city of Pompeii, one of the most important archaeological sites in the world. This fascinating tour’s the perfect introduction to this ancient city, situated at the foot of Mount Vesuvius. It was destroyed in 79AD, following the famous volcanic eruption that smothered it in 6 to 7 metres of pumice and ash. You’ll walk with your guide around the remains of this impressive - and doomed – city to get a feel for what life was like in Roman times before the city’s destruction. A fascinating tour that is not to be missed!
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Pompeii & Vesuvius
A real history fest, this one ticks off two of Italy’s most impressive sights. First up is Pompeii, the city that was frozen in time, stopped in action and covered in ash when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79AD. And today, the remains of temples, villas and streets look more or less as they did 2,000 years ago. You’ll even get to see the people who were turned to stone trying to flee the city. From here, it’s on to Mount Vesuvius itself. The mighty fire mountain is up alongside Krakatoa in the notoriety stakes. And it’s the only active volcano on Europe’s mainland. You’ll get off the coach at the 1000m mark, and through national park to its summit. The leg work is well worth it – as you can imagine, the views from the here are phenomenal.
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Sorrento & Pompeii
Sorrento is such a beautiful summer resort, even the Italians can’t resist its charms. On arrival at this chic town, you’ll get some free time to browse around and enjoy lunch on your own. Then you’ll travel to one of the most important and famous archaeological sites in the world - Pompeii. Some 2000 years ago when Mount Vesuvius erupted, the city was covered by a layer of ash measuring 6 to 7 metres deep. Excavations only began in the 18th-century, making a tremendous impact all over Europe. This tour’s a great opportunity for you to discover two great cities in one day.
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Civitavecchia (for Rome), Italy
Few cities on earth have the power to bowl you over quite like Rome. Around what feels like every corner, you’ll find historical monuments, charming piazzas and authentic…
Time in port: 07:00 - 19:00Show Top Things to Do
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Rome - All In One Day
Similar to the Rome Express, this tour gives you the chance to visit all the major sites in Rome, this time you'll travel there in the comfort of a fully air-conditioned coach. On arrival to the Eternal City you’ll see famous sites like the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, Venice Square and of course, the ultimate symbol of Rome - the mighty Colosseum. After some free time to enjoy lunch, you’ll carry on to the Vatican City to see the famous St. Peter’s Square. Created by Bernini, it’s considered to be one of the most beautiful squares in the world. You’ll also find here the famous Basilica where St. Peter was buried. Renaissance masters such as Michelangelo, Raphael and Bernini worked on its design to create an unparalleled masterpiece. This is an ideal trip for first timers to Rome.
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Tuscania & Wine
You’ll breathe in the woody scent of cypress trees, feel the warmth of the sun on your skin, and sip sweet wine in a rustic family country house on this tour. You can also fill up on some of the Italians’ favourite foods, like bruschetta, olive oil and liver pâté, for example. The other half of the trip is spent in Tuscania, a medieval hamlet that’s enclosed by time-worn stone walls. Like Rome, it rises up from seven hills, and is surrounded by steep ravines. You’ll check out two of the local churches while you’re here. S. Maria Maggiore is an 8th-century structure that’s dotted with romantic statues and overlooked by a medieval clock tower. S. Pietro, meanwhile, was built between the 8th and 13th centuries, and boasts a huge domed roof and Romanesque columns that run along the front of it. There’ll be a guided tour of the village, which looks much like it did centuries ago.
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Taste of Rome
You’ll tick off some of Rome’s must-see sights on this tour. For starters, there’s the Colosseum. A huge mass of arches and columns, it once held crowds of up to 50,000 people who came to watch the gory gladiator battles in action. Venice Square takes that title the beating heart of ancient Rome. You’ll also tick off the Baths of Caracalla, the Pyramid of Caius Cestius, and leafy Villa Borghese Park. Your guide will fill you in on all the history as you make your way around the city. Later, you’ll have the whole afternoon to explore it at your own pace. You’ll be given a map and all the information you need before you head off. Spend some more time sightseeing, hit the shops, or just sit back in a café and watch the world go by.
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Palma, Majorca
Think leafy boulevards that echo with the stilettos of stylish shoppers, tiny tapas bars tucked down narrow side streets, and architectural gems hidden in the historic…
Time in port: 08:00 - 18:00Show Top Things to Do
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Soller Train
Explore Majorca's rugged interior on the 'Tren de Soller'. This is no ordinary train journey. It's a vintage electric train that's been chugging through the countryside since the 1920s - heading from Palma to Soller, a gorgeous little village on the northwestern coast. The old-fashioned train ride, which lasts an hour, has become Majorca’s most popular attraction and the island really makes the most of its chance to shine. You'll trundle by almond and olive groves. Slide in slow-motion through dinky villages. And clickety-click past pine-clad peaks. When you arrive in Soller, you take a walking tour of the town to catch a glimpse of houses that date back to the 14th-century. All before enjoying some free time for shopping - this place is famous for its beautiful ceramics, jewellery and bakers all crammed round a bustling main square.
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Drach Caves
A fantastical collection of cathedral-like caves, subterranean lakes and dripping stalactites form the Drach Caves. On this tour, you’ll find out why they’ve become Majorca’s most popular attraction. After driving here past picture-postcard villages and monastery-topped hills, you’ll take the steps down into the huge underground chambers. The pathways wind through weird and wonderful rock formations before fetching up at an amphitheatre that’s home to the world’s largest underground lake – Lake Martel. You won’t be the only ones down here, either – classical musicians will serenade you as they row across the water. Afterwards, you’ll wrap up the day at Porto Cristo. This charm-packed village is a honeypot for yachters thanks to its deep-cut harbour. Free time here will give you the chance to relax on one of the sea-view bar terraces or wander along the smart promenade.
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Palma Bike Tour
For a different way of exploring a port of call, try one of our bike tours. This way, you can really get to know a destination and see the places that bus tours can't reach. You'll be led around by a guide, who'll give you the lowdown on all the sights.
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Malaga, Spain
Set on the sun-drenched Costa del Sol, Malaga is a Moorish delight. During the Arab occupation of Spain, the city was the principal port of the Moorish kingdom of Granada.…
Arrives: 06:00
