ITINERARY
ITINERARY
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Palma, Majorca
Palma. Think leafy boulevards that echo with the stilettos of stylish shoppers. Tiny tapas bars tucked down narrow sidestreets. Architectural gold hidden in the historic…
Departs: 22:00
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Civitavecchia (for Rome), Italy
Few cities on earth have the power to bowl you over quite like Rome. Discover a city packed with historical wonder, artistic splendour and culinary temptation at every…
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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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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Olbia, Sardinia
The busy port city of Olbia is the gateway to Sardinia. Venture outside the city and you’ll discover a coastline patched together with sandy beaches, virgin coves and…
Time in port: 10:00 - 17:00Show Top Things to Do
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Discover Sardinia
This tour takes you into the hilly, village-speckled interior of Sardinia, where locals live a traditional way of life. From Olbia, we’ll wind our way past cork forests, vineyards, olive groves and farmland. Our first stop is Aggius, one of the oldest villages in the region. You'll viist the house-like ethnographic museum will uncover rooms filled with traditional costumes, hand-woven fabrics and carpentry displays. Afterwards, we’ll head for the ancient village of Tempio. A walking tour of Tempio will lead you along its cobbled streets and past a Baroque-style cathedral. There’ll be a little free time to explore the artisan shops and Italian fashion boutiques, too. Alternatively, grab a handmade pasta lunch in a family-run trattoria. To catch mountain and valley views, wander up to the nearby viewpoint before heading back to the coach for the return journey to Olbia.
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Olbia 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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Ajaccio, Corsica
Rugged peaks, emerald countryside, twinkling blue waters – Corsica’s been plucked from the prettiest postcard. Rising up from one of the most beautiful gulfs in the world…
Time in port: 09:00 - 15:00Show Top Things to Do
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Mini-Train & Mountain
Go off the beaten track and discover all Corsica’s best bits. The island’s scenery is nothing short of sensational. Think herby-green maquis, vineyards and sheer granite cliff faces - it’s about as far as you can get from the cosmopolitan buzz of the beach resorts. Your tour takes you on a drive through the mountains to Cricheto Pass. Before heading back to the ship you’ll board a little wheel train to get to grips with Corsica’s back country and learn all about herbs like sage, juniper and myrtle that make up the maquis.
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A Taste of Corsica
This trip is about as laid-back as it gets, with the focus falling very much on tradition. You’ll head through the outskirts of town, delving deep into the fragrant Corsican countryside. The first place you’ll come to is a winery where you’ll get chance to try the fruity local tipples. You can purchase a bottle or two of your favourites, then head off to a factory specialising in essential oils. If you thought the countryside smelled sweet, wait until you get to this place. The air is thick with the scent of natural oils and remedies, which you’ll see being made from local herbs and flowers. Moving on, you’ll stop off at a family-run nougat factory. Indulge your sweet tooth with a few chunks of this French fancy. You’ll get to see a step-by-step demonstration of how it’s made, too. Plus, if you’ve developed a taste for it, there’s time to buy the ones you like best before heading back to the ship.
Corsica's Natural Beauty
When beauty was handed out, it appears Corsica was at the front of the queue. For centuries, the island has drawn people based on its looks alone – and on this trip you’ll get to witness it for yourself. Leaving the port behind, you’ll venture into the spectacular Corsican countryside. The first thing you’ll probably notice is that a lot of the island’s covered in maquis. It’s a thick carpet of sweet-smelling flowers that’s earned Corsica the title ‘the scented isle’. Your first stop is Prunelli’s River Gorge, where red granite cliffs plunge dramatically into the river. Then you’ll carry on to the view point above the artificial lake of Tolla - the views will have you reaching for your camera. There’s time to take photos before you head back to the ship, passing through traditional hill villages on the way.
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Palamos, Spain
Fringed with a ribbon of sun-kissed sands, Palamos started life as a tiny fishing village. The legacy of fishing continues today with the day’s catch sold off to thehighest…
Time in port: 09:00 - 17:00Show Top Things to Do
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The Best of Costa Brava
Costa Brava’s famous for its great weather and top-notch resorts. On this relaxing tour, you’ll enjoy a panoramic tour of the pretty town of Lloret. Despite being a dynamic tourist town, it’s still managed to retain its customs, traditions and local character. You’ll also visit the Santa Clotilde Gardens - this magnificent garden offers breath-taking views over the sea. Take a walking tour with your guide before enjoying some free time here. After Lloret, make your way to Tossa de Mar in Catalonia. It’s a really pretty place, laced with cobbled streets and crowned with a magnificent old castle. The surrounding scenery’s impressive, too, with rugged mountains, emerald valleys and natural springs jostling for the attention of your camera lens. You’ll have some free time here to enjoy the sun or browse the shops.
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Mini Train & Medieval Villages
You’ll get to explore the Medieval village of Pals today, which is tucked away in the north of Spain. The day starts with you boarding a trolley train for a ride through the region’s rustic countryside. On board, you’ll learn all about the process of rice-making – famous in this part of the country. Through carriage speakers, a guide will chart the entire journey of the paella-staple, from the seeding of the paddies to the harvest of the grain, and the grinding at the mill to its final merchandising. Plus, you’ll get to soak up views of the vast rice fields and the soaring Montrgri Mountain on the way. There’ll be a stop at a traditional 15th-century rice mill before you head to Pals, too. When you get to the village, the time is yours to spend however you fancy. Be sure to pass through the Gothic Quarter, with its 4th-century towers, stone balconies and arched windows.
Palma, Majorca
Palma. Think leafy boulevards that echo with the stilettos of stylish shoppers. Tiny tapas bars tucked down narrow sidestreets. Architectural gold hidden in the historic…
Arrives: 06:00
