shoreexcursions

MEDITERRANEAN, AEGEAN, ADRIATIC & ATLANTIC CRUISES

2016

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AGADIR Morocco 6

AMMAN Jordan 7

AMMAN/PETRA/DEAD SEA Jordan 8 – 9

ANCONA Italy 10

ANTALYA Turkey 11

ATHENS Greece (Hotel Stay) 12 – 15

BARCELONA Spain 16 – 17

BORDEAUX France 18 – 19

BRINDISI Italy 20

CADIZ Spain 21

CANAKKALE Turkey 22 – 23

CANNES France 24 – 25

CARTAGENA Spain 26

CASABLANCAMorocco 27

CIVITAVECCHIA Italy 28 – 29

CORFU Greek Islands 30

DARTMOUTH England 31

DELOS Greek Islands 32

DIKILI Turkey 33

DOVER England 34 – 35

DUBROVNIK Croatia 36

EL MARSAMoroccan Sahara 37

FALMOUTH England 38 – 39

FEZ/VOLUBILISMorocco 40

FUNCHAL Madeira 41

GYTHION Greece 42 – 43

HERAKLION Crete, Greek Islands 44

HONFLEUR France 45 – 47

ISTANBUL Turkey (Hotel Stay) 48 – 51

ITHACA Greek Islands 51

IZMIR Turkey 52

KATAKOLON Greece 53

KAVALA Greece 54

KUSADASI Turkey 55 – 56

LA CORUNA Spain 57

LANZAROTE Canary Islands 58

LA PALMA Canary Islands 59

LA ROCHELLE France 60

LIMASSOL Cyprus 61

LISBON Portugal 62 – 63

LIVORNO Italy 64 – 65

LONDON England 66 – 68

MADRID Spain 69

MALAGA Spain 70 – 71

MARRAKESH/EL JADIDAMorocco 72 – 73

MARSEILLES France 74

MONTE CARLOMonaco 75

MOTRIL Spain 76 – 77

MOUNT ATHOS (sailing) 77

MYKONOS Greek Islands 78

NANTES France 78 – 79

OPORTO Portugal 80 – 81

PALERMO Sicily, Italy 82 – 83

PATMOS Greek Islands 84

PIRAEUS Greece 85

PORTOFINO Italy 86

PYLOS Greece 87

RAVENNA Italy 88

RHODES Greek Islands 89

ROME Italy (Hotel Stay) 90 – 93

SALERNO Italy 94

SANTORINI Greek Islands 95

SARANDE Albania 96

SETE France 97

SEVILLE Spain (Hotel Stay) 98 – 99

SKIATHOS Greek Islands 99

SORRENTO Italy 100

SPLIT Croatia 101

SAINT-MALO France 102

TANGIERMorocco 103

TAORMINA Sicily, Italy 104 – 105

THESSALONICA Greece 106 – 107

TRAPANI Sicily, Italy 108

VALENCIA Spain 109

VENICE Italy 110 – 111

VIGO Spain 112

VOLOS Greece 113

ZADAR Croatia 114

CONTENTS

Dr Samuel Johnson once wrote,"The grand object of travelling, is to see the shores ofthe Mediterranean. All our religion, almost all our law,has come to us from the shores of the Mediterranean”.

Today, when you consider the variety and splendour of the historical treasures to be found in this region, it is hard to disagree with him. From the greatDoric temples of Sicily and the magnificence of theRoman Palace of Diocletian in Split to the sparkling genius of the mosaics of St Mark's in Venice and the glories of Rome, the artistic and architectural

jewels of the Mediterranean have dazzled visitors for thousands of years.

Inside this brochure you will find information and insight on all the fantastic sites that are featured in

Voyages to Antiquity's 2016 cruises.

MEDITERRANEAN, ADRIATIC, AEGEAN & ATLANTIC CRUISES

2016

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Your cruise includes shore excursions,except on the odd occasion, such as at Portofino, and the Greek islands ofMykonos, Ithaca and Skiathos where little or no organised sightseeing is available. Some ports offer multiple opportunities for sightseeing, and in these instances, Voyages to Antiquity offers carefully selected excursions –some as an alternative to the included excursion, some at an additional cost.

WHAT TO EXPECT ON TOURThese sightseeing programmes are outstanding but can be challenging. Visits to archaeological sites requirewalking over uneven surfaces, up anddown multiple steps, and therefore a reasonable level of fitness is recommended. Some passengers may decide to take a break on certain daysand explore the environs around the port.

Look for the symbols above each tourdescription (see key opposite) to get agood idea of the level of walking thatmay be involved. Tour durations are approximate and, to be sure you get themost out of the excursion and to avoid

overcrowding, the sequence of site visits and operating times may vary. The on-board staff will brief you nightly onthe expected plans for the following day.All departure times and meeting pointswill be advised in the Daily Journal onboard. Some countries require you tocarry certain documents ashore and this will be advised on board at the appropriate time. Please note that we reserve the right to change, cancel orsubstitute an included excursion at any time.

OUR GUIDESIt is one thing to see Aphrodisias andquite another to see it in the company ofa good guide who speaks your languageand can share his/her knowledge andpassion for history. All off our shore excursions feature qualified English-speaking guides who seek to enlightenyour visit with their expertise.

SHOPPINGFrom Greek gold in Minoan designs to kilim carpets in Turkey, the crafts of the Mediterranean have evolved over the centuries. While these shore

excursions guide

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excursions focus on the history, cultureand archaeology of this area, some offerthe chance to visit local workshops andobserve demonstrations. Voyages to Antiquity has no connection with anyshopping establishment and does not assume responsibility for purchases madeashore. We also recommend insuranceon anything you choose to ship home.

TRANSPORTATIONVarious modes of transportation areused, depending on the excursion. Mostmotorcoaches are deluxe, air-conditionedvehicles unless unavailable in that port.

VISITS TO SITES/MUSEUMSOn occasions, substitutions need to bemade due to opening/closing times ofsome sites/museums, but all possible is done to ensure schedules operate as described. If a change is made, guests will be advised with their finaldocuments.

Note: For passengers on Grand Voyages, availability of included and optional excursions in Istanbul, Piraeus, Venice, Cannes, Seville, Civitavecchia, Dover, Lisbonand Malaga will be advised on board.

KEY TO EXCURSION SYMBOLSPlease note the symbols featured in each tour description:

Moderate walking over relatively level terrain and some steps.

Medium to heavy walking indicates cobblestones, or slippery surfaces, and some stair climbing. Guests with physical limitations will want to take this into consideration.

Heavy walking for one or more hours over uneven terrain, with multiple uphill segments or where excursion features climbing in and out of local boats or small vehicles.

Dining at local restaurant

Tender Port

excursions guide

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AGADIR

AGADIRmorocco

TaroudantAGA1 Half day INCLUDED

Sometimes known as the “Little Marrakesh”, Taroudant is an old trading centre located in Morocco’s Souss Valley. Surrounded by citrus groves, protected bymagnificent red-mud walls and with thesnowcapped peaks of the High Atlas beckoning beyond, Taroudant’s situation istruly enchanting. Despite its medieval souksand squares, this is not simply a tourist destination, as Taroudant is a working markettown where Berbers trade the produce of therich and fertile Oued Souss plain.

On your drive there from the port of Agadir,keep an eye out for the tree-climbing goatsthat call this part of the world home. Upon arrival, step inside this 11th-century citadeland prepare to be hurled back in time.

Resting peacefully within its ramparts,Taroudant has avoided time’s march, retainingits traditional look and feel. Four miles ofchunky walls encircle the city, pierced by five impressive gateways. Within them lieTaroudant’s most famous attractions, the dailyBerber market and the Arab souk.

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AMMAN

Amman City Tour AMM1 Half day INCLUDED

Amman, the capital of Jordan, is one of the great cultural centres of the Middle East and there is much here to interest thevisitor. It is also a city of surprises and manyof these are to be found in the area known as the Citadel. Sitting on the highest hill inAmman, Jebel al-Qala’a (about 850m abovesea level), the Citadel is the site of the ancientAmmonite capital of Rabbath-Ammon. Artefacts dating from the Bronze Age showthat the hill was a fortress and/or agora (open space for commerce and politics) for thousands of years. The complex is surrounded by 1700m-long walls, which were rebuilt many times during the Bronze

and Iron Ages, as well as the Roman, Byzantine and Umayyad periods.

Here you will visit the Archaeological Museum – a small museum housing an excellent collection of antiquities ranging from prehistoric times to the 15th century –the Folkloric Museum, the remains of theRoman Temple of Hercules, the Byzantinebasilica and the gate to Umayyad Palace. Also, see the Roman theatre which was built during the reign of Antonius Pius (138-161AD) and can accommodate 6,000 spectators. Afterwards there will be a short tour of modern Amman.

AMMAN jordan

Ancient Jerash AMM 2 Half day INCLUDED

Located some 48 km (30 miles) north of the capital Amman, Jerash is known for the ruins of the Graeco-Roman city of Gerasa,and is sometimes misleadingly referred to asthe "Pompeii of the Middle East", referring to its size, extent of excavation and level ofpreservation (though Jerash was never buriedby a volcano).

Jerash became an urban centre during the 3rdcentury BC and a member of the federation of Greek cities known as the Decapolis ("tencities" in Greek). Jerash prospered during the 1st century BC as a result of its positionon the incense and spice trade route from the Arabian Peninsula to Syria and theMediterranean region. Jerash was a favouritecity of the Roman emporer, Hadrian, andreached its zenith in AD130, flourishing economically and socially. Jerash began to

decline in the 3rd century, later becoming aChristian city under the rule of the Byzantineempire. The Muslims took over in AD635, but the final blow to the city was dealt byBaldwin II of Jerusalem in AD1112 during the Crusades.

You will depart from Amman for the shortdrive to Jerash. Here you will find a fine example of the grand, formal provincialRoman urbanism that is found throughoutthe Middle East, comprising paved and colonnaded streets, temples, theatres, publicsquares and plazas, baths, fountains and citywalls pierced by towers and gates. Enjoy awalking tour throughout this fantastic ancientcity seeing all the main sites including theTemple of Artemis, Hadrian’s Arch and theHippodrome before returning to Amman.

AMMAN

AMMAN/PETRA/DEAD SEA jordan

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Treat your body and soul to an experienceunmatched anywhere, floating on thewater of the Dead Sea. The lake lies 1,407feet below sea level and with 34% salinityis one of the saltiest bodies of water in the world.

Our drive takes us along a route where the surreal scenery suggests the red planet,Mars, as you descend into the Jordan Valley to arrive at the lowest part of theearth’s surface and the Dead Sea. Pause forlunch at a rest house and take a dip in thesea’s salutary buoyant waters before ourdrive onward to Petra.

SWIMMING INTHE DEAD SEA

AMMAN

Walking Tour of PetraPET1 Half day INCLUDED

One of the great moments in travel is when you emerge from the narrow windingSiq to encounter the extraordinary rose-redcity of Petra. This guided tour is entirely onfoot so you can more intimately interact withthis UNESCO World Heritage Site, chosen asone of the New Seven Wonders of the World.Together with your guide, start your walk from the main gate to the obelisk tombs. Thencontinue to the Siq, the sole entrance to Petra,a long winding path between two overhangingcliffs that acts as the city's main gate.

As you proceed along this mile-long fissure,your guide will point out such details asPetra's ingenious water system where some of the original terracotta pipes are still inplace. Your first sight will be the magnificentspectacle of Al Khazneh (The Treasury),carved out of the rock by Nabataean Arabssome 2,000 years ago. You may continuealong the Street of Façades taking in suchsights as the amphitheatre and the RoyalCourt, where recent excavations have revealeda public pool and gardens.

Note:The guides will take you to the Treasuryarea and from this point you will have the optionof continuing on to the Street of Façades. Pleasenote that there is an optional, one-way horse ride included in your ticket. Horse drawn carriages are available at the site entrance butpassengers should be reminded that these are not recommended and are at the passenger’s own risk.

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ANCONA

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ANCONA ITALY

Urbino between 1444 and 1482. Since he was a man of the arts as well as a soldier, he enriched his palace with a comprehensive library, famous paintings including works by Piero della Francesca, Raphael and Titianand refined architecture.

Another of Urbino’s magnificent buildings is the Duomo built in 1789 on top of a sixth-century sacred site. Completed in 1604, itwas destroyed by an earthquake and then rebuilt. The duomo now has a neo-classicalappearance and houses several important artworks, including a painting of the Last Supper by Federico Barocci. The MuseoDiocesano has a collection of glass, ceramics,and religious items. After visiting the cathedralthere is some free time for lunch on your ownin one of Urbino’s many restaurants (you may wish to try Antica Osteria della Stella, an ancient inn that claims to have hostedRaphael and Piero della Francesca) and souvenir shopping.

Renaissance UrbinoANC1 Full day INCLUDED

Situated on a hilltop, Urbino is a smalltown with a big history. This place had a huge influence on Renaissance culture andUrbino’s Ducal Palace is one of the finestbuildings of the period. In the fifteenth century, Urbino was ruled by the Montefeltrofamily, and reached its peak during the reignof the Duke Federico da Montefeltro.

Urbino was also the birthplace of the artistRaphael (Raffaello Sanzio 1483-1520) andyour tour includes a visit to the house where he lived up to age of 14. This modest dwellingcontains memoirs and artistic furniture of thatperiod. Raphael was born here in 1483 andtrained at home at least until the age of 11,when his father died. There is a small muralattributed to the boy painter in one room, but the house is chiefly interesting as an atmospheric 15th-century home/workshop.

Your visit continues to Palazzo Ducale, Italy’smost beautiful Renaissance palace built forDuke Federico da Montefeltro, who ruled

ANTALYA TURKEY

Perge & Aspendos ANT1 Full day INCLUDED

A few miles outside Antalya are the isolated sites of Perge and Aspendos,once part of the ancient kingdom ofPergamon. Your adventure includes both destinations, beginning with a drive to the siteof Perge, whose impressive ruins date back toaround 1,000BC.

Legend has it that the city was founded bytwo Greek seers returning from the TrojanWar. Though Perge was not as large, its theatrewas spectacular with seating for 14,000, anorchestra, and a stage that still bears traces ofthe marble reliefs that once covered the entirefaçade. Perge played an important role in thespread of early Christianity and we visit thebasilica where St Paul preached his first sermon in 46AD. The stadium here is one of the best-preserved in Anatolia, a huge arena where over 12,000 could watch athleticcompetitions. Walk through the Roman Gate,the entrance to the city, and follow a finecolonnaded avenue that once took the ancients to the Nymphaeum, the Baths Complex and the Agora.

Aspendos, located on the Eurymedon River and splendidly backed by the TaurusMountains, was a major port city in Romantimes. To date, only parts of Aspendos havebeen excavated, but the well-preserved Romantheatre was one of the most spectacular buildings of its time. The theatre was built by two wealthy brothers during the reign ofMarcus Aurelius in the 2nd century AD. Thearchitect Xenon gave it a public entrance,dressing rooms, a colonnaded gallery, rows of marble seats and suites for the dignitaries,as well as a canopy to protect patrons fromthe weather.

After lunching on local Turkish food, we driveto the Antalya Archaeological Museum whichoffers an excellent survey of the great periodsin Pamphylia’s history, from the neolithic onthrough the Bronze age, to Hellenistic andRoman times. You will admire the statues ofdivinities, mostly from Perge and the Galleryof Roman Emperors.

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(Winged Victory). Below the temple complex is the theatre of Dionysos where the dramas of Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides were firstperformed.

Then explore another marvel: the long-anticipated $200-million, 226,000-square-footAcropolis Museum. In the dramatic Gallery of the Slopes of the Acropolis, ascending floors of glass literally “float” you above the excavations for an extraordinary perspective of the layers of Greek history that lie below.

The Acropolis & its MuseumATH1 Half day INCLUDED*

Visit the sublime expression of Classical Greece, the Acropolis with its sweeping views of Athens. Commissioned by Pericles in the 5th century BC, the site is dominated by the majestic Parthenon: a building that embodies the stunning achievements of the Athenian “Golden Age”.Surrounding the great temple are the other architectural masterpieces of the citadel: the Propylaia (monumental gateway), theErechtheion with its beautiful Karayatid Porch and the Temple of Athena Nike

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ATHENS

ATHENS GREECE (Hotel Stay)

* Note: In Athens, you have a choice of included excursion (either ATH1 or ATH2).

National Archaeological MuseumATH3 Half day OPTIONAL $48pp

Founded at the end of the 19th centuryto house and protect antiquities from all overGreece, the National Archaeological Museum isone of the most important in the world devotedto ancient Greek art.

During your visit you will be able to see Cycladic,Minoan, Mycenaean and Classical Greek art, andyou'll also view sculptures from the Archaic andHellenistic periods, along with pottery from theGeometric period. A few of the museum's mostimportant exhibits include the bronze statue of Poseidon, the head of Hygeia (Goddess ofHealth), the bronze statue of the "Jockey-Boy" of Artemision, the golden mask of Agamemnonand the brilliant Minoan frescoes from the site on Thira (Santorini).

Within the museum's walls more than 11,000 exhibits provide a panorama of Greek art fromprehistory to late antiquity. Wander amid theroyal tombs of Mycenae, dating from 1500BC.Marvel at sculpture from the 7th to 5th centuriesBC, including the kouroi, nude male athletes,carved in Naxian marble. Admire a delicatebronze by Praxiteles and frescoes from Akrotiri,buried over 3,500 years ago in a volcanic eruption. Trace the evolution of Greek potteryfrom earliest times in collections including rarewhite clayware. This astonishing museum evenincludes Egyptian and Cypriot antiquities, as well as treasures from the sea. A shipwreck at Antikythera produced a scientific instrumentused for astronomical calculations in the 1st century BC.

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ATHENS

Byzantine AthensATH2 Half day INCLUDED*

Never in the history of Christianity has a school of artists infused such a high degree of spirituality into its work. Byzantine theologians insisted that painters and mosaicists reflect the image of God. Thismorning's sightseeing reveals the splendour of Byzantine art in a tour that combines visitsto both the Byzantine Museum, home to theworld's largest collection of icons, and also theMonastery of Kaisariani with its fine frescoesand elegant gardens.

Drive from the pier to Illissia Mansion, winter residence of the Duchess of Piacenza,and home to the Byzantine and Christian Museum. Founded in 1914, this renownedmuseum focuses exclusively on Byzantine artfrom the 4th to 19th centuries. In addition toits impressive icons, frescoes and tapestries, there are paintings, sculptures and illuminatedmanuscripts. Displays recreate Byzantinechurches from the 5th to 11th centuries.

Continue next to the slopes of Mt. Hymettos,for a visit to the Monastery of Kaisariani, abeautiful example of Byzantine architecture.Inside its high walls discover the 11th-centurycatholicon, or main church, built in a Greekcross shape. The dome is supported by fourcolumns from an earlier Roman temple and colourful frescoes from the 14th to 18th centuries enliven the interior walls. There is also an 11th-century bathhouse. Later additions include a refectory, the monks’ cells and a 19th-century bell tower. Savour the views of Athens and the serenity of this delightful spot before returning to the ship.

worked in Corinth for 18 months, making converts where he could. The Bema (platform)where the Roman governor tried him is still visible. See one of Corinth’s most striking ancient buildings – the Temple of Apollo, seven of whose original columns still stand. Walkthrough the remains of the Market Place, acolonnaded square once surrounded by manysmall shops. See the celebrated Fountain ofPriene, which has produced water from earliesttimes, and the Lechaion Road, formerly themain thoroughfare to the port of Lechaion.

From here enjoy a scenic drive through theArgos Plain towards one of the most renownedof Greece’s ancient sites, as reflected by its listing as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Situated on the cool slopes of a beautiful andwooded valley, Epidaurus was known through-out the Hellenic world for its unique medicalfacilities and healing treatments. Dedicated to Aesclepius, the god of healing, who restoredhealth to the sick and sometimes (it was said)life to the dead, the city was filled with curativespas and baths and only priests had access to certain secret rites.

Most of the ruins of Epidaurus have been reduced to their foundations, with the exception of the astonishing theatre. Still usedfor special performances, the theatre is in an admirable state of preservation. Built into theground, rather than above it, the theatre isknown for its fantastic acoustics, which we will observe during our visit. After the visitenjoy a traditional Greek lunch before returning back to ship.

* Please note that this excursion is included onApril 19, April 30, September 5 and September 16sailings only..

Ancient Corinth & EpidaurusATH4 Full day INCLUDED*

Leave Athens by road for the famousCorinth Canal. The concept of cutting a canal through the Isthmus of Corinthto link the Ionian and Aegean Seas was firstproposed in the 6th century BC by the tyrantPeriander, founder of Ancient Corinth. Themagnitude of the task defeated him so heopted instead to built a paved slipway acrosswhich sailors dragged small ships on rollers –a method used until the 13th century. Nero,one of Rome’s most infamous emperors, inaugurated one attempt in 67 AD with hisgolden spade, but this attempt took a while tofinish as it wasn’t finally completed until1893.

Enjoy a brief photo stop before continuingyour tour to the once rich and powerful city of Ancient Corinth. A city blessed with a superb location, fertile plains and virtually impregnable refuge. Excavations reveal thatthe ancient city was huge and wealthy; a survivor of the numerous invasions but devastated by earthquakes. St Paul lived and

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ATHENS

ATHENS GREECE (Hotel Stay)

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ATHENS

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BARC

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BARCELONA SPAIN

Barcino: The Roman City BAR1 Half day INCLUDED*

Descend to a unique underground museum for a glimpse of everyday life in Barcino, as Roman Barcelona was called.Hidden under the medieval buildings andsquares of Barcelona's Gothic Quarter is atown of far greater antiquity. Roman troops arrived here during the Punic Wars (264 to146BC) and remained for over 600 years, putting their imprint on the language, law and culture. Not all of the ancient colony isunderground. Sections of the original walls,towers and gates can be seen en route to Plaza Ramon Berenguer and Plaza Nova,where an aqueduct and main road once connected Barcino with the rest of the Empire. View the Forum with its remains of a 1st century temple to Caesar Augustus.

Then take an elevator to get an in-depth look at daily life in Roman times. Visit one ofEurope's largest underground archaeologicalsites at the Barcelona City History Museum.Stroll metal walkways through workaday Barcino with its laundry, dye shop, salted fish factory and wine shop to get a slice of life – 20 centuries ago. Collections of objectsfound at the digs include Roman portraits,mosaics, Roman and Hebrew inscriptions, aswell as the utensils of daily life. Emerge fromthis tour with an enriched understanding ofRoman influence and appreciation ofBarcelona's antiquity.

Barcelona: Velasquez to Miro BAR2 Half day INCLUDED*

Barcelona is an art historian’s dreamdestination as its galleries contain some of the greatest works of art ever created. Your tour will start, however, with a drive towards the Gothic Quarter, Barcelona’s oldest neighbourhood. Take a stroll throughthe maze of streets and after a photostop atthe Gothic Cathedral, continue your drive towards the Montjuic mountain. This site was selected for several venues duringBarcelona’s 1992 Summer Olympics andhosts spaces like the Olympic Stadium, theOlympic Ring and other sporting facilities.

You will then head to the National Art Museum of Catalunya (MNAC). The MNAC is housed in the fabulous National Palace of Montjuic, a spectacular building with wonderful views over Barcelona. Here you willhave the opportunity to gain an extraordinary insight into the development of Catalonia’s –and some of Europe’s – finest artists over the centuries. The gallery’s most famousworks date from the 16th to 18th centuries,and include paintings by El Greco, Velazquez,Rubens and other masterpieces from theSpanish Golden Age. The collection also includes a wide range of styles of the 19th and 20th centuries, from Neoclassicism toAvant-gardes of the 1950s. There are artworksby Fortuny, Casas, Rusinol, Gaudi, Picassoand Miro.

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* Note: In Barcelona, you have a choice of included excursion (either BAR1 or BAR2).

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Gaudi’s Golden Works BAR3 Half day OPTIONAL $59pp

Antoni Gaudi's work is admired by architects around the World as being one ofthe most unique and distinctive architecturalstyles. His work has greatly influenced theface of Barcelona’s architecture and you willsee stunning examples of Gaudi's work allaround the city centre.

Departing from the pier, you will start with abrief panoramic drive to the Sagrada Familia(outside visit), Gaudi’s most emblematic workand the greatest example of his genius. Thisfamous structure has become a symbol ofBarcelona all over the world.

Next, you will head to Passeig de Gracia, thefamous boulevard where Gaudi’s houses of La Pedrera and Casa Batllo are located. Thepresent Casa Batllo is a result of a total refurbishment of an old previous conventionalhouse built in 1877. Some people regard Casa Batllo as a building that embodies aunique fusion of art, architecture and design.It is celebrated for its visual solutions and itscreative use of materials and colour. CasaBatllo has been on UNESCO’s World Heritage list since July 2005.

After your tour of the interior, you take a shortwalk to La Pedrera for a photo stop. Once youarrive, you will look in vain for straight linesand admire the sumptuous curves of thefaçade, the wrought iron balconies with formsof plants, the paintings on the ceilings of thefoyers, and much more.

Before returning to the ship – time permitting– you will have the chance to admire theOlympic Stadium while enjoying a panoramicdrive through the Montjuic Mountain.

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BORDEAUX FRANCE

UNESCO Bordeaux BDX1 Half day INCLUDED*

Depart by coach from the ship for a panoramic walking tour of Bordeaux.Drive along the river front where the winetrade has flourished for centuries and then view the Second World War German submarine base. In the summer of 1941, Admiral Dönitz decided to build highly fortified U-Boat pens in Bordeaux and construction began in September 1941. They were constructed with reinforced concrete and the roof above the pens was 5.6 m (18ft 4 in) thick.

Then on to L’Esplanade des Quinconces. This is one of Europe’s largest squares (12hectares) and its principal monument waserected between 1894 and 1902 in memoryof the Girondists who fell victim of the Reign

of Terror during the French Revolution. Stopat the Palais Rohan, the 18th-century formerhome of the Archbishop that is now the CityHall and walk to the 13th-century Cathedralof St Andrew, where Eleanor of Aquitaine married Louis VII, for an inside visit. Continueto the nearby the Grand Theatre de Bordeauxwhich was built by the architect Victor Louisand inaugurated in 1780. This is one of themost beautiful theatres in Europe and a purework of art from the 18th century.

Strolling through the Old Bordeaux area, youwill come across beautiful squares such as LaPlace du Parlement, the former royal market-place (1760) with its harmonious façades andfountain, and Place de la Bourse, the formerroyal square dedicated to Louis XV (1729).

* Note: In Bordeaux, you have a choice of included excursion (either BDX1 or BDX2).

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Panoramic Bordeaux& Wine Tasting BDX2 Half day INCLUDED*

For many years Bordeaux was known as “La Belle au Bois Dormant” (SleepingBeauty) due to its magnificent buildings beingshrouded in centuries of black soot. Then in 2000, the mayor, former Prime Minister Alain Juppé, roused Bordeaux, restoring itsneoclassical architecture and implementing a high-tech public transport system. His efforts paid off: in mid-2007 half of the entirecity (18 sq km, from the outer boulevards tothe banks of the Garonne) was UNESCO-listed, making it the largest urban World Heritage Site.

After a panoramic tour of the main sites including the 13th-century cathedral, thePalais Rohan and the Grand Theatre de Bordeaux, you will leave the city for thenearby world-famous vineyards that surround Bordeaux.

The history of Bordeaux wine spans almost2,000 years to Roman times when the firstvineyards were planted. In the Middle Ages,the marriage of Henry Plantagenet andEleanor of Aquitaine opened the Bordeaux region to the English market and eventually to the world's stage. Today, Bordeaux wine remains the world’s most popular and sought-after wine. You will stop at one of the prestigious wine estates such as Chateau La Louvière, Chateau Haut Bailly, ChateauCarbonnieux or Chateau Latour-Martillac to visit their cellars, be introduced to the art of wine making and, of course, to enjoy awine tasting.

Saint-Emilion Village BDX3 Half day OPTIONAL $75pp

Saint-Emilion is a charming medievalvillage located in the heart of the famous Bordeaux wine area. This is a veryspecial place that combines world-famouswineries, beautiful architecture and greatmonuments. A local legend says that the village was founded by a monk from Brittanywho fled from his hometown of Vannes toseek refuge in one of the natural caves in the 8th century.

His name was Emilion and for many years, helived as a hermit. He is said to have performeda few miracles and rapidly became famous inthe region and beyond. Soon he had manydisciples and with their help, he made thetown a religious centre. Even after his deathhis followers carried on his legacy and namedthe town after him: Saint-Emilion. In 1999,the vineyards of Saint-Emilion became thefirst winery in the world to be given WorldHeritage status by UNESCO.

Note: Only available on 25 June sailing.

BRINDISI

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BRINDISI italy

Ancient LecceBRI1 Half day INCLUDED

Lecce is a city of outstanding historicaland architectural treasures. With its abundanceof ancient ruins, Baroque churches and noblepalaces carved out of honey-coloured localstone, it is a place that will stay long in thememory. Set in the heart of the Salento regionon the south-eastern tip of Italy’s “boot”,Lecce was founded in the 5th century BC and was later an important Roman city. The25,000-seat amphitheatre dating from the 1st century BC in the Piazza St Oronzo is amagnificent legacy of the city’s Roman pastand it is here that your tour begins. You willalso pass by the Roman column that marksthe end of the Appian Way and then continue on to the city centre to discover the remarkable buildings from a later time.From the 16th to the 18th century, Lecceflourished under a period of great splendourand was duly embellished with Rococo andBaroque monuments. The local limestone

was particularly easy to work, making the creation of decorative relief and delicate detail relatively easy and created a style knownas Lecce Baroque.

You will visit the Santa Croce Basilica, which is sumptuously decorated and represents thetriumph of Baroque art in Lecce. Nearby, admire the impressive façade of the Governor’sPalace (the former monastery of the Celestinemonks). Visit one of the finest and most impressive squares in southern Italy – PiazzaDuomo. Explore the elegant streets of Lecce adjacent to the square and you will discoverthat the typical local crafts of the town, such as papier-mâché or Leccese stone items, are traditional art forms here. The objects createdin the artisans’ workshops are crafted accordingto ancient traditions handed down from generation to generation.

CADIZ SPAIN

Jerez and Sherry TastingCAD1 Half day INCLUDED*

Cadiz has clung to Spain’s Atlantic coastfor over 4,000 years and in this time its influence has been felt far and wide. The cityhas long been considered a bridge betweenEurope and Africa and was the gateway to the Americas during the age of discovery.

The old city is immensely intriguing – a cluster of narrow streets opening on to charming small squares. You will appreciatethe atmosphere and history of Cadiz during a drive through the city from the delightful ancient seaport, passing the 18th centurybaroque cathedral, then around the old part of the city with its splendid views overthe bay. You will see the Plaza Espana and the gardens where the famous monument of Las Cortes (Spanish Parliament) of 1812 is situated. Then you will continue to the Moorish-style Alameda de Apodaca Gardens,a reminder of their occupancy in past centuries. The cathedral with its famous towering golden domes acts as a landmarkagainst the Cadiz skyline, and the famouscomposer Manuel de Falla is buried here.

After this, you will drive inland to the historictown of Jerez de la Frontera. Jerez is home todozens of sherry companies, and a visit willbe made to the well-known Bodega GonzalezByass, which produces some of the most delicious sherry in the world. Here, the age-old process of blending is explained and then you will be invited to sample varioustypes of the fortified wine in the unique atmosphere of the cellars.

Cadiz City Tour & CathedralCAD2 Half day INCLUDED*

Enjoy the picturesque views of the seaport as you make your way to the old quarter of Cadiz. Here you will see the mostbeautiful monuments of Cadiz. Start by passingthe tobacco factory built in1741, which nowserves as the Congress building, SantoDomingo Church, and the old Royal Prison.

Then carry on to the ancient Phoenician portof La Caleta, and the Santa Catalina Fortress.Finished in the seventeenth century, SantaCatalina was part of a series of fortificationsdesigned to protect Cadiz from the Englishafter Sir Francis Drake had successfullybreached the harbour in 1587 in an attack that became known as “singeing the King ofSpain’s beard”.

You'll continue towards the San Carlos Gatefor a tour of the old town. Among its manyhistorical monuments, El Populo's stone gateswere there to bid Christopher Columbusgoodbye as he left the Cadiz harbour on hissecond trip in 1493.

Afterwards, you will visit the Cathedral ofCadiz and the Diocesan Museum. It took 116years to complete this 18th century Baroqueand neo-classical Cathedral. You then head to the picturesque Plaza Flores, and the Plazade Espana with its massive monument commemorating the meeting of the Cortes,Spain’s first representative national assembly,in 1810-12.

Note: Visits inside the cathedral are not allowedon Sundays. The cathedral can also close at shortnotice on weekdays.

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CADIZ

* Note: In Cadiz, you have a choice of included excursion (either CAD1 or CAD2).

CANAKKALE

CANAKKALE TURKEY

Troy CAK1 Half day INCLUDED*

Enter the world of Helen of Troy andParis, Hektor and Achilles. The 13th or12th century BC siege of Troy by Spartan and Achaean warriors from Greece has firedthe imagination of poets over thousands ofyears. The site is one of the most significantdemonstrations of early contact between thecivilisations of Anatolia and the Mediterraneanworld. The shores of the Dardanelles, knownin antiquity as the Hellespont, lead our way tothe last vestiges of the fabled city called Ilionin Greek and Truva in Turkish. In legend, Troywas said to be founded by Dardanos, the sonof Zeus and Electra. The site's existence waslong considered merely a fable invented by Homer in The Iliad. Then, in 1870, Heinrich

Schliemann, an amateur archaeologist working more on passionate belief than empirical evidence, discovered the site.

Today, most historians agree that Troy was oneof nine civilisations that inhabited the spot.There is also evidence to support the tale of aten-year siege, giving further weight to Homer’stales. Alexander the Great, who declared himself a descendent of Achilles, made a pilgrimage to this site in 334BC. Today littleremains of the 5,000 years of habitation. Lecturer-guides bring its storied past to life asyou view the massive walls, a Roman theatreand the reputed Palace of King Priam.

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CANAKKALE

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GallipoliCAK2 Half day INCLUDED*

Take a ferry across the Dardanelles tothe moving memorials and battlefields of Gallipoli on the Gelibolu Peninsula. In WorldWar I, over 500,000 Allied and Turkish troopsdied in the 8-month campaign as British commanders sought unsuccessfully to make a strategic rush through the Dardanelles to capture Istanbul and open the Black Sea for the Allied Army. It is herethat a young Istanbul Colonel, MustafaKemal, distinguished himself and later become known as Ataturk, father of the Turkish Republic. Today the peninsula is a national park with over 31 cemeteries.

From the landing at Eceabat, drive to themajor battlefields. Discover the stories

of North Beach, Anzac Cove and Beach Cemetery. Walk amid the sites of Lone Pine, a hauntingly beautiful memorial to the thousands of Australian and New Zealandmen killed during the battle. At Chunuk Bair,learn of the epic stand by New Zealand'sWellington Battalion. At this site Ataturk exhorted his men "not just to fight, but to die"in a counterattack that claimed the lives of all his men. From here, the sweeping views of the Dardanelles and the Aegean Sea let youglimpse Canakkale’s importance as a strategicmilitary choke point. In this tranquil seasidesetting, the horror of what happened in 1915seems far away. On the ferry back, look forthe memorials carved into the cliffs.

* Note: In Canakkale, you have a choice of included excursion (either CAK1 or CAK2).

CANNES FRANCECANNES

Grasse & St Paul-de-Vence CAN1 Half day INCLUDED*

Head to the hills above Cannes to finda stunning contrast to the Riviera's glitteringcoast: the medieval village of St Paul-de-Vence,a place beloved by artists and seekers of theextraordinary. En route your adventure takesyou to Grasse, where the French perfume industry was born. Here you'll tour a perfumefactory and learn how the essence of flowersare condensed in one of the world's oldest distillation processes. Sample a selection ofthe exquisite Provençal fragrances first madefashionable when Catherine de Medicidonned a pair of perfumed gloves in the 16th century.

Then drive through glorious Loup Rivercanyon scenery to St Paul-de-Vence. This idyllic spot has drawn artists from Chagall toMiro and celebrities from Garbo to Deneuve.You will find that, typical of other fortified villages guarding the frontier, St Paul has retained much of its medieval appearance.Start your explorations at the main gate wheremedieval ramparts built by Francis I in 1536remain intact to this day. Stroll the narrowcobblestone lanes lined with boutiques, museums and art galleries. Lose all sense of the modern world. By the time you leave, you can expect to be laden with souvenirs and memories, ready to return to the ship for a relaxing rest of the day.

Monaco & Monte CarloCAN2 Extended Half day INCLUDED*

Our tour starts with a stunning drivealong the Middle Corniche road, set abovecliffs that rise vertically. Savour panoramicviews of Villefranche, Cap Ferrat and the village of Eze, set on a craggy peak high above the Mediterranean. This breathtakingride takes you from France to the independentprincipality of Monaco. Your first stop is at the foot of the Rock. Ascend to its top by escalators and elevators to discover the historic Old Town. Your guided walking tour takes you past the Prince’s Palace, the Oceanographic Museum, and the 19th-century Romanesque Cathedral in whichPrince Rainier and Princess Grace had their fairytale wedding. Wander the ancient covered alleyways of Old Town, before continuing to Monte Carlo.

Drive along part of Monaco's famous Formula1 Grand Prix circuit to Casino Square. In thishaven for the rich and famous, you have timeon your own to take in the attractions of yourchoice, be it the Grand Casino, the opulentHotel de Paris, the chic boutiques – or youcan just soak up the atmosphere for futuredaydreams after your return to the ship.

24 25* Note: In Cannes, you have a choice of included excursion (either CAN1 or CAN2).

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CANNES

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CARTA

GEN

A

CARTAGENA SPAIN

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Cartagena Highlights CAR1 Half day INCLUDED*

Cartagena has almost 3,000 years ofhistory. The city’s heyday was during theRoman Empire when it was known asCarthago Nova (the New Carthage). Later itwas one of the important cities during theUmayyad invasion of Hispania, under its Arabic name of Qartayannat al-Halfa. Due toits strategic position, it has been throughoutits history an important military and trade port.

The first stop on this tour is the recently restored Roman theatre. The highlight of thevisit is when you enter into the theatre itself and see the enormity of the site. The theatrewas built between 5 and 1BC and had roomto seat 6,000 people. It was built over by amarket in the 3rd century and only discoveredin 1988.

You will then make your way on foot to thesite of the Roman Forum. Step back in timeand explore the district around the RomanForum of Cartagena, the former nerve centreof the ancient city of Cathago Nova. See thecuria, the baths, the peristyle (columnedcourtyard), the atrium and many more remnants of an era that thousands of yearslater still fascinates. This archaeological treasure trove, which dates from at least 209BC, was unearthed by chance in the late1980s during infrastructural works in the city.Ever since, slowly but surely the past has beengiving up its secrets to the point where thereis now a vast site centred on the formerRoman Forum on Molinete Hill.

Easy Cartagena CAR2 Half day INCLUDED*

Cartagena has been an important military and trade port throughout its history. This has blessed Cartagena withunique artistic heritage, with a number oflandmarks such as the Roman theatre, thesecond largest of the Iberian Peninsula after the one in Merida, and an abundance of Phoenician, Roman, Byzantine and Moorish remains.

After departing from the pier by coach, youwill begin with a panoramic tour of the city,passing by such sights as the Plaza de Espanaand university buildings.

The main stop on this tour is the recently restored Roman theatre. The highlight of thevisit is when you enter in the theatre itself andcan see the enormity of the site, an arena thathad capacity for 6,000 people. You will thenget to try the famous drink of the city, “cafeasiatico”. This is a traditional drink which ismade of coffee, condensed milk, cinnamonand the liqueur of the area called, ratheroddly, 43 liqueur. The origin of the recipedates back to the 1940s, when it was prepared by Pedro Conesa Ortega in his bar at Albujon in Cartagena, the "Pedrin" bar.

* Note: In Cartagena, you have a choice of included excursions (either CAR1 or CAR2).

CASA

BLA

NCA

26 2715

CASABLANCA MOROCCO

CasablancaCAS1 Half day INCLUDED*

The history of Casablanca has been oneof many political and cultural changes. At different times it has been governed by Berber,Roman, Arab, Portuguese, Spanish, French,British and Moroccan regimes. It has had animportant position in the region as a port city,making it valuable to a series of conquerorsduring its early history. Today, Casablanca ismore cosmopolitan, and more open to Westernways than other places in Morocco. Casablancais Morocco’s economical and cultural capital:this is where money is made, where the industry is, and where the arts flourish.

An orientation tour of Casablanca shows us the port, the old medina, the Place Mohammed V – a busy shopping street linedby residential blocks dating from the 1930s –United Nations Square, designed by Frencharchitect Joseph Marrast, and the League ofArab States Park. The tour also includes a visitto the impressive Hassan II Mosque. This is thesecond largest mosque in the world with thetallest minaret in the world.

Note: Ladies must wear a headscarf to enter themosque.

RabatCAS2 Half day INCLUDED*

From Casablanca we drive to Rabat, the capital city of Morocco. The colonial architecture is stunning, the palm-lined boulevards are well kept and the atmosphereis relaxed and cosmopolitan. This is a civilisedand very pleasant place to visit.

The quiet medina has an authentic feel to it,some good shops and fascinating architecture.Rabat has a long and rich history, and plentyof monuments to show for it from the Phoenician, Roman, Almohad and Merenidtimes. The visit will include the old medina;the picturesque Kasbah of the Oudayas andthe Oudaya Gate, built during the Almohaddynasty; the well-preserved Hassan Tower andthe Chellah which were built by the Merinidsin the 12th and 13th centuries; the MohamedV Mausoleum, the burial place of the presentKing’s father; the front of the Royal Palace;and the government district.

* Note: In Casablanca, you have a choice of included excursion (either CAS1 or CAS2).

CIVITAVECCHIA ITALY

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CIVITAV

ECCHIA

Eternal RomeCIV1 Full day INCLUDED*

Immerse yourself in the sights of Romeon this full-day guided tour highlighted by visits inside the Colosseum and St Peter'sBasilica, as well as a stroll through some ofthe city's renowned piazzas. This tour startswith a drive from port to the Colosseum,where beneath the arena, cells once heldbeasts brought from all over the Empire for gladiatorial combats.

Continue to Vatican City and St Peter's Basilicawith its towering dome by Michelangelo. Step inside this most important church inChristendom, filled with art and historic masterpieces, a highlight of any visit to theEternal City. Afterward, explore St Peter'sSquare at leisure. Marvel at Bernini's

colonnade or seek out a trattoria for lunch on your own. Your afternoon walking tour encompasses Rome's ancient, medieval andbaroque delights, starting at the Trevi Fountain.Legend holds that if you toss a coin just right,you will return to Rome. Stroll to ColonnaSquare where a 2nd-century marble columncelebrates Rome's victory over the Germans.Pass the governmental area and Palazzo Montecitorio en route to the Pantheon, said to have the widest dome in the world.

Your final stop is the pride of Baroque Rome:Piazza Navona, home to Bernini's Fountain ofthe Four Rivers and Fountain of the Moor, aswell as the Fountain of Neptune, which thelocals once used for washing their clothes.

Ostia AnticaCIV2 Extended half day INCLUDED*

Buried for centuries, this well-preservedarchaeological site is far less visited than Pompeii, yet in many ways provides a morecomplete picture of daily life in the RomanEmpire. Ostia Antica was ancient Rome'smain port on the Tyrrhenian Sea. Anco Marzio (640BC to 616BC), the fourth king of Rome, is traditionally named the founder of this city at the mouth "ostia" of the Tiber. At the city's peak, about 100,000 people fromall classes and all parts of the Mediterraneanlived here until decline began due to the silting of the river, barbarian invasions andmalaria. Excavations reveal a hard-workingcity with apartments, warehouses, bakeries,bars, plus public and religious buildings.

Your tour of the archaeological zone begins at Via delle Tombe, leading to the city gates.Stroll along the Decumanus Maximus, the

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CIVITAV

ECCHIA

main road. Visit the Baths of Neptune withbeautiful black-and-white mosaics of the god's wife, Amphitrite. Walk to the theatre, the Forum and such public buildings as theCapitolium and the Temple of Rome and Augustus. A variety of religious buildings include several temples dedicated to the cultof Mithras, Egyptian and Roman gods, plus a 1st century BC Jewish synagogue and aChristian basilica. See the large thermal baths, the 20-hole public latrine and the living complex called the House of Diana. The Termopolium with its marble counterwhere ancient Romans could have a quicklunch features a fresco representing the foodon sale. Round out your visit with a stop atthe Museum Ostiense, displaying some of the wonderful sculptures and mosaics found at this remarkable site.

* Note: In Civitavecchia, you have a choice of included excursion (either CIV1 or CIV2).

Venetian CorfuCOR1 Half day INCLUDED*

You can thank Venice for the thicklywooded headland of Corfu. During the Republic's four centuries of rule on this Ionian island (from 1386 to 1797), it was decreed that an olive tree be planted at eachbirth and a cypress at each death. Early admirers included the Greek poet, Homer,who sang the island's praises. Octavianbrought his fleet to the island's harbour before the battle at Actium.

Today's sightseeing starts with a drive to CorfuTown and a visit to the Old Fortress rising majestically from a large cliff and surroundedby a fairytale moat that has its sinister side asthe last resort of the lovelorn. Built on the remains of a Byzantine castle, the fort wascompleted over four centuries, first by theVenetians who gave it the moat and then bythe British who erected the fort's church of St George. The fort proved a formidable bulwark against the Turks.

From the fort, enjoy a stroll along the Venetian-built Esplanade past the colonnadeof the Liston Cafe, built during French rule. The cafe takes is name from a time when thepromenade was limited to Venetian nobilitythat appeared on a list in the Libro d'Oro(Golden Book). Today this path provides anexcellent view of the town's cricket pitch, alegacy from British rule, and the start of ourwalking tour. Discover Old Town's narrowstepped streets, Georgian mansions and red-domed Agios Spyridon church, built in 1589, containing the remains of Corfu's patron saint.

Byzantine CorfuCOR2 Half day INCLUDED*

Journey to Corfu Town, where a 15th-century church holds a surprise for all whoventure inside: one of Greece's most extensivecollections of Byzantine art. Northernmost of the Ionian Islands, Corfu is renowned for its natural beauty and as a crossroads of civilisation. The island figured in The Odysseyof Homer and The Tempest of Shakespeare.

Today's adventure starts with a scenic drive to Corfu Town's historic Campielo quarter,where the Byzantine Museum is located in the Panaghia Antivouniotissa (Our Lady Opposite the Mountain), a church that was restored by the Greek government and re-opened in 1984 as a museum. The collection exhibits a wide selection ofByzantine icons, a form of sacred art still usedin the Eastern Orthodox religion and held tobe an influence on Italian Renaissance artists.Highlights include an altar-cloth from Russia,the Noli Me Tangere icon (Touch Me Not) by Emmanuel Tzanes and the icon of SaintsSergius, Bacchus and Justina by MichaelDamaskenos.

After your visit a short walk takes you to the heart of Corfu Town. Visit the 16th-century rococo church dedicated to St Spiridon, Corfu's patron saint, whose bonesare preserved in a gleaming casket. Explorethe maze of narrow, stepped streets where little has changed for centuries. Discover anarray of past rulers reflected in the Frenchboulevards, Georgian mansions, Venetiancitadel and Greek temple.

CORFU

CORFU GREEK ISLANDS

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* Note: In Corfu, you have a choice of included excursion (either COR1 or COR2).

Slapton Sands and the Forgotten Heroes of D-DayDAR1 Half day INCLUDED*

The idyllic town of Dartmouth inDevon, situated at the mouth of the RiverDart, is not only home to the Royal Navy from its very earliest days but also the idealstepping off point for a look at some of the lesstalked about aspects of the D-Day landings.

Every suitable beach and slipway along thisstretch of coastline was utilised to stage the D-Day landings. Based on its similarity tomuch of the French coastline, Slapton was selected for a vast rehearsal prior to the actual landings.

Join your local guide today for a visit to Slapton Sands, site of one of the most unfortunate episodes to take place in thebuild up to the D-Day operations. Hear a D-Day expert explain the significance of this remote stretch of beach and visit the Memorial given by the United States to the local inhabitants in gratitude for themevacuating their homes to make way for warwounded. Continue to Torcross to see one of the Sherman tanks brought up from thebeach. Afterwards, return to Dartmouth for awalking tour of this fascinating town and freetime to enjoy the surrounds before joining thetender back to the ship at your leisure.

Medieval Totnes and Buckfast AbbeyDAR2 Half day INCLUDED*

Visit a Medieval town that remains tothis day a thriving market town, and travel toa fascinating nearby Abbey, lovingly rebuilt inrecent times. On the edge of the moor liesBuckfast Abbey, a thriving community ofBenedictine monks. The original 11th century Buckfast Abbey fell into ruin after the dissolution of the monasteries. In 1882,four monks returned, and in 1906 they beganthe monumental task of rebuilding the churchthemselves. It took them 31 years – a featmade even more remarkable by the fact thatonly one of them had previous building experience. Now only the absence of thepatina of age distinguishes this splendidchurch – a mix of early English and Normanstyles – from the original fabric.

A presentation and exhibition explains themonks' achievement and their present-daywork. Famed for its stained glass, fine examplesof the monk’s own work adorn the Abbey.You’ll have plenty of time to explore theabbey, the gardens and the produce shop,which sells everything from bees wax to themuch enjoyed monastic beverage, meade.

Afterwards, head to the thriving medievaltown of Totnes. Choose to explore with yourguide and ascend the steep hill to the well-preserved castle, or enjoy some time to shopin the eclectic selection of quaint ancientstores in the town’s narrow streets.

DARTMOUTH ENGLAND�

DARTM

OUTH

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* Note: In Dartmouth, you have a choice of included excursion (either DAR1 or DAR2).

DELO

S

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Sacred DelosDEL1 Half day INCLUDED

Discover the tiny, deserted isle of Delos,the religious centre of the Cyclades, wherecolumns lie glistening in the sun, and theLions of Delos guard the Sacred Way. As thereputed birthplace of the god Apollo, Deloswas once a principal religious and commercialcentre of the Eastern Mediterranean. Pilgrims,traders, politicians and warriors alike camefrom all over the Mediterranean to this sanctuary. In fact, the “Cyclades,” the name of this island group, means “those islandsaround Delos.” In the 5th century BC, theDelphic Oracle decreed the island was to bepurged of all the dead and that no personcould either die or give birth on Delos to preserve the isle’s sanctity.

Some of the richest archaeological treasuretroves in Greece await as you leave the Sacred Harbour on your guided walking tour.Imagine the merchants in the Agora and thepilgrims entering the Sanctuary of Apollo.Walk along the spectacular Avenue of theLions. Pay homage to the guardians of the Sacred Lake where Leto gave birth to the twin gods, Artemis and Apollo. And above all, savour the almost-mystical silence that pervades this haunting site of antiquity.

Note: May not be available on May 1 if the site is closed. Alternative arrangements will be made.

DELOS GREEK ISLANDS�

carved into the steep slopes, and the dramaticTemple of Trajan overlooking the Selinus Riverbelow. See the base of a monumental Altar of Zeus (German archaeologists carted the entire top back to Berlin's Pergamonmuseum).Also see a shrine to Dionysus, a sanctuary of Demeter, the gymnasium and Agora.

Next, tour what may be the world's first full-service health clinic: the Asclepion. Pergamon's rehabilitation centre is namedafter the god of health, and was a site of pilgrimage for centuries, entered by a sacredroad lined with columns. A sacred spring fed pools that were the basis for various water therapies. The Asclepion had latrines, a library, a theatre, and treatments that included honey cures, a psychotherapy tunnel and dream interpretation.

Pergamon: Acropolis & Asclepion DIK1 Half day INCLUDED

Ride a cable car to the spectacular hill-top capital of Pergamon and visit the city's ancient healing centre. Pergamonrose to power as a Greek kingdom in the 2nd and 1st centuries BC, but was earlierruled by Lydians and Persians before falling to Alexander the Great in 334BC. Alexanderwas followed by his general Lysimachus and aline-up that included the eunuch Philatairos,founder of the Attalid Dynasty; Eumenes,whose great library caused Egypt to withholdthe export of papyrus and pergamon to inventparchment.

One look at the unassailable site reveals howthe city got its name: from the Greek word forcitadel. Pass through the Royal Gate to explorethe noted library, the 10,000-seat theatre

DIKILI TURKEY

DIK

ILI

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DOVER

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Chartwell DOV1 Turnaround transfer INCLUDED*

Bought by Sir Winston Churchill for itsmagnificent views over the Weald of Kent to Sussex, Chartwell was his favourite homeand the place from which he drew inspirationfrom 1924 until the end of his life. The roomsand gardens remain much as they were whenSir Winston lived here, with pictures, books,maps and personal mementoes strongly evoking the wide-ranging interests of thisgreat statesman.

Set on a hillside, with commanding viewsacross a valley, the estate of 80 acres gave Sir Winston the peace and tranquillity that he loved. He relaxed here by painting in thegarden or in his studio.

Walking along the attractive pathway and entering the house you will immediately appreciate Chartwell’s rich history. It was here that Churchill wrote most of his famous

wartime speeches and perhaps the most atmospheric of the rooms is the great man’sstudy. Here we can quietly appreciate theroom that was Churchill’s place of work for over 40 years. Here he worked on fivebudgets as Chancellor of the Exchequer from 1924 to 1929, and dictated a stream ofmemos to his ministerial colleagues on everysubject, whether large or small. Out of officein the 1930s, he brought to this room worriedpolitical and military advisers to discuss thespread of Fascism in Europe.

Churchill’s inspired leadership during the war years are a permanent part of our history.Despite his election defeat in 1945, when thepublic craved change and a new beginning, hewas still widely acknowledged as the greatestliving Englishman, and Chartwell has becomea shrine to his war-time achievements.

DOVER ENGLAND (EMBARKATION & DISEMBARKATION)†

DOVER

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Leeds Castle DOV2 Turnaround transfer INCLUDED*

This is a landscape of timbered and tile-hung villages and welcoming towns.Today, though there are still some remains ofthe ancient native forest which once coveredmuch of southern England, a good deal of this gently rolling region is farmland.

Your tour starts by taking a direct route toLeeds Castle, one of the most romantic and most ancient castles in the Kingdom. In the 9th century, this was the site of amanor of the Saxon royal family. Listed in the Domesday Book, this castle has been aNorman stronghold, a royal residence to six

of England’s medieval Queens and palace to Henry VIII.

Today, lovingly restored, it is home to a magnificent collection of medieval furnishings, paintings, tapestries and treasures. Situated on two small islands in themidst of an encircling lake, it is surroundedby a green arc of parkland. As you pass fromroom to room, well-informed castle guides arestationed to answer any of your questions.There will be many fine photo opportunitiesduring your visit, although photography is not allowed in the castle chapel.

* Note: In Dover, you have a choice of included excursion (either DOV1 or DOV2).† Only applicable to passengers with a 2-night pre- or post-cruise London hotel stay.

Cavtat and Countryside DUB2 Half day OPTIONAL $68pp

Get ready for a scenic drive along theCroatian Riviera and through the rolling Konavle countryside to the picturesque townof Cavtat. Your drive starts with a photo stopof Dubrovnik, the majestic walled city LordByron called “the Pearl of the Adriatic.” Cavtathas a history that predates even Dubrovnik's.Both cities were once part of the Ragusan Republic which existed from the 14th centuryuntil being conquered by Napoleon in 1808.Settle back and soak up the scenery on a drivethat meanders past scenic villages of the fertileKonavle Valley with its panoramic views of theregion's bays and magnificent architecture.Stop at an old mill, now an acclaimed restaurant. Snack on local specialties such as smoked ham, cheese and homemade breadbeside the cascading waters of the Ljuta River.

Continue to Cavtat, built on the ruins of the old Roman city of Epidaurum. Over 16churches are crammed alongside the cobble-stone streets of the old town. Highlights includethe Rector's Palace, the Franciscan Monasteryand St Nicholas Church. England's Duke ofWindsor and Wallace Simpson visited this atmospheric spot on their honeymoon, andtoday it is a favourite with the internationalyachting set. You have free time to stroll alongthe beautiful promenade, shop, or relax in thecafes before continuing to the ship.

Note: Only available on some sailings.

DubrovnikDUB1 Half day INCLUDED

Lord Byron called this majestic walledcity “the Pearl of the Adriatic,” and it is easyto see why. This UNESCO World Heritage Siteis held to be the best-preserved walled city inthe Mediterranean with a seafront setting anddramatic mountain backdrop. The city skylineis a medley of bell towers, copper domes andmassive 10th-century walls.

Dubrovnik was founded in the 7th centuryAD and was a powerful independent republicfrom 1358 to 1808, when Napoleon conqueredthe city. Today the city is an inspiration in self-resurrection. Despite a destructive earth-quake in 1667, Dubrovnik has managed topreserve its beautiful Gothic, Baroque andRenaissance churches, monasteries, palacesand fountains. This morning’s walking tour of the Old Town takes you along the city’smain street, the Stradun or Placa, once a sea channel connecting two ancient settlements.Visit the Dominican Monastery, home to abeautiful 15th-century Gothic cloister and the city’s finest collection of Renaissancepaintings. Next, the Franciscan Monastery is home to Europe’s oldest pharmacy,founded in 1318 and still in existence.

Your walk continues past such landmarks as the Sponza Palace with its elaborate stoneexterior, the Baroque Church of St Blaise andOnofriou’s Fountain. Visit the Cathedral ofOur Lady, originally built in the 12th century,destroyed in the 1667 earthquake and triumphantly rebuilt. View Titian’s Assumption over the main altar and, in theTreasury, one of Europe’s finest collections of gold and silver, including the bejeweledskull of St Blaise. Following the tour there will be free time to explore the nooks andcrannies of the Old Town.

DUBROVNIK

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DUBROVNIK CROATIA

EL MARSA moroccan sahara

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EL MARSA

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The Sahara Desert& LaayouneELM1 Half day INCLUDED

Leave the port of El Marsa by road and head for the town of Laayoune in thedesert region south of Morocco’s Anti AtlasMountains. Archaeological evidence suggestsLaayoune was occupied in prehistoric timesbut the town itself was built by the Spanish in the 1930s as capital of its Saharan possessions.

Laayoune’s most interesting facet is its quirkiness: you can visit the colonial Spanishchurch where many UN workers now meet to worship, or spend an afternoon chattingwith locals over a cup of mint tea. Your tour

will include the massive main square at Placedu Mechouar and the aviary at Colline desOiseaux. There will also be time to shop formalhafas, the colourful sari-like garmentsworn by Sahrawi women, visit the SpanishChurch, and see the works on sale at the craft complex.

You will also visit the Souk Djemal, a bustlingmarket area (everything useful is sold here)with a peculiar architectural style includingbuildings with eggshell-domed roofs that aredesigned to keep the houses cool in summer.

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FALM

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The Eden ProjectFAL1 Full day INCLUDED*

Departing from the pier at Falmouth,your route takes you through Cornwall's cityof Truro, offering a view of the three-spiredcathedral, then cross the peaceful countrysideof small villages, granite farmhouses andhedged fields before arriving at Eden. On arrival at the Eden Project, near St Austell, youwill have approximately three hours to visitthis dramatic global garden at your leisure.

The Eden Project opened in April 2001 and isthe world's largest global garden. The effect isbreathtaking: a cultural melting pot of globalplants, both wild and cultivated, are housed ina glass dome large enough to fully enclose theTower of London in its 60 meter deep crater.The Garden of Eden contains plants and treesranging from the Amazon to West Africa to

Malaysia and is the only one of its kind anywhere in the world.

As well as the outdoor landscape, there is a chance to visit the biomes – giant conservatories with cathedral-like qualities.The Humid Tropics Biome allows you to experience the sights, smells, and sheer scale of the rainforest in the world’s largestconservatory, whilst the Warm TemperateBiome showcases the world from the Mediterranean to South Africa and California,demonstrating how the plants thrive ondrought and poor thin soils. Learn about theinter-relationship between men and plantsthroughout history and marvel at the interestingdisplays and retail outlets. Following a day indulging the senses re-board your motor-coach for the journey back to the pier.

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FALMOUTHENGLAND

FALM

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St Michael’s MountFAL2 Half day INCLUDED*

Transfer from the ship to Marazion before arriving at St Michael’s Mount, a placedescribed as the jewel in Cornwall’s crown.Separated from the mainland by a causewaycovered by sea at high water, St Michael'sMount beats to a pace of life ruled by weather and tides.

Follow in the footsteps of pilgrims over theages who have looked out over the rocky ledgeon the western side of the island. It was here,according to legend, a vision of the ArchangelSt Michael appeared to some fishermen in theyear 495. Following the Norman Conquest in 1066, the invaders were struck by the similarity of the mount to their own Mont St Michel off the Normandy coastline, whosemonks were invited to build a smaller abbeyhere in Cornwall. During Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries, St Michael’s

Mount was turned into a coastline defence toprotect England from feared French invasion.In 1659, the Mount was purchased by SirJohn St Aubyn whose descendants turned thefortress into a magnificent residence and stillreside in this ancestral home today.

Enjoy a guided tour of the Castle on StMichael’s Mount followed by some free timeto take photographs and soak up the scenery.There are also some wonderful shops aroundthe harbour area – the perfect place to buy amemento of your day.

Cross back over to Marazion and spend somefree time in this tranquil, beautiful coastaltown. Enjoy stunning views towards theLizard Peninsula as you marvel at its clean,sandy beaches before re-boarding your coachfor the return journey back to Falmouth.

* Note: In Falmouth, you have a choice of included excursion (either FAL1 or FAL2).

FEZ

FEZMOROCCO

Fez City HighlightsFEZ1 Half day INCLUDED

The walled city of Fez is at the heart of Moroccan cultural life and is famous for being the home to the world’s oldest university, the Qarawiyyin university. Fez, themedieval capital of Morocco, was founded by Idris I in 789 and was a great city of highIslamic civilisation. Fez has the best-preservedold city in the Arab world, the sprawling,labyrinthine medina of Fes el-Bali, and the impressive souks have been declared by UNESCO to be a World Heritage Site. Thetour of Fez explores both the old and newmedinas including visits to one of the 14th-century religious schools (medrasas), eitherBou Inania or Attarine. Other highlights include the imposing gate of Bab Boujloud,the splendid fountain at Place Nejjarine, theancient ramparts, and the beautiful front entrance of the Royal Palace.

VISIT

ROMAN VOLUBILISMOROCCO

En route from Fez to Tangier you will visit the ancient Roman city of Volubilis.Founded in the 3rd century BC, Volubiliswas the capital of Roman Morocco and became an important outpost of the RomanEmpire. It was graced with many fine buildings and extensive remains of thesesurvive including the triumphal arch, basilica and approximately 30 mosaic floorsdating from around 25BC. Volubilis is an exceptionally well-preserved example of alarge Roman colonial town on the fringes ofthe empire and the archaeological remainsof several civilisations can be found here.

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FUNCHAL

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Scenic Drive & Wine Tasting FUN1 Half day INCLUDED

Madeira’s dramatic scenery and botanical treasures are true wonders and have inspired many visitors to the island.Those moved to describe the island’s charmsinclude H N Coleridge, nephew of the poet,who wrote in 1825: “I should think the situation of Madeira the most enviable on the whole earth. It ensures every European comfort with almost every tropical luxury.”

A tour of the island will help you appreciatethis “enviable” situation. Head from the portto Cabo Girão, the second highest sea cliff in the world, where the rugged coastline andspectacular views are breathtaking. Continue tothe quaint fishing village of Camara de Loboswhere Sir Winston Churchill spent many ofhis days painting and where you will take aguided walk through the picturesque streets.On the way back to Funchal you will stop atPico dos Barcelos to enjoy the fantastic viewsover Funchal and the villages scattered overthe surrounding hills of this beautiful island.

Before returning to our cruise ship, you willhave the opportunity to enjoy a tasting of the various types of the renowned Madeiran product as well as more recent Madeira winesat the Old Blandy Wine Lodge.

FUNCHAL madEira

Madeira’s Botanical Gardens FUN2 Half day OPTIONAL $28pp

This tour is a must for any gardener orlover of the natural beauty of plants and flowers. From the pier, you will head to theMadeira Botanical Gardens, famous for its rich and endemic flora. The 'Madeira BotanicalGardens' have become Madeira Island's mosttreasured and certainly most famous touristattraction. Within an area of 80,000 squaremetres you will encounter a truly fascinatingcollection of more than 2,500 plant species.From the gardens you can also enjoy wonderful views over the city.

After your visit, you'll travel into the heart ofFunchal's old town for a guided walking tourthrough the quaint narrow streets to your nextstop: the traditional Mercado dos Lavradores.Built in the 1930’s, in a gracious combinationof art deco and modernism, the LavradoresMarket offers the very best of the Island: the freshest and exotic fruits, vegetables, luxurious flowers and plants of this “AtlanticGarden”, as the Madeira Island is often called.At the fish market, the scabbard fish and hugetuna on display beside more common types of fish are a great attraction. Other features ofthe Market are the living tradition and folklore,a place where one can still find the sellerswearing traditional Madeira costumes, filledwith vivid colours and a genuine sense of fun.

Your final stop will be in an embroidery factory that produces some of Madeira's famous hand-stitched embroidery. Whilehere, you will be able to observe how this authentic embroidery is designed, printed and then carefully stitched by hand.

GYTH

ION

GYTHION GREECE

It was reconquered by the Byzantines who established it as a centre of art and learning in the 14th and 15th centuries and was then occupied by the Turks and Venetians, until itwas abandoned in 1832 leaving breathtakingremnants of a medieval past in a beautiful setting on the slopes of Mount Taygetos. This haunting place includes a 13th-century Crusader fortress, a despot’s palace and splendid churches.

Drive to the peak of the city for a splendid view of Sparta and then descend to explorethe lower town on foot. The more energeticmay choose to climb to the summit for yetmore outstanding views. Those who prefer a less strenuous experience can seek out thefrescoes in the Byzantine churches, notablyAgios Dimitrios and the Pantanassa.

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The Last Byzantine StrongholdGYT1 Half day INCLUDED*

Not much remains of Sparta, the ancient Greek city-state devoted to warrior culture, which we pass en route to the gloriousarray of Byzantine monuments in the UNESCOWorld Heritage town of Mystras. The Spartanscultivated disciplined soldiers and were so confident in their valour that they erected no city walls until the 4th century BC. The longwar between Sparta and Athens has been thefocus of many historical works, most notablyThucydides’ History of the Peloponnesian War.This conflict culminated in a Spartan victory in 404BC, but the triumph was short lived. Another power, Thebes, defeated Sparta in371BC and the city never regained its power.

Continue to nearby Mystras, once called the “wonder of Morea”. This museum town was originally built around a fortresserected in 1249 by the Prince of Achaia.

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GYTH

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42 43* Note: In Gythion, you have a choice of included excursion (either GYT1 or GYT2).

The Diros CaveGYT2 Half day INCLUDED*

Board small fishing boats to sail intoDiros Cave and explore the narrow passage-ways of this prehistoric dwelling place on the Gulf of Laconia. Finds here suggest the existence of a sizeable prehistoric settlementwith a plentiful supply of water. In the lateNeolithic period (4000 to 3000BC), thesecaves were used as a dwelling, workshop,cemetery and place of worship. Complete unburied human skeletons were found, suggesting that at the beginning of the Bronze Age, a severe earthquake blocked the entrance with large boulders so the cave's inhabitants were walled up and died of starvation. The entrance remained sealed forsome 4,500 years until discovered in 1958 byspeleologists Ionnis and Anna Petrocheilos,then systematically excavated by George

Papathanasopoulos, Ephor of Antiquities forthe Greek Ministry of Culture.

You'll find yourself surrounded by stalactitesand stalagmites as your small fishing boat navigates the mouth of the cave. Severalchambers opening off the central cave are accessible by boat or foot through a maze ofcorridors, and each has a name referring to its shape, such as Alepotrypa (foxhole). Alongwith skeletons, other finds included weapons,stone and bone tools, Neolithic pottery androck paintings. Following your visit you'll havetime for pictures before returning to the portof Gythion, once used by the Spartans whoenlarged the harbour so they could use thisport as a naval base.

Note: Cannot be operated in bad weather –please check with our on-board team.

HERAKLION

HERAKLION CRETE GREEK ISLANDS

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The Palace of Knossos HER1 Half day INCLUDED

Even without the tales of a blood-thirsty Minotaur, this magnificent palace complex with its flamboyant decoration,courts, audience chambers and residentialareas is an impressive and inspiring site. Constructed around 1900BC, it was the administrative and religious centre of the Minoan kingdom. Here King Minos heldcourt and – so mythology holds – his wifegave birth to a half-man, half-bull creaturethat lurked in the palace’s labyrinth. This fearsome beast was appeased only by human sacrifices.

An earthquake destroyed the original complex;it was then rebuilt on an even grander scale,only to be destroyed again by the massive volcanic eruption on Santorini around1500BC. Though periodically excavated byGreek archaeologists in the late 19th century,credit for the full excavation and restoration isgiven to amateur Victorian archaeologist SirArthur Evans. Roundly criticised for occasionalmissteps in restoration, Sir Arthur poured hisfortune into the effort and did a remarkablejob for the time period. Knossos today, atleast, allows the visitor to visualise the palaceas it once was and understand its intricacies.

The guided tour will take you through thislegend-rich, entrancing complex that sprawledacross five acres, where everything from thethrone room to royal living quarters is reconstructed with meticulous care.

On our return to Heraklion, we will visit theHeraklion Archaeological Museum, one of thegreatest museums in Greece and the best inthe world for Minoan art, as it contains themost notable and complete collection of artifacts of the Minoan civilisation of Crete.

HONFL

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HONFLEUR FRANCE

D-Day Beaches & Bayeux HON1 Full day INCLUDED*

Leave the port of Honfleur by road forthe town of Bayeux. Fortunately, despitebeing the first town to be liberated following the Normandy landings in World War II, Bayeux survived the conflict virtually unscathed and these days, it’s a great spot to soak up the gentle Norman atmosphere. The delightful city centre iscrammed with 13th- to 18th-century buildings, many of them half-timbered, and a fine Gothic cathedral.

It is also, of course, home to the world-famous Bayeux Tapestry. This depicts the dramatic story of the Normans’ conquest of England in 1066 on 58 panels presentedlike a modern-day comic strip with scenes depicting all the action of the invasion. The origin of the 225-foot tapestry remains obscure, but has sometimes been attributedto Queen Mathilda and is said to have beencommissioned by Bishop Odo of Bayeux,

William’s half-brother, for the opening ofBayeux’ cathedral in 1077.

After visiting the Tapestry Museum, drive toArromanches for lunch in a seaside restaurantbefore continuing on to the D-Day LandingMuseum. The beaches of Normandy and theevents of June 6, 1944 will never be forgottenand in the museum you will find fitting tributes to, and excellent exhibitions of, theheroism and courage shown that day. The Allied invasion was the largest military armada ever assembled and the stories fromwhat was codenamed Operation Overlord will never cease to move and astound us.

You will also visit the remains of the Mulberry,the vast artificial floating harbour that the Allies deployed for D-Day and also stop at the legendary Pegasus Bridge that was captured by British airborne troops in the opening minutes of the campaign.

* Note: In Honfleur, you have a choice of included excursion (either HON1, HON2 or HON3).

Caen & D-Day Beaches HON2 Full day INCLUDED*

From the port of Honfleur you head for Caen, the scene of heavy fighting following the Allied landings in Normandy and one of the main objectives of the invasion’s first phase. Here you will visit the Memorial Museum dedicated to thememory of those who lost their lives in thelandings and in the Battle of Caen.

The museum was officially opened on 6 June1988 (the 44th anniversary of D-Day) by theFrench President Francois Mitterand. Theoriginal building deals primarily with WorldWar II, looking at the causes and course of the conflict. The museum was subsequentlyextended to include a gallery dedicated to the Nobel Peace Prize, and three memorialgardens – the American Garden, the BritishGarden and the Canadian Garden – werededicated to the three main allied nations involved in liberating France.

After this, drive to Gold Beach where the British 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division, commanded by Major-GeneralD.A.H. Graham, with naval artillery support,landed on D-Day. The 8th Armoured Brigadeprovided armour support. Here you will alsosee the remains of Mulberry, the artificial port that was one of the most extraordinaryindustrial and tactical achievements of thewhole war.

After this, travel to Arromanches for lunch at a seaside restaurant before heading toLongues-sur-Mer where you can explore the remains of a part of Hitler’s imposing and terrifying Atlantic Wall. These vast fortifications were designed to prevent an Allied landing on continental Europe: fortunately, they failed.

HONFLEUR FRANCE

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HONFL

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Honfleur & Deauville HON3 Half day INCLUDED*

Leave Honfleur pier and drive to the city centre. The history of Honfleur has alwaysbeen tightly bound up with the sea. Today,Honfleur offers visitors a unique heritage,which can be best glimpsed by strolling alongthe picturesque narrow streets lined by timberframed houses.

The walking tour of the city includes the StCatherine’s Church built in wood in the 15thcentury and its bell tower, the seventeenth-century Salt Warehouses, the Lieutenancy, residence of the former governor of the city,and the Old Port with picturesque quaysides.You then leave Honfleur and drive to Deauville.

The “Planches”, a wooden plank promenadethat runs the length of the beach, is the specialcharacteristic of this famous sea resort. Withits race course, international film festival, villas, Grand Casino and sumptuous hotels,Deauville is regarded as the "queen of theNorman beaches" and one of the most prestigious resorts in all of France. Indeed, elegant buildings such as the Pompeian Bathsand the Bar du Soleil have been the haunt ofcelebrities for years.

In Deauville, you will have an orientation tourof this delightful spot and have time at yourleisure before driving back to Honfleur.

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HONFL

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ISTA

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*Important Notice: The sightseeing programme shown here is for passengers who have a pre- or post-cruisehotel stay in Istanbul. Passengers on cruises where Istanbul is a mid-cruise port of call will have a full

sightseeing programme which will include Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque. Grand Bazaarand Underground Cisterns, and lunch will be provided at an outside restaurant.

ISTANBUL TURKEY (Hotel Stay)

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Hagia Sophia & Blue MosqueIST1 Half day INCLUDED*

Byzantium. Constantinople. Istanbul.With its strategic location between theBalkans and Anatolia, as well as the Black Sea and the Mediterranean, Istanbul has long been at the centre of things. On today'ssightseeing tour visit Hagia Sophia, the 6thcentury cathedral that is this city's most important Byzantine monument, then wanderthe grounds of the lavish Topkapi Palace, onceseat of the Ottoman Empire. Start with a driveto Hagia Sophia. In 325, Emperor Constantineerected the original basilica, Santa Sophia,which was rebuilt many times in the centuriesto come. In 1934, Ataturk, the founder of theTurkish Republic, converted the church to amuseum. Today this monument dazzles withits magnificent mosaics and frescoes, as well as its immense dome.

Your tour continues with a drive to the oldcity to visit the mosque of Sultan Ahmet, considered the last great mosque from theclassical period of the Ottoman Empire. Thetraditional Islamic architecture is massive withcascading domes and mini domes surroundedby slender minarets. While the exterior is splendid, this venerated site is renowned forits interior, which features more than 20,000handcrafted Iznik tiles in shades of blue and a magnificently carved marble mihrab.

Topkapi Palace &Grand Bazaar IST2 Half day INCLUDED*

The spiritual and worldly come togetheron this sightseeing tour that visits Topkapi Palace with its extraordinary tile interior, then explores the iconic Grand Bazaar.

Topkapi Palace, served as the imperial residenceof the Ottoman Sultans for almost 400 years.The lavish 143-acre complex overlooks theBosphorus with such amenities as courts,fountains, gardens and harem rooms. Admirethe treasures of sultans, including the 86-caratSpoonmaker Diamond, the Emerald Dagger,and one of the world's richest collections ofdelicate Japanese and Chinese porcelain.

Next turn your attention to more earthly matters at the Grand Bazaar, one of the largestcovered markets in the world with 60 streetsand 5,000 shops. Into this maze of barrelvaults and skylights come some 250,000 to 400,000 visitors daily seeking jewelry, ceramics, carpets, embroideries, spices or perhaps just a cup of green apple tea. Sit at one of the cafes and watch the crowds passby. Indulge in the art of bargaining for a souvenir, one of the best ways to capture the romance of old Istanbul.

ISTA

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Note: Combination of sites will vary according to day of operation and on May 1st (Labor Day holiday in Turkey). Hagia Sophia is closed on Mondays; Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays.

ISTANBUL TURKEY (Hotel Stay)

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ISTA

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Underground Cistern andArchaeological Museums IST3 Half day INCLUDED*

Trace the path of Anatolian civilizationat the Istanbul Archaeology Museums, wherean inviting array of exhibits includes theworld's first legal code, first love poem andfirst peace treaty, along with artifacts culledfrom sites such as Ephesus and Troy. In addition, visit the Underground Cistern, a basilica-sized Byzantine monument that was part of this city's ancient waterworks.

Start with a drive to Gulhane Park to visit the Archaeological Museums, a 3-buildingcomplex. The museum's main façade is inspired by two of its prized sarcophagi:Alexander and the Mourning Woman, tombsfrom the necropolis of Sidon. Other exhibitsinclude the giant chain Constantine IX pulledacross the entrance to the Golden Horn tothwart naval invaders. See tablets inscribedwith the Code of Hammurabi, a Babylonian

love poem from the 8th century BC, and theworld's first peace agreement, the KadeshTreaty between the Egyptians and Hittites. A second building is dedicated to the AncientOrient with Sumerian, Hittite and pre-Islamiccollections. The third building is the TiledPavilion of Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror,built in 1492, with a wealth of Seljuk and Ottoman ceramics, as well as exquisite Iznik tiles.

From the museum, take a short walk to theUnderground Cistern, built by Justinian I in532 after the bloody Nika Revolt, which wassparked by rioting factions of chariot racingfans. With its 336 Corinthian and Doriccolumns rising out of water, carved heads ofMedusa and haunting sounds of dripping, the cistern encapsulates the mystery and historical fascination of this great city.

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Bosphorus Boat RideIST4 21/2 hours OPTIONAL $45pp

Enjoy an afternoon sail on the Bosphorus, the winding waterway that separates two continents, Asia and Europe.Aboard a private boat, relax and take in theunfolding scenery that most visitors to thisiconic city never explore. Picturesque seasidemansions, small fishing villages, hilltop lighthouses and an Ottoman fortress are just a few of the sites to be seen on thisleisurely trip offering an unforgettable memory of your time in exotic Istanbul.

ITHACA

ITHACAGREEK ISLANDS

EXPLORE ON YOUR OWNHomer tells us Odysseus set out from thisthis small Ionian island for the Trojan War,and returned 10 years later to be facedwith another battle: his wife, Penelope,circled by a pack of encroaching suitors.Delightfully, he went unrecognised by allbut his aged dog and nurse, and easilywon back his wife in a bow-and-arrowcontest, then slaughtered all the interlopers. Of course, Ithaca has plentybeside legend to enjoy during your freetime here. Vathy, the capital and port, is an attractive place with red-domedchurches and brown-roofed houses rebuilt in the traditional style after a 1953 earthquake.

The surrounding green hills are the siteof the first settlement, which dates as farback as 4000BC. In Mycenaean times,the island was the capital of a kingdomthat included neighbouring islands, andthe culture of that time is represented inthe town's Archaeological Museum. Thereis little development on the island andthe countryside is lovely to explore. Tinyvillages mingle with pebble beaches andsuch Homeric landmarks as the ArethusaFountain, the Grotto of Nymphs and thePalace of Odysseus.

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IZMIR TURKEY

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Ancient EphesusIZM1 Half day INCLUDED

The cosmopolitan city of Ephesus was,in its heyday, on a par with Athens andRome. Once home to over 250,000 people,this site affords ancient snapshots of dailylives of the Greeks, and their conquerors, theRomans. The seaside port that fueled the city’sprosperity in antiquity has silted up, leavingthe grand sites frozen in time in a state of remarkable preservation.

Over the centuries, Ephesus was a sacred centre to Artemis, a Roman stronghold, and later, a centre of Christianity. There is evidence that St Paul, St John and the VirginMary were in this city, along with a cast ofcharacters that includes Croesus, GeneralLysimachus and those famous lovers, MarkAntony and Cleopatra. Highlights of yourwalking tour include the Library of Celsuswith its splendid columned façade, the Grand Theatre where St Paul once preachedhis sermons, the terraced houses and the Temple of Hadrian. Few places bring antiquity so vividly to life.

Pergamon: Acropolis & Asclepion IZM2 Full day INCLUDED

Ride a cable car to the spectacular hill-top capital of Pergamon and visit the city's ancient healing centre on thisadventure. Pergamon rose to power as a Greek kingdom in the 2nd and 1st centuriesBC, but was earlier ruled by Lydians and Persians before falling to Alexander the Greatin 334BC. He was followed by his general Lysimachus and a line-up that included theeunuch Philatairos, founder of the Attalid Dynasty; Eumenes, whose great library caused Egypt to withhold papyrus and Pergamon to invent parchment; and KingAtallus III, who bequeathed the kingdom to the Roman Empire in 133BC.

One look at the unassailable site reveals howthe city got its name: from the Greek word forcitadel. Pass through the Royal Gate to explorethe noted library, the 10,000-seat theatrecarved into the steep slopes, and the dramaticTemple of Trajan overlooking the Selinus Riverbelow. See the base of a monumental Altar of Zeus (German archaeologists carted the entire top back to Berlin's Pergamonmuseum).Also see a shrine to Dionysus, a sanctuary of Demeter, the gymnasium and Agora.

Next, tour what may be the world's first full-service health clinic: the Asclepion. Pergamon's rehabilitation centre is namedafter the god of health, and was a site of pilgrimage for centuries, entered by a sacredroad lined with columns. A sacred spring fed pools that were the basis for various water therapies. The Asclepion had latrines, a library, a theatre, and treatments that included honey cures, a psychotherapy tunnel and dream interpretation.

IZMIR

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KAT

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Ancient OlympiaKAT1 Half day INCLUDED

The small fishing village of Katakolon is approximately an hour from the mysticalsite of Ancient Olympia, sacred ground to thepeople of the Peloponnese Peninsula as earlyas the 10th century BC. Olympia is most familiar as the site where the first OlympicGames were held in 776BC in honour ofOlympian Zeus. The origin of the wordOlympic comes from the ancient GreekOlympiad – meaning every four years.

The setting could not be more idyllic:prominently located in the middle of a fertile valley with the rivers of Alfeios and Kladhios flowing past. The site was a religious sanctuary even before the Stadiumwas built and the games took place in the sacred area called Altis. The most imposingmonument in the area was the outstandingTemple of Zeus housing the gold-and-ivorystatue of Zeus, one of the Seven Wonders ofthe Ancient World.

The Temple of Hera, the Prytaneion, and thePhilippeion were also monuments standing in the sacred grove. The famous Stadium, thelargest of its day with a capacity of 45,000spectators, was entered through a long, tunnel-like passage, constructed in Romantimes. The stadium was restored in 2004 forthe historic return of the modern Olympics to Athens.

After your exploration of the famous grounds,visit the archaeological museum which is ashort 5-minute walk from the site. Among the great finds of the area that are displayedare the Head of Hera and ornaments from theTemple of Zeus, the famous statue of Hermescreated by Praxiteles and the helmet of Miltiades, the Athenian general during Athens' 'Golden Age'.

KATAKOLON GREECE

KAVALA GREECEKAV

ALA

PhilippiKAV1 Half day INCLUDED

Visit the city founded by (and namedafter) Philip of Macedonia in 356BC, confront antiquity at every turn of its extraordinary archaeological site, and, in addition, visit the stream where St Paul's first European convert to Christianity wasbaptised. Today's adventure starts fromKavala, once the ancient port of Philippi,where a castle overlooks the bustling harbour.The drive to Philippi is only a short distance,but it takes you a long way back in time. Thesite is at the foot of Mount Pangeon on theborder of a marsh that once covered the entire plain. History whispers at every turn.Thucydides was exiled here. When the citywas a Roman colony, Julius Caesar's assassins,Brutus and Cassius, met their deaths at theBattle of Philippi. Saint Paul visited several

times and wrote a letter thanking the citizensfor their support while he was in jail.

Tour the main archaeological site to see theextensive ruins, which include a large Romanforum, sacred gates, baths, wrestling rings andeven a public latrine with marble seats. Othersights include the reputed "jail" of St Paul, a theatre from the classical period and twoByzantine basilicas. These testify to the town'stransition to a Christian headquarters. Onyour return to the ship, stop at the streamwhere St Paul's first European convert, a merchant-woman named Lydia, was christenedalong with the rest of her household. The siteis marked by a Greek Orthodox basilica. Fromhere it's a short drive back to the ship. Timepermitting you may chose to remain in townand return to the ship at leisure.

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KUSADASI

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Ancient EphesusKUS1 Half day INCLUDED*

The cosmopolitan city of Ephesus – just45 minutes from Kusadasi – was, in its heyday, on a par with Athens and Rome. Once home to over 250,000 people, this siteaffords ancient snapshots of daily lives of theGreeks, and their conquerors, the Romans.The seaside port that fueled the city’s prosperityin antiquity has silted up, leaving the grandsites frozen in time in a state of remarkablepreservation. Over the centuries, Ephesus was a sacred centre to Artemis, a Romanstronghold, and later, a centre of Christianity.

There is evidence that St Paul, St John and theVirgin Mary were in this city, along with a castof characters that includes Croesus, GeneralLysimachus and those famous lovers, MarkAntony and Cleopatra. Highlights of yourwalking tour include the Library of Celsuswith its splendid columned façade, the Grand Theatre where St Paul once preachedhis sermons, the terraced houses and theTemple of Hadrian. Few places bring antiquityso vividly to life.

KUSADASI TURKEY

* Note: In Kusadasi, you have a choice of included excursion (either KUS1 or KUS2).

Miletus & DidymaKUS2 Half day INCLUDED*

Stand in the great theatre at Miletuswhere St Paul once preached, then visit the majestic Temple of Apollo at Didyma, an oracle that rivalled Delphi. This excursioninto antiquity starts with a drive to Miletus,once a great commercial port at the mouth of the Meander River until the harbour siltedup. Native sons include Thales, who predictedan eclipse in 585BC, the mathematician,Anaximenes, and the philosopher, Anaximander. The 15,000-seat theatre is oneof the oldest in Anatolia, built by the Greeksand enlarged by the Romans. The ApostlePaul summoned the Ephesian elders here todeliver a powerful message that still echoesamid the quiet of this remote site.

Continue to Didyma, meaning "twin." InGreek mythology this is the site where Zeus, in the form of a giant swan, fathered Apolloand Artemis. Didyma was the centre for thecult of Apollo, the god of divination. Hiscolossal temple is larger than a football field and has 128 finely decorated columns.Apollo's temple was once connected to histwins in Miletus via a Sacred Way lined withlions, sphinxes and statues. His oracle wasconsulted for nearly 500 years until Christianity ended the practice.

KUSADASI TURKEYKUSADASI

AphrodisiasKUS3 Full day INCLUDED†

Two and a half times the size of Pompeii, Aphrodisias is named after the Greek goddess of love and could be said to rival Ephesus in a claim to be“the most well-preserved ancient site in theworld”. Aphrodisias sprang up around one ofthe finest marble quarries in antiquity, and wasthe centre for Greek and Hellenistic sculpturefor nearly seven centuries.

Monuments include a magnificent theatre, vast stadium and the remains of a great temple. Ongoing excavations reveal superb sculptureseach year – more than any other classical sitein the Mediterranean. Additionally, because of the remote setting in the hills surroundingthe valley of the Meander, the site is relatively free of tourists and utterly unspoilt. After an enticing local lunch of Turkish delights, sit back, relax and enjoy the drive back to Kusadasi.

† Included only on March 31st call.

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LA CORUNA SPAIN

Santiago de CompostelaLAC1 Full day INCLUDED*

Leave La Coruna by road for Santiago deCompostela, one of the most importantplaces in Catholicism, because it is reputed to be the place where St James, one of the twelve Apostles of Christ, is buried.

On arrival, enjoy a guided tour of ObradoiroSquare. Named after the workmen who builtthe Cathedral, this square sits in front of the main entrance of the Cathedral on itsnorthern façade. Facing the Cathedral is the Palacio de Rajoy that was built in the eighteenth century to house the choirboysand a seminary for priests. It was later used as a prison and is now the Town Hall.

Facing the Cathedral is the Hostal dos ReisCatolicos that was built as a hospital for pilgrims during the reign of the Catholic kings in the XV century and today is one ofthe most beautiful buildings combining different styles such as Renaissance, Gothicand Baroque.

The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela hasbeen a place of pilgrimage on the Way of StJames since the early Middle Ages. What wesee today is actually the fourth church tostand on this spot. The lavish baroque façadefacing Praza do Obradoiro was erected in the18th century, replacing the weather-damaged Romanesque one. This is the cathedral's main entrance, but owing to repair work onthe towers and interior, it's likely to be closeduntil about 2021. In the meantime, most people enter through the south door on Praza das Praterias.

A Taste of La CorunaLAC2 Half day INCLUDED*

Settled in Roman times, La Coruna grew into an important port that saw off the attentions of Sir Francis Drake in thesixteenth century and went on to be the gateway through which thousands of Galicians travelled on their way to a new life in America.

Begin with a visit to the Town Hall in thePlaza Maria Pita. La Coruna's main plaza takes its name from the town's heroine, Maria Pita who came to fame as a result of her role in Sir Francis Drake's attack in 1589.Continue on foot to visit the old part of thecity, which contains most of the city’s historical monuments.

Then drive along La Coruna’s waterfrontboulevard, and visit the Archaeological Museum located at the Castle of San Anton.Close by is the Tower of Hercules, an ancientRoman Lighthouse, almost 1,900-years-oldand standing 185 feet (57 meters) high. TheTower of Hercules is unique as it is the onlylighthouse of Greco-Roman antiquity to have retained a measure of structural integrityand functional continuity and it still remainsworking nowadays. Finally, enjoy an appetiser or a drink in La Coruna before returning to the pier.

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* Note: In La Coruna, you have a choice of included excursion (either LAC1 or LAC2).

LANZAROTE CANARY ISLANDSLANZA

ROTE

Exploring Lanzarote’s Natural WorldLAN1 Half day INCLUDED*

This trip takes you deep into the National Park Timanfaya to the famous Fire Mountains of Lanzarote. The uniquelandscape and amazing geological featureshave made Timanfaya one of the most important national parks in Spain.

The absence of wildlife creates an apparentcalm and silence. It is hard to imagine how avolcanic eruption would be like, but the landis still bubbling beneath the surface and youwill be amazed by the craters and the activevolcanoes. During the tour you will enjoy therecorded testimony from a well-known priestfrom Yaiza who lived through an eruption that affected a great part of the south of the island. This volcanic event occurred on September 1st, 1730 and is known locally as the “Big Bang”.

After admiring this astonishing natural beautyyou will have the�opportunity to appreciatethe coastline of Los�Hervideros. At this tinyinlet the lava from the eruption flowed downto the sea and, as it cooled, it created somestrange shapes.

The journey back to the pier passes by thebeautiful vineyards of La Geria area, where of course you will have the chance to tastetypical Lanzarote wine. This wine producingarea is a few miles inland; the wall of volcanicrock divide the apparently barren field but,within these walls, the wine flourish undera layer of Picon (porous lava granules whichabsorb the dew at night and provide constant moisture to the plants).

58 59* Note: In Lanzarote, you have a choice of included excursion (either LAN1 or LAN2).

Northern LanzaroteLAN2 Half day INCLUDED*

Lanzarote is different, not only compared to the other Canary islands, but to everything else on this planet. On thistour you will visit Haria with its gorgeousviews over the valley of 1,000 palm trees: a green oasis in the midst of Lanzarote's arid landscape.

Afterwards you will travel to the village ofMaguez where the Volcan de La Corona (Volcano of the Crown) rises up before you.Continuing with the tour you will reach thetown of Ye with the Mirador Del Rio. It stands 479 metres high up on the top of theFamara Massive allowing for a magnificentview of the small group of islands and islets to the north of Lanzarote, known as the"Archipielago Chinijo" (The Tiny Archipielago).

Then on to the “Jameos del Agua” cave, the last stop on the route. This remarkablespace is the result of volcanic activity and was decorated by the famous artist CesarManrique. The journey back passes by thewood loose cultivating lands near the villages of Mala and Guatiza.

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Around La PalmaLAP1 Half day INCLUDED*

La Palma is one of the most verdant ofthe Canary Islands, offering the opportunityto experience truly unspoiled nature. Fromthe lush forests in the north to the desertlandscapes of the south and the serene pineforests of the Parque Nacional de la Calderade Taburiente, La Palma is a naturalists dream.From the port of Santa Cruz you will head to the village of El Paso which is situated inthe Parque Nacional and surrounded by themountains that form the Caldera de Taburiente.

The city of El Paso is situated on the mountainroad connecting Los Llanos and Tazacortewith the capital and it is from this that it getsits name (El Paso or the pass). It belonged tothe jurisdiction of the Valle de Aridane until1837 when it got its independence. El Pasowas given the official title of villa in 1878 andof city in 1910. Before leaving El Paso we willvisit the Silk Museum. Not far from El Paso isour next stop: La Glorieta Square, a mosaicdesigned by the local artist Luis Morera, andbuilt after Gaudi’s Park Güell in Barcelona.The stunning design depicts the flora andfauna of La Palma.

In the small town of Fuencaliente you canenjoy some free time before returning to theship. Here you will find some cafes and barsas well as an interesting 18th century church.

LA PALMA CANARY ISLANDS

Caldera de TaburienteLAP2 Half day INCLUDED*

It is but a short drive to reach the Santuario Virgen de Las Nieves, the PatronSaint of the island. This 17th-century churchsits in a tranquil spot surrounded by trees and gardens. Inside is a fabulously ornate interior with myriad sculptures, crystal chandeliers and the Virgin Mary surroundedby a glittering altar. This 14th-century statueis the island’s oldest religious relic and everyfive years it features in a grand processionthrough Santa Cruz.

From here the journey will take you to theviewpoint known as the Mirador de la Cumbrecita. From there you will be astonished by the amazing views over theCaldera de Taburiente, a huge crater 8km in diameter with a circumference of almost20km, which is one of the oldest NationalParks in Spain. You will enjoy a guided walking tour (approx. one hour in duration)around the crater edge.

Before returning to the pier you will call at the viewpoint of La Concepcion to appreciate the amazing views over La Palmaand its harbour.

* Note: In La Palma, you have a choice of included excursion (either LAP1 or LAP2).

LA P

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LA ROCHELLE FRANCE

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La Rochelle Highlights and Cognac LAR1 Half day INCLUDED

Arriving in La Rochelle, start yourpanoramic city tour and see the Old Harbourwith the Two Towers at its entrance. Thesewere built to protect the harbour in times of war when an enormous chain was raisedbetween the two 14th-century stone towers at the harbour entrance.

Begin the walking tour at Saint-SauveurChurch close to the old harbour. The tour willexplore La Rochelle’s mercantile and militarypast. This history is reflected in the city’s narrow streets paved with ancient stone slabs, vaulted passages, arcades and porches.

During the tour there will also be time tobrowse La Rochelle’s morning market beforeheading out of the city by coach to theChateau de La Peraudière. Owned by the Normandin Mercier family, the Chateau wasestablished in 1872 by Jules Normandin, aCognac brandy broker and landowner. Thesite Jules chose for his Cognac business wasperfect as it is not only close to La Rochelle,which was the major export harbour for Cognac, but also has the ideal climatic conditions for producing the spirit. You will visit the cellars and have a tasting of Cognac and Pineau des Charentes, a fortified wine made from lightly fermented grape must and Cognac.

Chateau de la Roche CourbonLAR2 Half day OPTIONAL $75pp

A castle was built here in around 1475 by Jehan de Latour, on a site that had been inhabited since prehistoric times. In the 17th century, the Courbon family, which had occupied the castle for two centuries,transformed it into a more comfortable residence. More alterations were made in the18th century, but it was eventually sold in1817 and then abandoned. It was purchasedin 1920 by Paul Chenereau, who restored thechateau and its gardens. The chateau is stillowned and inhabited by his descendants.

Built in the 15th century, upon a rocky outcrop in the midst of marshland, the original castle was transformed into an elegantresidence by Jean-Louis de Courbon, duringthe 17th century. As the marquis would notflee during the French Revolution, the chateauwas not sold. His daughter Charlotte marriedan aide-de-camp of Napoleon. Because upkeep was so expensive, however, thechateau became abandoned during the following hundred years.

The chateau has a Garden à la française, redone in 1936-1939, featuring a terrace withan Italian gallery, a monumental stairway, aparterre with four compartments and statues.The gardens include an orchard, flower garden, geometrical flower beds and lawnssurrounding a small lake ('mirror pool'). The River Bruant flows through the gardens,feeding the water features. Beyond that, an ornamental staircase leads to higher ground,on the far side of the river.

In the grounds are some Stone Age cavedwellings in woodland close by the River Bruant. Prehistoric finds from the site arehoused in the 'keep' museum.

Ancient Kourion LIM1 Half day INCLUDED

Although five earthquakes shook thethriving city kingdom of Kourion during the7th century BC, it took a tsunami – createdby the last earthquake – to deliver the finalblow. Today, visit this remarkable Greco-Roman city founded by Mycenaean Greeksand a major cultural centre of its time. Thesetting is superb, perched atop a hill just outside the modern city of Limassol withbreathtaking views of cultivated lands stretching to the Mediterranean.

A highlight is the fully restored Roman theatre, built in the 2nd century BC. Oncetwo thousand spectators watched gladiators in this arena, today the site's wonderfulacoustics and stunning sea views make it ideal for musical performances. Also tour the House of Eustolios with its beautiful 5th-century mosaic floors, colonnaded courtyard

and unique baths. Continue to the romanticremains of the Sanctuary of Apollo, a 7th-century shrine to the sun god that featuresstunning Corinthian columns. The stadiumnearby was a venue for such Greek sports as wrestling, and you can still see the urnsthat provided water to the athletes.

En route to Kourion, enjoy a short photo stop at the 13th-century Colossi Castle, a fine example of Crusader architecture. Anopening above the entrance gate served as ornamentation and also allowed the castle occupants to pour boiling oil or tar over unwanted entrants. Besides being the best-preserved medieval castle on Cyprus, the siteis where Coummandaria, the island's famoussweet dessert wine, was first produced over800 years ago.

LIMASSOL CYPRUS LIMASSOL

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Lisbon City Tour LIS1 Half day INCLUDED

Heading towards the west side of Lisbon, you will arrive at the historical BelemQuarter, a pleasant riverside area that has historic links with the 15th-century Portuguese Age of Discovery as it was fromhere that the Caravels set sail on their voyagesto the New World. Belem is also where themost famous Lisbon’s landmarks are locatedincluding the Belem Tower, the DiscoveriesMonument and the Monastery of Jeronimos.Belem’s undisputed heart-stealer is this UNESCO-listed monastery. The mosteiro was commissioned by Manuel I to trumpetVasco da Gama’s discovery of a sea route to India in 1498 and the great explorer is interred in the church here.

Then take a scenic drive from Belem to thecity centre passing by the Alfama Quarter,

Baixa (Downtown), Restauradores, and thefancy Avenida da Liberdade with its high-end shops. Stop at Alto do Parque to admireLisbon from the north and from here youhave an astonishing view to the banks of the River Tagus.

Afterwards stop at Rossio Square where youcan enjoy some free time. Praca do Rossio, orthe Rossio Square, is one of the most beautifulplaces to see in Lisbon. The square, which is located in downtown Lisbon, has been a witness to various historical events in the city,from popular celebrations and revolutions to executions and bullfights. Today, Praca doRossio is a popular destination both for localsand tourists. Every day, people from differentplaces flock to the square to relax, hang out,and just take in the atmosphere.

LISBON PORTUGAL

LISB

ON

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Cabo da Roca & SintraLIS2 Half day OPTIONAL $58pp

The Cabo da Roca is the most westernpoint of mainland Portugal and ContinentalEurope. The views of the Atlantic from hereare remarkable and the point was memorablydescribed by Luis de Cameos, Portugal’s mostfamous poet, as “where the land ends and thesea begins.”

Then on to Sintra, a small village built against the northern slope of the “Serra deSintra” Mountains. Sintra is well known for its charming narrow roads shrouded in lushgreenery, with climbing plants and the semi-tropical vines trailing from mossy walls and

balconies. Noble houses and palaces withwalled gardens and stately courtyards are scattered throughout the forested hills. Due to its position on the mountain, thischarming town benefits from a microclimatethat bathes it in soft, cool air, and thisfavourable atmosphere attracted the Portugueseroyal family who holidayed here in the eighteenth century. You will have plenty offree time in Sintra, so you can explore on yourown the charms of this emblematic village ofPortugal, a place that moved Lord Byron towrite: “Lo! Cintra’s glorious Eden intervenes,in variegated maze of mount and glen”.

LISBON

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Renaissance FlorenceLIV1 Full day INCLUDED*

Discover the town that gave birth to theItalian Renaissance and view the period's outpouring of art in the renowned Uffizi Gallery. From the port of Livorno, it is a aboutan hour and a half drive through the Tuscanhills to Florence where you begin a tourthrough the history and art of this timeless city.

A highlight of the morning is a visit to the Accademia, Europe's first school of drawing,where Michelangelo's colossal statue of David presides over a rich collection of paintings and sculptures.

Enjoy a guided walking tour past such land-marks as the 10th-century Ponte Vecchiospanning the River Arno. View the Duomocathedral flanked by Giotto's Bell Tower. Sodense is Florence with monuments, every stepreveals new marvels. See the Baptistry, where

Ghiberti and Donatello competed to designthe bronze doors. Admire the Basilica di Santa Croce where Michelangelo and Machiavelli are interred. Pause in Piazza Signoria, in 1497 the site of Fra Savonarola'sBonfire of the Vanities. Then there is free timeto relax over lunch on your own.

The centrepiece of this tour is an afternoonvisit to the world-renowned Uffizi Gallery. The 16th-century palace, built when CosimoMedici was the First Grand Duke of Tuscany,houses such Renaissance masterpieces as The Annunciation by Leonardo da Vinci, the exquisite Madonnas of Filippo Lippi, and an entire room of Botticellis, includingThe Birth of Venus. Foreign artists from Rembrandt to Rubens are also represented. Later, savour your impressions on a panoramic drive back to the ship.

LIVORNO ITALY

LIVO

RNO

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Lucca & PisaLIV2 Full day INCLUDED*

Enchanting Lucca, situated on the banksof the River Serchio, in the northwest cornerof Tuscany, endears itself to everyone who visits. Hidden behind imposing Renaissancewalls, its cobbled streets, handsome piazzasand shady promenades make it a perfect destination to explore by foot. Always important, this town began life as a Romancolony in 177 BC, and grew in importance tobecome the provincial capital of Tuscany inthe Middle Ages.

This fascinating walking tour will begin with a stroll to the Cathedral of San Martino withits Romanesque façade. Its decorated interioris rich in reliefs, fine sculpture and religiousartefacts. Then on to the arena and a series of arches that are the remains of the colossalancient Roman amphitheatre that once gracedthe centre of town. You will walk through the“Piazza” and find the Church of San Frediano,founded in the 6th century. Its Romanesque

style is a monument to a 12th century restoration project, and its impressive façadefeatures a mosaic depicting Christ and theApostles. After your tour of Lucca, enjoy some free time for lunch on your own and to explore this picturesque town.

Next, continue by road to Pisa, a city internationally famous for its superb and unusual architecture. Unfortunately, most ofPisa was bombed during World War II, butone section miraculously survived intact: thePiazza del Duomo, now known as the Piazzadei Miracoli because of its remarkable escapefrom destruction. As you approach the Squareof Miracles, the city’s most famous symbol,the precarious Leaning Tower, appears beforeyou. Begun in 1174, the tower started to leanwhen construction reached the third story. Attempts to make the remaining floors slightlyhigher on the leaning side only made it worse.Legend says that Pisa’s most illustrious sonGalileo (born in 1564) conducted his famousexperiments on gravity by dropping metalballs from the top of the 187-foot-high tower.

Next, visit Pisa’s magnificent Cathedral, a Romanesque basilica of white marble that isrenowned for its beautifully carved pulpit andpaintings and, on the door facing the tower,the Romanesque panels portraying the life of Christ. Admire its famous pulpit designedby Giovanni Pisano, who decorated it withnine biblical reliefs. Enter the lovely GothicBaptistry and view its marble font under aconical dome and famous organ, noted for its fine echo. Also admire its pulpit, carved by Giovanni’s father, Nicola Pisano.

Then, relax and savour your experience as you return to Livorno.

LIVO

RNO

* Note: In Livorno, you have a choice of included excursion (either LIV1 or LIV2). 64 65

Panoramic LondonLON1 Half day INCLUDED

From the hustle and bustle of LeicesterSquare, at the heart of London’s theatre district and the city’s quiet parks with theirtrees and lakes, to the grandeur of BuckinghamPalace and the living history of WestminsterAbbey, London’s fascination is its variety. Oldand new stand side by side. History, pageantryand tradition mix with the modern, eccentricand avant-garde, offering something for every-one. This leisurely tour is a great way for youto obtain an overall impression of one of themost lively and interesting cities in the world.

Our tour itinerary takes us on a circular itinerary around the capital where we view the highlights from the comfort of the coach.

We see Westminster, Whitehall and St James’ssection of London, crossing WestminsterBridge, and passing by the neo-Gothic Parliament buildings presiding over the banks of the River Thames and its adjacent320-foot clock tower of Big Ben.

From Parliament Square, we look across to St Margaret’s Church, scene of society weddings. Standing adjacent is the architectural and masterpiece of the 13th to 16th centuries – Westminster Abbey. Your guide will point out the main external features of the building and you will be able to take photographs of the outside.

LONDON ENGLAND (HOTEL STAY)

LONDON

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Westminster AbbeyLON2 Half day OPTIONAL $115pp

Westminster Abbey is steeped in morethan a thousand years of history. Benedictinemonks first came to this site in the middle ofthe tenth century, establishing a tradition ofdaily worship which continues to this day.The Abbey has been the coronation churchsince 1066 and is the final resting place ofseventeen monarchs. The present church,begun by Henry III in 1245, is one of themost important Gothic buildings in the country, with the medieval shrine of an Anglo-Saxon saint still at its heart.

A treasure house of paintings, stained glass,pavements, textiles and other artefacts, Westminster Abbey is also the place wheresome of the most significant people in the nation's history are buried or commemorated.Taken as a whole the tombs and memorialscomprise the most significant single collectionof monumental sculpture anywhere in theUnited Kingdom.

From the Middle Ages, aristocrats were buriedinside chapels, while monks and other peopleassociated with the abbey were buried in thecloisters and other areas. One of these wasGeoffrey Chaucer, who was buried here as hehad apartments in the abbey where he wasemployed as Master of the King's Works.

Subsequently, it became one of Britain's most significant honours to be buried or commemorated in the abbey. The practice of burying national figures in the abbey began under Oliver Cromwell with the burial of Admiral Robert Blake in 1657. Thepractice spread to include generals, admirals,politicians, doctors and scientists such asIsaac Newton, buried on 4 April 1727, andCharles Darwin, buried 26 April 1882. Morerecently, on Saturday September 6, 1997 theformal, though not "state" Funeral of Diana,Princess of Wales, was held. It was a royal ceremonial funeral including royal pageantryand Anglican funeral liturgy.

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LONDON

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LONDON

British MuseumLON3 Half day OPTIONAL $69pp

The British Museum was founded in1753, the first national public museum in the world. From the beginning it grantedfree admission to all 'studious and curiouspersons'. Visitor numbers have grown fromaround 5,000 a year in the eighteenth centuryto nearly 6 million today.

The origins of the British Museum lie in thewill of the physician, naturalist and collector,Sir Hans Sloane (1660–1753). Over his lifetime, Sloane collected more than 71,000objects which he wanted to be preserved intact after his death. So he bequeathed thewhole collection to King George II for the

nation in return for a payment of £20,000 to his heirs. The gift was accepted and on 7 June 1753, an Act of Parliament establishedthe British Museum. Today, the original 1753 collection has grown to over thirteen millionobjects and among the must-sees are: theRosetta Stone, the key to deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphics, discovered in 1799;the controversial Parthenon Sculptures, takenfrom the Parthenon in Athens by Lord Elgin(the British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire); the large collection of Egyptianmummies; the Anglo-Saxon Sutton Hoo burial relics and the Winged Bulls fromKhorsabad.

LONDON ENGLAND (HOTEL STAY)

Madrid City Sightseeing MAD1 Half day INCLUDED

Madrid, Spain's capital, is a cosmopolitan city. Its position as a centre foreconomics, finance, administration and servicescombines the most modern infrastructure withan important cultural and artistic heritage. Thehistoric old town, also known as "Madrid delas Austrias" (referring to the Hapsburg empire)is a living example of the city's 16th- and 17th-century heyday, as is its impressive Plaza Mayor(main square), which was opened in 1620 andremains one of Spain's most popular spots.

Near to the Plaza Mayor is the so-called"aristocratic centre" of Madrid, home to thestunning Royal Palace, a 17th-century monumentthat combines Baroque and Classical styles.Next to the palace you can find the OrienteSquare, the Opera House and the modern Almudena Cathedral, consecrated in 1993 byPope John Paul II. This ensemble of monuments

is completed by the Puerta del Sol, a squareflanked by select shops, and the "Paseo delArte", so called for its unique museums,palaces and gardens, not forgetting the unmistakable Bank of Spain building, theTelecommunication Palace and the Cibeles and Neptuno fountains.

The Royal Palace of Madrid is the official residence of His Majesty The King of Spain, who makes use of it only for official ceremonies. The origins of the Palace go back to the 9th century. The Palace also contains a select Painting Gallery, includingmajor works of Juan de Flandes, Caravaggio,Velázquez and Goya.

Note: the Royal Palace may close at short notice,in which case the Prado Museum will be visited instead.

(OPTIONAL HOTEL STAY)

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MADRID SPAIN

MADRID

MALAGA SPAIN

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MALA

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Granada & Alhambra PalaceMAL 1 Full day INCLUDED*

"Everything here appears calculated to inspire kind and happy feelings, foreverything is delicate and beautiful. Thevery light falls tenderly from above, throughthe lantern of a dome tinted and wrought as ifby fairy hands." Washington Irving, Tales ofthe Alhambra.

Leave the port of Malaga and drive through the wonderful landscape of Andalusia passingendless fields of olive trees and picturesque villages. Your journey takes you to one of themost magical places in the world and the mostoutstanding symbol of Moorish heritage inSpain, the Alhambra. The Alhambra was apalace, a fortress and home of the Nasrid Sultans. The Nasrid Dynasty (1238-1492), was the last Islamic sultanate in the IberianPeninsula and the Nasrid Sultans chose thissite for their court as it was the ideal placefrom which to keep watch over the capital oftheir kingdom and the surrounding area. Fromthe beginning of the 13th century, the originalfortress grew into a huge walled site that wasclearly intended to be both a palace and court.

Within this gradual change, different stages of development, grandeur and decadence can

clearly be seen through the various works ofart and buildings erected over the years. TheAlhambra was not a single construction, butrather the result of an evolution of successivereforms and extensions. Your guide will takeyou inside the “Alqala hamra”, meaning "redcastle" where you will be able to visit theNazaries Palaces with intricately carved stuccowalls, knotted ceilings, elaborate honeycombvaulting, and beautiful courtyards; “Serallo”,the official residence of the Sultan and theHarem, which surrounds the famous "Patio de los Leones," with its fountains feedingwater through the mouths of 12 lions (representing months of the year), and manyother wonderful sites within the fortress.

Continuing on, the tour will visit the “Generalife Palace” which was build as thesummer paradise for the Sultans of Granada.Its lovely terraces, grottoes, flowerbeds andfabulous fountains will make you feel theglamour of the Moorish inhabitants. After taking in all of these wonderful sites you willenjoy a traditional lunch at a local restaurant.Finally, and to round the day off, there’s apanoramic tour around the city of Granadabefore returning to Malaga.

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Panoramic Malaga and Picasso MuseumMAL 2 Half day INCLUDED*

Departing from the pier this tour willshow you the major coastal city of Andalusia:Malaga. Although Malaga may at first appear a little austere, the historic city centre is charming with its majestic, unfinished Gothiccathedral, surrounded by traditional balconiedbuildings, narrow pedestrian streets and someof the best tapas bars in the province. In recentyears, the city has heavily invested in its cultureand heritage with new museums. Malaga is ajoy to stroll around, with a skyline that reflectsthe city’s eclectic character; church spiresjostle for space with russet-red tiled roofs andlofty apartment buildings while, like a grandold dame, the 11th-century Gibralfaro Castlesits grandly and provides the best view of all.

Take a panoramic drive and pass by some outstanding structures of Mudejar and Gothicarchitecture, parks, gardens and the city's bullring before reaching the famous GibralfaroCastle for a short exterior visit and photo stop.

Your next stop will be the Picasso Museum,which is located in the Buenavista Palace. This historical building boasts classical characteristics of 16th century Andalusian architecture, whereby Renaissance and Mudejar elements are mixed. The collectioninside the museum gathers together paintings,sculptures, drawings, ceramic and graphicworks of this unique artist throughout his life.This enviable collection of 204 works, 155donated and 49 loaned to the museum byChristine Ruiz-Picasso (wife of Paul, Picasso’seldest son) and Bernard Ruiz-Picasso (hisgrandson), includes some wonderful paintings of the family, including the heartfeltPaulo con gorro blanco (Paulo with a whitecap), a portrait of Picasso’s eldest son paintedin the 1920s. Don’t miss the Phoenician,Roman, Islamic and Renaissance archaeologicalremains in the museum’s basement, discoveredduring construction works. After the visit, enjoysome free time before returning to the pier.

MALA

GA

* Note: In Malaga, you have a choice of included excursion (either MAL1 or MAL2).

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MARRAKESH

Marrakesh Sightseeing MAK1 Half day INCLUDED

With its grand square bustling withsnake charmers and market traders and its almost psychedelic souks, Marrakesh is ashowcase for exoticism. Surrounded by thesights, sounds and aromas of the medina you can truly appreciate the allure of thisNorth African city. Our guided tour of the old medina of Marrakesh begins with a walkthrough one of the most interesting quartersof Marrakesh. Here we'll stroll alonglabyrinthine alleyways, catching glimpses of mosques, hammams, traditional public bakeries, fondouks (old lodging houses usedby the caravans) and fountains carved inwood and decorated with kuffic inscriptions.

MARRAKESH MOROCCO (HOTEL STAY)

You’ll walk through the colourful souks whichare organised according to goods sold andwhere craftsmen can be seen practicing theirtraditional trades. After this it is on to the aristocratic Bahia Palace where we see a lush Moorish-style garden in the courtyard of a large palace with beautifully painted residential rooms.

Then, after walking through a maze of shaded, narrow streets you will emerge intothe famous Djemma el-Fna Square, wherethroughout the ages local people and Africancaravans have gathered for entertainment, celebrations, gossip and business. Here we

VISIT

EL JADIDAMOROCCO

En route from Marrakesh to Casablanca,you will visit the stylish and beautiful townof El Jadida that is, with its narrow lanesand ramparts, a fine example of an oldcolonial Portuguese Medina. The town is the holiday destination for Morocco'swealthy city dwellers.

The town is famous for the remains of Portuguese buildings and the Cistern. Built in 1514 by the Portuguese, this underground chamber may have been used as an arsenal or as a store beforebeing transformed into a cistern to be used during sieges. Its surprising Gothic architecture represents a square room of1100m² supported by five rows of columnsand a vaulted ceiling. The cistern is famousespecially for the thin layer of water thatcovers the floor, and which creates fine exciting reflections from the little lightthere is and the Spartan shapes of thecolumns and the roof. Having been forgotten,it was rediscovered by accident in 1916 bya shopkeeper who wanted to enlarge hispremises. This room has served as the setfor many films, including the famous Othello by Orson Welles (1954).

Note: Only applicable to the 28 October sailing.

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MARRAKESH

stop at the foot of the famous KoutoubiaMinaret, one of the masterpiece works of Islamic architecture.

Highlight of our tour is a visit to the Marjorelle Garden, a 12-acre botanical gardenin the heart of Marrakesh which was designedin the 1920s and 30s, and was once ownedby Yves Saint-Laurent whose ashes were scattered here. Within the gardens, be surevisit the Museum, housing North African textiles from Saint-Laurent’s personal collection, as well as ceramics, jewellery, and paintings by the founder, Jacques Marjorelle.

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Avignon’s Papal PalaceMAR1 Full day INCLUDED*

Explore the Provençal countryside onthis full-day tour that visits Avignon with its papal legacies. Your adventurestarts with a 90-minute drive to Avignonwhich rose to glory in the Middle Ages, whena series of French-born Popes fled Rome andmade the town a base from which they ruledChristendom until 1407. Enjoy views of theRhone River and Avignon's much-sung-aboutbridge, Pont St Benezet.

The highlight of your visit is a guided tour ofthe Pope's Palace with its long, echoing GreatAudience Hall, 14th-century wall paintingsand Great Chapel. Also enjoy a walking tourthrough Palace Square and Horloge Square.

Then enjoy a leisurely lunch and time on your own to wander or shop before headingback to Marseilles.

Marseilles & Aix-en-ProvenceMAR2 Full day INCLUDED*

The day begins in Marseilles whereyou’ll visit the “Vieux Port," the OldPort, where the Greeks landed in 600BC. Here classically French cafes and restaurants nestle about gently bobbing fishing boats in the harbour. Continue alongthe J.F. Kennedy Corniche. The first stop isNotre Dame de la Garde Basilica, located atthe highest point of the city at just over 500feet. Built on an ancient fortress from the 16thcentury, the sanctuary was dedicated to theVirgin Mary, and consecrated in 1864. Fromthe Basilica descend into the city's shoppingdistrict and the Longchamp Palace. This mu-nicipal water tower, houses the Museums ofFine Art and Natural History.

In the afternoon, your visit to Aix-en-Provencestarts with a walking tour of the CoursMirabeau. This wide avenue is shaded by trees and was built in the 1600s on the site ofthe city’s medieval ramparts. The aristocraticfaçades of the old mansions line the Coursand their wrought-iron balconies and finelycarved doorways invite the visitor to explore.Note the different architectural styles of SaintSauveur Cathedral with a Romanesque nave, aMerovingian baptistery and a Gothic section.

* Note: In Marseilles, you have a choice of included excursion (either MAR1 or MAR2).

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Monte Carlo Walking TourMON1 Half day INCLUDED*

Your guided walking tour takes you past the Prince’s Palace, the OceanographicMuseum and the 19th-century RomanesqueCathedral in which Prince Rainier andPrincess Grace had their fairytale wedding.Wander the ancient covered alleyways of OldTown, before continuing to Monte Carlo.

Drive along part of Monaco's famous Formula1 Grand Prix circuit to Casino Square. In thishaven for the rich and famous, you have timeon your own to take in the attractions of yourchoice, be it the Grand Casino, the opulentHotel de Paris, the chic boutiques – or youcan just soak up the atmosphere for futuredaydreams after your return to the ship.

Monaco & EzeMON2 Half day INCLUDED*

After the glitz and glamour of Monaco,head for the hills to the ancient village of Eze,with its fabulous views over Saint Jean-Cap- Ferrat. Perched on rock 1,400 feet above sealevel, the village centres on the ruins of a12th-century castle – a testament to centuriesof occupation, from Romans and Moors to theHouse of Savoy – that offers scenic views andphoto opportunities. You’ll visit the quaintcobblestone streets filled with craftsmen'sboutiques and pass bougainvillea-wrapped villas that lead down the hillside to theMediterranean. Then travel to Monaco Rockwhere elevators and escalators take you up tothe Old City and the Palace Square for an exterior view at Prince Rainier's magnificentresidence palace. Stroll through the Old Townand see the Cathedral, where Princes andPrincesses of Monaco are buried.

Scenic Riviera & NiceMON3 Half day OPTIONAL $45

Enjoy a scenic drive from the port ofMonte Carlo to Nice for a panoramic tour ofthe city and a ride along the Promenade desAnglais. Afterwards, leave your coach for awalk to the old town to enjoy some free timeon Cours Saleya, the elegant promenade ofOld Nice which is lined with shops andrestaurants and the famous flower and fruitmarket. It's an ideal opportunity to purchasea memento of your visit or the perfect gift for someone back home. After this break, re-board your coach for the drive back toMonte Carlo.

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* Note: In Monte Carlo, you have a choice of included excursion (either MON1 or MON2).

MOTRIL SPAIN

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Please note that the ship will sail from Motril to Malaga during the day. Passengers not partaking in this excursion will have to stay on board ship, however,

there will be an included Picasso Museum excursion on arrival in Malaga, see page 71 for details.

Granada & Alhambra PalaceMOT 1 Full day INCLUDED

"Everything here appears calculated to inspire kind and happy feelings, foreverything is delicate and beautiful. Thevery light falls tenderly from above, throughthe lantern of a dome tinted and wrought as if by fairy hands." Washington Irving, Tales of the Alhambra.

Your journey takes you to one of the most magical places in the world and the most out-standing symbol of Moorish heritage in Spain,the Alhambra. The Alhambra was a palace, afortress and home of the Nasrid Sultans. TheNasrid Dynasty (1238-1492), was the last Islamic sultanate in the Iberian Peninsula andthe Nasrid Sultans chose this site for theircourt as it was the ideal place from which to

keep watch over the capital of their kingdomand the surrounding area. From the beginningof the 13th century, the original fortress grewinto a huge walled site that was clearly intended to be both a palace and court.

Within this gradual change, different stages of development, grandeur and decadence canclearly be seen through the various works ofart and buildings erected over the years. TheAlhambra was not a single construction, butrather the result of an evolution of successivereforms and extensions. Your guide will takeyou inside the “Alqala hamra”, meaning "redcastle" where you will be able to visit theNazaries Palaces with intricately carved stuccowalls, knotted ceilings, elaborate honeycombvaulting, and beautiful courtyards; “Serallo”,

SAIL PAST

MOUNT ATHOSGREECE

This so-called “Holy Mountain” is really a long peninsula which rises at its southern tip to a 6,000 ft. peak.Dotted along its length are twentymonasteries, some dating back to the10th and 11th centuries. Women areabsolutely forbidden to set foot on theMountain, even – in theory – all femaleanimals. Fortunately, most of themonasteries are on or near the coastand can be seen clearly from our ship.Our lecturers will be on hand to makesure you don’t miss a thing.

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Please note that the ship will sail from Motril to Malaga during the day. Passengers not partaking in this excursion will have to stay on board ship, however,

there will be an included Picasso Museum excursion on arrival in Malaga, see page 71 for details.

the official residence of the Sultan and theHarem, which surrounds the famous "Patio de los Leones," with its fountains feedingwater through the mouths of 12 lions (representing months of the year), and manyother wonderful sites within the fortress.

Continuing on, the tour will visit the “Generalife Palace” which was build as thesummer paradise for the Sultans of Granada.Its lovely terraces, grottoes, flowerbeds andfabulous fountains will make you feel theglamour of the Moorish inhabitants. After taking in all of these wonderful sites you willenjoy a traditional lunch at a local restaurant.Finally, and to round the day off, there’s apanoramic tour around the city of Granadabefore heading to Malaga to rejoin the ship.

Exploring Chateaux Country NAN1 Overnight Excursion INCLUDED

The historic town of Saumur is locatedbetween the Loire and Thouet rivers, and is surrounded by the vineyards ofSaumur itself, which produce some of France's finest wines. The city’s famous castle stands firm on a cliff and marks the entrance to the Loire Valley.

The Chateau de Saumur was originally built as a castle and later developed as a chateau. It was constructed in the 10th century byTheobald I, Count of Blois as a fortified strong-hold against Norman attack and then in 1026it came into the hands of the Count of Anjou,who bequeathed it to his Plantagenet heirs.Following its destruction in 1067, the castlewas rebuilt by Henry II of England in the later12th century. In 1621 the castle was convertedinto an army barracks. Nearly two centurieslater it was converted into a state prison underNapoleon Bonaparte. At present the Chateau is undergoing some renovations to its turretsand so there may be some areas not accessibleduring your visit.

After a visit to Saumur and its charming medieval streets it is on to the Chateau d’Amboise. Confiscated by the monarchy inthe 15th century, the Chateau d’Amboise became a favoured royal residence and was extensively rebuilt. King Charles VIII died atthe château in 1498 after hitting his head on a door lintel. The chateau fell into decline fromthe second half of the 16th century and themajority of the interior buildings were later demolished, but some survived and have beenrestored, along with the outer defensive circuitof towers and walls. It has been recognised as amonument historique by the French Ministryof Culture since 1840. Perhaps the chateau’smost famous visitor was Leonardo da Vinci

MYKONOSGREEK ISLANDS

EXPLORE ON YOUR OWNContrast the sacred sights of Delos withthe more worldly charms of Mykonos, a whitewashed resort that is the veryimage of a Greek isle. The huge graniterocks you see strewn across the hillylandscape are said to be the graves of the Titans. The windmills are a later refinement, dating from the 16th century, used for grinding grain for shipment when Mykonos was a majorseaport between Venice and Asia.

In town, the streets are a delightfulmaze, designed to confuse attacking pirates, although eventually the islandbecame the headquarters of the Corsairfleet and a place where pirates recruitedfor their ships. Today these windingstreets are lined with tempting shops,galleries and boutiques that all exacttheir tribute. Along the waterfront, nearthe area called Little Venice, the seasidecafes are ideal for evening drinks.

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MYKONOS

NANTES FRANCE (PORT OF MONTOIR-DE-BRETAGNE

ALL MEALS INCLUDED

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NANTES FRANCE (PORT OF MONTOIR-DE-BRETAGNE)

who was invited to France by King Francois Iin 1516. Leonardo spent three years heredrawing and teaching architecture and engineering. He died on the 2nd May 1519and, according to his wishes, was buried atthe Church of Saint-Florentin of the Chateaud’Amboise. When the church was demolishedin the 19th century, his remains were transferred to Saint-Hubert’s chapel inside theChateau’s grounds. Following this, you willcheck in at your hotel and enjoy dinner.

After breakfast, head for the fairy-tale Chateaude Chenonceau and its fabulous gardens. Firstmentioned in the 11th century, the currentchateau was built in 1514-1522 and was laterexpanded to span the river. The bridge overthe river was built (1556-1559) to designs bythe French Renaissance architect Philibert del’Orme and the gallery on the bridge (1570–1576) to designs by Jean Bullant. The chateauis built in the Gothic and Renaissance styles

and its beauty has made it the second most visited chateau in France after Versailles. It has hosted kings, queens and great figures ofFrench culture such as Voltaire and Rousseau.Also, the Catherine di Medici Gardens are atruly spectacular horticultural treasure.

After lunch in the wonderful Orangery at theChateau de Chenonceau it is on to Tours. The walking tour explores the area of "OldTours" with its narrow, pedestrian streets, and many houses with half-timbered façadesdating mainly from the 15th century and 16th centuries. Stroll around the picturesquemedieval streets where you will find manycraft shops. You will also see the famousCharlemagne Tower which is all that remainsfrom an old basilica dedicated to Saint Martin. Legend has it that the name of thetower comes from Charlemagne’s fourth wife, Luitgarde d’Alemanie who is said to be buried here.

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OPORTO PORTUGAL

Oporto City and Port TastingOPO1 Half day INCLUDED

Historically, Oporto is no doubt one ofthe most important cities in Portugal. Thetown centre dates mainly from the 18th century, when trade was booming and merchants embellished the city with largesquares and avenues that made a big contrastwith the narrow little streets of the old medieval quarters, and all around you can see the façades of elegant homes and palacesthat show how prosperous they were in daysgone by.

Our first stop is the Romanesque-style Cathedral, built in the 12th century and extensively rebuilt in the 17th and 18th centuries. You’ll be able to admire the interiorand see the altar dating from the baroque period.

Next you’ll visit the Stock Exchange Palace,built in the 19th century to impress Europeaninvestors. The surprising Moorish decoratedrooms are nowadays used by the Chamber of Commerce, the President and members ofthe government for official receptions. You’llcross the Douro River by way of the uniquedouble-decker Dom Luis Bridge to Gaia to visit a well-known wine cellar for a tasting of the port wine.

OPORTO

Palatine Chapel & Cathedral PAL1 Half day INCLUDED

During Roger II’s reign as King of Sicily(1130AD to 1154AD), the island became a great maritime power and also the channelthrough which Greek and Arabic thoughtpassed into Europe. The embracing spirit ofRoger’s reign is gloriously expressed in manyof the great buildings of Sicily, but nowheremore perfectly than the Palatine Chapel, builtduring the 1130s and 1140s. This is theking’s masterpiece – a miraculous fusion of Latin, Byzantine and Arabic architectural design. Creamy marble is inlaid with gold leaf,Byzantine mosaics blanket entire walls andthe ceiling of carved wooden coffers speaks of the finest Arabic design. The palace in

which the chapel is housed had its start in the9th century AD, when the Emir of Palermobuilt on the site of a Punic Roman stronghold.Roger II turned the building into the city’smain fortress and his sumptuous palace, then crowned it with this jewel of a chapel.

Following your visit to the Palatine Chapel,the walking tour continues to nearby San Giovanni degli Eremiti, built by Roger II in1132, a Norman church with Arabic domes.Drive next to Palermo Cathedral, site of thehuge porphyry tomb of Roger II, as well as the silver urn that contains the remains ofPalermo’s protector, St Rosalia.

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PALERMO SICILY, ITALY

A Special Visit to Palazzo GangiPAL3 DONATION $55pp

Among Palermo’s most delightful secrets arethe aristocratic, privately-owned residences.When the Princes Gangi decided to remodelthe 15th-century ancestral palace of the PrincesValguarnera, it was a vast undertaking thatspread over the 18th century and continuestoday under the auspices of Princess CarineVanni Mantegna. Sicily’s leading artists weresummoned to assist in creating a showcase.

Today, we’ll visit the fabulous results. Thepalazzo is especially noted for its SicilianBaroque ballroom decorated with Muranochandeliers, gold fittings and glittering mirrors.Here, in 1882 Wagner composed the openingbars of Parsifal and in 1963 Luchino Viscontifilmed the magnificent ball scene of The Leopard.The visit to Palazzo Gangi is exclusive to guestsof Voyages to Antiquity.

Note: Please check with the Tour Office on boardfor details on how to register for this programmewhich is operated as an extension to included excursions. However, as space is very limited, we recommend you register at the earliest opportunity once on board.

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MonrealePAL2 Half day INCLUDED

Travel just a short distance out ofPalermo to discover Monreale Cathedral, considered by many to be the most beautifulNorman church in Italy. Designed by Williamthe Good in 1174, the church offers visions of beauty, grace and the divine. The exterior’sthick walls and powerful towers have the lookof an austere fortress, but just step inside: it isthe interior that is this cathedral’s true glory.The large nave with its side aisles and greygranite columns draws the eyes upward to12th-century gold mosaics that cover over one and a half acres of wall space.

The tour also visits the Benedictine cloisters, a magnificent synthesis of Romanesque andArab architecture. Admire the serenity of thecourtyard with its graceful arcade featuring216 sets of twin columns and pointed Arabicarches. Later, enjoy free time in the mainsquare before we return to the ship.

St John's PatmosPTM1 Half day INCLUDED

Visit the small cave where St John received his revelation, the medieval village of Chora and the Monastery of St John theTheologian – together a UNESCO World Heritage Site that constitutes an exceptionalexample of a Greek Orthodox pilgrimage centre. Patmos may be one of the smallest islands in the Dodecanese, but it compensatesfor size with beauty and history. Called the"Jerusalem of the Aegean," the island has longbeen a site of pilgrimage. When St John cameto Patmos in 95AD the Emperor Domition'spersecution of Christians were at their heightand the "beloved disciple" lived for two yearsin a small cave on the island. Here he wrotehis Gospel and dictated the Book of the Apocalypse.

This afternoon, a short drive takes you fromport to the grotto where St John once lived.

The cave is now converted into a beautifulchapel with a stone orifice the saint is said tohave used as a pillow. From the cave, continueto the 12th-century village of Chora and theMonastery of St John the Theologian whichdominates the town. The walking tour startswith a climb to the castle-like monastery,founded in the 10th century. Enter the courtyard with its intricately pebbled floor,decorated arches and old well fed by a reservoir beneath. Visit the ornate chapel ofChristodoulos with its frescoed entrance andreligious relics that include the skull of StThomas. Tour the old treasury, where thebreathtaking collection includes jewelled chalices, crowns, crucifixes and an El Grecoicon. Later, there will be free time to exploreChora with its whitewashed houses andByzantine churches before the return to the tavernas of Skala and the ship.

PATMOS GREEK ISLANDS

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PIRAEUS GREECE

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Byzantine AthensPIR2 Half day INCLUDED*

Never in the history of Christianity has aschool of artists infused such a high degree ofspirituality into its work. Byzantine theologiansinsisted that painters and mosaicists reflect the image of God. This morning's sightseeingreveals the splendour of Byzantine art in a tourthat combines visits to both the Byzantine Museum, home to the world's largest collectionof icons, and also the Monastery of Kaisarianiwith its fine frescoes and elegant gardens.

Drive from the pier to Illissia Mansion, winterresidence of the Duchess of Piacenza, andhome to the Byzantine and Christian Museum.Founded in 1914, this renowned museum focuses exclusively on Byzantine art from the 4th to 19th centuries. In addition to its impressive icons, frescoes and tapestries, there are paintings, sculptures and illuminatedmanuscripts. Displays recreate Byzantinechurches from the 5th to 11th centuries.

Continue next to the slopes of Mt. Hymettos,for a visit to the Monastery of Kaisariani, abeautiful example of Byzantine architecture.Inside its high walls discover the 11th-centurycatholicon, or main church, built in a Greekcross shape. The dome is supported by fourcolumns from an earlier Roman temple and colourful frescoes from the 14th to 18th centuries enliven the interior walls. There is also an 11th-century bathhouse. Later additions include a refectory, the monks’ cells and a 19th-century bell tower. Savour the views of Athens and the serenity of this delightful spot before returning to the ship.

The Acropolis & its MuseumPIR1 Half day INCLUDED*

Visit the sublime expression of Classical Greece, the Acropolis with its sweeping views of Athens. Commissioned by Pericles in the 5th century BC, the site is dominated by the majestic Parthenon: a building that embodies the stunning achievements of the Athenian “Golden Age”.Surrounding the great temple are the other architectural masterpieces of the citadel: the Propylaia (monumental gateway), theErechtheion with its beautiful Karayatid Porch and the Temple of Athena Nike (Winged Victory). Below the temple complex is the theatre of Dionysos where the dramas of Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides were first performed.

Then explore another marvel: the long-anticipated $200-million, 226,000-square-footAcropolis Museum. In the dramatic Gallery of the Slopes of the Acropolis, ascending floors of glass literally “float” you above the excavations for an extraordinary perspective of the layers of Greek history that lie below.

* Note: In Piraeus, you have a choice of included excursion (either PIR1 or PIR2).

PORTOFINOITALY

EXPLORE ON YOUR OWNSitting on a peninsula in the Tigullio Gulf east of Genoa is the picturesque, halfmoon shaped seaside village of Portofino.Originally founded by the Romans, todayit is known as a resort of the rich and

famous, and is filled with boutiques,restaurants, cafes and luxury hotels including the world-famous Hotel Splendido, situated high up on the a cliff with spectacular views. At sea level,beautiful pastel houses line the shores ofthe harbour, making it one of the mostperfect, most photogenic fishing ports inthe Mediterranean. It has been a magnetfor Europe’s beau monde for decades,from Rex Harrison to Elizabeth Taylor.

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Ancient MessiniPYL1 Half day INCLUDED*

Messini is regarded by many as one ofthe best-preserved archaeological sites inGreece. Take a short drive to the ArcadianGate, an impressive structure that once actedas an entrance to the ancient city of Messini.From here, you’ll head for the archaeologicalsite of Messini, which dates back to 146 BC.This is a marvellous site that includes an almost-intact theatre, the ruins of a 3rd-century temple, a time-worn sanctuary and a Byzantine monastery.

Then on to Mavromati village, about five minutes away, for a coffee break and thechance to enjoy the great panoramic view ofthe ancient site of Messini before making yourway back to the ship.

Castles of Southern GreecePYL2 Half day INCLUDED*

This tour combines ancient history witha taste of everyday local life. Proceed to thecastle of Niokastro, situated at the southernpart of the port of Pylos. The castle was builtby the Turks in 1573 and, due to its strategicimportance, it quickly became one of themajor castles in the Peloponnese during theTurkish occupation. It was captured by theVenetians in 1686 but was recaptured by theTurks some years later. Niokastro is one of themost well preserved castles in Greece, and istoday the home of the Centre for UnderwaterArchaeological Studies.

Then on by road to the city of Methoni whereyou will find beaches of golden sand, windingalleyways, cobbled houses, and where you willvisit the Venetian castle of Methoni.

PYLOS GREECE�

* Note: In Pylos, you have a choice of included excursion (either PYL1 or PYL2).

RAVENNA ITALYRAV

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Ravenna's MosaicsRAV1 Half day INCLUDED

Discover the mosaic-encrusted treasuresof a Byzantine exarchate, or bishopric. When Rome's power declined in the 5th century, Ravenna's power rose and the city became the capital of the Western Roman Empire. That dominance continued throughsuccessive rulers and Byzantine control in thelate 5th and 6th centuries. Today, Ravenna'ssuperb early Christian mosaics and buildingsfrom that period remain to dazzle the eye.

From the pier, drive to the city's historic centrewhere your walking tour begins. Visit the superb Basilica of St Vitale, one of WesternEurope's most important examples of Byzantine art and architecture. In this massiveoctagonal church, mosaic depictions of Justinian and his wife Theodora glitter in blue,green and gold. Perhaps even lovelier is yournext stop, the 5th-century Mausoleum ofGalla Placida. This tiny gem was designed forthe wife of a barbarian emperor, built in theshape of a cross and covered with mosaics inwhat seems every imaginable shade of blue.

Following this visit there will be free time to explore a bit before the walking tour continuesthrough Ravenna's old streets and serene piazzas to the Orthodox Baptistry. This octagonal monument is called the Baptistry of Neon after Bishop Neon, who completed the project in the 5th century and may havecommissioned the beautiful mosaics. Next, visit the Arian Baptistry, erected by the Ostrogoth King Theodoric the Great, where the interior of the massive dome is covered in mosaics depicting the baptism of Jesus.

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RHODES

RHODES GREEK ISLANDS

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Old Town & Grand Master’s Palace RHO1 Half day INCLUDED*

Leave behind the port where the Colossus once stood and discover a stunningensemble of Gothic architecture just a shortdrive from the port. These UNESCO WorldHeritage monuments testify to the role ofRhodes, the largest island in the Dodecanesegroup, as a strategic crossroads. Many structures date to the era of the Knights of St John of Jerusalem, who lived on the islandfrom 1309 until 1522 when the Ottoman Empire finally dislodged the Knights.

En route, you’ll visit the lookout Mount Smith, named after the British admiral Sir Sydney Smith who used this vantage point to scan the seas for French ships in theNapoleonic era. Then you enter the citadel of the Knight’s through the d’Amboise Gateand head for the restored Grand Master’s Palace. The first building of the 14th-centuryCrusaders, the Palace was modelled on thegreat Papal Palace of Avignon. It served as a fortress in times of war, a residence for theGrand Master of the Knights, a meeting placefor senior knights, and, in later times, a summer residence of both Mussolini and Victor Emmanuel II of Italy. Stroll the cobble-stone Street of the Knights and admire thehoney-coloured stone buildings with their giant doorways and arched windows. Stepinto the 15th-century Knights Hospital, now an archaeological museum that counts theAphrodite of Rhodes in flawless Parian marbleamong its treasures. At the conclusion of thistour, you can return to the ship or stay to wander this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Acropolis at LindosRHO2 Half day INCLUDED*

Gain inspiration from the exquisite natural setting of the Acropolis at Lindos, a destination of both historic and scenic interest, just an hour’s drive fromRhodes. This Doric town rose in power hundreds of years before Christ and continued to thrive into the middle ages.

We’ll walk to the Acropolis, surrounded by the contrasting 12th-century crusader fortifications, clinging to the rocks above thevillage. At the summit is the Doric Temple of Lindian Athena, an archaeological jeweldating from the 4th century BC, with a double-winged portico and elaborate propylaea. The site offers sweeping views over St Paul’s Bay, where the Apostle is said tohave sought shelter during a storm. Followingthe Acropolis, we’ll descend to the village with its whitewashed houses and temptingshops. A favorite resort since the time ofJulius Caesar, Lindos is home to writers,artists and craftsmen.

* Note: In Rhodes, you have a choice of included excursion (either RHO1 or RHO2).

The Colosseum & St Peter’s BasilicaROM1 Half day INCLUDED*

Between 200BC and 200AD the Romans were masters of the Mediterranean,and Rome was the centre of that universe.Feel that ancient world come alive as we see these two iconic sights. Discover the FlaviusAmphitheatre, also known as the Colosseum.This arena is the biggest and most imposingstadium in the Roman World, an engineeringfeat based on the arch. At its peak, the Colosseum could hold as many as 60,000spectators, and in summer a canvas roof covered the top to protect crowds from thesun. Started by Emperor Vespasian of theFlavia family, this huge elliptical amphitheatrewas opened by his son Titus in 80AD with a week-long celebration featuring combats between gladiators and beasts.

Continue to the Roman Forum for apanoramic view from our motorcoach. Forowas the name that the Romans gave to this

central square set between the Palatine andCapitoline hills. The Forum offers a vision of the city as it was 2,000 years ago: a cosmopolitan hub pulsing with life. Here stand the remains of grand temples, triumphal arches and a complex devoted to Vestal virgins, along with a labyrinth of governmental buildings that include aRecords Office, the Senate, a prison, and even a spot used by tax collectors.

Next is a visit to St Peter’s Basilica, the mostimportant basilica in the Christian World. Inside, an almost unimaginable wealth of arttreasures await. The basilica is built on thesite of a church where St Peter, the first Pope,is said to be buried. Fronting the basilica isone of Rome’s most famous squares, Bernini’selliptical Piazza San Pietro, an extraordinarysight punctuated by an Egyptian obelisk anda graceful colonnade.

ROME ITALY (HOTEL STAY)

ROME

* Note: In Rome, you have a choice of included excursion (either ROM1 or ROM2).

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Rome’s CountrysideROM2 Half day INCLUDED*

Depart the hotel and drive to the Catacombs. This curious underground mazeof tunnels was hollowed out of the volcanicrock where the early Christians, persecuted by the Romans, had to practice their religionin secret and bury their dead. The Christiancatacombs are extremely important for the arthistory of early Christian art, as they containthe great majority of examples from beforeabout 400 AD, in fresco and sculpture.

Continue on to the Roman Hills. Italy boasts a wealth of beautiful countryside and the areasurrounding Rome is no exception. Head fromRome along the Appian Way – one of the firstancient Roman military roads – and into theenchanting surrounding countryside with itsrolling hills and lush farmlands dotted withfarmhouses, villas and palaces. You’ll reachthe Lake of Albano in the crater of an extinctvolcano. Winding your way up to the top of anearby hill, you will stop for a short stroll inthe lovely medieval town of Castelgandolfo,where the Popes have kept their summer residence for centuries. In fact, Castel Gandolfo’sPapal Palace and Gardens are actually part ofthe sovereign Vatican State.

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Vatican Museums & Sistine ChapelROM3 Half day OPTIONAL $78pp

Enjoy a dazzling visit to what is considered one of the world's most importantart collections, the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel with its magnificent frescoes byMichelangelo. This tour takes you to VaticanCity where centuries of popes, beginning withGregory XI in 1377, have enriched the palatialcomplex. Wander through the fascinatingCandelabra Gallery, the Gallery of Tapestriesand the Gallery of Maps. Pass through themagnificent Stanza of Raphael, where in the16th century the young artist decorated therooms of Pope Julius II's residence with suchmasterpieces as the "School of Athens," whichshows Aristotle, Plato and other philosophers.

Your visit culminates in the Vatican's most celebrated building, the Sistine Chapel. Built

in the 15th century as a private place of worship for the popes, the chapel was completely restored in the 1990s. At the same time Raphael was frescoing the walls of the papal apartments, Michelangelo was ona scaffold painting the chapel's extraordinaryceiling with nine scenes from Genesis, including the Creation of Man, the Expulsion of Adam and Eve, as well as The Flood. On thewall behind the main altar, The Last Judgment,painted twenty years later, provides furthertestament to the artist's genius. Though working against his will and in a medium he disliked (he saw himself as a sculptor),Michelangelo managed to fill the room withmasterpieces and left a legacy at which theworld can only marvel.

Tivoli & the Villa d'EsteROM4 Half day OPTIONAL $68pp

Among the world's most beautiful gardens, the grounds of the Villa d'Este embody Renaissance culture at its most refined and are a UNESCO World HeritageSite. Your visit to this remarkable place startswith a drive to Tivoli, a small town in a lovelywooded area on the slopes of the Apennines.The region is rich in caves, waterfalls and legend (a local Sybil prophesied the birth ofJesus). In the hills, opulent villas date to atime when Tivoli was the resort of Roman emperors. Your destination is the 16th-century Villa d'Este, famed for its spectaculargardens, which feature the Avenue of theHundred Fountains, the Rotunda of Cypresses and an Organ Fountain that still makes music. With their grottoes, terraces and water displays, these gardens

had a profound influence on European mannerist and baroque style garden design.

Originally a Benedictine convent, the palacewas the residence of the exiled Cardinal Ippolito d'Este, governor of Tivoli from 1550.He envisioned a garden set amid hanging cliffs and enlisted the painter-architect-archaeologist Pirro Ligorio to design them.Their innovative construction and the series of terraces upon terraces call to mind thehanging gardens of Babylon. The Aniene River laces the property and the control of its waters, along with the gravity-poweredfountains evoke the engineering skill of theRomans. Following your visit, enjoy free time to wander through the colourful open air market offering souvenirs, fruit, and a variety of local products.

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SALERNO ITALY

PaestumSAL1 Half day INCLUDED*

Imagine the surprise of the King ofNaples when his 17th-century roadproject revealed three Greek temples in a stateof near perfection amid a malaria-infestedswamp. He had discovered Paestum, a majorcity of classic times, surviving untouchedsince the fall of the Roman Empire.

Drive from the ship to the east-west mountainridge that acted as a boundary between thecolonies of Magna Graecia (Greater Greece)and the indigenous Lucanian people. Mythology credits Jason and the Argonautswith the city’s founding but, more likely if less romantically, the honour belongs to theGreeks who settled here in 600BC, namingthe site Poseidonia to honour the god of theseas. The city was occupied by the Lucans in 400BC, but evidence suggests that the two cultures prospered together. In 273BC,the city became a Roman colony and was renamed Paestum. Three exquisite Greek temples, built between 530BC and 460BC,are at the heart of the city and are comple-mented by magnificent Roman discoveriesthat include baths, an amphitheatre and theremains of a forum.

We will also visit the site’s museum, wherethe tomb frescoes, discovered by a localfarmer in 1969, are worthy of special note.Thankfully, moist conditions enabled theseGreek paintings to survive the centuries without drying and flaking and maintain their colours. The various themes include abanquet attended by male lovers, a spiritedchariot race and a diver captured in mid-plunge. They are among the world’s rare surviving examples of ancient Greek painting.

RavelloSAL2 Half day INCLUDED*

Settle back for a beautiful drive alongthe legendary Amalfi Coast to magnificentRavello. From the harbour, the narrow mainroad winds along sheer cliffs and offersbreathtaking panoramas at every hairpin turn. Many consider this the most beautifuldrive in the world and it certainly is a fitting prelude to Ravello. Perched 1,150 feet abovethe Bay of Salerno, the town is a vision of antique towers, graceful arches and floweringgardens that contrast with the rugged surrounding landscape. Its beauty has drawn poets, artists and musicians over themillennia. Boccaccio wrote of Ravello in hisDecameron and, more recently, the authorGore Vidal made the town his home.

Our first stop will be at the aristocratic VillaRufolo, which has hosted Pope Adrian IV andKing Robert of Anjou. The 11th-century Arabstyle structure has a fountain-decked gardenthat so entranced Wagner he called it "the garden of Klingsor" after the legendary sorcerer and guardian of a magic garden from his opera Parsifal. The terrace is the setting for Ravello's annual music festival. Later, you'llhave time to browse Ravello's cafes, shops and such gems as the cathedral's pulpit whichfeatures mosaics of lions and parrots in itssumptuous design.

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* Note: In Salerno, you have a choice of included excursion (eitherSAL1 or SAL2).

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Santorini & AkrotiriSAN1 Full day INCLUDED

Closed to the public for over six years,the newly reopened Minoan settlementof Akrotiri is the tour's highlight, butyou also visit several of Santorini's picturesquevillages. One of the Aegean's most importantarchaeological sites, Akrotiri was abandonedafter severe earthquakes, then covered inpumice by a volcanic eruption in about1625BC. A visit tells the tale of an affluent society who farmed, built two-story homesand indulged a taste for frescoes, furnitureand jewellery. Today's tour includes a visit to the ongoing excavations, where you can walk amid the well-preserved streets, view the workshops and squares.

Start your adventure with a transfer from theship by local boat, then drive to the northerntip of the island to the village of Oia with its

whitewashed houses, blue-domed churchesand coffee shops carved in the cliffs. Strollalong the cobblestone streets where wealthysea captains built their mansions, now converted to cafes, boutiques and art galleries.Take in breathtaking views in all directions.

Continue to the southern end of the islandand the archaeological site of Akrotiri. The excavations, led by Professor Spyros Marintos,began in 1967. Walk around this amazing cityand get an insight into the culture that laidthe foundation for Greek civilisation. Thencontinue to tiny Pyrgos, once the capital. View the distant Venetian castle, then sitdown to lunch at a local taverna. Concludeyour adventure in Fira, the scenic capital.From here, you'll have the option of remainingin town or returning to the ship by cable car.

SANTORINI GREEK ISLANDS�

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SARANDE

SARANDE ALBANIA

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Archaeological Site of ButrintSAR1 Half day INCLUDED

Surrounded by a picturesque lagoon,Butrint is one of the Ionian's most remarkablearchaeological sites and one of Albania's most beautiful national parks. Inhabited since prehistoric times, Butrint, in antiquity Buthrotum, was successively the site of a 6th-century Greek colony, a Roman city and a bishopric. The city prospered underByzantine administration, was occupied in the 14th century by the Venetians, then by the French, and then the Ottomans. The Ottomans built a fortress for private entertaining and one of their regular visitorswas Lord Byron who wrote a poem dedicatedto Butrint. Butrint began to be abandoned inthe late Middle Ages due to marshes formingin the area. Wars, earthquakes and new citieshastened the city's decline. Today the site is a rich repository of the past and a designatedUNESCO World Heritage Site. From the pier, a 45-minute drive takes us to Butrint,where the visit begins.

The word Butrint is related to Aeneas, the Trojan hero who sailed to this area and sacrificed an ox to gain safe entrance to the region. The ox swam to shore, the site of Butrint, thus giving the area its name,"wounded ox". The idyllic wooded setting has inspired writers from Virgil to Racine. An Italian archaeological team headed byLuigi Ugolini supervised three excavationshere from 1928 to 1939. Following the war, Albania continued the excavations. Since1994, archaeologists of the University of East Anglia have made further excavations.

Today, the approximately 50 square mile site(86 sq. kilometers) is an Albanian NationalPark and is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993. Walk along thewinding paths to discover layers of civilisation:Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine and Venetian.Complete the visit with a view from Butrint'sacropolis and a short visit to the museum.

SETE

SETE FRANCE

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Carcassonne & NarbonneSET1 Full day INCLUDED*

Relive centuries of history when you visittwo cities with Roman roots: the UNESCOWorld Heritage Site of Carcassonne, an outstanding example of a medieval fortified town,and landlocked Narbonne, once a leading portcelebrated by the troubadour Bertrand de Bar.

Your adventure starts with a drive through the wild Languedoc countryside to Carcassonne, a site continuously occupied for over 2,500 years. Encircled by double walls, this stronghold stands exactly as it did in the Middle Ages with miles of battlements,52 towers and a castle. View the mighty gatewith its chains, portcullis and intricate accesssystem. Stroll the lists between the double walls and savor the atmosphere as you get aneducation in military architecture.

Then you will be taken by coach to the secondmajor place of the region: Narbonne. Enjoy athree-course lunch before visiting the first townfounded by the Romans during the second century BC. At that time the town was also a sea port and took advantages of the privileges as Rome. In the 5th century Narbonne was aVisigoth capital and in the Middle Ages an important Episcopal centre, as can be seen in several superbly preserved monuments.

MontpellierSET2 Extended half day INCLUDED*

A short distance inland from the Mediterranean Sea sits the capital of theLanguedoc Roussillon area, Montpellier.Founded in the 10th century by the counts ofToulouse, it boasts one of France’s largest andEurope’s oldest universities founded here in the 12th century).

Begin with a guided walking tour through thecharming streets, take time to appreciate thehandsome medieval buildings and elegant private mansions, plus the 14th-century Cathedrale de Saint Pierre and the lookalike Arc de Triomphe at the end of the Rue Foch.

Enjoy free time to explore the narrow backstreets and lively squares before driving toChateau de Flaugergues, property of the “deColbert” family since 1696. Count and CountessHenry de Colbert live in the castle, a Frenchhistorical monument, and you will enjoy a visitof their home with its family collections and awalk in the gardens. The castle preserves antique furniture and a collection of stunningFlemish tapestries. Then you will discover thecellars and taste wine produced at theChateau’s vineyards: a red, rose and white wine of “AOC Coteaux de Languedoc” and“Coteaux de la Mejanelle”.

* Note: In Sete, you have a choice of included excursion (either SET1 or SET2).

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SEVILLE SPAIN (HOTEL STAY)SEVILLE

It has been said that if heaven does exist thenit probably looks like Seville’s Royal Palace Alcazar. A building existed on this site as earlyas 913 but the main construction was carriedout in the early fourteenth century with thesublime Mudejar Palacio de Don Pedro beingcompleted in 1366. The Alcazar is a functioningroyal palace and some of the Upper RoyalQuarters are still used by the Spanish royalfamily. Finally, stroll through the Old JewishQuarter of Santa Cruz with its labyrinth ofnarrow streets and lovely Moorish courtyards.

Seville City TourSEV1 Half day INCLUDED

Seville is a beautiful and romantic place.Legend has it this Andalusian city wasfounded 3,000 years ago by Hercules and it is also said to be the birthplace of flamenco.Your tour will, we trust, give you a flavour ofthis intoxicating place. Admire the exterior of the spectacular fifteenth-century Cathedralof Seville which is the third largest in Europeand one of the last built in the Gothic style. It stands on the site of the great 12th-centuryAlmohad mosque, with the mosque’s minaret(the Giralda) still towering beside it.

SKIATHOSGREEK ISLANDS

EXPLORE ON YOUR OWNThe westernmost island in the Sporades,Skiathos is famous for its splendidbeaches. The shade cast by the tree-covered hills is said to have inspired the Pelasgians to give the island itsname. Dionysus, the god of wine, was worshipped here. Herodotus wrote that the residents used beacons to notify the Greeks of the approachingPersian fleet in 480BC.

Following the Peloponnesian Wars, the island endured successive waves of conquerors. Today, cosmopolitanSkiathos draws visitors from all over Europe. There are the superb beaches,the walled town of Kastro and a livelytown where you can sample the localolives, honey and almond sweets.

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Cordoba SEV2 Full day INCLUDED

In its history, Cordoba has been both a capital of a Roman province and capital of the Arab state of Al-Andalus. A great cultural reference point in Europe, this ancient city has been declared a UNESCOWorld Heritage Site and contains a mixture of wonderful buildings, monuments and artefacts that are a reminder of the culturesthat have settled it throughout history. It hasbeen estimated that in the 10th century Cordoba was the most populous city in theworld, and today it is a moderately sized citywith a population of about 330,000.

The historic quarter of Cordoba is a beautifulnetwork of small streets, alleys, squares andwhitewashed courtyards arranged around theMezquita, which reflects the city's prominentplace in the Islamic world during medievaltimes. You will visit the most famous and inspiring monuments of the city, including theRoman Bridge and the famous Great Mosque,a building that was considered a wonder ofthe medieval world by both Muslims andChristians. The building is most notable forits giant arches with over 1,000 columns ofjasper, onyx, marble and granite. These weremade from pieces of the Roman temple that hadoccupied the site previously. When Cordobawas re-conquered from the Moors in 1236 by King Ferdinand III of Castile, the mosquebecame a Catholic church.

Another highlight is the old Jewish quarter.You will have the opportunity to visit the ancient market, now transformed to artisanmarket, and walk through the well known“Calle de las Flores” or “street of flowers”, a beautiful example of a typical Andalusianstreet decorated with plants and flowers. Before heading to lunch, you will have sometime at leisure to explore the city independently.

SORRENTO ITALY

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PompeiiSOR1 Half day INCLUDED*

The patricians who built their mansionsin Pompeii came to escape the turmoil inRome, but a different sort of violence awaitedthem in their southern retreats. In 79AD,Mount Vesuvius erupted at 10am and, withinthree hours, extinguished these affluent communities even as it preserved their remainsfor our discovery. Begin with a scenic hourdrive along the Bay of Naples to Pompeii.

On the walking tour, you will be guided expertly through this spectacular site. Placesnot to be missed include the aristocratic mansions, temples, theatres, markets and largeforum. At every turn, inscriptions bring thehustle and bustle of this ancient city to life:there are notices of wine sales and apartmentvacancies, upcoming gladiatorial events in thetheatre and political announcements.

HerculaneumSOR2 Half day INCLUDED*

A scenic hour drive takes us to Herculaneum which was engulfed by volcanic mud in the same eruption thatclaimed Pompeii. Fortunately for us, this mud sealed and protected entire buildings:today inlaid marble floors, paintings, mosaicsand carbonised woods can all be seen. Theserange from the sculpture of the Drunken Hercules in the House of the Stags to mosaicsof tritons in the city baths. Herculaneum was a wealthier town than Pompeii with anextraordinary density of fine houses, with farmore lavish use of coloured marble cladding.The discovery in recent years of some 300skeletons along the sea shore came as a surprise since it was known that the town itself had been largely evacuated.

Following our visit, we will return to centralSorrento where you have the option of exploring independently or returning to the ship in the company of the guide.

SORRENTO

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*Note: In Sorrento, you have a choice of included excursion (either SOR1 or SOR2).

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SPLIT

Palace of DiocletianSPL1 Half day INCLUDED

When Emperor Diocletian shook up the Roman Empire by abdicating in 305AD,he had his retirement residence ready: a lavishpalace he had just built in Salona, now Split,in his native Dalmatia.

Visit this amazing palace complex that, when completed, held three temples, a massivemausoleum, and could accommodate 9,000people. For an intimate perspective on how life was organised, this tour includes a walkthrough the palace cellars. The city of Splitgrew inside and around this palace, with thepopulation retreating behind its walls whenunder attack, and then spilling out beyondthem in times of peace.

Today the Palace of Diocletian is a UNESCOWorld Heritage Site, but don’t expect a desertedruin. Discover instead a vibrant warren of museums, galleries, shops and restaurants mingled with medieval fortifications, pre-Romanesque churches and Gothic chapels.Renaissance palaces testify to a time when Split was a key port of the Venetian Republic.The tour visits Diocletian’s massive octagonalmausoleum, converted into a cathedral in the 7th century and named after a Christian martyred during that emperor’s persecutions.You’ll also tour the city museum where 15th-century furnishings recapture aristocratic life in that period. Other sights include the palace’s monumental Golden and Silver Gates and the columned PeristyleSquare. Following the tour, there will be free time to visit the colorful local market or explore Split on your own.

SPLIT CROATIA

Salona & Trogir SPL2 Half day OPTIONAL $58pp

Drive along the Riviera of the Seven Castles to two gems of the Dalmatian coast:the town of Salona, home to the most important Roman excavations in Croatia, and the tiny island of Trogir, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Leave behind busy Split for Solin, as ancientSalona is now called, and enter a world where time stands still. Long before Split even existed this affluent Roman colonybuzzed with over 40,000 inhabitants. Herearchaeologists have excavated temples, anecropolis and baths dating from the 1st century AD. There is an amphitheatre whereit is thought mock naval battles where held.In this arena early Christians were martyredand their relics rest in Salona's excavatedchurches. Following your tour through Romanantiquity, your drive continues past the castlesbuilt by Venetians to defend against the Turks.

Cross a bridge from the mainland and enterthe Middle Ages on the island of Trogir. ThisUNESCO World Heritage Site is a remarkableexample of urban continuity starting with theGreeks in 300BC, followed by a litany of otherconquerors. In the 13th century Trogir was anartistic centre under the kings of Hungary.The 13th century Cathedral of St Lawrencedominates the town, a magnificent example of sacral architecture with three naves, threeapses and a grand main portal carved by alocal artist known as Master Radovan. Enjoyan unforgettable walk along narrow stonestreets whose plan dates to the Hellenistic era. Confront the past at every turn from thebright blue face of the massive Clock Tower to the mullioned windows of Cipiko Palaceand Town Hall. Later you will have free timeto shop for Trogir embroidery or perhaps trysome palacinke (jam-filled pancakes) in a cafe.

Mont Saint-Michel STM1 Extended half day INCLUDED

Departing from Saint-Malo, proudlynamed the “Privateers’ City” due to its association with pirates in the 19th century,the tour takes you directly to the Mont Saint-Michel, which Victor Hugo described as being“to the ocean what the Pyramid of Cheops isto the desert”. The famous author added that“We must protect by any means this master-piece of the nature and the art.”

The walking tour takes you through the narrow streets of the medieval village and upto the abbey, the plans of which are said tohave been first revealed in a dream. The

monastery was found by the 10th century andit lent its support to William of Normandy inhis claim to the throne of England. This he rewarded with properties and grounds on theEnglish side of the Channel, including a smallisland off the south-western coast of Cornwallwhich was modelled after the Mount and became a Norman priory named St Michael'sMount of Penzance.

Today, the Mont welcomes you as modern pilgrims following the century-old tradition.And there will be time for independent sightseeing and shopping.

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T-MALO

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TANGIER

Arriving back in Tangier, visit the Medina (old town) whose walls mark the line of theRoman defences. The grand Mosque rises on the foundations of a temple to Neptune,and the Petit Socco covers the area of whatused to be the Forum. The bustling Kasbah is situated on the highest part of the Medinain an area that has been the preserve ofpalaces and castles for thousands of years.Your guide will walk you through the Medina and the Kasbah, allowing you the opportunity to view the fruit and vegetablemarket and Mendoubia Park where you can explore at leisure, if you wish.

Tangier HighlightsTAN1 Half day INCLUDED

Situated only a short distance across the Strait of Gibraltar from the shores of Europe, Tangier is a gateway to a vastly different culure. This tour is perfect if you really want to discover more of Tangier, andexplore the bustling Medina, with its tinystreets lined with shops filled with trinketsand treats.

First head for a photostop at Cape SpartelLighthouse – more than a century old itshines a warning beacon to ships sailing between the Atlantic and Mediterranean.

TANGIER MOROCCO

TAORMIN

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Taormina Walking TourTAO1 Half day INCLUDED*

Nowhere is the beauty of Sicily more apparent than in the hilltop town ofTaormina. Today we will tender ashore for a short, scenic drive to this idyllic spot withits mountainous backdrop, lemon-blossomscented air and narrow, medieval “streets”.This walking tour proceeds past the Cathedraland the 15th-century Palazzo Corvaja with itsblack and white lava decoration.

The highlight is a guided tour of the theatre.Originally built by the Greeks in the 3rd century BC and rebuilt by the Romans in the2nd century AD, the site offers heart-skippingviews of the sea and Mount Etna. Your tour concludes with a stroll along the pedestrian Corso Umberto. In the small lanes and twisting viuzze you can shop forcolourful ceramics, seek out the wines that won the praise of Pliny or dine on the mulletfavoured by Ovid. Passengers wishing to lingerin Taormina after the tour can do so, as wehave a later return transfer back to the ship.

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* Note: In Taormina, you have a choice of included excursion (either TAO1 or TAO2).

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TAORMINA S IC ILY , ITALY

TAORMIN

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Sicilian Landscapes TAO2 Half day INCLUDED*

When seeking locations for TheGodfather trilogy about the notorious Corleone family, the filmmakers felt the townof the same name was too developed andchose, instead, two remote mountain villages:Savoca and Forza d'Agro. Both are reached bya drive through scenery that exemplifies thesensual beauty of Italy.

As you disembark for a drive through Naxos,founded by Greek colonists in the 8th century BC, the magnificent bay, Taorminaand Mount Etna are just a taste of what's to come. Enjoy the coastal scenery beforeturning inland to the Peloritani Mountains,where Savoca is set in a saddle between twohills. Here, the Bar Vitelli seems undisturbedfrom the time when Francis Ford Coppola was here and has a collection about the film.From the bar, a leisurely walking tour tracesthe wedding path of Michael Corleone and his bride up the main street past the 15th and 16th century churches to Santa Lucia,where they were married. Climb to the hill'ssummit for panoramas of a Norman Castleand the Strait of Messina. Also visit the Cappuccini Church where mummified bodies stand fully dressed in the crypt's shadowy niches.

Your excursion into Godfather Country winds to the nearby village of Forza d'Agro,where Al Pacino and Sophia Coppola came to shoot scenes for Godfather III. Landmarksinclude the Church of S. Agostino with itsGothic-Catalan portal, the Baroque MotherChurch and the Arab-Norman Castle of CapoSant'Alessio. You don't need to be a film buffto appreciate this choice part of Sicily.

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Byzantine ThessalonicaTHE1 Half day INCLUDED*

Byzantine emperors held Thessalonica(also known as Salonica) second only in importance to Constantinople, and today thecity is an open-air museum with Christianmonuments dating from the 4th to the 21stcentury. Thessalonica became part of theByzantine Empire in 395AD and was one ofthe first bases for the spread of Christianity.Drive from the ship to the Byzantine Museum,stopping en route at the 15th-century WhiteTower and the International Trade Fairgrounds, built on the site of an old Jewishcemetery razed by the Germans in World War II (the headstones were used to surfaceroads). At the museum, enjoy an absorbinglook at Byzantine and post-Byzantine culture.Learn how art and theology intertwined withpolitics and social structure, permeating all

aspects of everyday life. Drive next to the 5th-century basilica, Agios Dimitrios, devastatedin a 1917 fire that destroyed half the city.

The church was rebuilt and inside are some of the finest mosaics in Greece, including depictions of St Dimitrios, Thessalonica's patron saint. From here, your walking tourcontinues to the palace of the Emperor Galerius and the 4th-century Rotunda, his mausoleum. The climax is a visit to the8th-century Agia Sofia, patterned on Justinian'sHagia Sophia in Constantinople, its giantdome a symbol of technical mastery and the mosaics inside a work of Byzantine art.Following the visit you may drive back to theship or, if time permits, explore more of thetown at leisure.

THESSALONICA GREECE

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*Note: In Thessalonica, you have a choice of included excursion (either THE1 or THE2).

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Thessalonica City TourTHE2 Half day INCLUDED*

Enter the ancient walls of Thessalonicato discover the wondrous monumentsof a city that was once the capital of Roman Macedonia and, in the Byzantine era, secondonly to Constantinople. Founded in 315BCby Cassander of Macedonia and named afterhis wife, a stepsister of Alexander the Great,the city was a metropolis from the start. Today it is the second largest city in Greece, as well as the principle gateway from theMediterranean to the Balkans and Central Europe. The past has left a splendid variety of art and architecture from the Hellenistic era to the present, witness to a far-reachingheritage.

Begin with a visit to the White Tower, a restored 15th century Venetian fortificationthat is the city symbol. Also known as theBlood Tower, this was the site of a massacre of Christian soldiers during the Turkish occupation. Your scenic tour includes a look at the grounds of the International Trade Fair, the campus of the university and such Roman treasures as the Arch of Galerious and a brickwork Rotunda probablyintended as that emperor's mausoleum. Visitthe Church of St Dimitrios built on the spotwhere the city's patron saint was martyred.Then continue to the Archaeological Museum,home to a wealth of gold jewellery, part of thecelebrated finds from the Hellenistic tombs at Derveni, discovered by chance in 1961.Other highlights include the Citadel and CityWalls, from which you will have a marvellousview of the city, the Thermaic Gulf and, in the background, Mount Olympus, the home of the gods.

A Visit to VerginaTHE3 Half day OPTIONAL $68pp

Journey to the burial site of Macedonia's kings, including the father andson of Alexander the Great. The Royal Tombsof Vergina are held to be among antiquity'sgreatest treasures. Your archaeological adventure starts with a drive to nearbyVergina, once known as Aegae, the first capital of Macedonia. Today this small village is renowned for its remarkable temple complex, only opened to the public since 1993.

The tour includes a visit to the site where a monumental palace was brought to light.See the newly constructed exhibit bearing thetombs and the findings of all three tombs,including Alexander's father, Phillip II, whowas assassinated, and also his son, AlexanderIV, who was poisoned at 14. For centuries the tombs lay hidden under debris and localchildren played ball on the tumulus, as thegrave mound is called, unaware of what wasunderneath their feet. The story of the tombs'discovery by Manolis Andronikos, on the finalday of excavation, is a cliff-hanger tale in itself.

Visit the unique museum and walk down awhite sandstone ramp that descends partiallyunderground beneath a huge dome that simulates the look of the original mound.Feast your eyes on the marvellous treasuresfound in Phillip's magnificent solid gold casket. All are masterpieces of ancient Greekart dating back to the 4th century BC. Admirethe golden laurel wreaths, silver vessels andminiature sculpture, as well as paintings. Ofspecial note are Phillip's crown, armour andshield. On the return, as the mists of time lift,you'll be glad you took this thrilling turn offthe beaten path.

TRAPANI SICILY, ITALY

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EriceTRA2 Half day OPTIONAL $48pp

Upon seeing Pepoli Castle soaring2,500 feet above the sea, the Norman architecture may lead you to believe that this is a town out of the Middle Ages, but, in fact, this exquisite hill-top town has origins that reach back to prehistory. There is evidence of a cult to a goddess of fertility,Venus Erycina, that can still be seen insidethe castle, along with a sacred well andRoman bath. The Norman walls encirclingthe town incorporate original Phoenician fortifications – you can still see letters fromthe Phoenician alphabet carved in their surface. Stroll upwards along winding, cobblestone streets to grand squares with14th-century churches and wander atmospheric byways dotted with English-style gardens.

Following the guided tour, there will be freetime to explore the tempting shops that feature such local specialities as marzipanpastries or check out the panoramic views of Trapani and the Egadi Islands.

SegestaTRA1 Half day INCLUDED

It is about an hour’s drive to Segesta,once an advanced centre of the Elymian civilisation. The city is thought to have beenfounded in the 5th to 4th century BC by acombination of exiled Trojans, Phocaeansfrom Greece and Sicans of Sicily. Segesta was well defended, located on a vast plateaubetween two peaks and surrounded by walls. Presiding in splendid isolation is a stunning Greek theatre and the majestic 36-columned, 5th-century BC Doric temple. This archaeological jewel is in an extraordinary state of preservation and makes a superb sight amid its surroundings of rolling hills.

A short, albeit steep, walk from the templetakes you to the Greek (and later Roman) theatre, an open amphitheatre, where in thesummer Greek plays are staged. There is ashuttle bus up the hill, but the views are sostunning that if you can manage it, walk! It is set on top of a stunning mountain plateauand you can see for miles over the valleys below.

As the site of an ancient and important townwhich was only abandoned in the MiddleAges, Segesta also boasts the archaeologicalremains of many other times and cultures.There are the ruins of a Norman castle, asmall church and a mosque.

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Valencia and GardensVAL2 Half day INCLUDED*

Depart from the pier for the RoyalGardens. The garden was donated to the city in 1903 for a horticultural nursery fromwhich it derives its other name by which it is known: Viveros. The gardens have beenenlarged, with the addition of fountains,greenhouses and more. In the garden itself,you will find the reconstructed palace gateway featuring the Dukes of Mandas inthe sixteenth century “plateresque” style, an elaborate ornamentation suggestive of silver plate. This façade was previously located in Avellanas Street. An eighteenthcentury gateway is also found a few stepsfrom here, which was once from Condes deAlcudia Palace (or Moroder) in Tetuan Square.

From here, you will enjoy a panoramic tourof the city centre. Valencia is Spain’s third-largest city and is wonderfully liveable withthriving cultural, eating and commercialscenes. Brilliant contemporary buildingsgrace the city, which also has some fabulousmuseums and a large, characterful old quarter – perhaps explore these during your free time.

Valencia City TourVAL1 Half day INCLUDED*

Few cities are able to combine so harmoniously the remains from an ancienthistory with the most modern, avant-gardebuildings as well as Valencia. You will visitboth the historical centre and the most modern part of the city. Start by viewing themost outstanding monuments in the city including the fourteenth century church ofthe Knights Templar, the North Station, amodernist building designed by the architectDemetrio Ribes and inaugurated in 1917, andthe Serranos and Quart Towers the only twodoors that were conserved from the old wallthat protected Valencia for 500 years.

Continue to the Central Market (for an outside visit), Lonja (old silk exchange) – thisbuilding is one of the best examples of civicGothic architecture, a work of great beauty byPere Compte. For years Round Square hasbeen used as a market and meeting place.Nowadays it is the scene of some fantastichandicraft stalls and souvenir shops.

Steeped in history, the main Cathedral in Valencia's Plaza de la Virgen was built on thesite of a former Roman temple and Muslimmosque. You will also see the exterior of theBasilica and the Generalitat Palace, which is a flamboyant Gothic building dating from1421 that was the seat of the Valencian Government. In the most modern part of the city the highlight is the new landmark of Valencia, the City of Arts & Sciences, the largest cultural-educational complex in Europe.

VALENCIA SPAIN

*Note: In Valencia, you have a choice of included excursion (either VAL1 or VAL2).

VENICE ITALY (HOTEL STAY)

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Walking Tour of VeniceVEN1 Half day INCLUDED

Whether it is your first or fifteenth time in Venice, it is easy to get lost amid thelabyrinth of bridges, footpaths and waterways,but save that pleasure for later. On this walkingtour, a knowledgeable guide will navigate thecity for you, uncovering its treasures as he orshe shares its tales. Travel by boat down the beautiful Guidecca Canal to the heart ofVenice, St Mark’s Square, and disembark atthe bustling Riva degli Schiavoni. Stand in the regally proportioned square so famous for its pigeons and pealing bell towers. Sightshere include the Campanile and the 15th-century clock tower where two huge bronzestatues strike the hour.

Walk to St Mark's Basilica, a masterpiece ofByzantine architecture, and admire its façademosaics and golden dome, both superbly restored to their original grandeur. Next, take in the beauty of the Doge's Palace, a14th-century Gothic masterpiece with pinkmarble exterior and lacy stone arches. Fornearly a thousand years, this was the seat ofthe Venetian government and the residence ofthe Republic's elected leader, the Doge. Afterviewing this sight from outside, you'll havefree time to explore the shops and cafesaround St Mark's Square, where necklaces ofVenetian glass make a treasured souvenir.

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St Mark’s BasilicaVEN2 Evening visit INCLUDED

If there is one memory to take homewith you, it is the sight of St Mark’s Basilica,the cathedral of Venice, and this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity the see this remarkablebuilding at its very best. This evening, StMark’s will be reserved for Voyages to Antiquity guests who will be treated to a private tour and the breathtaking sight of the famous mosaics illuminated in a spectacular light show.

The church was built in 828 as a tomb forSaint Mark, whose body was spirited out ofAlexandria hidden in a casket of pork, a bit of intrigue you can see memorialised in themosaics above the church door. After a 976fire, the church was rebuilt and served as theDoge’s private chapel. As such, it was a placeof immense wealth and power that it becameknown as the Golden Church, or Chiesad’Oro. For example, the Four Horses of StMark in front are replicas of the Roman sculptures inside, brought back by the Venetians after the sacking of Constantinople.These horses originally had giant rubies intheir eye sockets.

The interior reinforces the jewel-encrustedByzantine effect with its galleries high abovethe naves, massive chandeliers and over40,000 square feet of mosaics. Works by Tintoretto, Bellini and Mantegna – to mention a few – adorn the walls. The Treasury brims with wealth from centuries of conquest. A visit here is an unforgettableglimpse into the heights reached by LaSerenissima, as The Most Serene Republic of Venice was called.

Venice's Aristocratic VillasVEN3 Half day OPTIONAL $95pp

When Venetian doges of the 15th to18th centuries wanted summer homes, they resorted to the Veneto region and builtbeautiful villas along the banks of the RiverBrenta. Today we'll visit the Villa Foscari, aUNESCO World Heritage Site designed by Andrea Palladio (1508-80), and Villa Pisani, a Versailles-like structure where GianbattistaTiepolo (1696-1770) covered the ballroomceiling with a fresco masterpiece. Depart fromthe pier to the tiny town of Malcontenta.

Stop first at Greek temple-like Villa Foscari,poised high above the mouth of the BrentaRiver. Completed in 1560, the building is considered among the most mature of Palladio's designs and echoes his reverence for classical design principles. The villa is built on a platform with an Ionic colonnadedportico framed by stairs on each side for harmony and balance. Inside, allegorical frescoes by Giovanni Battista Zelotti and Giovanni Battista Franco depict such subjects as the Fall of the Giants.

As your drive continues along the Brenta River road, take in the patrician Venetian villas. At the town of Stra, visit the Villa Pisani,now a national museum housing 18th and19th century works of art and furniture.Tiepolo's massive masterpiece, The Glory of the Pisani Family, covers the ceiling of the ballroom. Tour the entire piano nobile, or principal floor, of 30 rooms with original furnishings. The gardens are breathtaking and feature a maze so complex it is saidNapoleon got lost in it, while Hitler and Mussolini, who met here, refused to enter.

VIGO SPAIN

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Santiago de Compostela VIG1 Full day INCLUDED

Vigo, the Gateway to the Atlantic, is agreat combination of ancient history,beautiful beaches and a modern cosmopolitan outlook. This Galician city also has a proud heritage. Vigo was where theRoman Empire met the ocean and, in the19th century, it became the main transatlanticdeparture point for a nation.

Leave Vigo by road for Santiago de Compostelaone of the most important places in Catholicism, because it is reputed to be the place where St James, one of the twelve Apostles of Christ, is buried.

On arrival, enjoy a guided tour of ObradoiroSquare. Named after the workmen who built the Cathedral, this square sits in front of the main entrance of the Cathedral on itsnorthern façade. Facing the Cathedral is the Palacio de Rajoy that was built in the eighteenth century to house the choirboysand a seminary for priests. It was later used as a prison and is now the Town Hall.

Facing the Cathedral is the Hostal dos ReisCatolicos that was built as a hospital for pilgrims during the reign of the Catholic kings in the XV century and today is one of the most beautiful buildings combining different styles such as Renaissance, Gothicand Baroque.

The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela isthe reputed burial-place of Saint James, one of the apostles of Jesus Christ, and it has beena place of pilgrimage on the Way of St Jamessince the early Middle Ages. What we seetoday is actually the fourth church to stand on this spot. The lavish baroque façade facingPraza do Obradoiro was erected in the 18thcentury, replacing the weather-damaged Romanesque one. This is the cathedral's main entrance, but owing to repair work onthe towers and interior, it's likely to be closeduntil about 2021. In the meantime, most people enter through the south door on Praza das Praterias.

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Remarkable Monasteries of MeteoraVOL1 Full day INCLUDED

Perhaps the highlight of any trip toGreece is the sight of the Byzantinemonasteries built atop the rock towersof Meteora. The very word means "suspendedin air" and their effect is unforgettable. Thesesandstone "columns in the sky" soar up over athousand feet above sea level and are crownedwith monasteries built by anchorite monksfrom the 11th century onward. In all, thereare twenty-four monasteries in Meteora, andwhile many have fallen into ruin, some ofthose that remain are adorned with beautifulfrescoes which mark a key stage in post-Byzantine art. Originally visitors were winchedup to the monasteries by a windlass, but stairswere cut in the 1930s to ease access a bit.

From the ship, it’s a 2-hour drive across thefertile plain of Thessaly, the country of themythical centaurs and the site of a battle between Julius Caesar and Pompey the Great.The monks who built the monasteries were looking for an escape from later battles, andnature provided the perfect place in Meteora.

The rock formations unfold along a windingroad, and whether they were formed, as somehold, by an ancient lake 30 million years agoor by the flow of the Peneus River, they arestupendous. Six of the monasteries are still inhabited and two are nunneries. Visit theoldest and most accessible monastery, AgiosStephanos, now a convent. The Byzantine Emperor Paleologos stayed here in 1333 whileen route to a battle on the plains below. Thenuns here are involved in artistic pursuits thatinclude icon painting, and the monasteries15th-century church has an icon museum.Next, visit the Varlaam Monastery, which requires climbing about 150 steps, but it is well worth the effort both for the commanding views of the Pindus Range and also the fabled frescoes that include an apocalyptic vision of hell.

Following the visit, we'll continue drivingthrough this unearthly landscape, viewingnew sights as we descend slowly to the plain.Few sights are more iconic than this.

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Historic Zadar on FootZAD1 Half day INCLUDED

In 1409, King Ladislaus of Hungary sold his Dalmatian islands and cities, Zadaramong them, to Venice for 100,000 ducats.This town has changed hands frequently sincethe first Neolithic settlement: the 9th-centuryBC Liburni were followed in the 4th centuryBC by Greeks and in the 1st century BC bythe Romans, who called the area Zadara. As a result of so many rulers, Zadar has a wealthof monuments contained within the walls ofits magnificent Old Town.

Our included sightseeing visits the 1st-century Roman Forum, now the site of several of Zadar's most beautiful churches.Visit the Cathedral of St Anastasia, the largestchurch in Croatia and a superb example ofRomanesque architecture with two rose windows. This basilica was constructed in

the 12th and 13th centuries, but its origins as a shrine go back centuries earlier. Inside, a stone sarcophagus contains the remains of St Anastasia of Syrmia, martyred during Diocletian’s persecution. The walk takes youpast the 9th-century Church of St Donatus, a Byzantine masterpiece with three naves that incorporate fragments of the town's original Roman Forum. Visit the Church of St Mary, where architectural elements rangefrom a 12th-century bell tower built by theHungarian-Croatian King Koloman to a beautiful 16th-century Renaissance façade.The convent next door is home to the Museum of Sacred Art, recently opened to the public, a showcase of Zadar's sacred treasures, including sculptures, paintings and such relics as the arm of St Isidore encased in a 12th-century casket.

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ZADAR CROATIA

Itinerary ChangesThe cruise and tour programmes featured in this brochure are planned many months inadvance. Occasionally changes have to bemade to the itineraries due to circumstancesbeyond the control of Voyages to Antiquity.

ResponsibilityThe responsibility of Voyages to Antiquity and the operator of the vessel is strictly limited according to the Terms and Conditionsset forth in the Passage Contract that you receive prior to embarkation. You are urged toread the Passage Contract carefully. A sampleis available to be mailed on request or can be viewed and printed from the Voyages toAntiquity website at any time. Transportationon board the ship is provided solely by theship operator and pursuant to the PassageContract. Voyages to Antiquity reserves theright to accept or decline any person as aguest for any reason.

Voyages to Antiquity shall not be responsible for any act, event or omission during the time passengers are not aboard the Voyages to Antiquity vessel. Voyages to Antiquity actsonly as an agent for the supplier of off-shipservices such as airlines and other off-shiptransportation carriers, meals, shore excursions, accommodations, air ambulanceand shoreside physicians. Guests agree not to hold Voyages to Antiquity, its owners,agents or representatives liable for any loss,injury, expense or damage which results directly or indirectly from any act or omission, whether negligent or otherwise, of any third party person or firm which is to, or does, provide goods or services in connection with the trip or any available option. Without limiting the foregoing, Voyages to Antiquity shall have no liability to passengers for the quality of services at,and the condition, cleanliness or safety of a hotel, housing facility, or conveyance, or for any transportation delay, including but not limited to liability for inconvenience, shortened vacation time, additional

expenses, or any other kind of damage. Voyages to Antiquity expressly disclaims allresponsibility of any nature whatsoever forany loss, damage or injury to property or person resulting from air, rail, motorcoach or any other form of transportation other than that actually provided by the Voyages to Antiquity vessel.

Services provided by Independent ContractorsAll shoreside tours and services described in this brochure or on the website are providedby independent contractors. Voyages to Antiquity acts solely as ticketing agent for all shoreside activities and has no legal obligation or liability of any kind to guests for acts or omissions in connection with orarising out of arrangements with independentcontractors, including but not limited to airline carriers, ground/tour operators, andhotels since they are neither agents for noremployees of Voyages to Antiquity.

Guests with Special NeedsThe tour programmes featured in thisbrochure include extensive sightseeing and to fully participate each guest must be reasonably fit and have no walking difficulties.Whenever possible Voyages to Antiquity willtry to accommodate guests with special needs as long as the mobility issues are not an impediment to others on the guided tours.For further details, refer to the Essential Travel Information leaflet or to that section of the Voyages to Antiquity website.

Errors & OmissionsWhile Voyages to Antiquity makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of information in thisbrochure, its promotions and as displayed on the website, Voyages to Antiquity reservesthe right not to honour any published fares that it determines were erroneous due toprinting, electronic or clerical error. Voyagesto Antiquity is not responsible or liable for any typographical errors, omissions or misprints.

SHORE EXCURSION PROGRAMME

TERMS & CONDITIONS

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shoreexcursions

MEDITERRANEAN, AEGEAN, ADRIATIC & ATLANTIC CRUISES

2016

2074/12.15