9-NIGHT ROME TO ATHENS CRUISE

Day 1 Sep 11, 2027 - Rome (Civitavecchia)

Civitavecchia is the port city for Rome. Rome has always been and remains the Eternal City. With its splendid churches, ancient monuments and palaces, spacious parks, tree-lined boulevards, fountains, outdoor cafés and elegant shops, Rome is one of the world’s most attractive cities. Among the most famous monuments is the Colosseum where spectators watched combats between muscled gladiators and ferocious animals. Stop to see the remains of the Forum, once a political and commercial center. Rome’s squares were enhanced with such imposing structures as the Vittorio Emanuele Monument and grandiose fountains like the Fontana di Trevi. Awe at Christendom’s most magnificent church, the Sistine Chapel. The busy square Piazza Venezia is easily recognized by its imposing Vittorio Emanuele II Monument. Take a stroll to Rome's famous Trevi Fountain. Vatican City is the site of lovely St. Peter's Square and St. Peter's Basilica, where for 200 years, Renaissance masters worked on its design and created an unparalleled masterpiece. Visit Vatican Museum.

Day 2 Sep 12, 2027 - Ponza

The largest island of Italy's Pontine Archipelago houses a charming village featuring colorful houses and fishboats. Vineyards set against the sparkling blue sea cover the hillside.

Day 3 Sep 13, 2027 - Lipari

Cast in the Tyrrhenian sea, the Lipari Islands experience an increasing amount of tourism due to unusual scenery and mild climate. The variety and beauty of rock formations, the volcanic phenomena of Stromboli and the crystalline waters always impress visitors. Local-style architecture adds charm to picturesque villages. The main islands include famous Stromboli and Lipari. In a bay on Lipari’s east coast lies the main town of the same name - dominated by the Castello or Acropolis, which separates the town’s two harbors. Within Castello are the cathedral and the former Bishop's Palace, which now houses the Archaeological Museum. It is noted for its fine collection of relics from recent excavations, Greek masks and statuettes from theatrical life as far back as Sophocles and Euripides. At Marina Corta there are hydrofoils and boats offering trips to neighboring islands. The most southern Lipari Island, Vulcano Island, has a spectacular volcanic landscape of rugged peaks rising above beaches. A steep trail leads up from the plain to a 1,150-foot crater.

Day 4 Sep 13, 2027 - Stromboli

Stromboli is a volcanic island located just north of Sicily in Italy. It is home to one of the most active volcanoes on Earth, with its continuous eruptions in the past 2000 years. The island itself is 2 miles in diameter and about 3000 feet above sea level.

Day 5 Sep 14, 2027 - Taormina

The east coast of Sicily is considered by many to be its most magnificent. Lovely Taormina was called "the greatest work of art and nature" by Goethe in his Italian Journey. Situated above the Ionian Sea with Mount Etna as a spectacular backdrop, this storybook town of sculpted gardens, stately palaces and ancient monuments is easily one of Sicily’s most striking sites. There is much to see and do here; the main attractions in Taormina are seen on foot. Incredible vistas are available from Taormina's Public Gardens which are filled with exotic flowers and plants. In Giardini-Naxos, close to the pier, the Bourbon fort contains a fine museum, Museo Archaeologico. The entrance is via a garden bisected by an ancient lava flow.

Day 6 Sep 15, 2027 - Crotone

Visitors will enjoy visitng the many medieval buildings and relaxing on the beautiful beaches. The Cathedral is a beatiful blend of neo-classical and Baroque styles. Another historic building worth visiting is the 16th century castle of Charles V, as it also houses the Town Museum. Visitors will find plentiful dining, shops, and cafe's along the beaches.

Day 7 Sep 16, 2027 - Parga

Day 8 Sep 17, 2027 - Katakolon

Katakolon is a port admired for beautiful beaches. Equally important, Katakolon is the gateway to Olympia, the great Panhellenic sanctuary. The site of ancient Olympia is situated at the foot of wooded Mount Kronos in an area of gentle hills; excavations began in 1875 and are considered one of archaeology’s great achievements. A direct consequence was the revival of Olympic Games by Baron Pierre de Coubertin; the first modern games were held in Athens in 1896. Today, visitors to Olympia are overwhelmed by the impact of ancient remains and their significance. The site’s most important excavations include numerous monuments, such as Temple of Zeus in the Sacred Precinct, Treasuries, and Stadium. There is an excellent Archaeological Museum with a large collection of bronzes, pottery and sculptures unearthed during the excavations. The main reason for a visit to Katakolon is the trip to Olympia. Those guests who wish to remain in Katakolon will enjoy its unhurried atmosphere and the friendliness of the people.

Day 9 Sep 18, 2027 - Pylos

Pylos is a small town built in the natural bay of Navarino that is located in the southwestern part of the Peloponnese. There are two notable sites in the region that should not be missed - Palace of Nestor and two castles overlooking the Bay of Navarino - the castles Niokastron and Navarino. The Palace of Nestor is best preserved of Mycenaean palaces and is a complex of several buildings consisting of apartments and other royal rooms. Thousands of clay tables were also found at the site and give glimpses into daily life at the palace. The older castle of Navarino, called Palaiokastron, was built in 1573 by the Turks and was given over to the Venetians in 1686. Having changed hands on several more occasions, the castle was used in World War II by Italians and later served as German headquarters. Like any town on the Mediterranean, Pylos is filled with quaint restaurants serving traditional Greek fare. Pylos has been a popular seaside town for decades and has a lot to offer by way of entertainment in addition to historical sites surrounding the port.

Day 10 Sep 19, 2027 - Monemvasia

At the far end of Peloponnese, on the southern east coast of the peninsula looking on to Mirtoon Sea, stands Monemvasia. A distinctly shaped great rock rising from the sea only a few meters from the coast, it is often referred to as the "Gibraltar of Greece". On the north side of the bay there are a few houses in the small village of Old Monemvasia. Visit the cemetery where in 1989 the famous Greek poet Ioannis Ritsos was buried. The lower town of Monemvasia is called "the Fortress" today. A wall protects the lower town on three sides. There are several churches around like Panagia Chrisafitissa, Panagia Mirtidiotissa, Chistos Elkomenos, Agia Sofia. On the east side of the main square stands a house with a garden containing remains of the early Byzantine church. To the west, there is the "Stellakis" house that was reconstructed and gave a lot of information about the architectural details and appearance of the medieval town. A small zigzag path connects lower town with upper town. The Fort city of Monemvasia with a one and only gate turns dream into reality.