Rome, Venice and The Mediterranean!
Topic: Tour CalendarOctober 1 to 17, 2007
Join Russ and Mary Jo Kiefer on a 12-night Mediterranean Cruise, plus two nights in Rome, and one night in Venice
Russ and Mary Jo Kiefer invite you to experience the splendor of Rome, Venice, and the Mediterranean on a classic Princess Cruise. Your vacation begins with a glorious two-night stay in Rome - the eternal city, followed by 12 nights on the luxurious Star Princess, then a final night in Venice. Visit the intriguing ports of Monte Carlo, Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Naples, Capri, Santorini, Kusadasi (Ephesus), Myconos, Athens (Piraeus), Katakolon (Olympia), Corfu, and Venice ...each one a delight to explore. A relaxing day "at sea" is an added bonus. Why not treat yourself to this very special vacation?... it's bound to be a sell-out, so sign up early!
Day 1 ~ Monday, October 1 - Departure
Today's the day! Check in at your airport for the "hop" to Detroit and then our overnight flight across the Atlantic.
Day 2 ~ Tuesday, October 2 - Rome
Good morning! After a layover in Amsterdam, we'll catch our continuing flight to Italy. Following customs formalities at Fiumicino Airport, we'll be met and transferred into Rome, one of the grandest and richest cities on earth. Our first stop will be at the Coliseum. Next, we'll head for the Piazza Navona where we'll see Bernini's masterpiece, the Fountain of Four Rivers. After a break for lunch and an opportunity to look around independently, we'll transfer to our hotel to check in for a two-night stay. Tonight's dinner will be at a restaurant near our hotel.
Day 3 ~ Wednesday, October 3 - Rome
Now that we've had a good night's sleep, we're ready to do some more exploring! We'll begin at the Roman Forum. Following a zigzagging path, we'll walk up to the Capitol where we'll see the Piazza del Campidoglio. Passing the Victor Emmanuel Monument—nicknamed the "Wedding Cake," we'll reach the Pantheon. From here, we'll head for the famous Trevi Fountain. A bit further on is the Piazza di Spagna with the Spanish Steps, a popular place to sit, write postcards, and watch the world go by. Our local guide will orient us to the area and provide instructions for use of the metro. We'll have a few hours to sightsee and shop before our motorcoach transfer back to the hotel around 5:00 p.m. Those who prefer can take the metro or a taxi back to the hotel later on.
Day 4 ~ Thursday, October 4 - Vatican City, Embarkation on the Star Princess at Civitavecchia
This morning we'll visit Vatican City. We'll start our visit with a tour through the opulent Vatican Museums. The highlight of our visit will be the Sistine Chapel whose splendid—and splendidly restored—vault, painted by Michelangelo, illustrates the Creation, the Flood, and the Last Judgement. It is in this room that the Cardinals met to elect Pope Benedict XVI. Next, we'll visit St. Peter's Square and St. Peter's Basilica. The massive interior contains many works of art, most notably, Michelangelo's Pieta. After some free time for lunch and shopping, we'll transfer to Civitavecchia, the port of Rome, to embark on the Star Princess. Departure is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.—and our unforgettable 12-day Mediterranean cruise has begun! From tonight's dinner through breakfast on October 16, all meals will be available on board.
Day 5 ~ Friday, October 5 - Monte Carlo - Arrive 7:00 a.m. / Depart 6:00 p.m.
Our first port of call is Monte Carlo! The tiny principality of Monaco is a sovereign state covering an area of less than a square mile. You can explore on your own—visit the cathedral and the Prince's Palace or take a peek in Monte Carlo's famous Casino. The back rooms don't open until 4:00 p.m., but perhaps you'd like to try your luck at the slot machines! You'll also have the option of joining one of numerous shore excursions offering unique glimpses into Monte Carlo, Monaco and other dazzling spots along the famed French Riviera.
Day 6 ~ Saturday, October 6 - Florence/Pisa (Livorno) - Arrive 6:30 a.m. / Depart 6:00 p.m.
Our ship will be docked in the thriving Tuscan port of Livorno. An array of optional shore excursions afford opportunities to go inland to visit the "living museum" city of Florence; Pisa, whose Leaning Tower has become a symbol for all of Italy; medieval Lucca; or the Chianti wine region. Whatever you choose to do, it's sure to be a wonderful day!
Day 7 ~ Sunday, October 7 - Naples/Capri - Arrive 8:00 a.m. / Depart 7:00 p.m.
Our choices for today include Naples—long acclaimed for its artistic and architectural treasures and its marvelous setting on the Bay of Naples—and Capri. Often called the "Island of Dreams," Capri was captivating visitors already in the time of Caesar Augustus and is today one of the high spots of international tourism. You might also elect to visit Sorrento and the incomparable Amalfi Coast.
Day 8 ~ Monday, October 8 - At Sea
We have the entire day to relax, write postcards, get better acquainted with our traveling companions and sample the amenities of our fabulous "floating hotel."
Day 9 ~ Tuesday, October 9 - Santorini - Arrive 7:00 a.m. / Depart 6:00 p.m.
Santorini is geologically the most spectacular of all of the Greek islands. Much of the island exploded and sank beneath the ocean during a volcanic eruption around 1450 B.C. What remains is an extraordinary mass of sheer cliffs rising from the sea and a scattering of beaches formed from red or black sand. Whitewashed houses cling to the cliffs overlooking the harbor. Meander along the cobbled streets and browse in the shops or join one of the optional shore excursions to learn about the island's history and attractions.
Day 10 ~ Wednesday, October 10 - Kusadasi (Ephesus) - Arrive 8:00 a.m. / Depart 5:00 p.m.
Let's spend the day in Turkey! Docking in the pleasant port of Kusadasi, we'll have the opportunity to visit the most impressive archaeological site in Turkey. Ephesus boasts remarkably well-preserved temples, fountains, paved streets, a library, an agora, shops, theatres, churches, and public buildings. A variety of optional excursions highlight its treasures and nearby points of interest.
Day 11 ~ Thursday, October 11 - Mykonos - Arrive 7:00 a.m. / Depart 6:00 p.m.
With its windmills, winding streets, whitewashed houses, beautiful harbor, and intriguing shops and boutiques, Mykonos is the quintessential Greek island. Whether you just wander and snap photos, shop, browse in the museums or join one of the optional shore excursions, you're guaranteed a "red letter" day on Mykonos!
Day 12 ~ Friday, October 12 - Athens (Piraeus) - Arrive 6:00 a.m. / 5:45 p.m.
Today we'll be docked in the port of Piraeus on the Greek mainland. You may spend time independently or on a guided tour in nearby Athens, a bustling metropolis set amid some of the most renowned monuments of the ancient world. Foremost among the must-sees of Athens is the Acropolis. The impressive grouping includes the masterful Parthenon, the Erechtheion, and the Temple of Athena Nike. We also recommend visits to the National Archaeological Museum—it's one of Europe's most important and interesting museums—and the Plaka, the oldest part of Athens.
Day 13 ~ Saturday, October 13 - Katakolon (Olympia) - Arrive 8:00 a.m. / Depart 5:00 p.m.
Greece's Peloponnese is a leaf-shaped peninsula replete with archaeological ruins set in a stunning landscape of pine- and oak-studded hills above rocky coves and sandy beaches. Perhaps you visited Corinth on the day we docked in Piraeus. Today we're moored in Katakolon on the opposite side of the peninsula, giving us the opportunity to visit Olympia, the location of the first Olympic games. Here you'll see the Temple of Zeus and the Temple of Hera, along with the Altar of the Gods. It is from this ancient site that the eternal flame is borne by runners to all modern Olympic Games.
Day 14 ~ Sunday, October 14 - Corfu-Arrive 7:00 a.m. / Depart 5:00 p.m.
Our last stop in Greece is Corfu, by far the best known of the Ionian Islands. Once a retreat for European royalty, it is now a popular resort with fine beaches, beautiful secluded coves, and fishing villages. Among the island's highlights is the town of Corfu, filled with architectural reminders of the days when the island was controlled by the Venetians and later by the British. Spend the day just as you please—or capture some of the island's many faces on an optional shore excursion.
Day 15 ~ Monday, October 15 - At Sea - Arrive Venice at 10:00 p.m.
It's our last full day on board the Star Princess—Time to discover any of the ship's amenities that you may have overlooked earlier and to revisit your favorite spots. Tonight we dock in the magical island city of Venice, located on Italy's Adriatic coast.
Day 16 ~ Tuesday, October 16 - Venice
We'll say good-bye to the crew of the Star Princess this morning and go ashore in Venezia—It's Venice, of course! No motor traffic is allowed in the city so we'll make our way around by motorlaunch and on foot. We'll drop our luggage off at our hotel and head for the beautiful St. Mark's Square. Here we'll visit the Basilica of St. Mark, a mixture of Byzantine and western styles. The interior's mosaics are magnificent. Next on our agenda is a visit to the Doges' Palace, once the symbol of Venetian power and wealth. The next several hours are yours to visit a glassblower's workshop, enjoy a gondola cruise through the canals, and finish your souvenir shopping. This evening, we'll rendezvous at our hotel for a festive farewell dinner.
Day 17 ~ Wednesday, October 17 - Return
All to soon, it's time to head for home! After breakfast, we'll transfer to the airport to check in for our flights via Amsterdam and back to Detroit's Metropolitan Airport. We'll clear customs here and then catch planes for the last leg of our journey back to our respective hometowns. We hope your adventure in Rome, Venice, and the Mediterranean has been nothing short of fantastic!
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