"I would like to commend you for the driver (Rhine) and guide (Ellen). They went out of their way to accommodate the group. Their actions made the trip outstanding. Thank you."
Bobbie Slusher, Southern Germany, the Austrian Lake District, the Alps, and Northern Italy Tour
"We were very pleased with the services we received from Witte Travel. They were very helpful in making our special arrangements, giving us suggestions, and making all the arrangements so we could go on our vacation ‘worry free’."
Joan Konyndyk, Lucas Family Vacation
Bobbie Slusher, Southern Germany, the Austrian Lake District, the Alps, and Northern Italy Tour
"We were very pleased with the services we received from Witte Travel. They were very helpful in making our special arrangements, giving us suggestions, and making all the arrangements so we could go on our vacation ‘worry free’."
Joan Konyndyk, Lucas Family Vacation
Western Mediterranean Cruise
Topic: Tour CalendarOctober 29 to November 10, 2008
Discover the treasures of the Mediterranean! Join Merlyn and Dorothy on a spectacular cruise through the romantic Mediterranean Sea. Your vacation begins with a pre-cruise night in Barcelona followed by 10 nights on Celebrity’s luxurious Century as you set sail from Spain. Come ashore at the charming and historic ports of Rome, Malta and Tunisia, Marseilles, Nice, Florence, and Naples/Capri. And you have an added bonus… two relaxing days on board as you travel through the breathtaking Mediterranean Sea. Space on this cruise will go quickly, so sign up early!
Tour Program
OCTOBER 2008
Day 1 and 2 ~ 29, WEDNESDAY THROUGH 30, THURSDAY - DEPARTURE FROM UNITED STATES - WELCOME TO BARCELONA, SPAIN
Your Mediterranean adventure begins with a flight from Des Moines (or your gateway city) to Spain. Upon arrival, we’ll transfer to our hotel in Barcelona for a one-night stay. Barcelona can be summed up in one word: scrumptious. The local food is wonderful and your eyes have plenty to feast on too. For your taste buds, a local favorite is torrades—toasted bread rubbed with olive oil, garlic, and tomato—a must-try. And for the aesthetic senses, simply look around—especially on Las Ramblas, the city’s most famous street. It’s perfect for late nights. Enjoy!Day 3 ~ 31, FRIDAY - BOARD YOUR SHIP
After a leisurely morning at the hotel, it will be time to transfer to the pier and board your ship. The magnificent Celebrity Century will be your home for the next 10 nights, so relax and unpack!NOVEMBER 2008
Day 4 ~ 01, SATURDAY - MARSEILLES(PROVENCE), FRANCE
In the lovely region of Provence, Marseille was first settled in 600 B.C. and is now the second-largest city in France. Marseilles grew up around the Vieux Port, a colorful old harbor, and is an ideal city to explore by foot. Nearby is the 16th-century island prison Château d’If, made famous in The Count of Monte Cristo. Marseilles is sometimes referred to as France’s “New Orleans” because of its uniqueness and independent personality.Day 5 ~ 02, SUNDAY - NICE (VILLEFRANCHE), FRANCE
The city of Nice is situated at the foot of the Alps. Villefranche is a charming port above a fishing village that reminds one why the French Riviera is known for class and sophistication. It is also your gateway to Nice, Cannes, the Grand Corniche, Eze, and Monte Carlo, Monaco. This area is still the playground for the rich and famous and the Cote d’Azur is known for pristine beaches and scenic drives. Once a retreat for artists, this region also offers spectacular museums. Don’t forget to treat yourself to the onion, anchovy, and olive tarts, a local delicacy.Day 6 ~ 03, MONDAY - FLORENCE/PISA(LIVORNO), ITALY
This beautiful Italian seaport will be your gateway for Pisa, Florence, and Tuscany’s wine country. You will, of course, be free to visit the Leaning Tower and learn about this architectural anomaly. From the 13th to 15th centuries, Florence became a haven for poets, sculptors, and painters. Today, there are many opportunities to see the fruits of their labors. The tombs of Michelangelo, Machiavelli, and Galileo are also located here, if you so choose.Day 7 ~ 04, TUESDAY - ROME (CIVITAVECCHIA), ITALY
Rome is more than a city, it’s an event! With more than 2,500 years of history under its belt, there is a lot to do and see. You can choose to get a textbook glimpse of Rome—from the famous ancient ruins to the Basilica of St. Peter (a place that has more artistic styles represented in it than some museums). Once the center of the Ancient World from which emperors ruled over nearly all of western civilization, Rome is still a huge cultural mecca. Stroll along the ancient halls of the Colosseum or gaze upon the ceilings of the Sistine Chapel made famous by Michelangelo. And yes, you’ll need lots of film.Day 8 ~ 05, WEDNESDAY - NAPLES/CAPRI, ITALY
Located on the southern coast of Italy, the crescent-shaped city of Naples is possibly one of the most interesting in Italy. Its varied quarters consist of warm people and breathtaking architecture. The city’s range of specialties is classic museums, bright frescoes, mozzarella, and pizza. From here, you can choose to embark on a trek to the ruins of Pompeii.Day 9 ~ 06, THURSDAY - AT SEA
After many days of exploring such exciting ports of call, a day at sea is a welcome change of pace! Remember to explore the wonders of your beautiful ship and enjoy the attention of the staff. They love to make you feel pampered. Perhaps, you will enjoy shipboard activities or maybe just relax with a good book.Day 10 ~ 07, FRIDAY - VALLETTA, MALTA
Valetta is your gateway to Medina, a city where automobiles are prohibited. As you may imagine, the beauty of this city has been maintained remarkably. Twisting alleyways open into lovely courtyards. Cobblestone streets lead to quaint cafés. History aficionados can enjoy the views of Malta’s forts and battlements. It is also known for the many fortifications built by the Knights of Malta, who for many years helped care for European crusaders en route to and from the Holy Land.Day 11 ~ 08, SATURDAY - TUNIS, TUNISIA
Tunis is an intoxicating mixture of Arabic, African, and French European influences. No visit to Tunis would be complete without a visit to the market—(souk in Arabic). This very large and densely packed shopping center is home to goldsmiths, rug weavers, craftsmen, performance artists and so much more!!! Food stalls are located everywhere for you to tempt your taste buds on local fare. Nearby is the 9th-century Zitouna Mosque—or the Great Mosque.Day 12 ~ 09, SUNDAY - AT SEA
It’s hard to believe that your fabulous vacation is drawing to a close. Today you will have time to recall all of the exotic ports you’ve experienced and indulge in another relaxing day aboard the Century. Don’t forget to save some time to pack your special treasures, for tomorrow morning we arrive back in Barcelona.Day 13 ~ 10, MONDAY - RETURN
This morning our ship docks back in Barcelona, Spain… it’s time to disembark and transfer to the airport for the return flights back to the United States. Merlyn and Dorothy hope your Western Mediterranean Cruise has been a truly remarkable experience!Sailing on the Celebrity Century
Aboard the Celebrity Century, you’ll find that everything possible is done to ensure you have a relaxed yet invigorating experience. The goal is to make sure you leave with the feeling that this has been the best vacation you’ve ever had. This relaxed and enriching environment becomes the foundation on which you’ll build new friendships and discover new perspectives on those you already love. On Celebrity Century, you’ll experience connections that transcend the vacation experience. Your ship offers impeccable service and design, creating an experience that is a total world apart from other cruise ships. Some of the highlights on board are a cinema, fitness center and spa, Champagne Bar, Rendez-Vous Lounge, Martini Bar, and Fortunes Casino and acclaimed dining options.| CONTACT US: for more information regarding this tour or to have the brochure mailed to you |
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