Day 1: Rome, Italy - May 27

Best of Rome 

Your Rome tour begins when you are met at the cruise terminal. Here you will climb aboard your air-conditioned vehicle for the 80-minute drive to Rome. As you drive from the coast into the city, you will watch as the flat coastal area disappears and you gradually climb up through farms and orchards to reach the City of Seven Hills. When you arrive in Rome, you will first see Capitoline Hill located between the Forum and the Campus Martius. Capitoline Hill is one of the seven famous hills of Rome. It was the citadel of the earliest Romans and contains several ancient ground-level ruins and Medieval and Renaissance palaces and the Victor Emanuel Monument. Michelangelo designed this significant urban plan.

Next you will visit the symbol of the Eternal City, the Roman Colosseum, where you will have time and an included ticket to tour inside this masterpiece of classical architecture. The Colosseum is one of the most recognized monuments of ancient Rome, where gladiators, Christians and wild beasts once battled to the death in front of 50,000 spectators. You will have approximately 40 minutes of free time to sightsee. Nearby, the imposing triumphal Arch of Titus was erected in A.D. 81 by the Emperor Domitian in honor of the victories in battle of his brother and father in Judea.

Departing the Colosseum area, you will be driven by Palatine Hill, Circus Maximus, and the Victor Emanuel monument on your way to the old section of Rome, where you will begin a walking tour. First, you will visit the Trevi Fountain. Walking from your transportation, you will walk through the narrow, twisting streets to the Trevi Fountain, named after the area of Rome where it is found. The fountain stands 85 feet high, 65 feet wide, and is the largest Baroque fountain in the city. A traditional legend holds that if visitors throw a coin with one's right hand over one's left shoulder into the Trevi Fountain, they are ensured a return to Rome. You will also visit the Pantheon, an excellent example of ancient Roman architecture. It was built in A.D. 126 as a temple to all the gods of Ancient Rome. If time permits, you will also see Navano and Farnese Squares.

Time will be taken for a quick lunch on your own.

Your driver will next drive you to the world-famous Vatican City. Along the way you will see the Castel of the Angels and Bernini's Bridge of the Angels. At St. Peter's Square, you will have approximately 45 minutes of free time to visit St. Peter's Square, St. Peter's Basilica (the largest church in the world), or browse for souvenirs. Since St. Peter's is extremely popular, please be aware that you may encounter lines to enter the Basilica.

Day 2: Messina, Sicily, Italy - May 28

Taste of Sicily: Mt. Etna & Taormina

Journey through scenic Sicilian countryside on your way to the slopes of imposing Mount Etna, Europe's largest active volcano. Walk along the edge of Silvestri Spent Craters, 6,000 feet above sea level, then stop for a Sicilian cannoli at a local mountain restaurant. Spend free-time exploring the elegant resort town of Taormina, where medieval history meets seaside chic. Don't miss the ancient Greco-Roman theater, offering awe-inspiring views of the volcano.

Day 3: Valletta, Malta - May 29

Grand Malta Highlights

Spend the day discovering Malta’s long history on a combined walking and bus tour that encompasses the Baroque grandeur of Valletta; medieval Mdina, the country’s former capital; and three Neolithic temples older than Egypt’s pyramids. Marvel at palaces, gardens and churches. Enjoy a delicious lunch at a resort. Plus enjoy free time at Mdina Glass and the Gold Market, where you can watch local artisans demonstrate the art of glass-blowing, plus shop for treasures to take home.

Day 4: At Sea - May 30

No excursion, day at sea.

Day 5: Mykonos, Greece - May 31

Best of Mykonos & Ancient Delos

This eight-hour adventure packs in all the Greek history, culture, and food you could desire as you explore Delos' ancient ruins, eat lunch in Ano Mera village, and take a guided stroll around Mykonos Town. A ferry boat first whisks you away to the uninhabited island of Delos, once a thriving religious and trading center and the mythological birthplace of Apollo. Comb the ruins of Doric temples, the famous Terrace of Lions, plus houses filled with elaborate mosaics, and an Archaeological Museum that houses excavated artifacts. You'll then travel to Ano Mera village to enter the Panagia Tourliani monastery. Dating to 1542, this whitewashed worship space was dedicated to the Virgin Mary and now features wooden iconostasis by Florentine artists. In a nearby tavern you'll be treated to festive folkloric dancing and music served alongside a spread of Greek salads, souvlaki, pastries, wine and beer. Top off the day with a guided walking tour of Mykonos Town, where you'll meander a maze of narrow streets lined with Cycladic architecture before sampling the island's Lokum (Turkish delight) and mastika liqueur. This is a multi-dimensional Mykonos experience all on one exciting tour.

Day 6: Santorini, Greece - June 1

Trip to Island of Santorini & The People of OIA

On this half-day bus tour of Santorini, panoramic views of the island await you, rich volcanic stories, charming cyclic villages, local wine and Greek appetizers. You will travel through Pirgos, a fortress located at the highest point of the island. Here you will not only learn about the most active volcanic caldera of the Aegean Sea Arch, you will also enjoy great views of the entire island. You can take some photos before heading to the northern tip of the island where you will visit one of the most picturesque cycled villages. Artists and artisans have discovered a refuge in Oia, here you will taste some of the best Santorini wines. In a local winery and watching the sea you will taste two varieties produced locally with a selection of Greek appetizers, crusty bread, cheese, olives and ripe tomatoes. The last stop of the day will be in Fira, the capital and the cultural center of Santorini. You will have the option to return to the ship or stay a little longer to wander the cobblestone streets full of white houses, museums, galleries and many shops. For an additional fee you can ride the funicular that will take you to the Old Port and take a boat back to the cruise.

Day 7: Athens, Greece - June 2

Highlights of Athens

Set out on an intimate guided tour of Athens, then cap it off with several hours for independent exploration. Your narrated coach ride takes you past the Corinthian Temple of Olympian Zeus, Panathenaic Stadium - site of the first modern Olympics, Hadrian's Arch, and Parliament Building, formerly the Royal Palace. At the Acropolis, disembark and climb the steps for a guided visit. Conclude with approximately three hours to enjoy the city at your own pace.

Day 8: At Sea - June 3

No excursion, day at sea.

Day 9: Naples, Italy - June 4

Capri, Sorrento, & Pompeii

Enjoy breathtaking seaside scenery as you visit two gems, Sorrento and the idyllic isle of Capri, before scouring the archaeological ruins of Pompeii. Enjoy a scenic 50-minute jetfoil ride across turquoise waters to Capri, then stroll La Piazzetta square. Savor a light tasty lunch in Sorrento. View recovered artifacts once buried in Pompeii, an ancient Roman city destroyed in 79 AD by a Mount Vesuvius eruption. 

Day 10: Rome, Italy - June 5

No excursion, head back to Georgia.