Day 1 : Fly to Italy

Our tour begins with an overnight flight to Italy.

Day 2 : Vatican & The Sistine Chapel

Land in Rome and meet our English-speaking Italian guide. Our vacation kicks off with a tour of Vatican City. Marvel at the ornate Sistine Chapel, the Pope’s official residence, and St. Peter’s Square, where people receive the Pope’s weekly blessings. View Michelangelo’s masterpieces at the Vatican Museumsand soak up this world center of Christianity for almost 2,000 years, feeling the awe-inspiring weight of history. Afterwards we check in to our Rome hotel for a two-night stay, and tonight join your fellow traveling companions for a delicious Holiday Vacations Welcome Dinner.

Day 3 : Ancient Rome

Enjoy a tour of Ancient Rome, featuring The Colosseum. This famous oval edifice lies in the city center, the historic site of Roman spectators and largest ancient amphitheater ever constructed, with a capacity to welcome 50-80 thousand people for viewing gladiatorial contests, mythological dramas, and other public spectacles. Our tour of Ancient Rome includes a visit to the Roman Forum, originally built as a marketplace that would later become the site of several government buildings for the Roman Empire, and is also home to the famous Arch of Constantine.

Day 4 : Embarkation

Today embark on the Enchanted Princess for a 7-night Mediterranean Sea cruise. Enjoy sweeping views and wonderful amenities on this marvelous ship. From its tranquil Sanctuary, a retreat for adults, to exciting new dining options, there’s something for everyone as you enjoy your time at sea. This Princess ship offers style, luxury, and dazzling new attractions with world-class entertainment. Browse the onboard shops, try your luck at the ship’s casino, or enjoy a cocktail and the spirit of Sinatra at the classic Crooners piano bar.

Day 5 : Naples

Arrive at our first port of call at Naples. Today’s optional excursions include visits to Pompeii and the island of Capri. The eruption of stratovolcano Vesuvius in 79 AD was a huge natural disaster killing thousands of people in Pompeii. Visit this UNESCO World Heritage Site to witness a moment in time preserved for over 2,000 years. You may visit the beautiful isle of Capri. This iconic island in the sparkling Tyrrhenian Sea features exclusive boutiques and shops of the rich and famous. Take in the Gardens of Augustus, a lush escape that lies on a sheer cliff, with striking views of the dramatic turquoise ocean below.

Day 6 : At Sea

Enjoy a day at sea featuring an exclusive cocktail party for our group. Have fun dressing up for this special evening at sea.

Day 7 : Crete

Our port of call is Heraklion on the island of Crete. Archaeology reveals Heraklion came to power during the 9th century BC and is named after the Greek goddess Rhea, mother of Zeus. Like many Mediterranean cities, Heraklion has a turbulent history. The city was originally founded by the Saracens who lost control of the island in an invasion by the Byzantine Empire in 961, who then sold Crete to the Venetians in 1211. Heraklion flourished under the Venetians. As you explore, you’ll find interesting reminders of their influence. The city is best known as the gateway to breathtaking 4,000-year-old Minoan ruins, plus famous windmills that stretch across the Lassithi Plateau.

Day 8 : Kusadasi

We arrive at the Turkish port of Kusadasi along Turkey’s Anatolian Coast. Discover ruins of ancient Ephesus, a significant site of archeology. The city of Kusadasi was once a Roman trading center and provincial capital. Discover where St. Paul preached at the Great Theater, and see the ruins of Ephesus’ Basilica including the tomb of His most beloved disciple, St. John the Apostle. Take in picturesque, whitewashed stone houses that rise in tiers beyond the city market, a palm-lined esplanade that lies in the town center with thousands of merchants hawking their wares in competition with Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar.

Day 9 : Istanbul

Today’s port of call is Istanbul, Turkey’s most populous city located at the nexus of Europe and Asia along the internationally significant Bosphorus Strait. For 25 years the city was the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire, a cosmopolitan hub of splendor compared to the great European cities of today. This historic city is a vision of Muslim minarets and sparkling domes. Also known as ‘Capital of Vanished Empires’, Istanbul merges the boundaries of Asia and Europe, Islam and Christianity, and is among the world’s most fascinating cultural experiences

Day 10 : Mykonos

Indulge the senses with today’s port of call at the Greek island of Mykonos. Mykonos is among Greece’s first islands to become a worldwide travel destination. During the late 60s and early 70s, the island was a popular escape for the wealthy. The island’s nightlife, both then and now, is a glittering world of parties with colorful lights and music. Today, Mykonos offers hip dining, boutiques, souvenirs, cafes, and taverns.

Day 11 : Athens

We disembark our ship this morning to experience Athens, a city of 4.5 million spreading out from the foothills of Mount Lycabettus and across the plains. Enjoy a city tour featuring The Acropolis and Acropolis Museum with a local guide who provides ancient and modern anecdotes about Greek life and cultural significance as a major player in the development of the West. The tragedies of Euripides, Sophocles, and Aeschylus were performed in the Theater of Dionysus at the foot of The Acropolis. View Pnyx Hill, where Greek citizens of one of the world’s first democracies gathered to vote. Later, check in at our hotel in the Athenian Riviera for the night, then share your adventures with fellow travelers over a Holiday Vacations Farewell Dinner.

Day 12 : Fly Home