Tour Name

St. Mark's Square & Doge's Palace

If you have never been to Venice before, this tour is a wonderful introduction to perhaps its most famous attraction - St. Mark's Square.

Arriving by motor launch, you will approach the square on foot, crossing over several classic Venetian-style bridges. St. Mark's Basilica, one of the world's finest examples of Byzantine architecture, dominates the square. Begun in the late 11th century to replace a more modest church, it was used solely by the Doge for state ceremonies, only becoming the city's cathedral in 1807. Inside, note the gilded mosaics, intricately patterned floors, and Golden Pall altarpiece, a Gothic masterpiece embedded with gems. While your guide will explain the history and features from the exterior of the Cathedral, your inside visit is not guided.

In the nearby Doge's Palace, which served as a residence for the rulers of Venice, you will climb the enormous Stairway of the Giants. It leads to several rooms richly decorated with paintings by masters such as Tintoretto and Titian. Afterwards, cross over the infamous Bridge of Sighs to the ancient prison on the other side, which once held inmates including Casanova. Lastly, in a small square by St. Mark's, you will visit a few glass-making workshops.

 Venice By Gondola

No visit to Venice would be complete without a romantic evening gondola ride. After a short motor launch trip to St. Marks Square, you will board a gondola to glide through Venice's bewitching canals, perhaps with moonlight reflected on the water for the ultimate magical effect. Enjoy the city's incredible beauty as you listen to the passionate voices of the musicians serenading you with traditional Italian songs. You might even request one of your favorites.

Highlights of Dubrovnik

Your tour of this lovely medieval city begins with a panoramic drive to an elevated viewpoint where magnificent Dubrovnik and its Riviera spread out before you. It sets the stage for the wonders below, which you will soon reach via the Pile Gate, the main entrance to the old walled city and the beginning of its main street, the Stradun.

On your walking tour, you will visit the 15th century Rector's Palace & Dubrovnik Maritime Museum, located in St. John's Castle which has been rebuilt after an earthquake heavily damaged it in 1979. The museum's permanent display was opened in 1986 and consists of 4,000 exhibits that serve to illustrate the naval history of Dubrovnik and the surrounding region. Among the exhibits are ship models dating back to the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries as well as flags, cannons, weaponry, figureheads, nautical instruments, log books, various documents and the like. The museum also houses a valuable library that contains many rare books and important archival material. The 15th century Rector's Palace had served as the seat of the local government and Rector in the once independent Republic of Dubrovnik, which was eventually abolished by Napoleon in 1808. Today, the Rector's Palace gives us a taste of how the local ruling class and the aristocracy used to live.

As your walk continues, you will pass the elegant 16th century Venetian Gothic Sponza Palace, once the city's Customs house and notable for its fine courtyard columns and elaborate stone carvings. In the adjoining square stands the Orlando Column with a carved figure of an armored knight, the symbol for the city's freedom. Afterwards, enjoy free time to browse the shops or explore further on your own.

Historic Kotor & Seaside Resort of Budva

Begin with a scenic drive to Budva, considered one of the oldest settlements in the Balkans. The legend, confirmed by Greek mythology, says that Budva was established by Cadmo, the son of the Phoenician king Agenon. He was expelled from Thebes and arrived by an ox-drawn cart in this area where he founded the settlement of Budva. The charming old town of Budva lies on a small island that was linked to the mainland by a sandbar and in time, turned into a peninsula. It is surrounded by ramparts originating from the 15th century, including a medieval fortification system with city gates, defense walls and towers. Inside the walls, you will find a combination of narrow streets and quaint squares filled with valuable monuments of different Mediterranean cultures that marked the town's development. Today, Budva is a center of tourism and a delightful city that is home to theater, festivals and celebrations. Enjoy free time on your own before traveling back to Kotor.

Arriving in Kotor, you will be given a guided tour of the city and allowed free time to do some shopping or explore on your own before returning to the ship.

Journey to Mt. Etna

The scenic drive toward the summit of Mt. Etna, Sicily's best-known natural attraction is as amazing as the volcano itself. Ascending the circuitous roads, you'll venture past quaint mountain villages to Etna's inactive Silvestri craters, rising more than 6,000 feet above sea level. From the slopes of the craters, which bear numerous remnants of lava streams from previous eruptions, you'll have a stunning panoramic view of the glistening Gulf of Catania and the surrounding fertile, volcanic landscape, all of which lies within the island's first national park.

Scenic Ravello

As if the coach ride to Ravello wasn't beautiful enough, your first glimpse of this amazing town will definitely convince you that the Amalfi Coast is one of Italy's loveliest resort areas. Ravello perches high atop the craggy hills overlooking the turquoise sea, a setting that has inspired celebrities and writers from Greta Garbo to D.H. Lawrence to Gore Vidal. Upon arriving, you will be struck by the grace and serenity of the Romanesque cathedral located on the town's main square, a reminder that Ravello was once an important bishopric. You will also visit Villa Rufolo, a 13th-century, Moorish-influenced residence where Wagner composed a portion of his opera Parsifal. Adjacent to the seaside villa is a lovely garden with pines, cypresses, and blossoming plants. From here, it is possible to descend to the lower terrace, also bright with colorful flowers and exotic flora.

Highlights of Monaco

See just how incredibly scenic the Principality of Monaco is with a panoramic drive along the Grand Corniche before ascending to the Old City "The Rock". Commence your walking tour passing by the monumental stone Oceanographic Museum and Aquarium, inaugurated in 1910 by Prince Albert I. Continue strolling through the narrow streets, then proceed to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception; where Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace Kelly married, and which now contains their tombs. Next, continue on to the Palace Square, which is dominated by the magnificent residence of Prince Albert II. Guests will then enjoy some free time before continuing the descent from the old town. Next, drive on a portion of the circuit of the Grand Prix to Monte Carlo, one of the area's signature attractions. Considered by many to be the highlight of the tour is Monte Carlo's Grand Casino, designed by Charles Garnier, the French architect who built the famed Paris Opera. The casino opened to great fanfare in 1878, although it has drawn crowds for gaming, it also features amazing architecture, stained glass windows, and allegorical paintings.

Rome - the Eternal City

What better way to begin your exploration of the Eternal City than at its heart- the vast expanse of St. Peter's Square, which can hold over 300,000 people. It is truly inspiring. Continuing into Christendom's largest church, St. Peter's Basilica, you can admire the high altar where the pope celebrates Mass, the splendid gilt and bronze throne in the apse and Michelangelo's most famous work, the intensely inspiring Pietà. The setting of the Eternal City is just as stunning as you will discover from atop Aventine Hill, which affords you grand view of the imposing remains of the Imperial Palaces and the Circus Maximus, the site of chariot races such as those shown the movie "Ben Hur." Driving into central Rome, you will glimpse vestiges of the glory and majesty of the Roman Empire in the ruins of the ancient Forum. Another highlight is the infamous Colosseum, where the gladiators and others valiantly fought, often pitted against wild beasts. Afterward, enjoy free time for lunch, shopping, or more sightseeing on your own.

Fascinating Florence

The inspiring Tuscan countryside provides an idyllic backdrop for the drive to Florence. In this historic city on the Arno River, you will first visit the Academy of Fine Arts, home to Michelangelo's magnificent statue of David, a masterpiece carved from a single block of marble. The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, begun in 1296, also stands as testimony of the genius of Florence's artists. Most famous is the work of Renaissance architect Brunelleschi, who designed its crowning glory, a massive octagonal cupola, or Duomo, as the cathedral is commonly called. Adjacent to the Cathedral, you will see the painter Giotto's superb 14th century Campanile or bell tower, and the Romanesque Baptistry with Ghiberti's stunningly bronze doors, aptly entitled the Gates of Paradise. Equally spectacular is Santa Croce, Italy's largest and most famous Franciscan Gothic church, where many of Italy's most illustrious citizens are entombed, including Michelangelo, Galileo, Rossini, and Machiavelli. One of the church's most famous works of art is Donatello's Annunciation, his moving sculpture in gilded and carved stone. This tour also allows ample free time for further exploration of Florence, a city that has served as a muse to so many artists.

Hills of Lucca & Wine Tasting

This delightful half-day tour gives you a wonderful view of the rolling hills and beautiful valleys of the Tuscan countryside, including a stop in Lucca and a fascinating glimpse of the region’s winemaking. Your tour begins with a picturesque drive northeast of Livorno toward the wonderful medieval town of Lucca. As you journey along, you’ll pass several quaint medieval villages that seem to be caught in a time warp. The enchanting view outside your windows as you travel past the golden vines of the vineyards, silvery green olives waiting to be harvested, and elegant dark green cypress trees, make it easy to see why region has been praised by poets and artisans for it charm and beauty. Your visit to Lucca will be on your, own with ample time provided to explore this charming old-world city. Following your time in Lucca, you’ll continue on to a lovely local wine cellar for a guided tour. You’ll be treated to generous tasting of both white and red wines, accompanied by light refreshments of local salami, olives and bread.