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Roman Empire
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11 nights on the ms Westerdam -
Roundtrip from Rome |
September
24 - October 5, 2007
***No Longer Available***
Day 1:
Departure from USA
Day 2: Civitavecchia (Rome)
From the Roman
Forum, it's a short walk to the Colosseum, the Arch of Constantine and
Palatine Hill. Across the Tiber River, the Sovereign State of the
Vatican holds the key to the Sistine Chapel and Bernini's remarkable
colonnade. We begin our adventure this evening from the Eternal City of
Rome.
Day 3: At Sea
Spend the day getting to know your ship. The
ms Westerdam
is the third in Holland America Line's series of Vista-class ships.
Defining the future of cruising, the
ms Westerdam
offers guests more of everything they desire on a cruise ship: more
staterooms with private verandahs, more dining choices from formal
dinners to casual poolside dining, more exotic destinations, and the
very best in cruise activities and cruise entertainment. As with all
Vista-class ships, she embraces the latest industry and environmental
technologies such as such as her use of a full-scale diesel-electric
power plant for optimal energy efficiency and an Azipod propulsion
system that maximizes maneuverability.
Day 4: Dubrovnik, Croatia
We arrive in the medieval walled city at 8 a.m. The magnificent
remarkably persevered walls were built between the 13th and the 16th
centuries and encircle the city. At the end of the Stradun, you will
find one of the local meeting places, the Orlando Column, with the
nearby Sponza Place and the baroque church of St. Blaise. You will also
find the Rector's Palace here, built in 1441, which is now a city museum
packed with valuable and historic exhibits. One of the many pleasures
for visitors is to have a drink in one of the nearby cafes and watch the
world go by. We depart this evening around 6 p.m.
Day 5: Corfu, Greece
Around 8 a.m. this morning we will dock in the most luscious of all the
Greek islands, Corfu. Amazing beaches, superb Venetian architecture, and
picturesque villages will greet you. Corfu Town was built between two
fortresses and is full of superb Italian and French buildings, Byzantine
churches and flowered squares. You may wish to take an optional
excursion to Achillion Palace, built by the Empress Elizabeth of
Austria. Departure this evening is around 6 p.m.
Day 6: Katakolon, Greece
Arrive on the gateway to Olympus this morning around 7 a.m. Pause in the
original Olympic stadium, where the torch was first lit and the winners
were crowned with a laurel wreath. View the ruined archives of Greek
mythology at the Temple of Zeus—one of the few remaining Wonders of the
Ancient World. We re-board the ship this evening around 5 p.m. and
depart for Santorini.
Day 7: Santorini, Greece
Enter the harbor created by a volcano in 1500 B.C. at 8 a.m. View
stunning 1,000 foot-high red, brown or greenish cliffs that rise from
sea level. Marvel at the string of villages and dazzling white houses
which cling to the cliffs above volcanic black pebble beaches.
Intriguing history, breathtaking sunsets and the deep blue sea are just
some of the reasons Santorini is the most popular holiday destination in
Greece! Stay out and enjoy the cosmopolitan atmosphere,
departure is around 11 p.m. this evening.
Day 8: Kusadasi (Ephesus), Turkey
This morning we will arrive around 7a.m. in Kusadasi, a trendy
tourist destination due to its abundant beaches. In nearby Ephesus you
can view one of the best-preserved archeological sites of the classic
world. Explore its grand colonnaded marble streets, the ancient Agoura
and the Baths, and the Celsus Library. We depart this evening at 8 p.m.
Day 9: Piraeus (Athens), Greece
Begin your journey to the wonders of Athens this morning at 8
a.m. Opt to tour such sites as the Acropolis, Constitution Square,
Hadrian’s Arch, the Olympic Stadium and more. Athens, the capital city
of Greece, is an ancient city, steeped in many centuries of history.
Some of the top Athens attractions include the Agora - an impressive,
ruined Roman building that was funded by Roman emperors, the Temple of
Zeus - built around 1,500 years ago for the worship of the Greek God
Zeus, Hadrian's Arch - originally the city gate linking the Roman
quarters with original town of Athens and the spectacular Dionysos
Theatre - the world's oldest theatre where countless plays have been
performed over the years. Please plan to re-board the shop for departure
at 6 p.m.
Day 10: At Sea
Enjoy your floating palace. The two-tier Vista Dining Room
features impeccable service and an extensive wine list, and offers
five-course menus, from continental cuisine to vegetarian and low-carb
options. The intimate reservations-only Pinnacle Grill offers an
elegant, sophisticated dining experience and features premium
hand-selected cuts of Sterling Silver beef, inspired seafood dishes and
many select wines rated "Excellent" by Wine Spectator - as well as
distinctive Bvlgari® china, Riedel® stemware and Frette® linens. The
Lido Restaurant offers a relaxed ambiance for all three meals and
features a variety of fresh, cooked-to-order specialties. The Culinary
Arts Center, presented by
Food & Wine
magazine, is the setting for gourmet cooking demonstrations and
interactive classes. The Greenhouse Spa & Salon features thermal suites,
a hydrotherapy and thalassotherapy pool, heated ceramic lounges and
more. The Vista Show Lounge features Las Vegas-style productions,
talented vocalists, illusionists, comedians and variety acts. The Crow's
Nest, where sweeping views make this observation lounge a top choice for
relaxing during the day, and in the evening transforms into a hip,
fashionable nightclub features top-notch DJs and live bands. Club HAL®,
dedicated youth facilities and activities for kids ages 3 to 12. The
Loft, designed exclusively for teens to have fun, socialize and hang out
with people their own age.
Day 11: Messina, Sicily
Arrive at the Gateway to Taormina this morning at 7 a.m. Enjoy
outstanding views of snowcapped Mt. Etna or search a small museum here
to find works by Caraviggio. Messina is famous for its unique character
with a lavish mixed heritage: Greek, Arab, Roman, Norman. This wide
range of influences can be detected in the island's architecture,
landscape and culture, and has mingled to make Sicily a thoroughly
unique destination. Sicily's pastries and desserts (dolci)
are famous for their richness, and stuffed with ingredients like
marzipan and ricotta. Among the treats are cannoli (thin tubes stuffed
with ricotta, chocolate or candied fruit). Departure today is at 2 p.m.
Day 12: Civitavecchia (Rome)
We wrap up our journey at 7 a.m. this morning in spectacular
Rome. If you have time or wish to purchase a post package, many
treasures can be found in Rome and the Vatican: St. Peter’s Basilica,
the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel, the Colosseum and much more.
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Price Includes:
Cruise, Government taxes, port
fees.
Not included:
Airfare, tips,
tours, optional travel insurance,
transfers ($168.00), and items of
a personal nature.
Please Note:
All taxes, fees, port
order and arrival/departure times are subject to change. Other room
categories and triple/quad rates available upon request. Passports
are required for most sailings.
Deposit/Final:
Deposit - $600.00
per person. Final Payment is due 80 days prior to departure. |
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