HOLLAND AMERICA CRUISE
MEDITERRANEAN SPICE
ON THE MS NOORDAM

October 11 to October 21, 2002

You can start your cruise with an overnight in Rome, providing ample time to view Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. More treasures are reached via Livorno, gateway for optional tours to Florence, Italy's most celebrated repository of Renaissance art; or Pisa, site of the famously tilting tower. Island hop from Corsica to Mallorca, then sail between Gibraltar and the Atlas Mountains of Africa out into the Atlantic, where you'll head south to Casablanca. Wander the tiled courtyards in Seville and the Alfama fortress overlooking Lisbon's magnificent harbor.

ITINERARY

October 11: Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy (Embark 6:00 PM)

October 12: Livorno, Italy
In Florence view the timeless treasures: the lofty Duomo, Giotto's bell tower, Michelangelo's David, the Uffizi Gallery, Ponte Vecchio over the Arno. In Pisa, see the famous Tower, still standing, if crookedly, after 650 years. 

October 13: Monte Carlo, Monaco
Monaco, home to the royal Grimaldi family, is a principality of fairy tale beauty. See the famous Rock of Monaco, visit the Royal Palace and walk past the Oceanographic Museum and visit the Cathedral, which houses the tomb of Princess Grace. Take a drive along the Grand Prix Circuit or enjoy some excellent window shopping at the elegant boutiques of major Parisian jewelers and couturier houses just around the corner. Another one of the many options is to spend the day sightseeing along the French Riviera.

October 14: Marseille, France
Follow the scent of herbes de Provence through the countryside to Avignon with its grandiose Palace of the Popes. Visit Arles, inspiration for Van Gogh and Cezanne.

October 15: Barcelona, Spain
Wile away the day exploring the tree-shaded Las Ramblas, Spain's version of the Champs-Elysees. Shop for exquisite Lladro ceramics or ponder the other-worldy architecture of Guadi's Church of the Holy Family.

October 16: Palma de Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain
Floating gemlike off Spain's Mediterranean Riviera, these islands offer you pearls, pottery and perfectly sublime sandy beaches. 

October 17: Cruising Mediterranean Sea
In Holland America's universe there's something for everyone. Enjoy breakfast in bed or start the day by reading the ship's daily activity sheet, simply packed with good news. Then circle your choices and go with the flow. Walk or jog around the Promenade Deck (five laps are one mile). Join an aerobics class, play bingo, learn the latest, hottest dance. Play Trivial Pursuit, take an art and history tour of the ship, join the pool games or have a massage or sauna. So many things to do!!

October 18: Early Morning Passing Rock of Gibraltar
Gibraltar, and Scenic River Cruising
Strait of Gibraltar
Race to the top of the Rock for great views, then visit the friendly Barbary Apes. It's said that as long as they remain, the British will rule Gibraltar. The tradition has held for 350 years.

October 19: Casablanca, Morocco
Casablanca, the old Dar Beida (White House), is the economic capital of Morocco. See the Place Mohammed V, the main square and meeting place of the city's principal thoroughfares, alive with shops, cinemas, cafes, travel agencies and crowds. Nearby is the Old Medina (meaning Old Town), which features an 18th-century mosque which you will see as you drive by.

Another option is a tour of Rabat, capital of Morocco and one of the four Imperial Cities. There you can watch the throng on the vast Mechouar (courtyard) outside the Royal Palace, hoping for a glimpse of the King. The Roman town of Sala stood on a site outside the walls of Rabat, but within the walls of the Chellah lies a fortified cemetery built by the Merinid rulers of the 14th century. Sharing the fortress with Roman ruins and Merinid tombs is a magical garden with a ruined mosque. Gigantic trees and plants of all types are here in a grove of bamboo and banana plants.

October 20: Cadiz, Spain
This 3,000-year-old town is your portal to Seville, home of flamenco and the exquisite Alcazar Palace; and Jerez, sherry capital at vine-covered bodegas. 

October 21: Lisbon, Portugal (Disembark 7:00 AM)

THE SHIP

From bow to stern, Ms. Noordam is full of lounges and restaurants-14 in all-some cozy, some grand, most with expansive floor-to-ceiling windows that put you at one with the sea. You'll especially like the Crow's Nest--your window to the world way up top on the Sun Deck; and the Lido Restaurant, the hallmark of every Holland America Line ship, with its adjoining outdoor terrace and swimming pool. Priceless antiques and artwork line the halls. The Noordam's collection is largely from the other side of the globe, with priceless vases and statues from China, Japan and Indonesia. 

PRICE PER PERSON: $1770 - $1870 (inside stateroom)
$2115 - $2450 (outside stateroom)

PRICE INCLUDES: Cabin and meals on ship, port charges and taxes, gratuities to ship's crew.

NOT INCLUDED: Air fare, air taxes, optional tour excursions, travel insurance.

*Pre- and Post-Cruise hotel stays and tours are available at additional cost.

A deposit of $600 per person is required at time of reservation. To assure best cabin selection, deposit should be paid as soon as possible.

For Reservations and Information: Jan at Pilgrim Tours
800-322-0788, ext. 105