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Today depart from Sydney, Melbourne, *Brisbane, *Adelaide, *Perth or *Auckland for the flight to Rome, Italy! Fly with full-service airlines such as Etihad Airways, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Qantas Airways, Lufthansa, Swiss Airways, Finnair, Cathay Pacific, Air France, KLM, British Airways or Malaysia Airlines to name a few (subject to availability).
Please note: Due to flight scheduling and availability, some customers may be required to depart on day 2, to arrive on day 2. Flight times will be indicated on your final documentation, which you will receive 4-6 weeks prior to departure.
Upon arrival in Rome, be met and transferred to the hotel.
Overnight: Hotel Cristoforo Colombo or similar, RomeFollowing breakfast at the hotel this morning, join a half day guided tour of Rome with a local guide. You will experience some of the richest historical landmarks in the world. First see Piazza Venezia before walking towards the Capitoline Hill (Campidoglio), designed by Michelangelo in the 1500s.
Next, travel down Via dei Fori Imperiali (Road of the Imperial Forums), the former centre of ancient political, commercial and legal life. See the spectacular Colosseum (entrance not included), area of gladiators, and the Arch of Constantine, a monument dedicated to Emperor Constantine by the Senate and the people of Rome. In addition to these wonderful sights, see Palatine Hill, where former emperors and influential figures once lived, and the exterior of the gigantic Circus Maximus, the first and main site of chariot racing and mass entertainment. The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure.
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before continuing your journey to the stunning Sorrento coastline. Arrive in Pompeii later this morning to learn about this magnificent archeological site on a locally guided tour. Built-in the ancient Roman era, delve into the history and spectacle of the city buried from the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79AD. It remains surprisingly intact, and a great insight into the life of a commercial city of ancient Rome. Afterwards, continue to the beautiful seaside Amalfi Coast.
Overnight: Grand Hotel Moonvalley or similar, Sorrento AreaToday enjoy the UNESCO World Heritage listed Amalfi Coast. Uncover the 50km stretch of coastline along the southern edge of Italy’s Sorrentine Peninsula with your tour leader. A hugely popular holiday destination, the Amalfi coast features sheer cliffs, a rugged shoreline dotted with small beaches and pastel-coloured fishing villages. The coastal road between the port city of Salerno and clifftop Sorrento winds past grand villas, terraced vineyards and cliffside lemon groves. Spend a full day exploring these beautiful villages with your tour leader.
Sorrento: See the picturesque cliff-top resort town, wedged on a ledge between the mountains and the Mediterranean. It’s well located for regional sightseeing and is a pleasant place to stay and stroll among beautiful landscapes.
Positano: a cliffside village on southern Amalfi Coast, the coast’s most picturesque and photogenic town, with vertiginous houses dotting the cliffside down to the sea in a cascade of sun-bleached peach, pink and terracotta colours. No less colourful are its steep streets and steps lined with wisteria-draped hotels, smart restaurants and fashionable boutiques.
Amalfi: an outstanding example of the Mediterranean landscape, a town in a dramatic natural setting below steep cliffs on Italy’s southwest coast. Between the 9th and 11th centuries, it was the seat of a powerful maritime republic. The Arab-Norman Sant’Andrea cathedral at the heart of the town, with its striped Byzantine facade, survives from this era.
Today, head southeast through sun-baked landscapes to the region of Puglia. On the way stop at Matera for a guided tour and exploration of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sassi (Italian for “stones”) - a labyrinth of cave dwellings, churches, staircases and arches, hewn out of the solid rock. First occupied in the Palaeolithic Age, the myriad of natural caves were gradually burrowed deeper and expanded into living spaces by peasants and artisans throughout the classical and medieval eras. Today, these underground residences are being re-inhabited by Italians, and staying in one of the ‘Sassi di Matera’ cave hotels has become one of Europe’s most exotic new experiences. The journey continues over rolling green hills and wide mountain views, as you head towards Alberobello. Upon arrival, enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.
Overnight: Hotel Colle del Sole or similar, AlberobelloThis morning, take some time to discover the spectacular town of Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the small, white-washed stone houses here - known as Trulli - which are clustered together throughout the city and built entirely without mortar. Continue on to Ostuni early this afternoon.
Ostuni is a unique town with winding streets and beautifully decorated, colourful window frames that can fool you into thinking you're somewhere in Greece. Enjoy a stroll around the old town with your tour leader to see the amazing monuments and medieval buildings. The cultivation of olives is one of Puglia's greatest resources and economic certainties - enjoy a tasting of authentic local Italian olive oil while you’re here. In the late afternoon arrive in Lecce and take the remainder of the day at leisure.
Today head to Otranto, a historic seaside town and port on the Adriatic coast of southern Italy. It's a small town with a lovely holiday atmosphere and makes a good destination for a day trip. The picture-perfect blue waters, white buildings and diving rocks make Otranto the frequent cover star of maps, books and articles about Puglia. On a clear day, it is possible to see over the Strait of Otranto to Albania. The name of Otranto is probably best known abroad for The Castle of Otranto, Horace Walpole’s pioneering Gothic novel. However, the creepy castle of Walpole's imagination bears little resemblance to the fortress of the real Otranto.
In the afternoon travel through the Salento Coast, a divine place for a swim or scenic drive. Here the chalk lightens the red soil and the crystal sea laps the cliffs and kisses the olive trees at the shoreline. Enjoy a stop at Torre Sant’Andrea beach (Saint Andrew Tower beach). The looming rocky towers of Torre Sant’Andrea make the waterfront of this small Italian fishing community stand out even within a picturesque backdrop.
Continue to the unique site of the Poetry Cave (Grotta Della Poesia), a natural swimming pool located in Roca Vecchia village, considered one of the most beautiful natural pools in the world. The cave is made of two turquoise and blue karst sinkholes surrounded by stunning scenery. You can bathe in the cave and also reach the sea by swimming across a tunnel. Rare inscriptions, animal sacrifices and other inscriptions have been found in a small sinkhole next to the Cave Poetry, named “Little Poetry”. Return to Lecce late this afternoon.
After breakfast, enjoy a half day guided tour of Lecce with a local guide. The architecture here is recognised for its hugely decorative gargoyles, columns and gremlins. See the Basilica of Santa Croce that features sculptures and a rose window, Piazza del Duomo and the Sant’Oronzo Column, a Roman column topped with a bronze statue of the city’s patron saint (entrances not included).
In the afternoon depart for Bari, the capital of southern Italy’s Puglia region. On the way stop at Monopoli, a cosy town with quaint narrow streets and pretty squares. Enjoy an orientation tour of the old town with your tour leader. Like so many towns on the Adriatic, Monopoli's history has been thoroughly influenced by its east-facing position and its fortified sea-front walls and castles that tell many a story. Later this afternoon, arrive in Bari and check into the accommodation for tonight.
Enjoy free time this morning to further explore this incredible city. Perhaps, visit some of the city highlights such as the 11th-century Basilica of San Nicola, a key pilgrimage site, surrounded by narrow streets. To the south, the Murat quarter with 19th-century architecture, a promenade and pedestrianised shopping areas.
In the afternoon you will be transferred to the cruise terminal to embark on the wondrous 7-night Greek Islands cruise aboard the spectacular ‘MSC Musica’. The cruise departs at 8:00pm this evening.
A ‘floating’ masterpiece in northeastern Italy, and capital of the Veneto region, Venice is situated on a group of 118 small islands separated by canals and linked by more than 400 bridges. Though easily explored on your own, a shore excursion can be a clever option for visiting monuments that draw the largest crowds in Venice: the Basilica di San Marco – the mausoleum of the city’s patron saint – and the Palazzo Ducale – the home of the doge and all the governing councils.
Overnight: MSC Cruises - ‘MSC Musica’ shipThe jewel in the Greek Islands’ crown, Santorini is one of the world’s most photogenic islands. Whitewashed villages clinging to the rugged, red sea cliffs… it really is as beautiful (and romantic) as the pictures lead you to believe. The island's charm and subtle mystery have even made it a target of speculation as to the location of the lost city of Atlantis.
Overnight: MSC Cruises - ‘MSC Musica’ shipOn the Peloponnese shores stands the little seaside town of Katakolon, Greece. Situated on a headland overlooking the blue Ionian Sea, this charming location boasts a lighthouse, the Agios Nicolaos Church, and musical instruments museum. A short ride away lies the ancient site of Olympia, the extraordinary UNESCO World Heritage Site. 3000 years ago, it hosted Greece’s first Olympic Games in its Panhellenic religious sanctuary.
Overnight: MSC Cruises - ‘MSC Musica’ shipCrete's capital Heraklion, is an energetic city with a prolific history. Admire majestic Mount Yioúhtas as you dock in the harbour and ancient Koules Fortress on the port’s western pier. Discover the mythical Palace of Knossos or visit historical monasteries and churches. Crete is a fascinating slice of Greek island life just waiting to be explored!
Overnight: MSC Cruises - ‘MSC Musica’ shipThe jewel in the Greek Islands’ crown, Santorini is one of the world’s most photogenic islands. Whitewashed villages clinging to the rugged, red sea cliffs… it really is as beautiful (and romantic) as the pictures lead you to believe. The island's charm and subtle mystery have even made it a target of speculation as to the location of the lost city of Atlantis.
Overnight: MSC Cruises - ‘MSC Musica’ shipEnjoy your final meal on-board before arriving back into the port of Bari. After disembarking the ship, be met by a representative and transferred to the hotel in Rome for the night.
Overnight: Hotel Cristoforo Colombo or similar, RomeToday, according to your flight time, be transferred to the airport for the return flight home.
Please note: if your flight departs early, breakfast will be arranged for pick up from the hotel reception the night before.
Please note: Some flights may arrive +1 day later.
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