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Long Awaited Mediterranean Cruise and Italy Tour
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Karen Livingstone
Markham, ON Travel Agent
An independent agent with Onvigo Inc, a Travel Leaders Network Affiliate Agency
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DESTINATIONS VISITED:France, Italy, Spain
PLACES VISITED:Barcelona, Capri, Florence, Marseille, Messina, Sicily, Naples, Pisa, Pompeii, Rome, Venice, Villefranche
SUGGESTED DURATION:10 Days
This long awaited Mediterranean cruise was originally supposed to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary, but we bought a house instead, then did some renovations, some other traveling and now we're ready to embark on our trip for our 30th wedding anniversary. Better late than never.
We'll be travelling aboard the Norwegian Epic from Barcelona, Spain and visiting Marseilles and Villefranche (France). Our next ports of call are in Italy - Livorno (Pisa/Florence), Messina (Sicily), Salerno and last but certainly not least Rome.
From Rome we will be travelling for several more days by rail to see a few more things. After disembarking at Rome we will spend a few days sightseeing there and then head to Naples and Capri. After that we'll go back northwards to visit Florence (we're going to Pisa on the cruise stop), and lastly to Venice. Looking forward to next May.
Close All Days
DAY1
Barcelona
Close Day
Barcelona City Tour
May-02 Arrive in Barcelona
May-03
Planning on taking a 3-4 hour morning guided Barcelona City Tour to see the highlights of Barcelona before embarking on the Norwegian Epic.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Sagrada Familia
DAY2
Marseille
Close Day
France's Oldest City
Using NCL $50/per cabin cruise credit planning on the following excursion:
Avignon, Palace of the Popes & Les Baux
HIGHLIGHTS:
Palace of the Popes
DAY3
Villefranche
Close Day
Riviera elegance
Using the $50/cabin NCL excursion credit we are hoping to take the Scenic French Riviera tour.
HIGHLIGHTS:
French Riviera
DAY4
Pisa
Close Day
Gateway to Tuscany
From the port of Livorno we would like to visit to Pisa and Lucca this day. We want to get transfers to these locations but tour at our own pace.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Leaning Tower of Pisa
DAY5
Messina, Sicily
Close Day
Captivating gateway to Sicily
Taking advantage of the NCL $50/cabin excursion credit we would like take the "Taormina On Your Own" excursion.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Panoramic views of Mount Etna
DAY6
Pompeii
Close Day
Historic Pompeii via the Port of Salerno
Frozen in time by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, Pompeii reveals ancient Roman life through its preserved streets, villas, frescoes, and public baths. Highlights include the Forum, the Amphitheatre, and the haunting Plaster Casts of Victims.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Pompeii Archeological site
DAY7
Rome
Close Day
3 Days to Explore In Rome
Disembarkation Day and the Start of 6 days of Touring overland via rail. Starting with 3 days and 2 nights in Rome.
Sights we hope to see:
Day 1 May-10
Pantheon
Castel Sant’Angelo
Trevi Fountain
Spanish Steps
Piazzas
Day 2 May-11
Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter’s Basilica
Day 3 May-12
Colosseum (+Underground), Palatine Hill, Roman Forum
HIGHLIGHTS:
Colosseum
DAY8
Naples
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Capri
Close Day
Capri: dramatic cliffs, chic boutiques, and the magical Blue Grotto
Arriving in Naples by rail on the afternoon of May 12.
May 13
Planning on doing a self guided tour of Naples and an island and boat tour of Capri. If the seas cooperate we'll visit the Blue Grotto.
After a full day, we're on the train to relax on the way to Florence.
HIGHLIGHTS:
The Blue Grotto
DAY9
Florence
Close Day
Florence: The Birthplace of the Renaissance
Florence May-14
It will be a bit of a hectic day but with some skip the line passes we are hoping to visit:
Accademia Gallery: Statue of David
Uffizi Gallery
Duomo Complex + Giotto Bell Tower
Ponte Vecchio
It is a great city for walking.
HIGHLIGHTS:
The Statue of David
Duomo
DAY10
Venice
Close Day
Ah, Venice
Venice May-15
Our last stop on this amazing vacation to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary: Venice
We are planning to visit among other things:
Doges Palace
St. Mark’s Basilica
Bridge of Sighs
We'd like to cap off our day with a Sunset Gondola Ride on the Grand Canal.
Taking off for home the morning of May 16. All in all, not including travel days our trip will be 13 full days of amazing sights on our cruise and land tour including 3 countries.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Gondola on the Grand Canal
FINAL THOUGHTS
Looking forward to this vacation to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary. Love cruising with NCL.