11 Nights - Circle Mediterranean Cruise

Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy

Sprawled across seven legendary hills, romantic and beautiful Rome was one of the great centers of the ancient world. Although its beginning is shrouded in legend and its development is full of intrigue and struggle, Rome has always been and remains the Eternal City.

Rome enjoyed its greatest splendor during the 1st and 2nd centuries when art flourished, monumental works of architecture were erected, and the mighty Roman legions swept outward, conquering all of Italy. These victorious armies then swept across the Mediterranean and beyond to conquer most of the known world. With Rome’s establishment as capital of the western world, a new ascent to glory began.

Today’s Rome, with its splendid churches, ancient monuments and palaces, spacious parks, tree-lined boulevards, fountains, outdoor cafés and elegant shops, is one of the world’s most attractive and exciting cities. Among the most famous monuments is the Colosseum. As you walk its cool, dark passageways, imagine the voices that once filled the arena as 50,000 spectators watched combats between muscled gladiators and ferocious animals. Stop to see the remains of the Forum, once the city’s political and commercial center.

In later times, Rome’s squares were enhanced with such imposing structures as the Vittorio Emanuele Monument and grandiose fountains like the Fontana di Trevi. Join the millions who stand in awe of Christendom’s most magnificent church and admire the timeless masterpieces of Michelangelo’s frescoes in the Sistine Chapel.

Rome jars the senses and captures the soul. Grasp all you can during the short, precious time you have available in the Eternal City. With so much to see and do, a day or two will only allow you a sampling of the city's marvelous treasures.

Portoferraio, Italy

Portoferraio is a town and comune in the province of Livorno, on the edge of the eponymous harbour of the island of Elba, Tuscany. It is the island's largest town. Because of its terrain, many of its buildings are situated on the slopes of a tiny hill bordered on three sides by the sea.

Livorno (for Florence/Pisa/Tuscany), Italy

Livorno serves as a primary port for visiting Florence and Pisa in the Tuscany region of Italy. From Livorno, Pisa is roughly an hour away, and Florence is about two hours away by car or tour bus. Many cruise passengers dock in Livorno to take organized shore excursions to see landmarks like the Leaning Tower of Pisa and Florence's Renaissance-era attractions.

Pisa: Approximately one hour away from Livorno. It is famous for the Piazza dei Miracoli, which features the Leaning Tower.

Florence: Roughly two hours from Livorno. It is known as the birthplace of the Renaissance and is home to famous art and architecture like the Duomo and the Uffizi Gallery.

Livorno, Italy

Livorno is an Italian port city on the west coast of Tuscany. It's known for its seafood, Renaissance-era fortifications and modern harbor with a cruise ship port. Its central Terrazza Mascagni, a waterside promenade with checkerboard paving, is the city's main gathering place. The bastions of the 16th-century Fortezza Vecchia face the harbor and open onto Livorno's canal-laced Venezia Nuova quarter.

Portovenere, Italy

This tiny town on the Italian Riviera was strategically planned at the tip of a rocky peninsula overlooking the Gulf of La Spezia. Its 12th-century tall, narrow houses climb precipitously up the hillside from the sea. Many of them were at one time connected to the walls of an old citadel, which made it easy for the population to seek shelter during times of attack. Portovenere is built on different levels; visitors enjoy strolling through the narrow streets, delighting in the town's unique ambiance.

From Portovenere it is possible to explore the ruggedly beautiful Ligurian villages of Cinque Terre. With their steep-walled coastal cliffs, the villages of these "Five Lands"" are perched high above the sea

Santa Margherita Ligure, Italy

Santa Margherita Ligure is the grande dame of the entire Riviera di Levante, a spectacular place to visit in any season.

Monte Carlo, Monaco

The independent principality of Monaco is famous as the Côte d’Azur’s playground. With spacious beaches, elegant hotels and a lively nightlife, this tiny domain is a favorite haunt of the jet set. In the possession of the Grimaldi family for almost 700 years, a treaty with France guarantees Monaco’s independence as long as the throne is occupied by one of the Grimaldis. The principality numbers only about 50,000 citizens and is smaller than New York’s Central Park, but it boasts some of the most expensive real estate in the world.

In addition to its luxury hotels and beautiful beaches, Monaco is noted for its mild climate and magnificent scenery. Once an exclusive wintering stop for Europe’s aristocracy, today there are more than two million visitors annually. Of the principality’s four sections - Monaco, La Condamine, Monte Carlo and Fontvieille - it is Monaco and Monte Carlo that rank highest on every visitor’s must-see list.

Monaco-Ville, sitting on a rocky peninsula, is the old city and the seat of Monaco’s government. Narrow streets lead to the Prince’s Palace high above the sea. The 19th-century Romanesque cathedral contains impressive works of art and the tomb of Princess Grace, while the Parliament building and the Oceanographic Museum, under the auspices of the Jacques Cousteau Society, offer additional points of interest.

Monte Carlo spells sophistication; it is the epitome of elegance and glamour. Year after year, the rich and famous of business and entertainment gather here to bask in the sun, gamble at the world’s most opulent casino and attend spectacular parties. The most splendid hotels, several fine theaters, museums and excellent restaurants cater to the world’s elite. Nothing typifies more the elegant lifestyle of the Côte d’Azur than glamorous Monte Carlo.

Marseille, France

Marseille is a vibrant, cosmopolitan port in the Provence region of France. It is also the most populated city in the country after Paris. A craggy mountain hinterland provides a spectacular backdrop. Marseille's urban geography and atmosphere - entirely atypical of the region - are a result of the diversity of its inhabitants. As a Mediterranean melting pot, different peoples have mingled here for centuries, ever since the first Greeks invaded in around 600 B.C. Today, the heaviest influx of immigrants hails from North Africa. The result is a cornucopia of sensory delights; visitors can experience here more sights, sounds and smells than anywhere else in the country.

With a proud history of 26 centuries, Marseille is the oldest city in France. During the Revolution, some 500 volunteers marched to Paris, along the way singing a catchy tune called La Marseillaise, which later became France's national anthem. In the 19th century, Marseille grew prosperous from colonial trade; commerce with North Africa grew rapidly after the French occupation of Algeria. During World War II, Marseille suffered heavy bombing attacks and German occupation forces caused additional damage.

Today, Marseille is the country's most important seaport and the largest one in the Mediterranean. The city is divided into 16 arrondissements that spiral out from the old port area. The large industrial port area virtually rubs shoulders with the intimate, picturesque old harbor, the Vieux Port. Packed with fishing boats and pleasure crafts, this is the heart of Marseille. Two fortresses guard the entrance to the harbor: Fort Saint Nicolas and, across the water, Fort Saint Jean. Several vantage points offer spectacular views, including the impressive Basilica Notre Dame de la Garde. This prominent landmark overlooking the city is crowned by a monumental, gilded statue of the Virgin Mary.

Marseille boasts numerous fine museums that are well worth a visit. Sitting at one of the many outside cafes or strolling the streets of the old port area lets you experience the unpretentious charm of this city.

Sete, France

At first glance Sète appears to be a fairly recent town - and it is, if you think only of the founding of the city in the 17th century. However, as a place of human settlement, it has very ancient origins and the first human settlements here date to the Bronze Age (1100-800 B.C.). The area has been continuously inhabited over the centuries; in Roman times the hill of Sete formed a place of refuge for ships sailing the Mediterranean Sea. Until the 17th century construction of the port and city the territory of Sète was sparsely populated, mostly by fishermen. In the Middle Ages the village was known as Ceta. Things changed under the reign of Louis XIV (1638-1715), at the initiative of Minister Colbert (1619-1683), who, in order to facilitate the trade and export of products from the Languedoc, planned and built the port and town (such a project had already been thought at the time of Henry IV, 70years before, but that never materialized).

Work on the creation of the port at Sète began in 1666, a date that is still celebrated for the founding of the city. The construction of the port and the city was a big job taking nearly 15 years, during which time dozens of dykes, basins, bridges and aqueducts were built. In the early eighteenth century, there was an attempt by the British to take over the city, but it was rejected. Following this event, the defences of Sète was strengthened with numerous fortifications. In the mid-nineteenth century, the city had a great impetus for the population, especially as a settlement centre for Italian fishermen who left their homeland to seek new employment opportunities. In recent years Sete has became an important fishing centre in France.

Palamos, Spain

Palamós is a resort town and municipality in the Mediterranean Costa Brava, located in the comarca of Baix Empordà, in the province of Girona, Catalonia, Spain. Palamós is located at the northern end of a large bay.

Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia and Spain’s second-largest city; it is also one of the world’s most gracious cities. Dominated by Montjuic, Vallvidrera and the Tibidabo Hills, sophisticated Barcelona is rich in ancient and modern architectural and artistic treasures. Many talented artists, sculptors and architects lived here, including Picasso, Gaudi, Miro and Mares, who found the warm days and lively nights an inspiration for their art.

The city was founded by the Phoenicians. As a port it really began to develop under the Romans. The most significant period was during the Middle Ages when Barcelona's wealth equaled that of the whole Catalonia province. In the 19th century Barcelona grew into a major European port. The city developed around its Gothic Quarter. The splendid buildings from the 13th and 15th centuries and the medieval ambiance remain major attractions for the thousands of visitors every year.

In addition to the narrow streets of the Gothic Quarter there are the magnificent avenues cutting through the modern part of the city. They are lined by elegant boutiques and the whimsical facades of buildings designed by the famous Catalonian architect Antonio Gaudi.

Discover the city's outstanding museums dedicated to such masters as Picasso, Miro and Mares. No visit to Barcelona would be complete without seeing the most unique edifice, the Church of the Holy Family, or Sagrada Familia. Gaudi began this fantastic creation in 1883 but was unable to finish. Work was restarted in 1940 but has been greatly hindered because Gaudi left no plans or notes to assist in completing his masterpiece.

There are endless sites to see and things to do in this wonderful city warranting more than a one-day visit. Just strolling the popular Rambla or stopping at one of the many sidewalk cafes will be highlights of your visit to Barcelona.