31 days “Ancient Empires and Civilizations”

Grand Mediterranean tour departs Sydney 13th. July, 2010.

(includes 24 nights cruising on the deluxe ms “Nieuw Amsterdam”)

 

​

 

 

 

 

​

 

Italy - Greece – Croatia – Turkey – Greek Islands - Spain

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

31 days “Grand Mediterranean” tour departs Sydney 13th. July, 2010. 
Featuring: 24 nights cruise on Holland America’s newest ship ms “Nieuw Amsterdam”

Visiting: Venice (overnight Italy), Split (Croatia), Piraeus (Greece) Istanbul (overnight Turkey), Mykonos (Greece), Kusadasi (Ephesus Turkey), Santorini (Greece), Katakolon (Greece), Dubrovnik (Croatia), Corfu (Greece), Argostoli (Greece), Catania (Italy), Naples (Italy), Rome (Italy), Livorno (Florence Italy), Barcelona (Spain), Madrid (spain).

 

TOUR COST:

$8,999.00 per person share twin inside cabin.

$7,999.00 per person triple share inside cabin.

$2,600.00 single supplement inside cabin.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

DAY 1: SYDNEY/VENICE.

Our Qantas flight departs mid-afternoon via Singapore to connect with Lufthansa flights to Venice.

 

 

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

DAYS  2- 25:  EMBARK  ms “Nieuw Amsterdam” Cruise.

Enjoy  5-star “Signature of Excellence” premium cruising on this magnificent new ship with enhanced show lounge, Explorer’s Café,

Lido pool, a premium wine-tasting lounge, largest gymnasium ever built for Holland America, and expanded Greenhouse Spa and Salon, Pinnacle Grill and Bar, midship glass elevators, pan-Asian Tamarind restaurant and Silk Den lounge surrounded by panoramic views overlooking the ocean. The interior design and art collection reflects the glamour and history of New York City formerly called “Nieuw Amsterdam”.

Exciting ports-of-call await us!

Venice, Italy: Enjoy this magical medieval city, a romantic Gondola ride, charming cafe’s, St. Mark’s Square is Venice’s heart, visit palatial arcades, the Bridge of Sighs, Rialto and shop for world renowned Venetian glass, lace and beautiful masks.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

 

​

Split, Croatia: The beauty of the Dalmation Coast is world renowned. The Old Town of Split is built on and around the spectacular 4th.century Roman Palace.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

​

Piraeus, Greece:  Visit the Parthenon, the Acropolis and the Plaka – Athens’ old town that is shrouded in history, drama, Gods and glamour! The National Archaeological Museum boasts the world’s finest collection of Greek antiquities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

​

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Istanbul, Turkey:  (Constantinople)  survived Greek occupation, Byzantium, the Crusades, and the Ottomans who all left their mark on this beautiful city city built on the Bosphorous Strait. Visit the Blue Mosque, St. Sophia, Grand Bazaar for incredible shopping, & the Topkai Palace which was the official residence of the Ottoman Sultans who left behind magnificent jewellry and artifacts which are on public display.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

​

​

 

 

Mykonos: The most famous of the Greek Islands.  The “Jetset” nightlife and beautiful beaches bring film makers, actors and artists to it’s shores.
 

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

Kusadasi: A visit to Ephesus is a visit to one of the best preserved ancient cities in the world. You may wish to visit the Virgin Mary’s House where Jesus’ Mother is said to have lived the last years of her life. The Great Theatre dating back to 1st. century AD  where St. Paul preached to the Ephesians & Hadrian’s temple.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

​

 

 

 

 

Santorini, Greek Islands: Known as Thira and believed to be Atlantis in ancient times. Take a cable car up or donkey ride to the town centre where shopping for Jewellry and souvenirs are a must.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

​

 

 

Katakolon, Greece: Step back 2,000 years into ancient Olympia where the area was crowded with athletes, orators, merchants and philosophers surrounding the Temple of Zeus and imagine the spectators roaring as the athletes took their mark on the marble starting blocks. 

Dubrovnik: Explore the old town entering the 13th. Century city via Pile Gate. This marvelous city has been reclaimed as a UNESCO world Heritage Site. Explore the Sponza Palace and the Rector’s Palace and marvel at the defensive wall and battlements surrounding the old city. 

Corfu, Greece: Enjoy the crystal clear turquoise waters, the lush countryside of olive, orange and lemons trees. The Venetian sector of Corfu Town will charm you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Argostoli, Greece: (Cephalonia) is the largest of the Ionian Islands renowned for it’s many caves, fir forests and beautiful beaches. Captain Corelli’s Mandolin was filmed on this beautiful Island.
 

 

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

Catania: Discover some of the legendary beauty of Sicily driving through vineyards, citrus groves and villages on the way to the mighty Mt. Etna. Inside, the walls are peppered with stalactites and stalagmites in vivid technicolour.  Or a day at the beach enjoying the crystal clear blue Mediterranean sea.
 

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

Naples, Italy: Shore excursions are availble to nearby Sorrento or take a jetfoil ride to the Isle of Capri. Roman emperors such as Caesar Agustus and Tiberius vacationed on this beautiful island or visit the remarkable ruins of Pompeii. Archaeologists consider Pompeii to be the finest example of an ancient Roman Town.

 

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

 Civitavecchi:Rome:  The eternal city and it’s imperial momuments are testimony to Rome’s past glory. Visit the Colosseum, Circus Maximus (immortalized by Ben Hur) The Roman Forum, the Catacombs, the Trivi Fountain (3 coins in a fountain fame) and Christendom’s largest church “St. Peter’s Basilica” and the Sistine Chapel which holds an invaluable collection of masterpieces.

Livorno:Florence:  Magnificent Tuscan countryside, Michelangelo’s famous Statue of David, the leaning tower of Pisa and shop ‘til you drop for designer clothing - Pucci, Valentino, Yves St. Laurent, Gucci, Fendi, Ungaro, Stella McCartney, Giorgio Armani.

Day 26:  BARCELONA.

​

After an unfogettable cruise we disembark the ms “Nieuw Amsterdam” in Barcelona. Our city tour this morning will highlight the beauty of this vibrant Mediterranean port.  Catalonia retains its own distinctive language, culture and traditions. Visit Gaudi’s famous unfinished Segrada Familia Cathederal, stroll along the Ramblas with its buskers and market stalls and the Gothic quarter. Dinner included at local restaurant.
 

 

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

Overnight: Melia Hotel Barcelona.
 

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

Day  27: BARCELONA – MADRID.

Our coach today departs for Madrid.  We pass through historic Zaragoza in Aragon and Guadalajara, along the Jal’on River Valley dotted with Mudejar Towers which are survivors of the bygone era of Morrish domination in Spain. Travel through the wide arid plains of Castille to Madrid. Dinner included at our hotel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overnight: Holiday Inn, Madrid.
 

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

Day 28:  MADRID 

Enjoy a sightseeing tour to see the statue of Cervante’s fictional hero “Don Quixote” in the Plaza de Espana, Cibeles Fountain & Prado Museum, one of the greatest art galleries of Europe , the Royal Palace and the Puerta del Sol.  Tonight we have organised a farewll dinner which includes a Flamenco Show for your enjoyment.

Overnight:  Holiday Inn, Madrid. 

 

Day 29 – 31:   MADRID/SYDNEY 

 Morning at leisure.  We depart our hotel mid afternoon and are tranferred to Madrid airport to join our Lufthansa flight via Frankfurt to Singapore where we join our Qantas flight to Sydney.  Our flight arrives into Sydney early morning on the  12th. August, 2010.

 
WE INVITE YOU TO JOIN US ON THIS GRAND ADVENTURE!

Tour inclusions:

Fully escorted throughout 
Return economy class airfare
First Class accommodation 
Touring as per itinerary
All meals on "Nieuw Amsterdam" cruise 
Full American breakfasts daily 
Dinners in Spain 
Group get-together prior to departure 
Group Cocktail Party on board ship 
Government taxes on cruise ($196.00)

Not included in tour price: 
Airport/airline ticket taxes (TBA) 
Port charge on cruise (approx. $850.00) 
Items of a personal nature 
Insurance coverage which is compulsory 
Gratuities

 

UPGRADES: BUSINESS CLASS UPGRADE ON QANTAS/LUFTHANSA FLIGHTS: $4999.00 per person.

 

Cruise fare is based on inside cabin K grade.

OUTSIDE STATEROOM WINDOW—Main Deck

D GRADE - $1250.00 per person

VERANDAH SUITES.

VB GRADE - $3150.00 per person Upper Verandah Deck

VA GRADE - $3380.00 per person 
Rotterdam Deck

V GRADE - $3600.00 per person 
Navigation Deck

 

SA GRADE - $8700.00 per person 
Rotterdam Deck

Cruise Itinerary... 25-Day Grand Mediterranean from Venice to Barcelona - 14th July, 2010

1 Venice, Italy 
2 Venice, Italy 05:00 PM 
3 Split, Croatia 09:00 AM - 04:00 PM 
4 At Sea 
5 Piraeus, Greece 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM 
6 Istanbul, Turkey ON 04:00 PM 
7 Istanbul, Turkey 05:00 PM 
8 Mykonos, Greece TR 01:00 PM - 11:00 PM 
9 Kusadasi (Ephesus) Turkey 07:00 AM - 07:00 PM 
10 Santorini, Greece TR 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM 
11 Katakolon, Greece 09:00 AM - 05:00 PM 
12 At Sea 
13 Venice, Italy ON 07:00 AM 
14 Venice, Italy 01:00 PM 
15 Dubrovnik, Croatia 09:00 AM - 06:00 PM 
16 Corfu, Greece 08:00 AM - 06:00 PM 
17 Argostoli, Cephalonia, Greece TR 07:00 AM - 04:00 PM 
18 Santorini, Greece TR 11:00 AM - 06:00 PM 
19 At Sea 
20 Catania, Italy 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM 
21 Naples, Italy 08:00 AM - 06:00 PM
22 Civitavecchia (Rome) 07:00 AM - 08:00 PM 
23 Livorno (Florence) Italy 07:00 AM - 08:00 PM 
24 Barcelona, Spain ON 06:00 PM 
25 Barcelona, Spain 05:00 AM