The Pearls of the Lagoon (Murano & Burano) Morning: Breakfast at the hotel and coach transfer to the embarkation point. Cruise through the Venetian Lagoon with your tour leader towards Murano, the island of glass. Stop to attend a live demonstration by master glassblowers in a historic furnace. Transfer to Burano and lunch during the excursion (perhaps featuring excellent local seafood).

Visit the splendid island of Burano, a fishermen's island world-famous for its colorful houses and thousand-year-old lacemaking tradition. Guided visit to an artisan lace workshop and free time to wander along the island's photogenic canals. Late afternoon: Return by boat to Venice/Tronchetto and departure for the return journey. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Lake Garda / Verona Breakfast at the hotel and departure for lake Garda. Enjoy a guided promenade in Sirmione (or Peschiera del Garda, or another picturesque lakeside village). Optional: A scenic 30-minute boat cruise around Sirmione. Afterward, transfer to Verona for a guided tour with a local expert to discover the romantic city of Romeo and Juliet.

Highlights include Piazza Bra, the exterior view of the historic Arena, Piazza delle Erbe, and Piazza dei Signori. Return to the HOTEL for dinner and overnight stay.

VICENZA/MAROSTICA Breakfast at the hotel followed by departure for Vicenza, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site celebrated for the extraordinary architectural masterpieces of Andrea Palladio. Enjoy a guided tour of the historic city center, highlighted by the imposing Basilica Palladiana in Piazza dei Signori and an array of magnificent aristocratic palaces.

The journey continues to Marostica for a guided exploration of this splendid town, world-famous for its human chess square and its prized locally grown cherries from the surrounding hills. The ancient medieval walls stretch from the hilltop dominating the town down to the historic center, seamlessly connecting the Upper Castle to the Lower Castle with a rare, breathtaking scenic impact. Departure for Bassano del Grappa. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Bassano del Grappa / Castelfranco Veneto Breakfast at the hotel followed by departure for Bassano del Grappa. Enjoy an expert-led tour of the historic city center, featuring the exterior views of the 14th-century ramparts and gates, the medieval castle, Piazza della Libertà, and Piazza Garibaldi. The tour includes the famous Ponte degli Alpini, the city's iconic symbol and a traditional gathering place for locals. A dedicated stop will be made to visit the Grappa Museum, complemented by an exclusive grappa tasting during the visit.

The journey continues toward Castelfranco Veneto to explore the historic village, world-renowned as the birthplace of Giorgione, the mysterious genius of light and color. The town is encircled by a fascinating, majestic castle wall—one of the best-preserved in Italy. Enjoy a guided promenade through the historic center's narrow alleys, admiring evocative views and prestigious buildings such as the Academic Theater and the Palazzo del Monte di Pietà. Continue toward Treviso or the Venice area for dinner and an overnight stay.

Breakfast at the hotel followed by a transfer to Treviso. Meet with a local expert guide for a promenade through the heart of the city, exploring Calmaggiore and Piazza dei Signori—the vibrant gathering place of Treviso—featuring the historic Palazzo dei Trecento and the elegant Loggia dei Cavalieri.

In Treviso, two rivers, the Sile and the Cagnan, wind through the streets, lending a unique charm to the historic center encircled by ancient walls. The arcaded houses, with beautiful frescoed facades reflecting onto the Buranelli canal and the Isola della Pescheria (Fish Market Island), beautifully tell the story of the close bond between Treviso and its waters.

Savona Arrival --- Departure 18:00 The port: The port of Savona, located in Italy's picturesque Liguria region, is a charming port of call on the Italian Riviera. Just 2 kilometers from the historic city center, this major Mediterranean cruise port is easily accessible to visitors. A short stroll or local bus ride takes you quickly to the heart of Savona. What to visit in Savona In Savona, the Fortezza del Priamar, an imposing 16th-century fortress, offers a breathtaking view of the sea and the city. The historic center is home to numerous medieval buildings, churches and charming squares. Visit the Cathedral of the Assunta, a jewel of religious architecture, and the Savona Art Museum, which houses an impressive collection of local works of art. For a more contemporary experience, the local market is the ideal place to savor the flavors of Liguria and discover local crafts. What to visit in the surrounding area The area around Savona offers a wide variety of attractive destinations. The village of Noli, one of Italy's most beautiful, is just a few kilometers away and charms with its medieval ambience and tranquil beaches. Varazze, with its beautiful beaches and lively promenade, is another seaside destination not to be missed. For nature lovers, Liguria's hinterland, with its green hills and small hilltop villages, offers opportunities for picturesque hikes and discoveries. Fifty kilometers away, the city of Genoa, rich in maritime history and culture, is perfect for a day trip.

Marseille In Marseille, don't miss the famous Notre-Dame de la Garde basilica, which offers a panoramic view of the city. The Old Port is a must-see, as is the Panier district, birthplace of the city. For an immersive experience, the Mucem and the Vieille Charité are major cultural landmarks. What to visit in the surrounding area On the outskirts of Marseille, the Calanques offer a breathtaking natural spectacle. Accessible by land or sea, they are a haven of peace for hikers and nature lovers. Cassis, a charming coastal town, is also just a short distance away, perfect for a getaway

Barcelona Barcelona is a charming, cosmopolitan port on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. This prosperous and bilingual (Spanish and Catalan) metropolis measures up to a city such as Madrid: its museums, theaters, art galleries, and nightlife area are of an impressively high standard. Besides that, this art and design center has a lot of interesting sights to offer to its visitors. The best place to watch people go by, stroll, or simply relax, is 'Las Ramblas', a pedestrian street with dozens of outdoor cafes. Here, you’ll find flower stands, book kiosks, and small market stalls where they sell birds and small animals. You’ll also find an endlessly fascinating flowing receptacle of pageant jugglers, singers, dancers, puppeteers, sidewalk artists, living statues, and assorted oddballs on parade. Nearby is 'Place Real', with plenty of bars and restaurants, and 'Palau Guell', built by the Catalan architectural genius Antoni Gaudi in his undulating art-nouveau style. After having seen these sights, stroll the narrow winding streets of the 'Barri Gotic', the medieval Gothic quarter full of interesting tapas bars, and cafes. Check out Picasso’s old hangout, 'Els Quatre Gats', which has been renovated without losing its bohemian charm. Or head for the old Barceloneta section on the waterfront. This working-class area, which was always slightly rundown and scruffy-looking, is now packed with paella restaurants. The new beach area, which runs from Barceloneta to the Olympic Village, is much cleaner than the old beach area. Although some people believe that it has been cleaned up considerably, it might be a wise idea to stay out of the water. Fortunately, the beach itself is already a feast for the eyes (and ears), with its huge and roaring waves.

Palma de Mallorca Palma is a resort city and capital of the Spanish island of Mallorca (Majorca), in the western Mediterranean. The massive Santa María cathedral, a Gothic landmark begun in the 13th century, overlooks the Bay of Palma. The adjacent Almudaina is a Moorish-style Arab fortress converted to a royal residence. West of the city, hilltop Bellver Castle is a medieval fortress with a distinctive circular shape. Most of the major buildings and monuments in Palma were constructed during the "Golden Age," between 1276 and 1344 under the rule of the Kingdom of Aragon. Among the most impressive is the graceful Gothic Cathedral, which was commissioned by King Jaime I of Aragon in 1230. Legend has it that on his way to recapture Mallorca from the Moors, Jaime the First's ship was struck by a terrible storm, and he vowed at that moment, to the Virgin Mary, that if he survived he would erect a church in her honor. He made good on his promise but it took a while. The Cathedral wasn't completed until 1601! You will find the people of Mallorca are quite charming, as their experiences have allowed them to perfect the art of hospitality. So relax and enjoy this unique multicultural island — you're in the hands of professionals.

Cruising

Palermo Palermo, Sicily’s main port, nestles in the middle of a wide bay enclosed, to the north, by the Pellegrino Mount and, to the south, by Capo Zafferano. It lies on the edge of a very fertile plain that was called in the 15th century Conca D’Oro (meaning the golden shell or horn of plenty) on account of its lush citrus plantations, palm trees, and olive groves. At one time it was a favorite haunt of writers, poets, and artists, who were enraptured by its eastern atmosphere and beauty. Built and grown over centuries, Palermo conveys a range of diverse cultures and traditions. It suffered heavy damages during the Second World War bombings, its old quarters destroyed and never completely rebuilt. Also, the construction of large modern crumbling buildings in the suburbs has done nothing to improve the city’s image. Nevertheless, it has preserved much of the priceless heritage handed down by the people who populated it. They left indelible traces not only in its artistic patrimony but in its very vital rhythm of life. Palermo becomes particularly lively in July during the Festival of the Patron Saint Rosalie, celebrated with a program of events lasting five whole days.

Rome Located about 80 kilometers northwest of Rome, the Port of Civitavecchia is the port of Rome and a busy ferry and cargo port serving Italy and southern Europe. Lying on Italy’s eastern shores on the Tyrrhenian Sea, the Port of Civitavecchia has excellent direct connections to Rome. It is an important cruise and ferry port with regular passage to Sardinia, Malta, Sicily, Tunis, and Barcelona. Fishing is of secondary importance to the Port of Civitavecchia. In addition to ocean-going traffic, the Port of Civitavecchia also contains a thermoelectric center and metallurgical works. In 2006, over 51 thousand people called the Port of Civitavecchia home. The Port of Civitavecchia was built on an earlier Etruscan settlement. Emperor Trajan founded the Port of Civitavecchia in the early 2nd Century, calling it Centumcellae. Today, Trajan’s Port is preserved within today’s Port of Civitavecchia. A busy growing town during the late Roman era, the Port of Civitavecchia was attacked by Vandals and then destroyed by the Saracens in 828 AD. Residents escaped to the nearby Allumiere Mountains where Pope Leo IV built a walled town in 854. Eventually, the people returned to Civitavecchia (the name means “old city”). At the end of the 15th Century, the Port of Civitavecchia was under frequent attack by pirates. The naval arsenal was constructed in 1508. Pope Paul III commissioned the building of the keep, which was designed by Donato Bramante and then finished by Michelangelo in 1537, to protect the Port of Civitavecchia from pirate attacks. In 1696, Civitavecchia became a free port under Pope Innocent XII. Because it was Rome’s main port, the French occupied the Port of Civitavecchia in 1849. The Port of Civitavecchia was linked to Rome by the Rome and Civitavecchia Rail Road in 1859. When the Port of Civitavecchia became part of the Kingdom of Italy in 1870, it was one of the Papal State’s most strongly fortified towns when Papal troops welcomed General Nino Bixio on behalf of the Italian unification forces into the Port of Civitavecchia fortress. World War II brought destruction to as much as three-quarters of the Port of Civitavecchia. Reconstruction enlarged the Port of Civitavecchia beyond its pre-war area. The Authority Portuale Civitavecchia (Port of Rome) is responsible for managing and operating the Port of Civitavecchia as well as the ports of Fiumicino and Gaeta. The modern Port of Civitavecchia is at the center of rail, road, and air networks that link it with central Italy and the world. The Port of Civitavecchia can handle about 11 million tons of cargo per year and over 1.5 million passengers. Cargoes include forest products, cereals, iron and steel, chemicals, automobiles, containers, and liquid bulk. In 2007, the Port of Civitavecchia welcomed 856 cruise vessels carrying 1.6 million passengers, and the total number of passengers using ferries and cruise vessels was 3.8 million. In 2007, the Port of Civitavecchia handled a total of 7.7 million tons of cargo. This total included 1.5 million tons of liquid bulk, 1.7 million tons of solid bulk, 4.6 million tons of packages, and 31.1 thousand TEUs of containerized cargo. The Port of Civitavecchia contains 28 berths of a total of 5.6 thousand meters in length alongside depths from 6 to 18 meters. Port properties include five warehouses containing 36 thousand square meters for handling and storing cargo. The intermodal terminal includes seven thousand square meters of storage space and 12.5 thousand square meters for loading/unloading rail cars and parking. The Port of Civitavecchia is one of the busiest ferry ports in the world. Just 80 kilometers northwest of Rome, it is the main tourist destination for people traveling to the Eternal City. It is also a central port for ferries carrying passengers to more local destinations. The ferry terminal offers a complete line of amenities. Different ferry companies offer services to various destinations. Moby Lines handles crossings to Olbia, Sardinia. Corsica Sardinia Ferries runs services to Golfo Aranci. Grimaldi Ferries carries passengers to Barcelona and Tunis, and Grand Navi Veloci operates a route to Tunis. Ferrovie dello Stato operates a combined rail-ferry service to Golfo Aranci.

Savona is a port city in Liguria, northwest Italy. The 1500s Priamar Fortress houses the Sandro Pertini Museum, with works by Guttuso and Miró. A 17th-century statue of Mary adorns the medieval tower Torre Leon Pancaldo. The Ceramics Museum spans the 15th century to the present. Northwest, Colle di Cadibona pass marks the start of a stretch on the Alta Via dei Monti Liguri trekking route, with sea and mountain views.