Rome was absolutely wonderful. Our hotel was located about one block from the Vatican and was formerly the palazzo of the dellaRovere family in the 14th century. We were also lucky enough to arrive in time for the Pope’s audience that morning and got to see him. We had some trouble getting my computer to work, but since we are now on the ship, we are able to use it. Weather has been perfect. We’re crossing the Ionian sea today and went to Capri, Sorrento and Pompeii yesterday and are touching down in Greece tomorrow. We are both weel and feeling fine.

Ciaou,

I plan to miss her a lot

We will view the best of Rome all in one day as we explore the Eternal City visiting the Colosseum and Trevi Fountain with free time for shopping.

On this excursion you will:

* Relax on your 90 minute motor coach journey into Rome to begin your exploration of the Eternal City.
* Enter the vast expanse of St. Peter’s Square, which can hold over 300,000 people, by passing through the embracing arms of Bernini’s colonnades into Christendom’s largest church, St. Peter’s Basilica.
* To realize its enormity, look at the metal markers on the floor inside showing the comparative lengths of other churches and cathedrals. Suspended over the altar, where the Pope celebrates Mass, is the gilded Papal canopy, called Baldacchino, created by Bernini in the 17th century.
* In the apse is the splendid gilt and bronze throne, also designed by Bernini.
* Then, view one of the best-known pieces of sculpture in the word, the Pietà, Michelangelo’s masterpiece in white marble.
* Next, drive along the Tiber River, passing the medieval Tiberine Island and the Roman Bridges.
* Drive on the Aventine Hill for a view of the imposing remains of the Imperial Palaces and the Circus Maximus, where chariot races were held.
* See the Forum where vestiges of the glory and majesty of the Roman Empire still remain. Visit the inside of the Colosseum, used for gladiator fights, wild beast games and naval battles.
* Drive by Venice Square, the heart of Rome, and see the flamboyant memorial to King Victor Emanuel the Second.
* Finally, stop at the Trevi Fountain where king Neptune’s Tritons guard the sparkling waters of Rome’s most beloved monument. Toss a coin in the fountain to ensure your return to the Eternal City!
* Then, enjoy a typical Italian lunch at a local restaurant before some free time at leisure for shopping or to continue sightseeing on your own.

The Essence of Tuscany

Marvel in the jewels that are the Tuscan countryside as you travel to San Gimignano and Siena, two Medieval towns sitting atop the colorful and hilly panorama that is Tuscany.

While exploring the essence of Tuscany we will:

* The minibus will take you on a scenic 11⁄2-hour journey to San Gimignano, recently the landmark for the highly successful movie Under the Tuscan Sun.
* View breathtaking Tuscan countryside that await you as you explore this beautiful town independently.
* See the “Manhattan of Tuscany” skyline, bristling with a large number of towers dating back to the 11th and 13th centuries. Fifteen out of the 72 towers remain unbroken, giving an unmistakable mark to this wondrous town.
* Enjoy a typical local meal in a nearby farmhouse before heading to the enchanting town of Siena.
* Explore Siena, amazingly rich in masterpieces of art and rising above three hills, where your guide will take you to the Piazza del Campo, the square where the world famous folkloric event called Palio Horse Racing takes place twice a year during the summer.
* Discover this fan-shaped, gently sloping square is lined with marvelous buildings like the City Hall, erected in the 13th century, and the Torre del Mangia bell tower, rising 102 meters high. The Sansedoni Palace and the Gaiai Fountain are also close by.
* Enjoy your exterior views of the gothic-style Duomo of Siena dating back to the 12th century and the Battistero, both adorned with a variety of frescoes, sculptures and painting masterpieces created by some of Italy’s most famous artists.

We will explore Olympia, the most sacred sanctuary of the ancient Greeks, as well as the nearby Olympia museum.

On this fascinating excursion you will:

* Relax on a 30-minute drive through the land of Elis to the site of Olympia.
* See the site that is beautifully shaded by the Judas and olive trees with the perfectly shaped, conical Hill of Kronos standing majestically above.
* Explore the archaic Temple of Hera and the huge Temple of Zeus.
* View the unique stadium, the Bouleuterion, Phedias’ workshop, the Palaistra and the Gymnasium.
* Continue on to the Museum to view the wonderful marble statues of the Temple of Zeus, the famous Hermes of Praxiteles and a unique collection of ancient pieces of armour and bronze figurines.

Our next stop takes us to dramatic Delphi, dedicated to Apollo the God of Moderation and Music, and aptly named for its location within its unique landscape.

On this excursion we will:

* Enjoy a beautiful drive into the land of central Greece for approximately 11⁄2 hours.
* Take a rest stop along the way at the town of Levadia.
* Continue onto the foothills of Mt. Parnassos which dominates the site of Delphi and the valley below.
* Witness their breathtaking setting of Delphi’s ruins that still hide some of the spell of the ancient oracle.
* Enter the archaeological area with your professional Greek guide. Walk up the Sacred Way, past the beautiful small Treasuries to the Temple of Apollo, location of the oracle.
* See the Marmaria with the Sanctuary of Athena Pronaia and the graceful Tholos.
* Continue on to the Museum with its superb collection of votive offerings and statues, including the world famous Charioteer.
* Enjoy a traditional country lunch on the outskirts of Delphi, near the village of Arahova.
* Have some free time before returning to the ship.

On this leg of our journey we will see exotic Istanbul‘s sights; the Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, and St. Sophia. Have lunch at the Byzantine Cistern restaurant and then explore this underground wonder of columns.

* Discover this city that is full of history, culture, arts, and exotic beauty as it is also the only city in the world located on two continents.
* You will board your motorcoach and leave the port crossing over the Golden Horn Bridge, here you will get your first view of the Suleymaniye Mosque on your way to the old city center.
* Take a short panoramic drive around the old city and arrive at the ancient Hippodrome, site of once the largest chariot race grounds of the Byzantine Empire.
* Take a short walk to the Blue Mosque, also known as the Sultanahmet Mosque, see this amazing structure that was completed in 1616 and is a triumph to harmony, proportion, and elegance. Inside you will see the blue iznik tiles that cover the walls and have given the mosque its popular name.
* Then walk the short distance to St. Sophia, built as a church during Emperor Justinian’s reign in 537 AD, it remained a the greatest church in Christendom until the conquest of Constantinople in 1453 by Sultan Mehmet II who order it converted to a mosque. In 1934 this amazing structure was proclaimed a museum by Ataturk and declared something for all people.
* See the renovated old Ottoman houses along the old city center streets as you make your way to lunch. Have lunch at one of the famous authentic old Byzantine Cistern restaurants located in the old city center. Taste delicious Turkish cuisine prepared in Ottoman and Turkish styles by the famous chef. Enjoy a local belly dancer as she performs a show just for your entertainment.
* After lunch see the underground cistern, also known as the “underground palace”. This 6th century subterranean reservoir features a ceiling supported by 336 Corinthian columns.
* Make your way to the area of the Grand Bazaar, stopping for a short demonstration on the art of carpet weaving. Enter the Bazaar and discover the 92 streets that are filled with 4,000 shops full of handicrafts, souvenirs, jewelry, and so much more.

We will vsit ancient Ephesus, believed to be one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, and explore the spectacular, newly excavated Terrace Houses.

On this amazing excursion we will:

* Travel for approximately 55 minutes through the agricultural fields of cotton, fruit trees, olives, and figs to Ephesus.
* Experience the city who’s roots date back as far as 6000 BC, to the Neolithic Age.
* Learn about the many civilizations that have ruled this city, developing it into a focal point of trade, culture and power.
* Venture past the Hadrian Temple, an impressive Corinthian style temple which is the first structure to be made totally of marble.
* Walk down the Arcadian Way, a beautiful marble street, and on to the breathtaking Celsius Library, one of the best-preserved libraries in the world.
* View the Baths of Scholastikia and the private Terrace Houses area, located on top of a hill within the city.
* See the Terrace Houses which were brought to light in excavations carried out since the 1980’s.
* See them up close as you walk along the glass and steel walkways specifically constructed to see the houses that were inhabited by wealthy Ephesians.
* Enter the Great Theatre, dating back to the Hellenistic period before leaving Ephesus.
* Be amazed at the theatre, able to seat approximately 24,000 spectators.
* See the spot that is believed to have been where St. Paul preached Christianity.
* Have approximately 15 minutes free time to shop for souvenirs outside of the site before departing.

On our second stop we will visit Rhodes, Greece

* Take a relaxing drive to Lindos, situated approximately one hour further south from Rhodes town.
* See the Acropolis standing majestically above its small white houses nestled into its side.
* Follow your guide through this quaint little village that seems like a maze of narrow cobblestone streets, white houses and pebble-paved courtyards.
* Walk through these beautiful winding streets, passing by the abundance of souvenir, jewelry and art shops along the way to the top of the Acropolis.
* Take in the unique view including: the bay of Lindos, scores of small fishing boats on one side and the cove of Ayios Pavlos on the other.
* Explore the medieval walls and the steps that lead to the palace of the governor of the castle and main Acropolis area.
* Look in awe at the Temple of Athena and the Byzantine church. Have your cameras ready for the breathtaking panoramic views over St Paul’s Bay where the Apostle is said to have sought shelter during a storm.
* Spend some free time, after your guided tour, to take photographs or maybe explore the many shops within the village.
* Enjoy a Greek buffet lunch in a hotel close by. Relax on your return journey to Rhodes Town before a guided walking tour of this beautiful medieval town.
* Follow your guide past the Palace of the Grand Master and explore Rhodes Town.
* Have some free time to shop within the haven of cosmopolitan shops within the city walls before returning to the ship.

On this beautiful excursion we will: Visit Pompeii in the morning and then travel to Sorrento, or “Sorrentino”, along the scenic and picturesque coastal road of southern Italy before ending our day in Capri.

* Upon leaving the pier, drink in the wonderful view of the Gulf of Naples with Mt. Vesuvius in the background. A stop will be made at a local cameo factory to admire the delicacy of this work and to have an opportunity to purchase these treasures.
* Soon you will reach Pompeii, possibly the most famous excavation in the world, for an amazing guided tour. Here a flourishing civilization, buried for 1,700 years, has been brought to life again and we can see how the citizens of the greatest empire the world has even known lived and loved; worked and played; ate and drank and died.
* Follow your knowledgeable guide on a walking tour through these ancient streets and learn about the historical events and the tragic end of the city’s 20,000 inhabitants. The catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D. surprised the population of this prosperous provincial capital and resort town, burying it under 20 feet of ash and pumice stone, but in this way preserving a whole city.
* Next, enjoy an hour’s scenic coastal drive to Sorrento, the home of sirens who attempted to lure Ulysses on to the rocks. Here, a short amount of free time will be given to explore and shop before enjoying lunch in a local restaurant.
* Later, you will be led on foot to the Sorrento Marina where you will catch the Jetfoil for your 25-minute trip over to Capri. A tiny island with an area of 51⁄2 square miles, Capri has natural beauty that has been celebrated for at least two thousand years.
* Enjoy a ride up in the funicular to Capri Town for an hour of free time. The “Piazzetta” is the heart of shopping and nightlife.
* Wander around the narrow streets, explore the fashion designers’ shops, relax in an outdoor cafe or see the sights that most appeal to you.
* Enjoy a ride up in the funicular to Capri Town, where you may visit the Augustus Gardens, overlooking the Faraglioni rocks and Marina Piccola, followed by free time. The “Piazzetta” is the hearth of shopping. Wander around the narrow streets, explore the fashion designer’s shops, relax in an outdoor cafe or see the sights that most appeal to you. Meet again with your guide and transfer down to the Marina Grande by funicular once more to catch the jetfoil back to Naples. There will be a short walk back to the ship.

Here is a loose itinerary for our trip. Click on any of the red links for more information regarding that specific place.

We leave for Italy from Dayton on September 18th and arrive in Rome on the 19th. We will be staying at the Hotel Columbus near Vatican City and plan to do the museums and St. Peters Cathedral as well as, other nearby attractions until we pick up the cruise ship Carnival Freedom in Rome’s port city of Civitaveccia. Upon departure from Civitaveccia we will continue on a 12 Day Europe and Greek Isles tour. This is a little different than what we had originally planned, but has some really great side trips. Listed below is our itinerary for the cruise portion of our trip.

Europe : 12 Day Mediterranean & Greek Isles

9-22 Sat Civitavecchia, Italy depart
9-23 Sun Naples, Italy, Pompeii, Sorrento & Capri
9-24 Mon Fun Day At Sea
9-25 Tues Rhodes, Greece — The Best of Rhodes
9-26 Wed Izmir, Turkey — Terrace Houses & Ancient Ephesus
9-27 Thu Istanbul, Turkey — Exotic Istanbul,with Lunch in Byzantine Cistern
9-30 Fri Fun Day At Sea
10-1 Sat Athens, Greece — Dramatic Delphi
10-2 Sun Katakolon, Greece — Museum & Ancient Olympia
10-3 Mon Fun Day At Sea
10-4 Tues Livorno, Italy — The Essence of Tuscany
10-5 Wed Civitavecchia, Italy — Rome at its Best
10-6 Thu Civitavecchia, Italy — This concludes the cruise portion of our trip.