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9-DAY ADRIATIC & ITALIAN SPLENDORS Ship: OOSTERDAM Cruise Line: Holland America Line

DEPARTS

Day1

Trieste (venice), Italy

  • SEA  2024 DEPARTS 4:00 PM

Day2

Zadar, Croatia

SEA  2024 ARRIVES 8:00 AM   DEPARTS 5:00 PM

ARRIVES 8:00 am   DEPARTS 5:00 pm

"It may sound like the name of some fantastic distant land or even a planet, but the only things out of this world about Zadar are its seaside views, delicious Croatian-Mediterranean cuisine and wines and the warm welcome when you arrive in this history-steeped Croatian town. Perched on a peninsula extending into the Adriatic, Zadar was a crossroads in the ancient world and a cornerstone of the Venetian Empire. As in many Croatian towns, layers of history and art are everywhere (keep your eyes open for the ubiquitous signature Venetian lions). In recent years, Croatia has found some new fame as the backdrop for Game of Thrones, but Zadar’s story of survival rivals anything that Hollywood could imagine. Caught on the front lines between the Allies and Mussolini’s troops, some 60 percent of the city’s buildings were destroyed in World War II. Today, however, the city that was once described as ""the Dresden of the Adriatic"" has been meticulously restored."

Day3

Split, Croatia

SEA  2024 ARRIVES 8:00 AM   DEPARTS 5:00 PM

ARRIVES 8:00 am   DEPARTS 5:00 pm

"Croatia’s second-biggest city oozes small-town charm, thanks to its quaint, narrow streets and the easygoing lifestyle that the Dalmatians are known for. With a busy ferry port, Split is the point of access to the many islands up and down the coast. Much of its old town is within the walls of Diocletian's Palace, a 1,700-year-old UNESCO-listed fortress on the Adriatic seafront. Roman Emperor Diocletian built the palace as his retirement home on the sea and through the centuries many conquerors have taken refuge within its thick walls."

Day4

Kotor, Montenegro

SEA 2024 ARRIVES 8:00 AM   DEPARTS 5:00 PM

ARRIVES 8:00 am   DEPARTS 5:00 pm

"Cruising into the Bay of Kotor, you’ll be wowed by the dramatic beauty of this coastal Montenegrin town. Dreamy seafront villages are set to a backdrop of mountains plummeting into the Adriatic Sea, while the stone labyrinth of the Old Town is filled with medieval architecture and historic monuments—as well as the narrowest street in the world. The area only became part of Montenegro after WWII, and as such has a very different history to the rest of the country. Kotor escaped Ottoman rule and developed as an important Venetian trading post, before being conquered by the Austro-Hungarian Empire, France and Russia. The city pays tribute to this dynamic history with Venetian gates, Napoleon’s theater and Austrian prisons all waiting to be discovered. There’s a reason it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site."

Day5

Kerkira, Nisos Kerkira (corfu), Gre

SEA 2024 ARRIVES 8:00 AM   DEPARTS 11:00 PM

ARRIVES 8:00 am   DEPARTS 11:00 pm

"Corfu is the pearl of the Ionian Sea, attracting royalty from across Europe in the 19th century, and modern celebrities from all over the world ever since. The island reflects a triple heritage. As well as being undeniably Greek, the culture and food also show a clear nod towards nearby Italy, particularly Venice, whose fortresses dot the island. The British influence may be unexpected, but as they ruled the island for many years, they have left such surprises in the Mediterranean as cricket and ginger beer. The bustling atmosphere of Corfu Town remains elegant, infused with culture and history. Parts of the rest of the island have been overdeveloped, but there are still great swaths that epitomize why the Greek islands are still regarded as the most beautiful in the world, with white-sand beaches backed by verdant mountains hiding traditional old villages. It is easy to see how Corfu has inspired generations of writers: from Shakespeare, through Edward Lear, to Gerald Durrell. A true gem. "

Day6

Days At Sea

2024 CRUISING ONLY

Day7

Taormina, Italy

SEA  2024 ARRIVES 7:00 AM   DEPARTS 4:00 PM

ARRIVES 7:00 am   DEPARTS 4:00 pm

Located on Sicily's east coast, just north of the active volcano Mt. Etna, Taormina has long drawn visitors with its stunning coastal scenery, thanks to its vantage point 204 meters (669 feet) above the Ionian Sea. Literary giants like Goethe and D.H. Lawrence spent time here, and more recently the town has become a popular spot for fans of the Godfather films, with some scenes shot in the area. Founded in the 4th century B.C.E., the town has a compact historic center that’s best explored on foot. Start with a visit to the ancient Greek Theater before shopping and people-watching along the Corso Umberto. A cable car makes it easy to reach the beach at Lido Mazzaró—one of the most picturesque and popular on the island, where you can frolic in the crystal clear water or sip a cold drink at one of the beach bars. Taormina is also an ideal jumping-off point for wine-tasting tours on Mt. Etna's slopes, or a visit to the nearby city of Catania.

Day8

Cruising Strait Of Messina

SEA  2024 CRUISING ONLY

"The Strait of Messina is the narrow waterway between Sicily and Calabria, the southernmost region on the Italian peninsula. Despite its relatively short length, the Strait of Messina is endowed with many unique qualities, making it one of the more dramatic passages in the Mediterranean. Its narrowest point—less than three kilometers (two miles)—creates a natural bottleneck and a distinct sheltered marine ecosystem; it is also a significant migration point for numerous species of birds. Noted for its large numbers of raptors and storks, the strait is one of the most popular and important bird-watching locations in Europe. Whales also swim along the length of the strait, adding to the area’s remarkable biodiversity. The Strait of Messina figures prominently in Greek mythology, most notably as the site of Scylla and Charybdis, mythical monsters of the sea that were embodied in rocky shoals on the Calabrian side and a whirlpool on the Sicilian side. These natural hazards would later lead to the phrase “between a rock and a hard place,” in English. For travelers today, however, sailing the strait is an easy decision, with its opportunities to spot wildlife in the shadow of Mount Etna"

Day9

Evening Cruising Stromboli Volcano

SEA , 2024 CRUISING ONLY
 

Day10

Naples (pompeii/amalfi), Italy

SEA , 2024 ARRIVES 7:00 AM   DEPARTS 5:00 PM
 

Day11

Olbia, Sardinia, Italy

SEA , 2024 ARRIVES 8:00 AM   DEPARTS 5:00 PM

Day12

Civitavecchia (rome), Italy

SEA , 2024 ARRIVES 7:00 AM 

ARRIVES 7:00 am   

Originally built by Emperor Trajan who had a villa here, Civitavecchia has flourished as a major port for Rome since the 13th century. Today it is an important ferry terminal and for many travelers the gateway to the Eternal City, Rome. The Renaissance fortifications that surround the harbor area were begun by Bramante and completed by Michelangelo in 1535.

 

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