31 Day Mediterranean Wonder | Luxury Cruise and Coach Tour 2023

Rome (Civitavecchia)

 Today you will check out of your hotel and make your way to the port to board Oceania Cruises 'MS Marina'. Embarkation commences from 1pm and the vessel will depart Rome at 7pm.

Meals: Onboard meals

Accommodation: 'MS Marina'

  Naples - Pompeii

Spend a day exploring the fabulous ruins of ancient Pompeii or Herculaneum with their stunning temples, frescoes and mosaics. Explore fascinating Naples and its famed museums, visit charming Sorrento or take a boat trip to the beautiful Isle of Capri.

Meals: Onboard meals

Accommodation: 'MS Marina'

 Catania

Destroyed by an earthquake in the 17th century, Catania has been beautifully restored and offers ancient churches, castles and amphitheaters, lush gardens and lovely palazzos to explore. Tour the 13th century Ursino Castle, which was situated along the coast until earthquakes and volcanic eruptions transformed the landscape. Drive inland through picturesque villages and explore Villa Romana del Casale, a 4th century villa and UNESCO World Heritage Site containing a complex collection of Roman mosaics considered one of the finest in the Roman world.

Meals: Onboard meals

Accommodation: 'MS Marina'

 At Sea - International Waters

Today is a day at sea. Take advantage of the services available onboard your ship.

Meals: Onboard meals

Accommodation: 'MS Marina'

 Bodrum

A playground for yachters, tourists and jet setters, modern Bodrum stands on the site of the ancient city of Halicarnassus. You can still see the foundations of the mausoleum, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, which was destroyed by earthquakes. The Knights of St. John used its stones to build Bodrum Castle, fascinating not only as a medieval monument but also for the Museum of Underwater Archaeology within its walls, which includes a display of the oldest known shipwreck.

Meals: Onboard meals

Accommodation: 'MS Marina'

 Ephesus (Kusadasi)

Meander through the ruins of ancient Ephesus and marvel at the famed Library of Celsus, the huge amphitheater, the marble roads with their chariot marks, the amazing mosaic sidewalks and the superb, rarely opened Terrace Houses. Or journey to three monumental cities of antiquity - Priene, Miletus and Didyma - renowned for their majestic temples and impressive, beautifully preserved stadiums.

Meals: Onboard meals

Accommodation: 'MS Marina'

 Athens (Piraeus)

Climb up the magnificent Acropolis and stand in awe of the Parthenon, the beautiful temples and the view over Athens stretched out before you. See city highlights including the new and old Olympic stadiums. Journey to Cape Sounion and the temple of Poseidon overlooking the sea, or visit ancient Corinth and the narrow Corinth Canal cut through miles of solid rock.

Meals: Onboard meals

Accommodation: 'MS Marina'

 Mykonos

Enjoy wandering through the narrow, winding streets of this delightful seaside village with its whitewashed houses, flowers and brightly painted shutters and doors. Stand beneath the windmills on the hill. Visit the archaeological museum and an old bakery still using a 15th century wood-burning stove.

Meals: Onboard meals

Accommodation: 'MS Marina'

 Thessaloniki

With a history spanning more than two millennia, Thessaloniki reigned alongside Constantinople as a capital of the Byzantine Empire. So numerous are the outstanding Paleochristian and Byzantine monuments that as a group they have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Don’t miss the ornate church and sacred crypt of St. Demetrius, the city’s martyred patron saint, or the palace complex of Galerius and the mosaics in the Rotunda. The Archaeological Museum holds even more ancient treasures.

Meals: Onboard meals

Accommodation: 'MS Marina'

 Kavala/Philippi

Built on a promontory on the site of ancient Neapolis, Kavala offers fine beaches and numerous historic sites. A Byzantine castle lords over Kavala, and its 16th century aqueduct is still intact. The ruins of nearby Philippi include a Roman forum and a 5th century cathedral.

Meals: Onboard meals

Accommodation: 'MS Marina'

 Istanbul

Indulge your eyes and senses in this magnificent city astride two continents. Visit beautiful Topkapi Palace, the awesome Hagia Sophia and the impressive Blue Mosque. Cruise the Bosphorus to see the city and its surroundings from another perspective. Visit one of the many museums or stroll through the spice market and the famous Grand Bazaar.

Meals: Onboard meals

Accommodation: 'MS Marina'

Istanbul

Today you will disembark at 8am and bid farewell to the 'MS Marina'. Make your way to the hotel and check in. The rest of the day is yours at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast (onboard)

Accommodation: Intercontinental Istanbul

Istanbul

Today is a Free Day for you to enjoy the hotel services or continue exploring Istanbul and its surrounds.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Intercontinental Istanbul

Istanbul - Madrid

Today you will check out from your hotel and make your way to the airport and check in for your flight from Turkey to Spain. On arrival in Madrid, make your way to the hotel and check in. The rest of the day is yours at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: AC Hotel by Marriott Cuzco

Madrid

Colour outside the lines on this unforgettable encounter with the intoxicating lands of Spain, Portugal and Morocco. Kick off your unforgettable journey in the fiery Spanish capital of Madrid. Explore the city's vibrant streets, before joining your fellow travellers and Travel Director for a Welcome Reception and orientation drive past some of the city's most iconic sites.

Meals: Breakfast and Welcome Reception

Accommodation: AC Hotel by Marriott Cuzco

Madrid

Join your Local Specialist on this day of discovery, which includes views of the iconic Cibeles fountain and Paseo de la Castellana. Admire the Royal Palace and Retiro Park, originally created as a retreat for the royal family, before spending the rest of the day at leisure indulging in la buena vida. Consider an Optional Experience to the medieval UNESCO-listed city of Segovia or encounter the greatest collection of Spanish art in the world at El Prado.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: AC Hotel by Marriott Cuzco

Madrid - Toledo - Granada

Witness the influence of Christians, Muslims and Jews that has spanned centuries in the imperial city of Toledo. Join your Local Specialist for a walking tour, during which you’ll visit the Church of Santo Tomé, home to El Greco's most famous paintings - 'The Burial of the Count of Orgaz'. Then, visit the synagogue of Santa Maria La Blanca, the oldest one still standing in Europe. Celebrate the tradition of steel and Damascene manufacturing and moulding as you Dive Into Culture at a local workshop before your journey continues through the soul-stirring Andalusian landscape to Granada, where we'll spend the night.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel Occidental Granada

Granada - Costa del Sol

Tread in the footsteps of Spain's last emirs and admire the impressive palatial city of the Alhambra, a collection of palaces and fortresses dating from the 12th century. Said to have been inspired by poetry and reflecting the description of paradise found in Islamic verse. Join a Local Specialist for a guided visit exploring its intricate designs, tranquil gardens and colossal walls. We leave this 'paradise on earth' behind and continue to the Costa del Sol.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Meliá Costa del Sol

Costa del Sol - Fes

We travel along the sun-kissed shores of the Mediterranean and cross to North Africa by ferry. A memorable drive past the Rif Mountains brings us to Fes, a storied hub of traditional craftsmanship and our home for the next two nights.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Fes Marriott Hotel Jnan Palace

Fes

Join a Local Specialist for a sightseeing tour through the cultural and spiritual centre of Morocco. Stroll through the Medina of Fes, view its fortifications and Royal Palace, and admire traditional Moroccan handiwork during a visit to a carpet cooperative. Spend the rest of your afternoon at leisure. Tonight, maybe join an Optional Experience Arabian dinner in a traditional riad – a night of heartfelt local entertainment, including belly dancing, awaits.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Fes Marriott Hotel Jnan Palace

 Fes - Marrakesh

Departing Fes, we journey west through the golden landscape which turns to rusty red, bound for vibrant Marrakesh. Past and present collide in the world-famous Jemaa el-Fnaa Square. Embrace the unrivalled energy of this cultural and economic hub. 

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Le Méridien N'Fis Marrakesh

Marrakesh

Visit the elegant Bahia Palace during your walking tour with a Local Specialist. See Jemaa el-Fnaa Square in the Old Quarter with its palm-readers, acrobats and snake charmers. Visit a traditional Moroccan pharmacy and Dive Into Culture, gaining insights into the blending of creams and cosmetics using regional ingredients. The rest of the day is yours to explore. Don't miss the chance to shop for bargains in the souks (markets) and bazaars, or perhaps visit a local Berber village.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Le Méridien N'Fis Marrakesh

 Marrakesh - Casablanca - Rabat - Tangier

We journey north to Casablanca and enjoy views of the Hassan II Mosque, with the world's tallest minaret, before arriving in the country's capital city. Stop at the opulent Mohammed V Mausoleum and admire Rabat's cityscape, its historic and modern centers traversed by the Bou Regreg River below. Continue to Tangier, a gateway between Africa and Europe as prominent today as in Phoenician times. Our unique Stays With Stories this evening is the sumptuous El Minzah, an icon of the city overlooking the Bay of Tangiers and the sparkling Mediterranean beyond. The grand property, built in the Spanish-Moorish style in 1930, has welcomed the rich and famous over the past century. You’ll get to experience its warm hospitality for yourself as you contemplate the building's colourful history.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: El Minzah Hôtel Tangier

 Tangier - Seville

Crossing the Strait of Gibraltar by ferry, we return to Spain and journey past the region of Jerez, renowned as the origin of Spanish sherry. We drive through Andalucía and arrive in Seville. What better way to experience this lively city than witnessing the passion of flamenco? Immerse yourself in the spectacle of colourful swirling skirts and fervent rhythm of castanets during an unforgettable optional Flamenco performance this evening.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Meliá Lebreros Seville

Seville

Join your Local Specialist for a sightseeing tour which will take you past the iconic Giralda Bell Tower. Admire the tiled fountains and pavilions in the Maria Luisa Park, the showcase for the Ibero-American Exhibition in 1929, and visit the imposing Plaza de España. Visit the ornate tomb of Christopher Columbus in the largest Gothic Cathedral in the world, then enjoy a walk through the lovely historic Jewish Quarter. 

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Meliá Lebreros Seville

 Seville - Panoias-Ourique - Lisbon

Your panoramic journey continues through the province of Huelva, famous for Jabugo jamón and the Rio Tinto mines. Cross the golden fields of the Alentejo, on your way to meet Tiago, Vera and their horses on their historic property. Here you’ll enjoy a Be My Guest experience as you connect with locals over a lunch served in the dining rooms of the farm home. Continue to Lisbon and see the gleaming Monument to the Discoveries, the suspension bridge spanning the river and the Belém Tower, once a ceremonial gateway to Lisbon. Head to your hotel, and perhaps enjoy an exclusive gourmet dinner and orientation, or enjoy traditional seafood by the Tagus River.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Olissippo Marquês de Sá Lisbon or Olissippo Oriente Lisbon

Lisbon

This morning, join your Local Specialist for a city tour of Lisbon then Dive Into Culture on a sightseeing tour of the UNESCO-listed Hieronymite Monastery built in the 16th century. Explore the centuries-old seafaring heritage of the Portuguese, paying tribute to the great explorers who bravely set off from Portugal's shores to discover the 'New World’ during your free time today. Consider an Optional Experience to discover Portugal's 'Golden Triangle' of Sintra, Cascais and the Estoril coast. 

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Olissippo Marquês de Sá Lisbon or Olissippo Oriente Lisbon

 Lisbon - Fátima - Salamanca

We trace the path of pilgrims, who for decades have ventured north to the shrine at Fátima to pray to the Virgin Mary, and see the site of a celebrated religious miracle. Departing Portugal, we arrive in the historic university city of Salamanca – La Dorada, so named for its golden, orange and pink façades, which we will have an opportunity to see in the magnificent Plaza Mayor - voted by the locals as the most beautiful of all squares in Spain.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Gran Hotel Corona Sol Salamanca

 Salamanca - Madrid

Traversing the dramatic Sierra de Guadarrama Mountains, we arrive in Madrid, Europe's highest capital. Spend this afternoon exploring the sights. Indulge in some last-minute shopping on Gran Vía or relax in one of the plazas and people watch. This evening we join our travel companions and Travel Director for a memorable Farewell Dinner.

Madrid

Our epic journey through Spain, Morocco and Portugal comes to an end this morning. All that's left is to say a fond farewell to your newfound friends and an unforgettable experience shared. Make your way to the airport and check in for your return flight home.

Meals: Breakfast and inflight menu