July 17 - July 30, 2007
Itinerary with Optional Excursions

Ship: ms Westerdam | Cruise Line: Holland America

July 17
Leave LAX early morning

July 18
Arrive Rome mid-morning - site see in the afternoon

July 19
Site see in Rome all day!

July 20
Go back to the airport to catch the shuttle to the port (Civitavecchia, about an hour's drive out of Rome). Ship leaves at 5 or 6pm (not sure).

July 21
At Sea

July 22
Dubrovnik, Croatia 8:00 am - 6:00 pm

Optional Excursion: Cultural Dubrovnik (Departs 8:45AM)
Approximately 7 hours

Explore the old town of Dubrovnik, entering the 13th-century city via the Pile Gate. See the Sponza Palace with its elegant courtyard and elaborate stone carvings, the Dominican church and monastery, the Rector's Palace and the Church of St. Blaise. Walk along the city's main thoroughfare, whose graceful stone palazzo house shops and residences. Just 30 minutes away, visit the small town of Cavtat, with a palm-lined seashore and numerous cafés. Take a short walk along the beautiful seafront promenade. Next is the Glavic House-a traditional family home in the Konavle region, producing brandy, wine and olive oil. Enjoy a lunch of traditional Croatian specialities, locally produced wines and brandy, and delicious desserts as local musicians entertain you.

July 23
Corfu, Greece 8:00 am - 6:00 pm

Optional Excursion: Paleokastritsa & Corfu (Departs 8:20AM)
Approximately 4 hours

This excursion leaves the port and heads to Paleokastritsa - perhaps the most picturesque resort on the island, with fine beaches, wooded hills and crystal-clear sheltered bays pierced by black rocks. Visit Paleokastritsa's monastery, founded in 1226, with a beautiful church. Shady archways and lovely gardens enhance the restful atmosphere. Continuing on, a stop will be made at Kanoni -with old cannons still in position. Enjoy a magnificent view across the bay to the convent of Vlacherna and Mouse Island. Now head back to Corfu Town for a walking tour. You will visit the Church of St. Spiridon, the patron saint of the island, which contains a priceless collection of icons. Passing narrow, balconied streets and Parisian archways, you come across the Town Hall and the Cricket Square which is still used today.

July 24
Katakolon, Greece 7:00 am - 5:00 pm

Optional Excursion: Ancient Olympia with Village, Zorba & Museum Options (Departs 8:15AM)

The small fishing village of Katákolon is your gateway to the mystical site of ancient Olympia, 25 miles to the east. The sanctuary of Olympia has the appearance of a park, and as you step back 2,000 years into the past, imagine the area crowded with athletes, orators, merchants and philosophers surrounding the Temple of Zeus with its forty-foot statue of the god, the ruins of which you will see today. It's easy to imagine the roar of the spectators as the athletes took their marks on the marble starting blocks, and to picture the temples, treasuries, porticoes and statues as they were. After your visit to Olympia, choose from the three options A - C below to complete your tour:

B. Ancient Olympia & Zorba
Approximately 3.5 - 4 hours

After visiting Olympia as outlined above, you will proceed to Katákolon. Enjoy a refreshment on the seafront as you are entertained by the sights and sounds of Greek music and Zorba dancing. At the end of the tour, return to the ship by bus or take a stroll through the village.

July 25
Santorini, Greece 8:00 am - 11:00 pm

All Santorini tours depart from Athinos pier. Panoramic Santorini returns to Athinos pier. All other tours end in Fira Town where there is a moderate walk and approximately 30 steps to reach the cable car and donkey ride (included in your tour cost) that will return you to the Fira pier area, and the tender return to the ship.

Optional Excursion: The Essence of Santorini (Departs 8:45AM)
Approximately 6.5 hours

From Athinios it is a 25-minute drive to Profitis Ilias mountain -the highest point of Santorini towering 2,000 feet above the sea and offering splendid panoramic views of the island. At the picturesque village of Oia, you will have some free time to wander the narrow cobblestone lanes, encountering whitewashed buildings, cafés, and shops with beautiful arts, crafts and souvenirs. Your next stop is a local winery, where you will learn that the rich volcanic soil of Santorini produces unique wines, some of which you will have the opportunity to taste. You will then head to the Panagia Episkopi Church, the oldest Byzantine church on the island, dating back to the 11th century. Pirates, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and fire have yet to reach its walls. Finally you will drive to Kamari, a coastal village with black sand beach. Here, enjoy a traditional lunch (or dinner for afternoon tours) at the quaint village of Pyrgos, before heading back to Fira Town, where you are free to spend some time or return to the ship.

July 26
Kusadasi (Ephesus) Turkey 7:00 am - 8:00 pm

Optional Excursion: The Best of Ephesus (Departs 8:00AM)
Approximately 7 - 7.5 hours

Begin this tour with a visit to the house of Virgin Mary, where Jesus' mother is said to have lived the last years of her life. The site has been officially declared a shrine of the Roman Catholic Church and was visited by Pope Paul VI in 1967. Then, visit ancient Ephesus, one of the most magnificent and best- preserved archaeological sites in the world. See the Odeion Theatre, the Market Basilica, Curetes Street, Bath, Celsus Library, Marble Street and the Great Theatre with a seating capacity of 25,000 people. You will also visit the Basilica of St. John and the Museum of Ephesus. Lunch will be a buffet and grill in the garden of a "showcase" Turkish village, weather permitting. A folkloric show will entertain you during lunch. Returning to Kusadasi you can choose to shop in town, see a Turkish carpet demonstration, or return to the ship.

July 27
Piraeus, Greece (Athens) 8:00 am - 6:00 pm

Optional Excursion: Athens & The Acropolis (Departs 8:30AM)
Approximately 3.5 - 4 hours

No one introduced Athens to the world as elegantly as Milton did--"Athens, the eye of Greece, mother of arts and eloquence." Your visit today will begin with the most famous temple of the Ancient City--the Parthenon, dedicated to Athena, the patron goddess of Athens. Walking up a winding path towards the Acropolis, you will pass through the Propylaea, and see the Erechtheum temple and the Porch of the Caryatids in the distance. Reinforced by the hand of man, the natural fortress of the Acropolis stands 230 feet above the city. You cannot help but be in awe of the view below. On a drive through the city, some of the highlights include Constitution Square, the Royal Palace where the Evzones keep watch in their traditional costumes, the Temple of Zeus and the Olympic Stadium.

NOTES:
This tour involves a considerable amount of walking with an uphill climb to the Parthenon. The marble steps are slippery, especially when it rains. Comfortable, rubber-soled shoes are highly recommended. Sunscreen and a hat are also recommended, as shade is limited. Expect dense crowding at this site.

July 28
At Sea

July 29
Messina, Sicily, Italy 7:00 am 2:00 pm

Optional Excursion: Scenic Mt. Etna (Departs 7:30AM)
Approximately 5 hours

Majestic Mount Etna at 11,000 feet is Europe's largest active volcano. Leaving Messina, you will pass through many villages, all closely connected to the volcano's history. As you drive up the mountain's scenic lower slopes and switchback road, the views include forest, orchards and vineyards. Mt. Etna's flanks are covered in cones and craters and the remnants of streams of lava. At 6,200 feet, you will visit the Silvestri Craters and see the 1983 and 2001 lava flows. Continue down the mountain through lemon groves and chestnut and pine forests, which blend with the hardened lava and endless volcanic cones.

Please note: Wear comfortable walking shoes. Due to the high altitude, bring a light jacket or sweater.

July 30
Civitavecchia (Rome)