Eastern Mediterranean Cruise

Italy, Greek Isles & Sicily aboard the Costa Romantica

Join us on this fantastic celebration of the cultural riches and natural beauty of the Eastern Mediterranean as we set sail aboard the Costa Romantica, one of the most comfortable and elegant ships in the fleet of Italy's premier luxury cruise line.

Our journey is an exotic living mosaic, where every port recalls another magnificent era of castles and fortresses, steaming volcanoes, ancient cultures, exotic art, and architectural treasures and grandeur. We'll visit fascinating ports of call in Italy, Greece and Sicily, while enjoying the lavish Italian lifestyle aboard our cruise ship.

If you're dreaming of a luxury cruise vacation without compromise, this is one opportunity you can't afford to miss. But hurry and reserve your space before your magnificent Mediterranean dream vacation is all sold out.

Itinerary at a Glance

Eastern Mediterranean Cruise: Italy, Greek Isles & Sicily
Day	Port of Call	Arrive	Depart
2	Citavecchia/Rome, Italy		7 pm
3	Catania, Sicily	1 pm	7 pm
4	At sea
5	Rhodes, Greece	9 am	7 pm
6	Patmos, Greece	7 am	1 pm
	Mykonos, Greece	6 pm	11 pm
7	Heraklion/Crete, Greece	8 am	1 pm
8	At sea
9	Citavecchia/Rome	9 am

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Depart USA. Your Mediterranean journey begins this evening as you check-in for your overnight jet flight.

Day 2: Rome. Arrive in Rome, vibrant capital of Italy. After customs formalities, you'll be escorted to Civitavecchia to board the Costa Romantica for your exciting Mediterranean cruise. (D)

Day 3: Catania, Sicily. Located at the base of the active volcano Mount Etna, Catania was founded by the Greeks and then taken over by the Romans. Explore independently or select from optional tours to Taormina (the most popular Sicilian beach resort), a Jeep tour of Mount Etna or a tour of historic Catania including Saint Agatha's Cathedral, the Ursino Castle, Biscari Palace and the Roman Ampitheatre (B,L,D)

Day 4: At sea. All the fantastic facilities of the ship are available to you as you spend a leisurely day at sea. Stroll the ample decks, enjoy an invigorating dip in the pool, and take advantage of the many leisure activities aboard your luxury ship. (B,L,D)

Day 5: Rhodes, Greece. Today you'll visit Rhodes, the beautiful "Island of Roses." In the heart of the island's biggest city, also named Rhodes, is the largest inhabited medieval town in Europe, a fascinating web of Byzantine, Turkish and Latin ruins. Its mighty fortifications provide the finest surviving examples of defensive architecture of the time. Lindos, with its whitewashed houses clustered beneath a soaring castle-capped acropolis, is Rhodes' most picturesque village and most important Doric settlement because of its natural harbor and vantage point built 125 meters above sea level. Wander about on your own or take advantage of optional shore excursions. (B,L,D)

Day 6: Patmos & Mykonos, Greece. Disembark this morning in Patmos, a lively island with whitewashed houses, flowered courtyards, tavernas and shops. Patmos is famous in history as the place where St. John wrote the Book of Revelation. An optional tour takes you to the cave where St. John lived and the nearby Monastery, built on one of the island's highest points, housing priceless icons and manuscripts in its Treasury. Return to the ship to continue sailing to Mykonos.

Arrive early this evening in Mykonos, where chic crowds flock to the island's trendy restaurants, discos and clubs each night, and where you can sit seaside, sipping ouzo and watching the sunset while listening to traditional Greek music. Before heading back to the ship, enjoy a stroll through Mykonos town with its labyrinth of winding alleyways and whitewashed buildings, basket-laden donkeys, cascading geraniums and upscale shops and cafes. (B,L,D)

Day 7: Heraklion & Crete. The ruins of Knossos—the capital of Minoan Crete and today the island's major tourist attraction—are just five kilometers from Heraklion city center. Other points of interest here include Heraklion's Archaeological Museum, one of the finest in Greece, housing exquisite findings from Knossos and other Minoan ruins, numerous Venetian fortresses, fountains and loggias scattered throughout the city and the Historical Museum of Crete, with its Byzantine and folklore collections. The open air market is a must-see, where a boisterous crowd buys and sells everything from goats and sheep to huge cauldrons of fresh yogurt. (B,L,D)

Day 8: At sea. Rest and relax onboard after yesterday's long day of touring. (B,L,D)

Day 9: Rome. Arrive in Rome this morning. After breakfast, disembark from your cruise and enjoy a full day to explore Rome, the Eternal City. You'll find a treasure trove of ancient ruins, art, music and architecture, religious passion, all juxtaposed against the frenetic pace and cutting edge modern fashion of an ultra-modern European city. Your hotel is ideally located within short distance of many major attractions, as well as the best shopping and dining. (B)

Day 10: Rome/USA. Your memorable Mediterranean journey ends as you say arrivederci Italia and transfer independently to the airport for your return flight to the USA. Arrive in the USA later today. Or, continue your stay in Italy by adding a late return and extra nights to your package. (B)

Destination FAQs

For quick answers to Frequently Asked Questions about Italy, click here.

For quick answers to Frequently Asked Questions about Greece, click here.

About Your Cruise Ship, the Costa Romantica

The Costa Romantica cruise ship epitomizes Italian design, contemporary comforts, and luxury cruising. Marble accents, sleek furnishings, and modern Italian artwork create an atmosphere that is vibrant, chic, and restful. The Romantica's well-appointed staterooms, sweeping public areas, and array of leisure facilities make it one of the most comfortable and elegant ships in the upscale Costa fleet.

Paneled in light cherry wood, the Romantica's 678 staterooms are fairly spacious and have ample storage. All cabins feature pastel hues in an elegant minimalist style and include a personal safe, TV, refrigerator, private bathroom with shower and hairdryer, and small sitting area with a table and two chairs. Outside cabins and suites are also available.

The Costa Romantica is registered in Italy.

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