Cruise through the ages on a voyage through the sparkling waters of the Mediterranean. Come face to face with myth and legend, as you sail along the pristine islands of the Italian Riviera to the Egyptian city of Alexandria and back to Milan, fashion capital of the world. During this unforgettable journey, every port of call serves as your entryway into the ancient past.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 - Milan
Begin your journey with an overnight flight on a major airline to Italy.
Day 2 - Italian Riviera
A Go Ahead representative greets you at the airport after you clear customs and helps you transfer to the Italian Riveria, where you’ll check in to your hotel. Meet your fellow travelers at tonight’s Welcome Dinner.
Included meals: breakfast (in flight), dinner
Day 3 - Italian Riviera
Today your Tour Director introduces you to Cinque Terre, which means “Five Lands.” You’ll explore this tranquil and stunning area by boat, if weather permits. Part of the UNESCO World Heritage List, The Cinque is comprised of five small coastal villages: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso. You’ll visit two of the villages, then enjoy free time for shopping or additional sightseeing on your own.
Included meals: breakfast
Day 4 - Italian Riviera
Spend the morning exploring the Italian Riveria on your own, then transfer to Savona to begin your cruise aboard the Costa Meditteranea.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner
Day 5 - Cruise
Your first stop is in the town of Civitavecchia, the major cruise and ferry port just outside of Rome. Today, you can opt to journey into the Eternal City, where you might visit some of Rome’s most renowned sites, like the Sistine Chapel, Roman Catacombs, the Trevi Fountain and the stunning Colosseum.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 6 - Cruise
Relax at sea today on your floating resort, which offers every comfort, convenience and amenity you can imagine. Lie back and be pampered at a spa or explore the spectacular Maschera d'Argento Atrium, which spans 10 decks high and features an incredible sculpture of dancers suspended mid-air.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 7 - Cruise
Spend another day at sea. Take in a show, indulge in savory cuisine at one of the ship’s restaurants, try your luck in the casino or dance the night away in the disco.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 8 - Cruise
Begin your Egyptian excursion in Alexandria, named after Alexander the Great. The city was once the center of learning in the Ancient World. Today, Alexandria is a bustling city of over 4 million residents. On your visit today, you can opt to stand before displays of relics dating back to ancient Alexandria and its Hellenstic civilization at the Greco-Roman Temple, or you might visit the Montazah Summer Palace, and walk around the gardens. Originally built in 1892, it was the summer home of the Egyptian Royal family.
After exploring Alexandria, the bride of the Mediterranean Sea, squeeze in a workout in the ship’s state-of-the-art fitness facility or take advantage of world-class spa amenities, such as a-la-carte treatments or personalized packages for massages, facials and herbal wraps.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 9 - Cruise
During the Crusades Richard the Lionheart visited the Cypriot city of Limassol (then known as Lemesos) to free his betrothed from the Byzantine sovereign. The subsequent wedding became a party that is legendary still today, which is probably why modern Limassol is still a centre of nightlife and joie de vivre. This afternoon, you’ll disembark from your cruise ship to explore Cyprus’ second-largest city. Grab a java pick-me-up at one of the cafes lining the bustling seafront; visit the Berengaria Castle, where Richard the Lionheart married Berengaria; stop by Kolossi Castle; and walk to the old city center with its crafts people and artists of all disciplines.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 10 - Cruise
Largest of the Dodecanese islands and one of the largest in the Aegean Sea, Rhodes is a beautiful town with medieval castles, houses and streets. This afternoon, your explorations start right at the port, where you’ll find Mandraki with its circular market and the cafes at the seafront. Further on are the Art Deco buildings of the Metropolis from the times of the Italian occupation, and at the entrance of the port are the famous two columns with the two Deers at the place where supposed to be the colossus of Rhodes.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 11 - Cruise
This afternoon, arrive Ephesus, one of the world’s best-preserved cities from ancient times. Ephesus is considered one of the great outdoor museums of Turkey, in fact perhaps of the world. It is located on the south of Izmir’s Selcuk county. The links of Ephesus with the Amazons and the myths had survived throughout history. Here, you’ll have the chance to discover stories of history, as you pass through a beautiful road flanked by rows of centenary eucalyptus trees en route to the Marble Sacred Street connecting the Great Theater with the Library of Celsus, the Facade of which has been fully restored.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 12 - Cruise
Discover Athens today and wander among the ruins of the ancient Acropolis. The commercial harbor of Athens is one of the most important in the Mediterranean. The city itself, with its suburbs, is an industrial zone of particular importance for the Greek economy, but nevertheless its center has broad streets, spacious squares, tree-lined avenues and parks.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 13 - Cruise
Olympia Greece was the site of the ancient Olympic Games, which were celebrated every four years by the Greeks. Olympia was situated in a valley in Elis, in western Peloponnisos (Peloponnesus), through which runs the Alpheus River. It was not a town, but only a sanctuary with buildings associated with games and the worship of the gods.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 14 - Cruise
Enjoy your final day onboard your cruise ship and take advantage of the many activities, like deck and pool games, art auctions, bridge games, Italian lessons or trivia contests. In the evening, relax at the piano bar or take in a theater show.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 15 - Milan
Disembark today and travel to Milan, the fashion capital of the world, for a guided sightseeing tour. See masterpieces like the Gothic Duomo and the Galleria. Then visit Castello Sforzesco, an imposing Renaissance castle. Later, relive memories of your trip at tonight’s Farewell Dinner.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner
Day 16 - Milan
Today a Go Ahead representative escorts you to the airport to board your flight home.
Included meals: breakfast