Italy & the Mediterranean Cruise

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.

Trip costs include:

Round-trip air transportation with a major airline, airport transfers
The services of a bilingual Go Ahead Tour Director
A licensed local city guide in Milan
11 nights aboard the Costa Fortuna in comfortable cabins with twin beds and private shower
3 nights accommodations in a comfortable, well-located hotel with twin beds and private bath or shower
All hotel service charges and tips, baggage handling and local taxes
Buffet breakfast daily; 1 three-course dinners while on land, including wine and beer
All shipboard meals and porterage
Private deluxe motorcoach with reclining seats and restroom
Go Ahead travel gift and membership in our World Traveler Club, which includes credit toward your next tour

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

Protect your investment with affordable travel protection

Basic Trip Cancellation/Interruption Coverage
Protect yourself in the event you need to cancel your trip or leave your tour unexpectedly due to an emergency. Or choose one of the comprehensive packages below, and receive a discounted rate!

TravelSafe Plus — For one low price, you’ll receive:

Trip cancellation & interruption protection
Medical & accident protection
Baggage & property protection

TravelSafe Gold with Flight Cancellation Protection
Take advantage of the best possible deal for your investment dollar. For $60 USD more, you’ll get all of the above plus additional coverage (up to $1,000 USD) if the flight to your tour is cancelled due to reasons beyond your control.

Purchase your travel protection package early and receive an added benefit!
Purchase one of the above TravelSafe packages within 14 days of reserving your tour, and you’ll automatically receive AnyTime Travel Protection at no additional charge. This means you can cancel for any reason up to 72 hours prior to the departure of your initial flight and still protect your investment. You will be provided with a credit voucher towards your next Go Ahead tour.

What’s unique about these protection plans?

Most primary travel protection companies don’t cover international travel.
Under the AnyTime Travel Protection Plan, you can cancel for any reason and your investment is protected in the form of a credit voucher.
Efekta travel protection covers lost or stolen cash while on tour.
Efekta travel protection covers the cost towards replacement of valuable documents—such as passports, airline tickets and visas while on tour.
In the event that your roommate cancels for a reason covered under the policy, you will be reimbursed for the single supplement fee, should you still choose to travel.
The following policies are also available to be purchased separately:
- Medical & Accident: $70 USD
- Baggage & Property: $60 USD

Extended Protection Plan
The Extended Protection Plan allows you to purchase extended coverage for any travel you do before or after meeting up with your Go Ahead Tours tour group (with flights arranged by Go Ahead Tours).

For more detailed descriptions of the benefits available under Efekta Insurance International LTD's Travel Protection Plans please call 1-800-597-0350 or download a PDF copy of the Efekta Travel Protection booklet here.

Passport & Visa

Passport Information:
In order to enter Italy, U.S. citizens need a valid passport. The expiration date must extend at least six months beyond the date of your return to the United States.

Visa Information:
No visa is required for U.S. citizens.

If you are not a U.S. citizen, you must contact the Italian consulate for your specific entry requirements.

Health

There are no major health risks when traveling to Italy, though it is advisable to check with your doctor or health-care provider for the latest updates and overseas travel requirements.

Transportation / Walking on tour

Round-trip flights arrive in and depart from Milan. A 11-night cruise from the Italian Riveriea to the Greek Islands and Egypt is included. This tour's main attractions are easily reachable on foot.

Clothing & Packing Tips

Light, loose-fitting clothing that provides comfort when exploring is essential on tour. A sun hat, sunglasses and a sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers are recommended. To prepare for any eventuality, a lightweight jacket and emergency rainwear are advised. If you plan to visit an elegant restaurant or attend the opera or theater, something more formal is good. It’s preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (entrance may be denied on this basis).

Currency

The euro is the currency you will be using on your tour. Better rates of exchange are usually available in Italy, although it is worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive. We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be exchanged for cash at local banks, as needed. You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees. We suggest informing your bank and credit card company of your travel plans, so that they don’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.

Please note: With the conversion to the euro, it has been increasingly difficult to exchange traveler’s checks outside of Europe’s major cities—both at banks and shops—and they often attract higher fees.

Tipping

For your convenience, the cruise line will automatically bill your account the following gratuities for (housekeeping and wait staff ) services rendered per person, per day: €6.50. This amount is based on the euro exchange rate and is subject to change. Should you wish to change the amount, contact the Guest Relations Desk on board. Bartenders, servers, deck stewards and other staff may be tipped as service is received. For your convenience, a 10-percent gratuity is automatically added to beverage purchases.