You’ll stop in some of the world’s most spectacular seaports on this 10-day voyage. Locales like Katakolon, Santorini and Rhodes await! Cruise along the Mediterranean and encounter the whitewashed villages, dramatic coastlines and azure waters of the heavenly Greek islands.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 - Cruise

Your trip begins with a regularly scheduled overnight flight to Venice aboard an international recognized airline.

Day 2 - Cruise

Upon arrival in Venice, a Go Ahead representative escorts you to the harbor. If you’ve taken our pre-tour extension to Venice, join the rest of your tour today. Board your cruise ship, the Costa Fortuna, and settle in to your stateroom. Then begin to discover the spacious decks and the variety of luxurious amenities. The ship houses a casino, Italian-style piazza room, taverna, spa, pools, jacuzzis, game rooms and much more.
Included meals: breakfast (in flight), dinner

Day 3 - Cruise

Cruise the Italian Mediterranean coast along the Adriatic Sea and reach the port of Bari for a half day of exploration. You’ll have the afternoon to discover the 19th-century city on your own. You might wish to stroll through the historic Old Town with monuments and cathedrals dating back to the 10th and 11th centuries. The highlight is undoubtedly Basilica di San Nicola, which contains the remains of Saint Nicholas, better known as Santa Claus. The 11th-century basilica is situated overlooking the sea. You also might venture off to the quaint coastal towns of Molfetta and Trani, also known for their old quarters and medieval festivals. Another good choice is the nearby Castel del Monte, about 20 miles south of Bari. This ancient castle is a modern mystery—virtually no records exist of its purpose or creation. Some have surmised it was a hunting lodge or a stop for pilgrims on their quest for the Holy Grail. Return to your cruise ship early this evening for departure to Greece.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 4 - Cruise

Reaching Greece, drop anchor in Katakolon, the port nearest to the town of Olympia. It was here that the first official Olympic Games took place in 776 B.C. to honor the Greek god Zeus. You’ll have a free afternoon to explore the area. If you choose to visit the site, envision the  grand stadium and arenas echoed by the remaining ruins, and the galleries once filled by thousands of cheering spectators. Or seek out the nearby beaches, coves and small coastal towns for an afternoon of relaxing and suntanning.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 5 - Cruise

Anchor this morning on Santorini, an island of stunning volcanic landscapes and black-sand beaches thought by some to be the lost city of Atlantis. Santorini’s volcanic soil is ideal for harvesting grapes, so as you admire the Mediterranean sunset, enjoy a glass of white wine for which the island is renowned. You’ll have a full free morning to explore at your leisure or join an off-shore excursion. Later this evening, arrive in the trendy island of Mykonos. On your free evening, sample the famous nightlife, discover the island’s maze-like streets and colorful neighborhoods, made all the more charming by the fact that there are no cars. See postcard-perfect whitewashed houses decked with multicolored flowers, the island’s traditional Greek churches and the windmills that are Mykonos’ best-known symbol.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 6 - Cruise

Dock first thing this morning in Rhodes, where you’ll have a full day. The largest of the Dodecanese Islands, Rhodes is one of Greece’s most popular resort areas. According to ancient myth, this island erupted from the sea to appease Helios, the sun god, after Zeus overlooked him while distributing the earth among the other gods. Rhodes was a center of Hellenistic culture in its early days, then became the territory of the medieval Knights of St. John. Its three major archaeological sites, Ialyssos, Lindos, and Kamiron, date back to the 7th century B.C.  During your free time on the island, visit the ancient ruins of Rhodes, walk through the Old Town, explore the Jewish Quarter or visit some of Rhodes’ Turkish mosques.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 7 - Cruise

Sail through the crystal-clear warm waters of the Adriatic Sea today as you make your way to Croatia. Enjoy a full free day to enjoy the ship’s spa, four swimming pools or on-board casinos. Or relax in one of the ship’s many open sunning areas.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 8 - Cruise

This morning, as you sail along the Adriatic coast, you’ll arrive early in the historic city of Dubrovnik in the Republic of Croatia. Spend a full free morning exploring this 1,300-year-old city. You might stroll through the pedestrian-only plazas of the Lapad section or climb Petka Hill for a beautiful panoramic view of the city and its harbor. Return to your ship in the early afternoon for return departure to Italy.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 9 - Venice

Your cruise ends upon your arrival in Venice. After disembarkation, experience the romance of “La Serenissima” during a guided sightseeing tour. Visit the Doge’s Palace, once the political heart of this powerful maritime empire. End by the Basilica of St. Mark, a rich mosaic of Byzantine, Romanesque and Islamic influences entombing the remains of St. Mark the Evangelist. Later, transfer to your hotel for this evening’s included Farewell Dinner.  
Included meals: breakfast, dinner
Included entrances: Doge’s Palace

Day 10 - Venice

A Go Ahead representative escorts you to the airport for your flight home.
Included meals: breakfast
(In the case of early morning departures, breakfast may not be provided.)

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

This itinerary includes the following countries: Greece, Croatia and Italy. In order to enter these countries, 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. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you must contact each country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.

Health

There are no major health risks when traveling to Greece, Italy or Croatia. Especially during the summer, take proper care for sun exposure. Also, codeine (found in many headache medicines) is banned in Greece, and you may face prosecution if you bring it into the country. It is advisable to check with your health-care provider for the latest updates and overseas travel recommendations.

Transportation / Walking on tour

The Costa Fortuna is part of Costa Cruises, one of Europe’s leading cruise lines, which has specialized in Europe and the Mediterranean for close to 50 years. With an ambiance inspired by the grand Italian steamships that once provided regular transatlantic services between Italy and the Americas, the Fortuna has 12 spacious decks centered around a spectacular atrium. Delight in a variety of daytime and nighttime activities, including theater shows, disco, casino nights and more. When you’ve had your fill of activity, your cabin awaits with all the comforts of home.

Clothing & Packing Tips

Daytime wear aboard the ship is informal and casual. Comfortable walking shoes are a must for shore excursions and for walking around the boat. Don’t forget your bathing suit, cover-up, raincoat and umbrella. Evening attire can range from casual to formal, depending upon the ship’s planned activities. On formal evenings (usually two per cruise) aboard the Costa Fortuna, it is suggested that women wear evening or cocktail dresses and men wear dark suits. During the informal evenings, men wear jackets and ties and women wear pant suits or cocktail dresses. Casual nights mean sports shirt with slacks for men and a dress or pants outfit for women. The suggested dress code for each evening appears in the ship’s daily schedule and varies by departure.


Be sure to visit www.travelsmith.com, official outfitters for Go Ahead Tours. Please enter JY9220 in the field for Catalog Key Code when creating your account!”

Currency

You’ll use several different currencies on tour. For that reason, we recommend using ATM/bank cards and credit cards or small amounts of changeable cash. We suggest that you inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans, so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges. The currency in Greece and Italy is the euro. The currency in Croatia is the Croatian kuna. Please note: Visa cards are sometimes not accepted in Croatia.

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, desk stewards and other staff may be tipped as service is received. For your convenience, a 10% gratuity is automatically added to beverage purchases.