11 Day Mediterranean Luxury Cruise

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Ted Blank, Travel Agent in Woodbury, MN

Ted Blank

Woodbury, MN Travel Agent
Super Agent

Ted Blank

Woodbury, MN · 16 Years of Experience

An independent agent with Travel Leaders Woodbury, MN
5.0
(55)
100% Recommended
Ted listened to what we wanted in a vacation and gave us a few options to choose from with different price points to meet our needs.<br/><br/>Our... Read More >
COUNTRIES VISITED:Croatia, Italy, Montenegro
PLACES VISITED:Dubrovnik, Gallipoli, Kotor, Lipari, Monopoli, Palermo, Sicily, Rovinj, Split, Taormina, Venice
SUGGESTED DURATION:11 Days
Explore diverse Mediterranean cultures from Sicily to Venice. Marvel at Sicily's ancient ruins and charming Puglian towns. Cross the Adriatic to medieval Dubrovnik, glide through Montenegro's breathtaking entrance, and visit Kotor's magical old town. Tour wineries, lavender farms and olive groves, concluding in Venice, where you'll uncover the rich contrasts of Mediterranean culture. You'll discover the Mediterranean on a small (only 192 passengers) luxurious cruise ship, allowing visits to off-the-beaten-path ports without the crowds. Your cruise includes: transfers between ship and hotel, ship and airport; one-night pre-cruise accommodation with breakfast in a 4/5-star hotel or on board; coffee, tea, soft drinks, and selected alcoholic beverages, available 24 hours per day; lecture programs by our experienced expedition team and guest speakers; world class dining; one selected shore excursion/expedition activity per port of call; port taxes; gratuities.
Close All Days
DAY1
Palermo, Sicily
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Explore Sicily's Capital
Your luxury small ship cruise begins in Palermo, Sicily's capital. Palermo is an intoxicating and chaotic melting pot offering up centuries of history and a street food bonanza. Three bustling markets - Capo, Bollaro, and Vucciria - await those ready to embrace Palermo for all it offers. Narrow side streets lead to hidden palaces and churches along Via Maqueda. The Palazzo dei Normanni, once the seat of Sicilian kings during the Norman rule, showcases the city's past opulence.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Embark on your luxury small ship cruise
Discover Palermo's famous street food markets
Glimpse the opulent past at the Palazzo dei Normanni
DAY2
Lipari
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Discover the Remote Aeolian Islands
The largest Aeolian Island, Lipari has a landscape of lava quarries, shrubbery and cliffs. Lipari Town is a bustling port, its pastel buildings lining the harbor with numerous cafes and restaurants. Overlooking the harbor, the 16th-century Spanish-built fortified citadel and castle house ancient archaeological artefacts spanning thousands of years and various empires, some dating back as far as 6,000 years.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Enjoy an included shore excursion in every port
Look for views of Stromboli, an active volcano
Avoid the crowds in this unique, remote port
DAY3
Taormina
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Ancient Ruins in Taormina
Giardini Naxos (the gateway to Taormina), on Sicily’s east coast, is famed for ancient ruins and scenic beaches. Remnants of the Greek city of Naxos, including sacred precincts and temples, unveil its rich past. Nearby, Mount Etna stands as a reminder of nature’s grandeur. Taormina, one of Italy’s most beautiful cities, showcases Corso Umberto’s charming streets, Stroll through narrow lanes unveiling local handicrafts, and the Roman Theatre, a testament to ancient heritage.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Enjoy an included shore excursion in every port
Take in the stunning views of Mount Etna from the Ancient Roman theater in Taormina
Journey along Sicily's rugged coastline
DAY4
Gallipoli
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Along the heel of the boot of Italy
Founded by Greeks and later conquered by Romans in 266 B.C., Gallipoli on the Ionic coast stands as a gem in the Salentine peninsula. Its old town sits on an island, linked by a 17th-century bridge, alongside the 14th-century Angioino Castle. Charming streets with sea-facing churches, devoted to the Virgin Mary and St. Agatha (1629-1630), make it a unique coastal town. Gallipoli also serves as the gateway to Lecce and Otranto.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Enjoy an included shore excursion in every port
Discover the Iconic Coast and Salentine peninsula
Avoid the crowds in this unique, off-the-beaten-path port of call
DAY5
Monopoli
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Unique Puglia Beckons
Monopoli, a medieval coastal town in Puglia, sits along the Adriatic Sea. Its walled old town, a labyrinth of winding alleys and whitewashed homes, is crowned by the ornate baroque cathedral with its soaring bell tower.. Brightly painted fishing boats offer fresh seafood from the harbor, while the Lungomare seaside promenade is perfect for a stroll. Nearby attractions include the renowned Castellana Caves, and underground olive oil presses.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Enjoy an included shore excursion in every port
See an underground olive press
Discover unique sites without the crowds
DAY6
Dubrovnik
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Croatia's World Famous Walled City of Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik is renowned for its immaculate medieval city walls that encircle the Old Town, offering views of red-tiled rooftops and the sea. Stradun, the main street, runs through the UNESCO World Heritage site. With a harmonious blend of architectural styles, from baroque to Renaissance, highlights include the Franciscan Monastery featuring a Romanesque cloister and the Rector’s Palace, a splendid example of 15th-century Gothic-Renaissance design.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Enjoy an included shore excursion in every port
Avoid the crowds with your small ship's close-in docking location
Stroll Dubrovnik's famous walls
DAY7
Kotor
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Cruise the Famous Mouth of Kotor
Kotor sits at the end of Boka Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site ringed by towering limestone cliffs. Its old town walls hide medieval cobblestone alleys, Romanesque churches like St. Tryphon’s Cathedral, and Kotor’s cats, said to be descendants of ancient seafaring felines. At 260m, the towering St John’s Fortress overlooks town, and is accessed via a hike up 1,350 steps. Mount Lovcen looms over, accessible via serpentine road or cable car. Gliding through the Bay of Kotor’s narrow entrance is breathtaking. Ships cruise past Yugoslav submarine tunnels then the Verige, the bay’s narrowest point. The island Church of Our Lady of the Rocks appears, its dome rising from the shimmering water, one of the Adriatic’s most photographed sights. Perast, a postcard-perfect baroque village, comes into view with bell towers and red-roofed houses hugging the bay’s edge.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Enjoy an included shore excursion in every port
Mount Lovcen is one of Europe's tallest mountains
DAY8
Split
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Split & Hvar - Highlights of the Damlatian Coast
Split’s old town is dominated by the well-preserved Roman Emperor Diocletian’s Palace, a remarkable Roman monument from the 4th century AD. The palace complex features a blend of elements from various periods, including marble halls, medieval streets, ancient cellars, Gothic palaces, Renaissance facades and the grand cathedral, originally Diocletian’s mausoleum. Just beyond the palace gates, the bustling Riva promenade offers cafes and shops. Acclaimed for its lavender, agave lacemaking, wine and olive oil, the island of Hvar holds UNESCO recognition for its contribution to the Mediterranean Diet. Velo Grablje village was once Dalmatia’s hub of lavender production, earning Hvar the nickname “Lavender Island.” Exploring the island’s old town, Stari Grad, one of Croatia’s oldest towns, reveals Venetian palaces and squares, the Cathedral of St. Stephen and Hvar Arsenal.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Enjoy an included shore excursion in every port
Explore the old town of Split, composed of parts of Diocletian's Palace
Stroll through chic Hvar's pretty streets
DAY9
Rovinj
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Wine Tasting and Local Culture in Istria
Rovinj old town, on Croatia’s Istrian peninsula, is a picturesque maze of winding streets and pastel houses overlooked by St. Euphemia’s Church. A popular destination, Rovinj’s vibrant harbour is lined with seafood trattorias and bars, offering a glimpse of local culture. Southward, Lone Bay offers a pebbled beach for swimming and water sports. Offshore, the Rovinj archipelago’s 14 islands feature Italianate architecture and windswept coastlines.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Enjoy an included shore excursion in every port
See Istria's unique blend of Roman and modern cultures
DAY10
Venice
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Overnight Call in Venice
Venice, the capital of northern Italy’s Veneto region, is built on more than 100 small islands in a lagoon in the Adriatic Sea. It has no roads, just canals – including the Grand Canal thoroughfare – lined with Renaissance and Gothic palaces. The central square, Piazza San Marco, contains St. Mark’s Basilica, which is tiled with Byzantine mosaics, the Doge’s Palace and the Campanile bell tower offering views of the city’s red roofs.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Enjoy an included shore excursion in every port
Stroll Venice's streets or take a gondola ride in the quiet evening
Dock right in the heart of Venice where the big cruise ships can't
DAY11
Venice
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Disembark in Venice and Return Home
Your luxurious Mediterranean cruise comes to an end. Disembark and transfer to the nearby Venice airport for a flight home, or extend your trip and explore more of Northern Italy.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Disembark and return home.
FINAL THOUGHTS
This is a sample of the type of luxury Mediterranean cruise that I can help you plan. Contact me to get started!