Thursday, May 23
Depart the USA on individual flights for Milan, Italy
Friday, May 24
Arrive
at Milan airport and transfer to the five-star Grand Hotel et de
Milan. Meet your traveling companions and hosts at the welcoming
reception and dinner.
Saturday, May 25
After breakfast, embark on a breathtaking journey into the life
of Leonardi Da Vinci as we visit his
masterpiece, The Last
Supper. On our tour, we will walk through the glamorous Galleria
Vittorio Emanuele shopping gallery and the medieval Sforza Castle.
Next, we will tour the breathtaking Duomo, one of the world's
largest, most striking Gothic cathedrals with its 135 spires and
3,200 marble statues and the fabulous La Scala, one of the world's
best known opera houses.
Sunday, May 26
This morning, enjoy a visit to the ancient Roman town of Sirmione on Lake Garda. The tip of the peninsula became the place to live for wealthy Veronese families during the 1st century B.C., one of these being the Valeri family. From this family came the poet Catullo who, through his poems, sang of the beauty of Sirmione. At the end of the 1st century B.C., one of the greatest Roman villas was built in the city known as "Catullo's Cave". Sirmione is located at a strategic location between the plains and the south side of the lake where it was the border line between the Scaligero family land and the territory of the Venetian Republic.
Monday, May 27
Our
drive from Milan takes as to breathtaking Monte Carlo. The tiny
principality of Monaco, a sovereign state of just under one square
mile, boasts some of the planet's most expensive real estate, and
the world's most prestigious casino. Facing the sea, and engulfed
on the other three sides by France, it has been the domain of the
Grimaldi dynasty since the 14th century, and enjoys the same
glamorous reputation as the rest of the Riviera. Afternoon transfer
to Nice and embark on the luxurious Azamara Quest for our
seven-night Mediterranean cruise.
Tuesday, May 28
Our first port of call is Spain's second largest city. Barcelona, a city with a turbulent history starting in the 4th century B.C. when the Greeks and Phoenicians first inhabited the area. The Romans conquered and remained in occupation until the 5th century A.D. followed in 711 by the Moors. Independence was gained in the latter part of the 9th century and Catalonia underwent a period of growth and development. Wealth was reflected in the building of magnificent churches and the creation of great works of art. The Civil War followed and General Franco banned the use of the Catalonian language, as Catalonia came under Spanish rule. It is only since the crowning of King Juan Carlos I that the Catalonian language and culture has again been allowed to flourish and regional autonomy granted. In the evening feel the passion of the Flamenco at Barcelona's legendary Tablao Cordobes, where some of the greatest names in Flamenco have performed. Entertained by an internationally renowned Flamenco group, you'll discover why the traditional dance of Spain is so popular.
Wednesday, May 29
Our tour of
Barcelona's Barri Gòtic, the old Gothic Quarter, starts at the
ancient heart of Barcelona - dating back 2000 years to the Roman
colony of Barcino. Discover Barcelona's development from a tiny
Roman colony into a wealthy medieval seafarer's and merchant's
city. Strategically placed on a small hill overlooking the
surrounding plains, the Roman temple marked the center of the first
lasting settlement. Throughout the centuries, this area saw major
change telling the rise and fall of the ruling empires until more
than 500 years ago when the Gothic Quarter's face was shaped to
what you see today. We visit the life's work of Barcelona's
favorite son, Antoni Gaudí, as his magnificent spires of the
unfinished cathedral imprint themselves boldly against the sky with
outlines inspired by the holy mountain Montserrat.
Thursday, May 30
Founded by the Romans, Valencia has been the home
of many cultures thoughout its history: Romans, Visigoths, Moors
and the Aragonese. Valencia will amaze you with its stunning, old
town center, gorgeous buildings, historic sights, squares, gardens,
museums and charming little streets. The historic center bears the
marks of 2000 years in a spectacular mix of Roman, Muslim and
Christian traditions.
Friday, May 31
In 711 A.D. Moors from North Africa conquered most
of the Iberian Peninsula, and retained portions of the land for 800
years. Granada was the last stronghold and a symbol of economic,
cultural, and artistic prosperity until it too was overcome in
1492. The city's glory is embodied in the magnificent Alhambra, a
compound of palaces and gardens that is a masterpiece of Moorish
style. It appears that a primary goal of the architects was to
cover every square inch with decoration. As Islam bans the
representation of figures of any kind, the decorative elements are
made up of complex, detailed, and intertwining, geometric and
floral images, and Arabic script.
Saturday, June 1
The great
Rock of Gibraltar is a sight to behold, towering 1,400 feet above
the mouth of the Mediterranean Sea and surrounded by beautiful
countryside. Home to the semi-wild and curiously tailless Barbary
Apes, and St. Michael's cave - long believed to be bottomless -
Gibraltar is the only link between the Atlantic Ocean and the
Mediterranean Sea. In 711 A.D., Gibraltar was captured by a
Moorish Chief known as Tarik Ibn Zeyad, and it became known as
Gibel Tarik (Tarik's Mountain), from which the name Gibraltar was
derived. In 1462, the Moors were conquered and this began a period
of Spanish rule, which lasted for 242 years. During the Wars of the
Spanish Succession, the British and the Dutch landed on Gibraltar
and seized control. In 1713, nine years later, under the Treaty of
Utrecht, Gibraltar became a British colony, and has remained so
ever since.
Sunday, June 2
Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, is situated on a
range of low hills at the estuary of the River Tagus and is
approximately six miles from the Atlantic Ocean. It is both the
western-most and oldest capital city of Europe, with a population
of just over one million inhabitants. Our cruise ship will enter
the River Tagus from the Atlantic following the course of
Portuguese master navigators as well as that of Christopher
Columbus. Lisbon's magnificent harbor made it a logical
trading port as far back
as the Phoenicians, as well as a departure point for 15th century
voyages sponsored by Prince Henry the Navigator, patron of
Portuguese explorers. The city is rich in architecture, from
Romanesque and Gothic to Post Modern, and is crisscrossed by
monument-studded grand boulevards. In 1147, as part of the
Reconquista, crusader knights, led by Afonso I of Portugal,
besieged and reconquered Lisbon. The city, with around 154,000
residents at the time, was returned to Christian rule. During World
War II, Lisbon was one of the very few neutral, open European
Atlantic ports, a major gateway for refugees to the U.S., and a
haven for spies. More than 100,000 refugees were able to flee Nazi
Germany via Lisbon. Enjoy our farewell dinner.
Monday, June 3
Transfer to Lisbon airport for individual flights back to the United States.
Daily breakfast, seven lunches, and eight dinners are included as well as all excursions and nine lectures as listed in the itinerary. Additional nights at the hotel are available before and after the tour.