Southern European Spoils: Venice to Barcelona - 2023

Today you’ll board an overnight flight to Barcelona. Or, depart earlier for your pre-trip extension to Madrid, Spain.

Welcome to Barcelona! If you purchased your airfare from Vantage, a representative will meet you at the airport and assist with your hotel transfer. Settle into your centrally-located hotel before an evening Welcome Briefing and Welcome Dinner at the hotel and get to know your fellow passengers.

Today, you'll get to know the sophisticated capital of Catalonia on a panoramic tour that includes the hugely-successful revitalization project of Port Vell, the Olympic Village that hosted the 1992 Games. First, ascend Montjuïc, which means Jewish Mountain and behold its ornate castle as well as panoramic views of the city. Then, head to Plaza de España, one of Barcelona's most important historic squares. Finally, continue to La Barceloneta Beach, where you'll enjoy lunch.

Afterward, you'll have an opportunity for an outdoor visit to La Sagrada Família cathedral, Antoni Gaudí’s famous masterpiece and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you'd like, you can ask for a ticket to tour the inside. Or, you may choose to do this during your free time tomorrow. After seeing the architectural treasures along the tree-lined Passieg de Gràcia — including surreal buildings by Gaudí — there’ll be plenty of time to shop the city’s famous pedestrian-only Las Ramblas before lunch at a local restaurant.

Later, enjoy an evening at leisure with dinner on your own. And after that, prepare yourself for a passionate flamenco performance at a local tablao. This is an experience you won't forget!

Included Feature:

• Full-day Barcelona city tour

Cultural Connection:

• Flamenco performance at a local tablao

During this free morning and afternoon in Barcelona, you may set your sights on the city’s atmospheric Gothic Quarter, the Barrio Gótico adjacent to Las Ramblas. It is a pure delight to follow its labyrinthine streets into intimate squares, or plaças, stopping along the way for a café crema or a lunch of traditional tapas and rioja wine. Browse the colorful food stalls of the Mercat de la Boqueria, a food-lover’s paradise for its artisanal cheeses, smoked meats, chocolate truffles, and so much more.

Later this afternoon, embark the Ocean Odyssey. Get settled in your cabin and take time to explore the ship’s amenities, including the onboard boutique, spa and gym. Stop by the Destination Manager desk to make a spa appointment. Later, join the first of your daily port talks to learn about tomorrow’s exciting destination before dinner onboard.

The seaside resort of Sète is your entrée to two historic treasures. Again today, you can select the tour that suits your interest: a full-day tour of Carcassonne or a half-day tour to Montpellier and Château de Flaugergues.

If you choose the first option, you'll journey to UNESCO-listed Carcassonne, the largest and best preserved fortified medieval town in Europe. Step back in time within its massive walls, exploring narrow, cobbled streets, the breathtaking St. Nazaire Basilica, an 11th-century Romanesque church, the 12th-century Château Comtal and countless other treasures from the Middle Ages. After lunch at a local restaurant, tour the reverential Fontfroide Abbey, founded in 1093, with its hushed cloister and vaulted chapter house.

Alternately, visit the historic and stylish city of Montpellier, capital of the Languedoc-Rousillon region. In the Old Town, admire elegant mansions and other stunning architecture that fuses the classical and the avant-garde. In the Place de la Comèdie, admire the Three Graces fountain. You also will see the fortress-like Cathedral St. Pierre and the Arc de Triomphe. Later, stop for a tour and wine-tasting at the 18th-century Château de Flaugergues. Romans were the first to cultivate grapes on these grounds 2,000 years ago.  After the tasting, you'll be back on board the Ocean Odyssey for lunch and an afternoon at leisure in Sète.

Included Feature:

• Full-day tour of Carcassonne or Half-day tour of Montpellier and Château de Flaugergues

Cultural Discovery:

• Onboard lecture

Steeped in history and boasting a newly-revived waterfront, Marseille provides a beguiling glimpse of a French medieval port. From here, you have two ways to delve into the celebrated south of France today: full-day tour to romantic Provence or a full-day safari in Camargue National Park.

The first included tour takes you deeper into the heart of Provence. Begin at the Gordes Castle in its namesake town, a postcard-picture hilltop village climbing a slope from the Vaucluse plateau. After, continue to the red cliffs and ochre quarries of Roussillon. The emerald pine trees and vivid blue Provençal sky create a stunning canvas. We provide you some euros to have lunch at a restaurant of your choosing, then it’s on to a walking tour of Aix-en-Provence’s Old Town, strolling under the lovely plane trees of Cours Mirabeau past elegant mansions. If you wish, you may visit Paul Cézanne’s atelier during your free time.

Your second tour option is decidedly wilder. Head into Camargue National Park to explore the vast Rhône River Delta, a pristine region of swamps, river tendrils and ponds teeming with numerous bird species, including the pink flamingo. Throughout your safari, you will pause as opportunities arise to view the region’s wild Camargue horses and bulls grazing as manades, or free-roaming herds. You will visit a working farm to learn more about the horses and bulls, and dine at a local restaurant for lunch.

Included Feature:

• Full-day excursion to Provence or Camargue National Park

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast on board as you sail into one of the most glamorous ports on the Cote d'Azur: Cannes. This modern resort city is known for its annual film festival, and you’ll enjoy a panoramic walking tour here, taking in views of the Promenade de la Croisette and stopping to admire the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, home of the Cannes Film Festival. Continue to the old town of Le Suquet, where Roman ruins and sweeping views of the city and harbor await.

Next, you’ll visit the Perfume Factory of Grasse for a special presentation. You’ll tour the factory and learn about how the flowers are boiled and the essence is condensed using one of the world’s oldest distillation processes. After, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before departing for St. Paul de Vence, a hotspot for artists and celebrities. Explore this walled village with structures dating back to the 16th century and wander along narrow, cobbled lanes past high-end boutiques and art galleries. You’ll have some time to explore at leisure before returning to the ship.

After dinner, we’ll welcome local performers on board to entertain you with dances and songs of their country.

Included Feature:

• Full day Cannes and St. Paul de Vence (Provence) tour

Cultural Connections:

• Grasse Perfume Factory tour
• Evening onboard local entertainment

Arrive this morning in Monte Carlo, capital of the tiny independent principality of Monaco. Playground to well-heeled Europeans, this sovereign nation has been ruled by the Grimaldis since the 13th century. You will arrive via the world-famous Grand Prix track of Formula One fame. Then, marvel at the world-renowned Belle Époque Grand Casino, a vision of extravagance and wealth. See the lush gardens, too, before viewing the Hôtel de Paris, a 19th-century grand dame. In the historic quarter of Le Rocher (“The Rock”), admire stunning sea views 200 feet below while strolling past the Prince’s Palace, just in time to see the Changing of the Guard. Nearby, the neo-Romanesque Monaco Cathedral is a vision in white; the Grimaldis, including Grace Kelly, Princess of Monaco, are entombed here. After seeing the Justice Palace, your tour ends at the Oceanographic Museum, another neo-classical gem.

After lunch on board, perhaps you’ll stroll the streets of Monte Carlo to peruse its monumental architecture. An onboard lecture fills you in on more details about this fascinating region.

Included Feature:

• Walking tour of Monte Carlo

Cultural Connection:

• Onboard Lecture

Nestled along a short stretch of Italy’s breathtaking Ligurian Coast is the Cinque Terre — five tiny villages that date back to the early-medieval period. This national park and UNESCO World Heritage Site is known for its colorful, cliff-hugging houses, and steep, winding trails, but today, you’ll explore it by boat with a private guide!

Explore Monterosso, Vernazza, and Manarola on foot, and gain some insight on the difficult and isolated life of the villages’ inhabitants during the early-medieval period. Lunch is a traditional affair at a local restaurant.

After, return to Portovenere and enjoy a walking tour along its narrow, charming streets up to the church of San Pietro, which sits on a craggy ledge overlooking the Gulf of Poets. A port talk rounds off your day’s discoveries before the Captain’s Reception Cocktail and Dinner Gala onboard.

Included Features:

• Tour of Portovenere
• Ferry and walking tour of Cinque Terre

Cultural Connection

• Traditional lunch in Cinque Terre

This morning upon your arrival in Livorno, you’ll have your choice of full-day tours: Florence and Pisa or Siena and San Gimignano.

If you choose the former, you’ll depart by coach for Florence, the capital of Italy’s Tuscany region. Upon arrival you’ll meet your guide and set off on a walking tour of the city’s highlights, including the exterior of the domed cathedral of Piazza del Duomo and Piazza del Signoria, as well as Ponte Vecchio, a historic bridge lined with shops. After lunch at a local restaurant, you’ll depart for Pisa, home of the famed Leaning Tower of Pisa. Upon arrival, enjoy free time in the town’s bustling Miracle Square.

If you decide on Siena and San Gimignano, you’ll depart by coach for Siena, a city marked by medieval architecture. Upon arrival you’ll embark on a guided walking tour, visiting its lively squares and historic highlights such as Piazza del Campo, the 13^th-century City Hall and Torre del Mangia bell tower, the Sansedoni Palace, and the Gaiai Fountain. Then, depart for a locally-owned farm and vineyard, where you’ll be welcomed by the owner and feast on a farm-to-table lunch complete with a tasting of their wines and olive oils. After lunch, you’ll drive to San Gimignano and explore the “Manhattan of Tuscany,” taking in centuries-old towers along its skyline.

Return to your ship this evening and enjoy dinner onboard, complete with local entertainment

Included Features:

• Tour of Florence with visit to Pisa or tour of Siena and San Gimignano

Cultural Connection:

• Siena wine and olive oil tasting (only if Siena tour is chosen)
• Onboard entertainment

This morning you’ll arrive at the island of Elba, famed as the site of Napoleon’s first exile, where he was sovereign for close to 10 months. This island is as beautiful as it is historic, with lush hills covered in olive trees, vineyards, and beaches met by ombré blue waters.

Set off on a tour of the island, departing from your port in Portoferraio and stopping at Villa San Martino, Napoleon’s summer residence. Continue to Porto Azzurro, where candy-color houses front the town’s eponymous azure harbor. You’ll have time to stroll the charming streets, perhaps picking up a souvenir from shops selling crafts and crystals. On your way back to the ship, you’ll stop at Punta delle Grotte for a splendid bird’s-eye view of Portoferraio.

After lunch aboard your ship, you’ll have the remainder of the afternoon to explore Portoferraio at your leisure. This evening, enjoy an onboard lecture before your ship sets sail for Livorno.

Included Features:

• Panoramic and historical tour of Elba

Cultural Connections:

• Onboard lecture

In Bastia this morning, the main commercial port of the island of Corsica, learn about the how this town became instrumental in Corsica’s development during a tour that starts in Old Town, where you’ll see the magnificent Cathedral Ste. Marie, the governor’s palace, and the Old Port. Then, enjoy a leisurely stroll through the finest parts of the city, including St. Nicholas Square and St. Jean Baptiste Church. Along the way you’ll have the opportunity to admire Bastia’s breathtaking landscapes and small, baroque buildings and chapels.

After lunch onboard your ship, enjoy a scenic drive along the scenic Gulf of St. Florent past rolling vineyards en route to the city center. Here you’ll have time to explore the bustling streets at your own pace, perhaps visiting the local shops or stopping into a café for a hot espresso!

Later, you’ll depart St. Florent and head into the mountains to the vineyards of Patrimonio. Taste the local offerings in the wine cellar and you’ll understand why the whites, rosés, and Moscatos of this region are so famous.  Dinner is back onboard your ship this evening.

Included Feature:

• Sightseeing in Bastia

Cultural Connection:

• Patrimonio wine tasting

Cruise into Olbia during breakfast this morning. This seaside city located in the northeast of Italy’s Sardinia region boasts not only a picturesque, palm-line coastline, but also a rich medieval history. Today, take your pick of tours: uncover the city’s history with a half-day tour of Old Sardinia, or discover its wine tradition with a half-day tour of Porto Cervo with a winery visit.

The Old Sardinia option will bring you first to the small village of Luras, where you’ll walk along the shore of lake Liscia and behold olive fields and some of the oldest trees in Europe that date back 4,000 years. Then, you’ll drive to Tempio Pausania, the ancient capital of this region. You’ll tour the old part of tour town and discover historic churches, houses, and mansions before stopping to visit the cork museum.

The Porto Cervo tour will take you on a panoramic drive through this resort town, where you’ll stop and have time to peruse the elegant shops. Then, arrive at the Surrau Winery to learn all about the wine-making process, including which wines are produced here and how the grapes are cultivated and harvested. Finally, enjoy a wine tasting complete with local snacks such as Sardinian cheese and salami.

Back onboard, enjoy an informative lecture before dinner.

Included Features:

• Half-day tour of Old Sardinia or Porto Cervo

Cultural Connection:

• Cork museum visit or wine tasting

This morning your ship arrives to the coast of Lazio, the region home to the incomparable and romantic Rome. You’ll disembark the Ocean Odyssey in Civitavecchia for a guided panoramic tour (by motorcoach and on foot) of Rome’s historic center — a UNESCO World Heritage Site with highlights that include the iconic Colosseum, ancient Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, Circus Maximus, and more.

Have lunch at a local restaurant and free time before returning to your ship. Tonight, enjoy a Welcome Cocktail and Dinner onboard with the travelers joining up for the final stretch of this unforgettable journey.

Included Features:

• Rome panoramic/walking tour

Arrive this morning along the Bay of Naples, gateway to the legendary Amalfi Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where seaside villages and dizzying cliffs create a dreamy landscape. No visit here is complete without a tour of Pompeii, the ancient city buried by the ash of Vesuvius in 79 AD. A walking tour with a private guide helps you step back 2,000 years into a world of cobbled lanes worn by horse-drawn carts, fascinating villas still adorned by colorful murals, Roman baths, the old forum, and more.

This afternoon, take part in something truly extraordinary — don't forget your camera! You’ll enjoy an afternoon lunch visit to a local farm, where you'll meet your hosts for a tour and a class in creating the perfect pizza, the famed cuisine of nearby Naples.

Included Feature:

• Half-day tour of Pompeii

Cultural Discovery:

• Home-hosted lunch with pizza-making demonstration at a local farm

Scenic Sailing:

• The Gulf of Naples is a sight to behold. Get an extraordinary sea view of Naples, fearsome Mount Vesuvius, and nearby Sorrento — a town that’s literally on another level perched atop sheer cliffs

It is only because of the small-ship size that you can pause for a day to explore the Aeolian Islands, Italy’s archipelago northwest of Sicily. Beauty greets you at every turn on these soaring, majestic volcanic islands. At the Rock of the Castle that is set high on a promontory, peer deep into the island’s past at an archaeological site and visit the Cathedral of Bartholomew, the island’s patron saint. Then, get a panoramic view of the island, visiting the villages of Quattrocchi and Quattropani. As you explore, enjoy splendid views of other Aeolian Islands, including Stromboli with its ever-active towering volcano. You’ll also stop to take in the vistas of Lipari Beach and observe the ubiquitous pumice stone deposited here by volcanic eruptions from millennia past. After lunch on board, you will have some leisure time in Lipari. 

This afternoon’s lecture provides more fascinating context to this legendary part of the Mediterranean. 

Included Feature:

• Walking and panoramic tour of Lipari

Cultural Discovery:

• Onboard lecture

Today’s explorations lead you inland to Erice, the supposed birthplace of the goddess Venus. While walking the town’s cobblestone streets, soak in the aromas emanating from the numerous pastry shops for which Erice is famous. Here, you’ll visit the ruins of the town’s hilltop Norman Castle, a 12th-century construct dedicated to Venus, and the 14th-century duomo with its 90-foot belltower. You’ll also visit a private winery for another tasting of local Sicilian offerings.

On your way back to the Ocean Odyssey, you’ll have better views of the area’s famous “salt road” — where salt is extracted from the ocean by the scorching sun and delicate Mediterranean sea salt, with its briny scent permeating the air, is left behind. The scenery here is particularly breathtaking, and you’ll have a chance to photograph numerous salt pans, marshes, inlets, and Dutch-style windmills.

Back on the ship, we'll have lunch before another lecture highlights the culture and history of your cruise destinations. As we depart Trapani, we'll cruise the southwestern coast of Sicily, so head to the observation lounge or your own balcony for more incredible views of this region. 

Included Feature:

• Guided tour of Erice with drive down the “salt road”

Cultural Discoveries:

• Onboard lecture
• Wine tasting at a private Sicilian winery

Arrive in Malta this morning. After breakfast, you’ll go sightseeing in Valletta, the island’s capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Europe’s smallest capital, Valletta is an open-air museum of 16th-century buildings built by the Knights Hospitaller. Your private guide will regale you with Valletta’s history while leading you down the city’s charming narrow streets to visit the Valletta City Gate, Triton Fountain, the new Parliament building, and St. John’s Co-Cathedral, which was dedicated to Saint John the Baptist and is considered one of the finest examples of high Baroque architecture.

At the conclusion of your walking tour, take in a 5D show exploring the history and culture of Malta in an interactive and exciting way. Lunch is back on the ship; afterward, enjoy an afternoon at leisure to continue your Malta explorations.

Included Feature:

• Morning Valletta sightseeing tour 

Cultural Discovery:

• Go inside the history of this Mediterranean nation with a Malta 5D showing

More Sicilian discoveries begin today in UNESCO-listed Syracuse, where ancient Greek ruins and antique Italian charm fuse into one splendid island called Ortigia. On a walking tour, head to the Old Town with its narrow cobblestoned lanes and welcoming piazzas. You’ll visit an archaeological area to view the remains of the Temple of Apollo and the gorgeous Fountain of Arethusa, a natural spring with roots in Greek mythology that's also referred to as "the ear of Dionysus." You’ll also get a look into Jewish life here — Judaism was present here long before the arrival of Christianity in Sicily. You’ll also see the oldest mikveh (ancient ritual bath) to survive in Europe, and one of the first few in what’s now known as Italy.

Return to the ship for a late lunch, then enjoy the afternoon at leisure to continue your explorations in Syracuse. Later, you'll have another lecture before dinner onboard, followed by local entertainment.

Included Feature:

• Half-day guided tour of Syracuse

Cultural Discoveries:

• Afternoon lecture onboard
• Local entertainment

Head to Taormina, the historic city set on a cliff overlooking the Ionian Sea. This chic resort town offers splendid views of Mount Etna in the distance and a charming medieval ambience. You'll also visit its fantastic Greek Theater, originally built in the 3rd century by Romans, and marvel at its coastal vistas before heading to the Public Gardens, boasting some 200 species. Here, you’ll have time to sample a refreshing granita. 

Your second option of tours is a visit to UNESCO-listed Mount Etna, where you’ll savor a tasting at a local winery. Sicily is famous for its Nero d’Avola grape, which grows bountifully in the island’s volcanic soil. 

Lunch will be back on the ship, followed by another lecture. Along the way, take in some scenic sailing as the Ocean Odyssey navigates along the coastline of Calabria and the Strait of Messina. 

Included Feature:

• Your choice of tours: Tour of Taormina and its ancient Greek Theater OR Mount Etna with local winery visit and tasting

Cultural Discoveries:

• Onboard lecture
• Granita or wine tasting (depending on choice of tour)

Scenic Sailing:

• Enjoy scenic views of the Calabrian coastline and the Strait of Messina

The ship now has crossed the Adriatic from Croatia to Italy, specifically the region of Puglia, which comprises the heel of Italy’s famous boot. From the port city of Brindisi, you’ll head north to the commune of Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its trulli — cone-shaped limestone homes that date back as early as the 14th-century. You’ll learn all about the history of these homes and how they survived after conflict between local peasants and feudal landlords. Your walking tour will lead you to the old city, which holds more than 1,000 trulli, most still functioning as private homes. Your tour ends at the Church of Saint Anthony, with its uniquely adorned façade and cone-shaped roof reaching 64 feet tall.

In the narrow streets of Alberobello, you can admire workshops with artisans at work. You’ll also have a chance to step inside a typical trullo house to see the architectural style and structure, and learn how people used to live in these iconic buildings. After, lunch in a typical masseria — or country estate — belonging to a local family. This will be a highlight of your day — pack the camera! A masseria is where local Italian families produce much of what they drink and eat — milk, cheeses, meats, vegetables, olive oil, and more — and you'll learn all about it during enlightening conversation and cultural exchange. Joyous and full, you'll return to the ship with a scenic drive through Puglia's countryside, lined with endless olive groves.  

Included Feature:

• Tour of UNESCO-listed Alberobello and its cone-shaped homes

Cultural Discovery:

• Lunch at a local masseria (country estate)

This morning, hear a lecture as you enjoy one of the most scenic stretches of ocean on this journey as the Ocean Odyssey sails toward Split. You’ll have marvelous views of several Croatian islands, so have your camera ready.

Split is one of the oldest cities in this historic region and one of Croatia's most famous touristic destinations. Explore ancient Diocletian’s Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which the emperor chose as his retirement home because of the area’s spectacular beauty. Your special tour also takes you into the mysterious passages in the lower levels of the palace’s massive structure — Game of Thrones fans will recognize it as one of the show's filming locations! 

Tonight, enjoy more local entertainment on the ship.

Included Feature:

• Tour of Split and Diocletian’s Palace and its basement halls

Cultural Discoveries:

• Onboard lecture
• Evening onboard entertainment

Discover Zadar today — another coastal gem that was named Europe's top destination in 2016 and was inducted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2017. This Roman-era city boasts a blend of ancient, renaissance, Romanesque, and medieval architecture. On a walking tour, you’ll see the UNESCO-listed Historic Defense Walls and explore Zadar’s ancient city center. 

This afternoon, enjoy scenic sailing with views of the Kornati Islands National Park. You’ll also hear an interesting lecture while sailing.

Included Feature:

• Guided walking tour of Zadar

Cultural Discovery:

• Onboard lecture 

After breakfast, you’ll say goodbye to the Ocean Odyssey in Trieste, which is located across the bay from Venice but is actually closer to Slovenia. Hear a bit more about the largest port in the Adriatic on a guided tour. 

Afterward, you’ll transfer to the train station and embark a high-speed train that will take us to Venice. (A luggage truck will transfer your luggage for the utmost in convenience and ease.) Upon arrival in Venice, you’ll arrive by boat to your gorgeous and centrally-located hotel. An afternoon at leisure lets you unwind; or, set off on independent explorations of Venice! Dinner is on your own — perhaps you’ll seek out a cicchetti bar (or two or three!) and enjoy an Aperol spritz in one of Venice’s many scenic squares.

Included Features:

• Transfer to Venice by high-speed train ride
• Trieste walking tour

Get ready to discover this mesmerizing floating city — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — during today’s sightseeing walking tour, which takes you to St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace. Along the way, you'll take in views of Venice's canals, lined with gorgeous centuries-old palaces, churches, hotels, and other buildings in an eclectic array of architectural styles.

Enjoy the rest of the day to explore and dine on your own, perhaps seeking out a cicchetti bar (or two or three!) and sipping an Aperol spritz in one of Venice’s many scenic squares. Your Program Manager can point you in the right direction if you need suggestions.

Included Feature:

• Venice sightseeing, including St. Mark's Basilica and Doge's Palace

You’ll fly home from Venice today. Or, if you purchased our post-trip Stresa extension, you’ll board the high-speed train to Milan, where you’ll have a guided tour before checking into your lake-view room in Stresa.