Home City to Rome, Italy

Today we are off to begin our exciting Mediterranean cruise tour by flying to Rome.  Upon our arrive we'll be picked up at the airport and taken on a 1/2 day city tour of the great historical sites of the Eternal City. We will visit Trevi Fountain, The Pantheon, The Spanish Steps to name of few of the landmarks that await. 

We will then be dropped off at hour hotel for the next 2 nights to rest and get ready for the amazing adventures ahead. Tonight we will have a welcome dinner at the hotel with guest speaker, Bishop Ugo Perego.

Rome, Italy

The tale of 2 Church's- After breakfast at the hotel we embark on our tour to the Vatican, a country in a country and home of the Roman Catholic Church.  We'll start by visiting the Museum where you can walk through the many rooms that house the largest art collection in the world. We will see the magnificent St. Peter's Basilica, the largest church in the world and see with our own eyes the Sistine Chapel, a masterpiece of Renaissance art, the ceiling of which was painted by Michelangelo.

We'll have a lunch stop followed by an afternoon visiting to the new LDS Temple and visitors center. (Open House only if applicable, if not we will have alternate touring available)

Rome, Italy

This morning after breakfast we will depart the hotel to attend a local sacrament meeting before making our was to the coastal town of Civitavecchia to board our home for the next 10 nights on the Jewel of the Seas.

After you check checked into your cabin you'll have time to explore the ship.  We'll meet for dinner followed by a group "fireside" meeting tonight.

Sicily (Messina), Italy

The third largest city on the island of Sicily, Messina welcomes cruise ship visitors with its lovely harbor, extraordinary architecture (much of which miraculously survived a horrendous earthquake and tidal wave in 1908) and wonderful food. Stroll through Messina’s Piazza Cairoli taking in magnificent fountains and cathedrals, or sip Marsala wine at a sidewalk cafe. 

Fun day at sea

Today you get a day of rest to sleep in and rejuvenate from the last few busy days.  This afternoon we will gather for a New Testament lesson to help prepare us for the sites we'll be visiting to make them more meaningful to us upon our visit

Mykonos, Greece

Mykonos is a classic Greek Island with whitewashed houses, blue-domed churches and windmills. Add a reputation for beautiful beaches and you’ll understand why Mykonos is the most popular island in the Cyclades. Explore the island in a 4 x 4 or take a ferry to the tiny island of Delos. 

Ephesus (Kusadasi), Turkey

1st part of the LDS 2-pak excursion option: The Teachings of Paul

This morning we'll depart from the Port of Kusadasi for private tour of Ephesus, Basilica of John and Mary’s House. Ephesus was home for Paul, Luke, Timothy, John and perhaps Mary. Our tour will start with a visit to Mary’s House where she spend her last days. Later we will continue to Ephesus which is one of the best preserved ancient sites in the World. We will visit the city where Paul had been and walk in the streets where Paul had walked. After a nice tour of Ephesus, we will be heading for our lunch which will consist of local dishes with shopping possibility. We will visit the Basilica of John which was constructed on the hill where John The Revelator had lived before he was exiled to island of Patmos.  We will conclude our tour with a visit at Temple of Artemis- one of 7 wonders of the Ancient World and Isa Bey Mosque- a Selcuk period Mosque and finally drive back to port of Kusadasi. 

Santorini, Greece

Whitewashed villages clinging to the sides of the sea cliffs have made the volcanic island of Santorini one of the most widely photographed places in the world. The island’s charm and subtle mystery have even made it a target of speculation as the location of the lost city of Atlantis.

Athens (Piraeus), Greece

This is the cradle of civilization, the oldest city in Europe. Not only is this city home to the Acropolis and some of the most important architectural structures and archaeological finds in the Western world, It is also a very modern city, an urban amalgam of extraordinary art, culture, cuisine and shopping.

2nd Excursion for our LDS 2-pak excursion option: The Teachings of Paul

Morning meeting at port of Pireus for our private tour of Athens. We will drive to central Athens for our visit to Acropolis. Later, we will visit the Mars Hill(Hill of Ares) where Paul’s one of the most important gospel presentations took place during his second journey. We will visit and walk in the Agora where our bus will be waiting for taking us back to port of Pireus. 

Chania, Crete

One of the most beautiful cities on the island of Crete, charming Chania has also been the site of many great battles. Greeks, Christians, Moors, Venetians and Ottomans all fought for control of the city. See how these cultures interweave when you explore Old Town, with its Venetian Harbor, 16th-century Turkish prison, 17th-century mosque, Greek Orthodox Chania Cathedral and more.

Optional Group Excursion: Historic Crete:

Chania is the second largest city of Crete and the capital of the Chania regional unit. Your tour begins at the Port of Souda where you join the coach en route to the British Commonwealth War Cemetery, which is the last resting place of 1,527 of the known 2,000 British Commonwealth war dead. The majority of who lost their lives in the Battle of Crete between the Allied and German forces for control of Crete between the dates of May 20 - 31, 1941.  A stop for photos will be made. Your tour continues to Ag. Triada Monastery (Holy Trinity) of Jagarolon, which is one of the most significant monastic complexes from the end of the Venetian Occupation of Crete. Discover in the east suburbs of Chania on the hill of Profiti Elia (Prophet Elijah) Venizelos Tombs where are buried one of the most significant politicians of modern Greece, Eleftherios and his son Sofoklis Venizelos. Continue your tour to the Chania town, where neoclassical mansions and massive Venetian fortifications testify to the city's turbulent and diverse past. There you will have the chance to explore independently town, before you return back to the port.

Fun day at sea

Naples (Capri), Italy

Cruise to Naples, located on Italy’s stunning Amalfi coast, a city rich in history. A tour around Naples’ grand piazzas, cathedrals and castles in the old center will take you back centuries. Pompeii is not too far either, a dashing city which boasts diverse cultural offerings and charming streets.

Optional Group Shore Excursion:

Today we will spend exploring the ruins of Pompeii and Mt Vesuvius and while in port in Naples. Our private group will be lead by an local expert guide making sure we understand the history and devastation of the story of Pompeii.  While there we'll see the largest archaeological site in Europe and tour Pompeii's Thermal Baths, Lupanare brothel and the Forum. Afterward, we'll have an included break for lunch before tour the area of Mt Vesuvius, the volcano responsible for Pompeii’s destruction and enjoy sweeping views of the Bay of Naples.  Afterwards we'll visit one of the quaint village on the Capri coast before returning to our ship.

Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy

This morning we will arrive back to Rome City where you will have a free day to revisit or enjoy more splendid sites on your own.  We'll meet back up tonight at the hotel for a last farewell dinner together as we prepare for our journey home.

Rome Airport with flights back to the United States

This morning we'll board our coaches 1 last time as we travel to the airport in Rome to return home with memories to last a lifetime!