Eastern Mediterranean Cruise

MondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFridaySaturdaySunday
Fly to RomeArrive in RomeRome
RomeBoard ShipSalerno, ItalyAt SeaSantorini, GreeceKusadasi, TurkeyKatakolon, Greece
At SeaRome
Fly Home

Day 0 – Fly to Rome

Afternoon – Eugene to SEATTLE
evening – SEATTle to Rome

Day 1 – Rome

Morning- arrive at rome airport

Afternoon – getting to rome

Booking a private driving tour of the Appian Way or hidden Rome, staying mostly in the car with optional short stops (catacombs, aqueduct park views, or Piazzas)

We’ll Check in at our hotel, Hotel Mancino 12, and relax for a bit.

evening – WALK & Dinner

Then lets start our special time in Rome with a rooftop drink at Notos to start the evening off!

Around the corner we’ll check out to the Galleria Sciarra (closes at 8pm)

Then a trip by another famous stop, Galleria Alberto Sordi (closes at 8PM), across from the Piazza Colonna with the marble Column of Marcus Aurelius which was erected in AD193.

Finishing the short walk for dinner at Il Vicolo Nel Corso and then back to our hotel.

    Day 2 – Rome

    Morning – Walk

    We’ll start our day off with Breakfast at Hedera – Osteria Contemporanea. From there We’ll take a walk to:

    1. Basilica of Saint Mary of Minerva (10:30 – 1) – see if you can get into the closter next door at the Il Chiostro di Santa Maria Sopra Minerva. Entrance is to the left of the Church.

    2. Pantheon

    3. Church of Saint Louis of the French – Cappella Contarelli (9:30 – 12:15)

    4. Palazzo della Sapienza

    5. Piazza Navona

    •  Fountain of the Four Rivers by Bernini
    • Sant’Agnese in Agone Church by Francesco Borromini
    • Fontana del Moro by Bernini
    • Stadium of Domitian (closes at 6:20pm)
    • Fountain of Neptune by Bernini

    6. A stop for a couple treats! Two Sizes for Tirimisu, Barretta Pesce e Porchetta for Pork sandwiches, and La Boutique del Limoncello Roma for a little Limoncello tasting!

    7. Walk through the stalls of Campo de’ Fiori

    with a stop at Forno Campo de’ Fiori for one of their sandwiches or pizza.

    8. Passetto del Biscione

    8. Via dei Giubbonari a cute Roman street not to miss!

    Day 3 – Rome

    morning – Trastavere Walk
    • Santa Cecilia in Trastevere
    • Chiesa di Santa Maria dell’Orto
    • Mercato di San Cosimato
    • Sotterranei della Schola Cantorum e della Basilica
    • Basilica di San Crisogono
    • Chiesa di San Giovanni della Malva
    Evening – Pasta-making class Make Pasta & Gelato in Rome’s Best Cooking Class $90 per person (4:15 – 7:15PM)

    Piazza di San Giovanni della Malva – the meeting point for our Cooking Class!

    Maybe dinner after? at Fradiavolo Pizzeria – Roma Trastevere

    Day 4 – Rome

    Morning – Trevi Fountain
    Afternoon – Transfer to Civitavecchia 

    Take a Private transfer to the cruise port to board our ship and set sail

    Day 5 – Salerno

    7am – 6:30pm

    Tour Herculaneum, Positano & Sorrento

    Day 6 – At Sea

    Day 7 – Santorini, Greece (Tender)

    9am – 8pm – https://www.santorini-karavastravel.com/

    Day 8 – Kusadasi, Turkey

    7am – 4pm –

    Ephesus

    Day 9 – Katakolon, Greece

    12pm – 9pm

    Olympia – https://www.viator.com/tours/Katakolo/Katakolo-Shore-Excursion-Marble-Art-Workshop-and-Honey-Farm-Visit/d50251-409268P4

    Day 10 – At Sea

    Day 11 – Rome – Head Home


    Budget

    ItemCompanyDatesGroup CostCouple Cost
    Rome HotelHotel Mancino3 nights1899.24 EUR949.62 EUR
    CruisePrincess7 nights2,718.00 USD
    Airport TransferMyBestTour140.00 EUR70.00 EUR
    Cruise TransferMyBestTour260.00 EUR130.00 EUR
    Rome Cooking ClassDevour Tours270.00 USD180.00 USD
    Ephesus Tour280.00 EUR140.00 EUR
    Olympia Tour300.00 EUR150.00 EUR
    Solerno Tour450.00 EUR225.00 EUR
    Cruise to Airport Transfer179.00 EUR89.50 EUR

    5552.62

    Northern Italy

    Just Notes for now….

    Emilia-Romagna

    • Bologna
    • Parma
      • Parmesan Cheese
      • Ham
    • Modeno
      • Balsamic Vinegar

    Liguria

    • Genova
    • Portofino

    Tuscany

    Possible places to stay –

    1. Tuscan Fizz Airbnb $580/night 5 bedrooms 7 beds 4 baths

    2. Villa Chianti $309/night 4 bedrooms 5 beds 3 baths

    3. In Florence Terrace on Ponte Vecchio $565/night 3 bedrooms 3 beds 3 baths

    • Florence
    • Siena
    • Asisi

    Rome

    San Marino ??

    This is the suggestion from ChatGPT

    Day 1-3: Rome, Lazio

    • Day 1: Arrival in Rome
      • Explore the Colosseum and Roman Forum
      • Visit the Pantheon and Piazza Navona
    • Day 2: Rome
      • Tour Vatican City, including St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums
      • Explore the Sistine Chapel
    • Day 3: Rome
      • Wander through the Trastevere neighborhood
      • Visit the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps

    Day 4-6: Florence, Tuscany

    • Day 4: Travel from Rome to Florence
      • Explore the historic center of Florence
      • Visit the Uffizi Gallery and Accademia Gallery (home to Michelangelo’s David)
    • Day 5: Florence
      • Climb to the top of the Duomo for panoramic views
      • Visit the Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens
    • Day 6: Day Trip to Tuscan Countryside
      • Visit the vineyards of Chianti for wine tasting
      • Explore the medieval town of San Gimignano

    Day 7-8: Bologna, Emilia Romagna

    • Day 7: Travel from Florence to Bologna
      • Explore the historic center of Bologna
      • Climb the Asinelli Tower for city views
    • Day 8: Bologna
      • Visit the University of Bologna, one of the oldest in the world
      • Try authentic Bolognese cuisine, such as tortellini and tagliatelle al ragù

    Day 9-10: Verona, Veneto

    • Day 9: Travel from Bologna to Verona
      • Explore the historic center of Verona, including Juliet’s House and Arena di Verona
    • Day 10: Verona
      • Visit Castelvecchio Museum and Bridge
      • Explore the Giardino Giusti and enjoy views of the city from the hilltop

    Day 11-13: Portofino, Liguria

    • Day 11: Travel from Verona to Portofino
      • Explore the picturesque harbor and colorful buildings of Portofino
      • Hike or take a boat tour around the Portofino Natural Park
    • Day 12: Portofino
      • Relax on the beaches or enjoy water activities like snorkeling or kayaking
      • Visit the Church of San Giorgio and the Castello Brown for panoramic views
    • Day 13: Portofino
      • Explore nearby Santa Margherita Ligure
      • Take a scenic drive along the Ligurian coast

    Day 14: Departure from Rome

    • Travel back to Rome for your departure home