14-night Ancient Empires Cruise Europe Cheap Cruise

Cruise Itinerary for 14-night Ancient Empires Cruise Europe

Rome (Civitavecchia)

10/17/2009

10/17/2009 6:00:00 PM

Civitavecchia is the port city for Rome. Rome has always been and remains the Eternal City. With its splendid churches, ancient monuments and palaces, spacious parks, tree-lined boulevards, fountains, outdoor cafés and elegant shops, Rome is one of the world’s most attractive cities. Among the most famous monuments is the Colosseum where spectators watched combats between muscled gladiators and ferocious animals. Stop to see the remains of the Forum, once a political and commercial center. Rome’s squares were enhanced with such imposing structures as the Vittorio Emanuele Monument and grandiose fountains like the Fontana di Trevi. Awe at Christendom’s most magnificent church, the Sistine Chapel. The busy square Piazza Venezia is easily recognized by its imposing Vittorio Emanuele II Monument. Take a stroll to Rome's famous Trevi Fountain. Vatican City is the site of lovely St. Peter's Square and St. Peter's Basilica, where for 200 years, Renaissance masters worked on its design and created an unparalleled masterpiece. Visit Vatican Museum.

14-night Ancient Empires Cruise Europe Cheap Cruise aboard the Azamara Azamara Quest

Sorrento

10/18/2009 7:00:00 AM

10/18/2009 5:00:00 PM

Sorrento is a town of extraordinary beauty and is known as a popular gateway to Italy’s most spectacular stretch of coastline - the Amalfi Drive lined with fishing villages and famous resorts. The seaside resort of Amalfi sits with weathered houses scrambling up steep cliffs. Visitors marvel at its location and its magnificent cathedral. The religious sanctuary of Cloister of St. Francis is worth a visit. The tiny, exclusive resort of Positano has its famous world-class hotel, San Pietro. Excavations of the ruined city of Pompeii, which was destroyed in 79 A.D. during the disastrous eruption of Mount Vesuvius, give visitors a vivid impression of life in a very wealthy ancient city and the tragic end of its population. The Isle of Capri ranks as one of the most beautiful islands and has captured visitors for centuries with excellent climate, spectacular landscape and fantastic sea caverns. Capri has lavish villas, elegant hotels, chic boutiques and quaint restaurants. Museo Correale contains a death mask of poet Torquato Tasso and some special editions of his works, pictures, furniture and porcelain.

14-night Ancient Empires Cruise Europe Cheap Cruise aboard the Azamara Azamara Quest

At Sea

10/19/2009

10/19/2009

Every day at sea is packed with activities...from deck games to entertainment. Indulge yourself in a relaxing massage. Exercise. Shop at onboard boutiques. Take a dip in the pool. The day is yours. Indulge!

14-night Ancient Empires Cruise Europe Cheap Cruise aboard the Azamara Azamara Quest

Nafplion (Nauplia)

10/20/2009 10:00:00 AM

10/20/2009 6:00:00 PM

A former capital of Greece and a popular port on the eastern Peloponnese coast, Nafplion impresses visitors with grand, medieval architecture erected by Venetians during the 15th century. The most dominant structure is Palamidi Fortress towering high above town. The port is a lively town with a scenic harbor, a picturesque center to explore on foot and pebble beaches. Several monuments remain from its Turkish past, including mosques and parliament building. Handicrafts and local costumes are on display at the Folk Art Museum. Palamidi Castle has an incomparable view from the fortress’ lofty position. Spend time strolling along the waterfront, exploring around main square and narrow streets of Old Town. Platia Sintagmator, the city’s main square, is fronted by a former mosque, now the meeting place of Greek Parliament. Here is also the Archaeological Museum, which features an outstanding collection of Mycenaean finds. The entrance to Akronafplia Citadel has a gate built of Roman bricks, a Byzantine gatehouse with frescoes dating from 1291, and Venetian bastions.


From the port, don't pass up a tour to Mycenae. There is evidence that the site has been inhabited since 4000 BC, but reached its peak of civilization during 1500 - 1000 BC. It was here that the mighty Agamemnon ruled and the site still contains massive structures which give visitors a glimpse of what this magnificent city once was.

14-night Ancient Empires Cruise Europe Cheap Cruise aboard the Azamara Azamara Quest

Chios, Greece

10/21/2009 8:00:00 AM

10/21/2009 5:00:00 PM

No information currently available.

14-night Ancient Empires Cruise Europe Cheap Cruise aboard the Azamara Azamara Quest

Istanbul

10/22/2009 11:00:00 AM

10/22/2009

This exotic capital guards the slender waterway between the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, and is the doorway between the West and the East. The Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Topkapi Sarai await-as does the Grand Bazaar, laden with carpets, beaten brass and spices from far-off lands. A walk down any backstreet gives the feeling of entering a completely different environment. Traders with handcarts, stevedores carrying burdens twice their size, limbless beggars and shoeshine boys all frequent the streets around the city center. Men monopolize public bars and teahouses, while many women cover their heads, their gaze downcast. In summer, dust tracks take the place of pavements, giving way in winter to a slurry of mud. Where there are pavements, they are punctuated at intervals with unmarked pits large enough to swallow you without trace. And this is before you even begin to cross any bridges into Asia.

14-night Ancient Empires Cruise Europe Cheap Cruise aboard the Azamara Azamara Quest

Istanbul

10/23/2009

10/23/2009 1:00:00 PM

This exotic capital guards the slender waterway between the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, and is the doorway between the West and the East. The Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Topkapi Sarai await-as does the Grand Bazaar, laden with carpets, beaten brass and spices from far-off lands. A walk down any backstreet gives the feeling of entering a completely different environment. Traders with handcarts, stevedores carrying burdens twice their size, limbless beggars and shoeshine boys all frequent the streets around the city center. Men monopolize public bars and teahouses, while many women cover their heads, their gaze downcast. In summer, dust tracks take the place of pavements, giving way in winter to a slurry of mud. Where there are pavements, they are punctuated at intervals with unmarked pits large enough to swallow you without trace. And this is before you even begin to cross any bridges into Asia.

14-night Ancient Empires Cruise Europe Cheap Cruise aboard the Azamara Azamara Quest

Kusadasi

10/24/2009 11:00:00 AM

10/24/2009 11:00:00 PM

Visitors come to Kusadasi for beaches and nearby ruins of Ephesus. The major attraction is the archaeological site of ancient Ephesus, considered to be most important in Turkey. The history of this ancient city dates back to 10th century BC; many remarkable structures seen today are result of an excavation and restoration program. Along a white marble road grooved by ancient chariot wheels, the two-story Library of Celsus presents a striking sight. There are temples, houses of noblemen, and community buildings lining ancient streets. Nestled in the mountainside is a 25,000-seat amphitheater, still used for performances during Festival of Culture and Art. Bible buffs may know Ephesus as inspiration for St. Paul’s Epistle to Ephesians and the site of one of the first seven churches of Asia Minor. Treasures are kept in the Seljuk Archaeological Museum. Among the better-known ancient sites near Kusadasi are ancient Miletus and Dydima. Remains include a well-preserved Roman theater at Miletus and Dydima's sacred temple of Apollo.

14-night Ancient Empires Cruise Europe Cheap Cruise aboard the Azamara Azamara Quest

Bodrum

10/25/2009 8:00:00 AM

10/25/2009 6:00:00 PM

Situated on a beautiful peninsula, Bodrum is known as a popular holiday resort. Enchanting villages of white painted houses trimmed with purple bougainvillea together with miles of sandy beaches and ideal locations for water sports. On the southern coast of the peninsula lie the golden sandy beaches at Bardakci, Gumbet, Bitez, Ortakent Yalisi, Karaincir, Bagla and Akyarlar, while on the western side are Gumusluk, Yalikavak and Turgut Reis.
For those who want seclusion, the northern coast boasts Turkbuku, Golkoy and Gundogan - all small simple fishing villages, ideal for those who want a subdued and relaxing atmosphere. While the nights in Bodrum town itself are noisy, crowded and vital, these smaller villages offer cozy taverns and restaurants over-looking quiet bays and can all be reached easily by car or even by boat.

14-night Ancient Empires Cruise Europe Cheap Cruise aboard the Azamara Azamara Quest

Fethiye

10/26/2009 7:00:00 AM

10/26/2009 5:00:00 PM

No information currently available.

14-night Ancient Empires Cruise Europe Cheap Cruise aboard the Azamara Azamara Quest

Antalya

10/27/2009 7:00:00 AM

10/27/2009 5:00:00 PM

This sun-drenched Mediterranean town on the Turkish Riviera is a major resort with a beautiful crescent bay, dramatic cliffs, and jagged mountains. It is an attractive city with shady palm-lined boulevards and a prize-winning marina. In picturesque old quarter, narrow streets and old wooden houses huddle against ancient city walls. Antalya's visitors come see the old town with its picturesque harbor and excellent Archaeological Museum. Its outstanding exhibits provide fascinating glimpses into the life of the region. In the surrounding area are additional attractions such as Aspendos, Perge and Side. Their remains of antiquity are considered among the most impressive sites. Visit Hadrian's Gate and Main Square, which with its landmark clock tower offers views of the bay and distant mountain peaks. Karatay Medrese (Theological College) exemplifies the best of Seljuk stone carving. Ataturk Museum features a collection of interesting memorabilia commemorating the founder of Turkey.

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Limassol

10/28/2009 7:00:00 AM

10/28/2009 1:00:00 PM

Every night people celebrate events momentous and trivial. Explore Limassol Castle, which contains the Cyprus Medieval Museum, or the Folk Art Museum, housed in an old mansion. Walk ten miles of beautiful beaches, known as Cypriot Riviera. Stroll in the sea promenade or visit lush Municipal Gardens. On the coastal road to the east, just after luxurious hotels, you will find Amathus, one of the ancient city kingdoms of Cyprus. See the ruins and take a dip near the site of an ancient port. West of Limassol lies Kolossi Castle, a medieval fortress whose walls contain a tower surrounding living quarters, and an ancient sugar factory. Visit the Kourion archaeological site, an ancient city-kingdom, where you can take in a play or concert at the ancient Greco-Roman Theater, overlooking the blue Mediterranean. And explore a treasure trove of Greek and Roman sites, such as the Sanctuary of Apollo.

14-night Ancient Empires Cruise Europe Cheap Cruise aboard the Azamara Azamara Quest

Alexandria (Cairo)

10/29/2009 7:00:00 AM

10/29/2009 10:00:00 PM

This Mediterranean city, blessed with a mild, pleasant climate and white beaches, is a popular playground and the country's summer capital. Nightclubs, sidewalk cafes and restaurants lining the Corniche add to Alexandria's attractions. There are museums, Roman theater, and catacombs to explore. Alexandria also serves as gateway for excursions to Cairo and the famous El Alamein battlefield. Visitors will find plenty of interest in this "Pearl of the Mediterranean." Good shopping buys include gold and silver jewelry, especially the gold cartouche with your name inscribed in hieroglyphs, cotton goods, carpets, leather articles, copper- and brassware, basketware and papyrus prints. The city boasts a reputation of having the country's best food. Other sights include: Ras at-Tin Palace, with its surrounding gardens; Hussein Sobhy Museum of Fine Arts; and Hotel Cecil, a grand and elegant hotel with romantic and intriguing history. There is a War Museum and Commonwealth War Cemetery.

14-night Ancient Empires Cruise Europe Cheap Cruise aboard the Azamara Azamara Quest

At Sea

10/30/2009

10/30/2009

Every day at sea is packed with activities...from deck games to entertainment. Indulge yourself in a relaxing massage. Exercise. Shop at onboard boutiques. Take a dip in the pool. The day is yours. Indulge!

14-night Ancient Empires Cruise Europe Cheap Cruise aboard the Azamara Azamara Quest

Athens (Piraeus)

10/31/2009 6:00:00 AM

10/31/2009

Piraeus is the seaport for Athens, the capital of western civilization, which boasts a fantastic mix of classical ruins and vivacious modern life. Climb the hill of Acropolis to wonder at the Parthenon, join the lively Athenians in Constitution Square, and find a welcoming taverna for spirited bizouki music, plenty of ouzo to drink, and energetic Greek dancing. Piraeus is the largest harbor in the country. The white chapel of St. George at its summi has a theater bearing the same name. The hill of Nymphs is the site of a planetarium, which is located above magnificent Thesseio temple. Among all of these hills, Acropolis is the one that glorified Athens and the whole Greek world and became the symbol of the western civilization. Bays and small rocky or sandy coves dot the area and during the summer are filled with Athenians and foreigners enjoying their beauty.

14-night Ancient Empires Cruise Europe Cheap Cruise aboard the Azamara Azamara Quest