14-night Venetian Odyssey Cruise Greece Cheap Cruise

Cruise Itinerary for 14-night Venetian Odyssey Cruise Greece

Barcelona

4/4/2009

4/4/2009 8:00:00 PM

Barcelona, the self-confident and progressive capital of Spain, is a tremendous place to be. Though it boasts outstanding Gothic and Art Nouveau buildings, and some great museums – most notably those dedicated to Picasso and Catalan art – it is above all a place where there's enjoyment simply in walking the streets, stopping in at bars and cafés, drinking in the atmosphere. A thriving port and the most prosperous commercial centre in Spain, it has a sophistication and cultural dynamism way ahead of the rest of the country. In part this reflects the city's proximity to France, whose influence is apparent in the elegant boulevards and imaginative cooking. But Barcelona has also evolved an individual and eclectic cultural identity, most perfectly and eccentrically expressed in the architecture of Antoni Gaudí. Scattered as Barcelona's main sights may be, the greatest concentration of interest is around the old town (La Ciutat Vella). These cramped streets above the harbor are easily manageable, and far more enjoyable, on foot. Start, as everyone else does, with the Ramblas.

14-night Venetian Odyssey Cruise Greece Cheap Cruise aboard the Oceania Regatta

Palma de Mallorca

4/5/2009 8:00:00 AM

4/5/2009 2:00:00 PM

The Balearics are comprised of 16 islands; the three principal ones are Mallorca, Ibiza and Menorca. Lying just 60 miles off the Spanish mainland, the islands’ lush and rugged landscape combined with an extremely mild, sunny climate prove irresistible. The Balearics boast cosmopolitan resorts with lively nightlife and plenty of sports activities. Palma de Majorca is the capital of the archipelago. A cosmopolitan city with sophisticated shops and restaurants, it also offers buildings of spectacular Moorish and gothic architecture. Museo de Mallorca housed in the Palacio Ayamans boasts an interesting collection of Moorish, medieval and 18th- to 19th-century art. Those who wish to explore the northern end of the island will enjoy the dramatic land and seascape of Cabo Formentor at the end of a long, narrow peninsula. A winding road with magnificent views leads to the luxury Hotel Formentor, beautifully situated above the bay. The lighthouse of Cabo Formentor is the most northerly point on Majorca.

14-night Venetian Odyssey Cruise Greece Cheap Cruise aboard the Oceania Regatta

Marseille

4/6/2009 8:00:00 AM

4/6/2009 6:00:00 PM

Marseille is a vibrant, cosmopolitan port in the Provence region of France. Craggy mountains provide a spectacular backdrop. As a Mediterranean melting pot, the port virtually rubs shoulders with intimate, picturesque old harbor, the Vieux Port. Packed with watercrafts, this is the heart of Marseille. Two fortresses guard the harbor: Fort Saint Nicolas and Fort Saint Jean. Several vantage points offer spectacular views, including the impressive Basilica Notre Dame de la Garde - a prominent landmark overlooking the city that is crowned by a monumental, gilded statue of Virgin Mary. Marseille boasts numerous fine museums well worth a visit. Sitting at one of the many outside cafes or strolling the streets of the old port area lets you experience the unpretentious charm of this city. Other sights include Chateau d'If - a 16th century fortress-turned-prison; Basilica St-Victor - Marseille's oldest church with the appearance of a fortress; and La Canebiere - a broad boulevard with everything from hotels to cafes and shops.

14-night Venetian Odyssey Cruise Greece Cheap Cruise aboard the Oceania Regatta

Monte Carlo

4/7/2009 8:00:00 AM

4/7/2009 10:00:00 PM

Monaco is famous as Côte d’Azur’s playground. With spacious beaches, elegant hotels and lively nightlife, this tiny domain is a jet set favorite and home to some of the world's most expensive real estate. In addition to luxury hotels and beautiful beaches, Monaco is noted for mild climate and magnificent scenery. Monaco and Monte Carlo rank high on every visitor’s must-see list. Monaco-Ville is the old city and seat of Monaco’s government. The 19th-century Romanesque cathedral Prince's Palace contains impressive works of art and the tomb of Princess Grace, while the Parliament building and Oceanographic Museum, under the auspices of the Jacques Cousteau Society, offer additional sights. Monte Carlo spells sophistication, elegance, and glamour. Every year the rich and famous gather here to bask in the sun, gamble at the world’s most opulent casino and attend spectacular parties. The most splendid hotels, several fine theaters, museums and excellent restaurants cater to the elite. Nothing typifies more the elegant lifestyle of the Côte d’Azur than glamorous Monte Carlo.

14-night Venetian Odyssey Cruise Greece Cheap Cruise aboard the Oceania Regatta

Florence/Pisa (Livorno)

4/8/2009 8:00:00 AM

4/8/2009 8:00:00 PM

Livorno serves as a convenient gateway to Tuscany - which is known for classic landscapes and lush vineyards. Visitors come to see great art centers of Florence, Lucca and Pisa - where names like Michelangelo, Machiavelli, Boticelli, da Vinci, Donatello and Dante come to mind. Pisa is known for its brilliant monuments, which include the 11th-century Cathedral, the Baptistery and the leaning Bell Tower. Lucca is one of the most handsome Romanesque cities in Europe. Its historic center features several fine old churches and lovely squares. Lucca is also known as home of composer Giacomo Puccini, whose birthplace is now a museum. Walking in the historic center, shopping in its elegant stores and enjoying a meal of renowned Tuscan cuisine are some highlights of this area. Downtown Livorno has a fine local market and a variety of fine shops and restaurants. Sights include the 14th-century Loggia della Signoria assembly hall in Florence; the Uffizi Gallery, which houses one of the world's famed museums and the Accademia best-known for Michelangelo's sculptures.

14-night Venetian Odyssey Cruise Greece Cheap Cruise aboard the Oceania Regatta

Olbia

4/9/2009 8:00:00 AM

4/9/2009 6:00:00 PM

Lying inside the protected Gulf of Olbia in the northeast of Sardinia, the town with the same name sits by the sea. This quaint seaside villiage was originally started as a Greek colony and was the scene of a Roman victory over the Carthaginians in 259 BC. Phoenician and Roman tombs are still in the area and the Pisan Romanesque Church of San Simplicio in the town is a site to behold.

14-night Venetian Odyssey Cruise Greece Cheap Cruise aboard the Oceania Regatta

Rome (Civitavecchia)

4/10/2009 7:00:00 AM

4/10/2009 8:00:00 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 Venetian Odyssey Cruise Greece Cheap Cruise aboard the Oceania Regatta

Positano

4/11/2009 8:00:00 AM

4/11/2009 4:00:00 PM

Laid at the southern feet of the Mounts Lattari, which protect it from the
Northwinds, Positano enjoys - thanks to its favourable position - all the advantages
of a mild, dry climate. It is surrounded by green mounts, which form a sort
of crown: Mount Comune, Mt. S. Maria del Castello, Mt. S. Angelo a Tre Pizzi
(1444 metres high), Mt. Conocchia, Mt. Campo dei Galli and Mt. Paipo; towards
south and east the gaze sweeps over the sea up to Punta Licosa and Capri. Three
miles away from the coast a little arcipelago rises from the sea - "Li Galli"
or "Sirenuse" - composed by three islands: "Gallo Lungo", "Rotonda", "Castelluccio",
which was always supposed to be the abode of the bewitching Syrians.

The origins of Positano, like those of many other towns, are lost in the mists
of time, so that it is difficult to distinguish between history and legend.
As it often happen in the past, myths supplied for the lack of data: one of
these myths tells us that Positano was founded by Poseidon - the Latin Neptune,
the god of the sea - for the sake of the nymph Pasitea, whom he loved. It is
certain that Phoenicians and Greeks, travelling westwards, landed in Positano,
which at that time, was inhabited by Oschi and Piceni. The Romans built near
the 'great' beach a rich patrician villa, which has now been buried by gardens
and by the church devoted to Our Lady of the Assumption. With the fall of the
Roman Empire Positano became a part of the Republic of Amalfi, the first maritime
republic, and went through flourishing period, owing to the commerce with the
other countries of the Mediterranean area.

Unfortunately this period was followed by gloomy ones, particularly during
the Angevin and Aragonese domination, when our village was more than once exposed
to the offence of the Saracen pirates, first, and, then of the Turkmen. A legend
referring to that period says that the Saracen pirates, during an incursion,
sacked the main Church and brought away, among other things, the Byzantine picture
of Black Virgin, which was kept in the church and is now to be found in the
apse over the high altar; they had just left the shore, when a voice was heard,
that said: "Posa, posa". The pirates became aware of having committed a sacrilege,
repented came back ashore and restored all the ill-gotten goods. To defend themselves
from the very frequent raids of the pirates the inhabitants of Positano built
three guard-towers, which can still be seen today in the quarters called "Fornillo",
"La Trasita", "La Sponda" and some others in the inner part of the village.
In the same period the mountain villages of Montepertuso and Nocelle enlarged
to harbour the inhabitants of Positano and Laurito, who feared the pirates.

In 1700 there was a thriving period as it is shown by many villas in the late
Baroque style, built on the East coast. The Unification of Italy forced many
inhabitants of Positano, as it happened for so many other people of South Italy,
to migrate to America, where fortune smiled on some of them. After the First
World War - during which Positano also paid its great tribute of blood - this
village, which was already the refuge of some Italian artists, like Vincenzo
Caprile, harboured many Russian, German artists and men of letters, who chose
it for its peace and quiet. Among others we can remember: Semenov, Zagoruiko,
Essad Bey, Clavel, Escher, Massine, Kovaliska, Ghillausen, etc., who with their
works maid this flat of land known all over the world.

The tourism booming took place after the Second World War; but despite of an
intense expansion our village preserve its characteristic vertical structure
and its bright architecture with suggestive, panoramique corners. Thanks to
the innate sense of hospitality of its inhabitants Positano became one of the
most famous tourist places all over the world. Our village is also internationally
known for its clothing production: many little, but elegant boutiques, which
are almost everywhere on both sides of streets and lanes, can satisfy all the
requests of a cosmopolitan clientele. Its favourable position put it in the
centre of a land rich of history and natural beauties. During the summer a series
of patronal feasts - among which we can remember that on the 2nd of July in
Montepertuso and that on the 15th of August in Positano - and cultural events
- like the International Award for the Art of Dancing to the memory of the great
dancer-choreographer Leonide Massine - gladden the evenings, making the stay
in this charming place, also called the "Gem of the divine coast", more pleasant
and suggestive.

14-night Venetian Odyssey Cruise Greece Cheap Cruise aboard the Oceania Regatta

At Sea

4/12/2009

4/12/2009

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 Venetian Odyssey Cruise Greece Cheap Cruise aboard the Oceania Regatta

Athens (Piraeus)

4/13/2009 8:00:00 AM

4/13/2009 8:00:00 PM

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 Venetian Odyssey Cruise Greece Cheap Cruise aboard the Oceania Regatta

Santorini

4/14/2009 8:00:00 AM

4/14/2009 6:00:00 PM

Santorini is everything that has made the Greek islands legendary. The world famous island of Santorini is the southern most island of the Cycladic group in the Aegean Sea, and is located north of Crete. Its population is distributed among thirteen villages and just exceeds nine thousand. The marvelous dry climate and unbroken sunshine create year around conditions which are perfect for observation, photographs and videos under an extraordinary variety of natural lights and colors.

14-night Venetian Odyssey Cruise Greece Cheap Cruise aboard the Oceania Regatta

Rhodes

4/15/2009 8:00:00 AM

4/15/2009 6:00:00 PM

Rhodes is one of Greece’s favored vacation centers and was an important cultural center with a well-known School of Rhetoric attended by such greats as Cicero and Caesar. Rhodes' most famous attractions originated with the Knights of St. John, who occupied parts of the island from 1310 to 1522 and left a medieval town, dominated by the Palace of the Grand Masters and Knights' Hospital, which houses an Archaeological Museum with interesting exhibits of national archaeological finds. Rhodes has inspired many artists. The Old Town offers shopping opportunities and lively nightlife. At Mount Filerimos a church has been built on the site of an ancient temple. A popular excursion is to the charming village of Lindos. Its premier attraction, the ancient acropolis, stands atop sheer cliffs. Walls of a 13th-century Crusader castle enclose the site. Today, the winding path up to the acropolis is lined by stalls, where locals sell lace tablecloths and souvenirs. Mandraki Harbor's entrance is flanked by stone columns topped by figures of a stag and a hind, the town's heraldic animals.

14-night Venetian Odyssey Cruise Greece Cheap Cruise aboard the Oceania Regatta

Kusadasi

4/16/2009 8:00:00 AM

4/16/2009 2:00:00 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 Venetian Odyssey Cruise Greece Cheap Cruise aboard the Oceania Regatta

Istanbul

4/17/2009 12:00:00 PM

4/17/2009

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 Venetian Odyssey Cruise Greece Cheap Cruise aboard the Oceania Regatta

Istanbul

4/18/2009

4/18/2009

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 Venetian Odyssey Cruise Greece Cheap Cruise aboard the Oceania Regatta