DAY 1 Tuesday 7 September 2010 In flight
Our holiday begins with our flight to Barcelona.

DAY 2 Wednesday 8 September 2010 Barcelona, Spain
This morning we arrive at Barcelona airport. After clearing customs, we will be met by our private coach. We will have time to freshen up before an overview sightseeing tour of Barcelona, capital of Catalonia, the second largest city in Spain. It contains a gothic quarter, where we will see the historic cathedral and the medieval streets. The modernist Eixample district is known for the architecture of Antonio Gaudi, including the famous Sagrada Familia. We travel to the port to board the Azamara Quest. You will have time to settle into your cabin and familiarise yourself with the ship. Dinner will be served from 6:00pm please come when you wish.

DAY 3 Thursday 9 September 2010 Barcelona, Spain
We have a sightseeing tour this morning. We visit the Park Guell which was designed by Gaudi and built in the 1890s. We see the site of the 1992 Barcelona Olympics with spectacular views over the city. The ship departs Barcelona this afternoon. Come up on deck to watch as the ship slips its moorings and depart Barcelona. Tonight we will enjoy a welcome cocktail party to begin our cruise.

DAY 4 Friday 10 September 2010 St Tropez
This morning we have a morning sightseeing tour of St Tropez and the surrounding area. The old fishing village was discovered by the painter Paul Signac and became a popular destination for post-impressionist painters. The harbour where luxury yachts are moored teems with life.

DAY 5 Saturday 11 September 2010 Monte Carlo, Monaco
This morning we arrive into Monte Carlo, the fairytale principality of Monaco. We see the Grand Prix circuit, the cathedral where Princess Grace is buried and the Royal Palace. We will then travel along the Corniche Road and see the spectacular French Riviera as we head to Nice. We have a sightseeing tour of the old town and see the colourful flower market before returning to the ship.

DAY 6 Sunday 12 September 2010 Cinque Terre
Today we call into the port of La Spezia. We travel by train to the Cinque Terre region. We will stop at Vernazza for lunch (at your expense) and free time. We will see the tall colourful houses and the church clustered together at the head of a well-sheltered cove. We move on to explore Manarola and Riomaggiore. We will return by train to the ship for a delicious dinner and wonderful show.

Day 7 Monday 13 September 2010 Rome, Italy
Upon arrival in Civitavecchia we are met by our private coach and are transferred to the city of Rome. We enjoy a sightseeing tour of the “Eternal City” where we will see the famous Colosseum, the Piazza di Spagna, which is dominated by the Spanish Steps. We will also see the Trevi Fountain. You can throw two coins over your shoulder into the fountain and wish to return to Rome.

DAY 8 Tuesday 14 September 2010 Sorrento, Italy
We have a morning tour of the beautiful resort town of Sorrento with its spectacular views of the Bay of Naples. We then visit the ancient, perfectly preserved ruins of Pompeii, a wealthy settlement of the Roman Empire, destroyed by the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD. We will have a tour of the ruins with a local guide to see the Forum and the House of the Vetti, a well preserved aristocratic villa and much more.

Day 9 Wednesday 15 September 2010 At sea
Our first day at sea is the perfect opportunity to explore the fabulous facilities of this magnificent ship. This afternoon we will play Bingo. Prizes will be awarded to winning groups.

Day 10 Thursday 16 September 2010 Dubrovnik, Croatia
Today we call in to the historic city of Dubrovnik, known as “the jewel of the Adriatic”, situated on a promontory surrounded by the beautiful waters of the Adriatic. Renowned for the beauty of its monuments, its magnificent walls and welcoming atmosphere, Dubrovnik was founded by fugitives from the Roman city of Epidaurum during the seventh century. Today, we have a comprehensive tour of the city and see the impressive Fort of St John and the Sponza Palace, which was built in the fourteenth century as the city mint. The afternoon will be free for individual exploration.

DAY 11 Friday 17 September 2010 Kotor, Montenegro
Today we sail up the picturesque Bay of Kotor, a submerged river canyon. A fantastic landscape is created by the overhanging limestone cliffs of Orjen and Lovcen. The town was founded by the ancient Romans in 168 BC and conquered by the Venetians in the fifteenth century. The port of Kotor was built by the Republic of Venice and is surrounded by impressive city walls. There are many attractive Venetian buildings in the town. We will have a morning tour to explore this interesting city.

Day 12 Saturday 18 September 2010 Split, Croatia
Today we visit Split. The old town grew up around the Emperor Diocletian’s vast Roman Palace. We have a morning sightseeing tour, during which we visit the interior courtyard of the Roman complex and the Golden Gate, the main entrance to Diocletian’s Palace. We visit the Baptistry of St John a small, beautiful building consecrated in the sixth century. We see the Renaissance Town Hall on People’s Square surrounded by Venetian buildings.

DAY 13 Sunday 19 September 2010 Venice, Italy
This morning we have a sightseeing tour of the city of Venice. Unique in the world, this is one of the most spectacular and romantic cities of the world. We visit St Marks Square, see the Grand Canal, St Marks Cathedral and the Doges Palace. The rest of the day will be free. We will stay overnight aboard Azamara Quest whilst moored in Venice. This will be a wonderful opportunity to explore the city by night. Perhaps go down to the famous St Marks Square and past Doges Palace and “Bridge of Sighs”.

DAY 14 Monday 20 September 2010 Verona, Italy
This morning we disembark and travel to the beautiful city of Verona. Famed as home of Romeo and Juliet. We have an orientation tour of the historic centre where we see the memorial to Shakespeare’s famous couple and the well-preserved amphitheatre. The afternoon will be free to explore Verona at leisure.

DAY 15 Tuesday 21 September 2010 Verona, Italy
Today we travel to the largest of the Italian Lakes, Lake Garda, also considered to be one of the most beautiful. The Dolomites to the north shelter the lake from the cold north winds, creating a very mild climate. The region was influenced by the Venetian Republic, which ruled the area from the fifteenth to the eighteenth centuries. We will take a ferry ride on the lake and have time to browse in the gorgeous lake side villages. This evening join us for a final dinner to celebrate our fabulous cruise.

Day 16 Wednesday 22 September 2010 In flight
This morning we will be transferred to the airport for our flight back to Australia.

DAY 17 Thursday 23 September 2010 Australia
This evening we arrive in Australia and tour arrangements conclude.

The Seniors Extension Tour to Tuscany and the Italian Lakes

Day 1 Wednesday 22 September 2010 Italian Lakes
Today we will visit the gardens of Villa Rizzardi. A memorable sight is the green theatre, a feature of classical Renaissance gardens. The gardens lie on three main levels. The cross alleys and vistas have been aligned to catch views of the mountains at every turn. We will enjoy an included wine and cheese tasting. We continue on to Como, a modern town set on the shores of beautiful Lake Como where we spend the next four nights. Prosperous under the Romans, Como reached its zenith in the eleventh century. B

DAY 2 Thursday 23 September 2010 Italian Lakes
Today we visit Villa Carlotta, known for its beautiful setting and spectacular gardens. It was built in 1745 and later given as a wedding present to Carlotta, Duchess of Saxe- Meiningen. We will take the ferry across the lake to the lovely town of Bellagio. Occupying a magnificent site on the promontory dividing Lake Lecco from Lake Como, Bellagio is known for its pretty streets, villas and gardens. The group will have the option of visiting the semi-classical Villa Melzi, known for its splendid gardens, on the shore of the lake. We return to Como by ferry in the afternoon. This evening we will enjoy an included dinner. BD

DAY 3 Friday 24 September 2010 Italian Lakes
A free day to relax and explore the town of Como, the lake and surrounding villages. B

DAY 4 Saturday 25 September 2010 Italian Lakes
Today, we travel through the beautiful Italian Lakes countryside to Lake Maggiore. We will take a boat to Isola Bella, the most spectacular of the Borromean Islands. On the island, we will see the Palace, built in the Lombard Baroque style, with its staterooms including Napoleon’s room, the Hall of Mirrors, music room and more. The gardens, filled with ornamented fountains and statues, are undoubtedly one of the most dramatic examples of seventeenth century gardens in Italy. We return to Como for a free evening. B

DAY 5 Sunday 26 September 2010 Bagno Vignoni
This morning, we travel south to visit Bologna, the food capital of Italy. We will stop in Bologna for lunch (own expense). We then travel to Tuscany, to the village of Bagno Vignoni, where we will spend the next three nights. This small Orcia River Valley village, has long been a favourite among painters and travellers seeking solitude in a beautiful location. We will stay at a small family owned fifteenth century hotel, built by Rossellino as a summer house for Pope Pius II, who took advantage of the nearby hot mineral springs. Tour members will enjoy delicious Tuscan dinners each night during our stay at Bagno Vignoni. BD

DAY 6 Monday 27 September 2010 Bagno Vignoni
Today we visit the great medieval city of Siena. Best known for the famous Palio horse race held in the magnificent Piazza del Campo, Siena. It is also home to the oldest bank in the world, a spectacular town hall and majestic cathedral. This morning a local guide will introduce us to the city, including the Piazza del Campo with its splendid civic tower and the enormous, partially completed Duomo. The afternoon will be free for tour members to explore Siena independently. BD

DAY 7 Tuesday 28 September 2010 Bagno Vignoni
Today we will visit the perfectly preserved medieval town of San Gimignano. Known for its skyline of towers built by the feuding nobles of the tweflth and thirteenth centuries, the town featured in the film, Tea with Mussolini. We will then visit the town of Pienza, made famous by the film, The English Patient. It was completely redesigned in Renaissance times by Pope Pius II, who planned to transform his birthplace into a model town. The aroma of pecorino cheese and other local specialities will tempt us into the many delicatessens. We then return to Bagno Vignoni. Tonight we will enjoy a final night dinner to celebrate our wonderful tour. BD

DAY 8 Wednesday 29 September 2010 Rome Airport
We depart Bagno Vignoni today and travel south. Vineyards, famous for their delicious white wines, surround the town of Orvieto, where we will stop for lunch. Orvieto’s impressive Gothic cathedral houses some of Luca Signorelli’s most beautiful frescoes. We continue to our hotel outside Rome. B

DAY 9 Thursday 30 September 2010 Departure
This morning we are transferred to the airport for our flight to Australia.

DAY 10 Friday 1 October 2010 Arrival
This evening we arrive in Australia. The tour concludes.