European Rivieras Cruise - Itinerary
London never fails to impress, with well-known landmarks such as Big Ben, Westminster Abby, and Buckingham Palace. Travel to Dover to sail across the English Channel to France. Pay a sobering visit to the beaches of Normandy, truly an open-air tribute to World War II history. Continue to Lisbon and Portimao in Portugal, sampling great local seafood, exploring cobblestone streets, and admiring magnificent colored rock formations along the coast. Gaze in awe at the mighty Rock of Gibraltar standing guard at the tip of the Iberian Peninsula, as it provides a haven for the famous Barbary apes and countless other wildlife.
Along Spain’s southern coast, wander into a tapas restaurant and treat yourself to local delicacies. Take in the glamour of Cannes, filled with famous beaches, celebrity homeowners, and a world-renowned film festival. In Florence’s museums, absorb the Renaissance spirit of Michelangelo and Da Vinci; and in Rome be sure to toss a coin into Trevi Fountain. With picture-perfect harbors and quaint villages, windswept shores and landscapes of remote beauty, and dazzling capitals with wide café-lined avenues and great museums, cruising Europe is a dream come true!
The sequence of touring and days may be altered to adjust to religious holidays, special closings of sites, air schedule changes, etc. Hotels listed subject to availability. Meal inclusions may vary by departure.
Day 1, Depart USA (meals aloft)
Day 2, Arrive London, embark PM
We arrive today in London and transfer to the pier at Dover to board our cruise ship, the Ocean Princess. We sail early this evening. (B,L,D)
Day 3, Paris/Normandy (Le Havre), France, 7am/7pm
The city of Light is always alive with people-watching possibility - not to mention the world's best museums. And Normandy is an open-air tribute to World War II history. (B,L,D)
Day 4, At Sea
Participate in your choice of on-board activities: browse the world-class art collection, shop in duty-free boutiques, relax in a hot tub, sun yourself on the deck with a book from the ship's library, exercise in a state-of-the-art gym, or pamper yourself in the spa; and at mealtimes take advantage of the ship's variety of dining options. (B,L,D)
Day 5, At Sea (B,L,D)
Day 6, Lisbon, Portugal, 7am/5pm
From the cobblestoned streets of the old Alfama, head to the Belem district by the river, or down to the waterfront for some great seafood and local wine. (B,L,D)
Day 7, Portimao, Portugal, 7am/6pm
The coast consists of sandy beaches, magnificent colored rock formations, caves and protected nature reserves like Ria Formosa, Ria de Alvor and Costa Vicentina Park where migrating birds make their stopover amidst an undisturbed environment of indigenous flora and fauna. (B,L,D)
Day 8, Gibraltar, 8am/6pm
With its combination of British and Spanish culture, grotto of St. Michael's Cave and those famous Barbary apes, Gibraltar is a wonderful surprise. (B,L,D)
Day 9, At Sea (B,L,D)
Day 10, Barcelona, Spain, 7am/4pm
Wander the fanciful pathways of Gaudi's Park Guell, or tuck into a bar for some tapas in this vibrant Catalonian city. (B,L,D)
Day 11, Cannes, France, 9am/7pm
With its film festival, famous beaches and celebrity homeowners, Cannes may be the French Riviera's most glamorous city... but don't tell that to nearby Monte Carlo! (B,L,D)
Day 12, Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Italy, 6am/7pm
The spirits of Michelangelo and Da Vinci pervade the museums of Renaissance Florence. In Pisa, a certain Leaning Tower is the primary draw. (B,L,D)
Day 13, Arrive Rome, disembark a.m./Return USA
Arrive in Rome, the "Eternal City," home of the Colosseum, Forum, Spanish Steps, and Trevi Fountain. Upon arrival we transfer to the airport for our return flight home.(B, meals aloft)
