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  1. 1.Leave Washington Dulles at 6:30 PM on Saturday, October 20, for London Heathrow on British Airways, Flt 216 (Boeing 747-400, Business Class)



  1. 2.Arrive London at 6:55 AM on Sunday, October 21 (3,671 miles). Leave London Heathrow at 12:45 PM for Rome Fiumicino Airport on British Airways, Flt 560 (Boeing 767-300, Business Class). Arrive Rome at 4:15 PM (892 miles). Hotel Vespasiano  PHOTOS



  1. 3.Monday, October 22. Hotel Vespasiano.



  1. 4.Tuesday, October 23-Take morning train from Rome to Naples. Meet 11 AM walking tour of city with food highlights. Return to Rome in late afternoon. Hotel Vespasiano. PHOTOS


  2. 5.Wednesday, October 24-Attend Wednesday morning audience with Pope Francis at Vatican City. Depart from Rome (Civitavecchia) on Royal Caribbean MS Jewel of the Seas at 5 PM.



  1. 6.Thursday, October 25-Arrive Naples (Capri) at 7 AM. Enjoy breathtaking seaside scenery visiting two gems, Sorrento and the idyllic isle of Capri, before scouring the archaeological ruins of Pompeii. Enjoy a scenic 50-minute jetfoil ride across turquoise waters to Capri, then stroll La Piazzetta square. Savor a tasty lunch in Sorrento, complete with wine and tales of local sirens. View recovered artifacts once buried in Pompeii, an ancient Roman city destroyed in 79 AD by a Mount Vesuvius eruption. Depart Naples at 6 PM.



  1. 7.Friday, October 26-Arrive Messina, Sicily at 9 AM. Delight in Messina's breathtaking coastal scenery while visiting two charming Sicilian fishing villages before exploring the city's history among stunning cathedrals and notable museums. Travel along Sicily's northern coast while admiring dazzling cobalt waters and shoreline vistas atop Cape Peloro. See the mussel-growing lakes and quaint seaside villas of Ganzirri and Faro, then visit Messina's Norman Cathedral, with its bell tower astronomical clock, as well as the nearby grandiose Orion fountain. Depart Messina at 6 PM. PHOTOS



  1. 8.Saturday, October 27-Arrive Valletta, Malta at 9 AM. Spend the day discovering Malta’s long history on a combined walking and bus tour that encompasses the Baroque grandeur of Valletta; medieval Mdina, the country’s former capital; and three Neolithic temples older than Egypt’s pyramids. Marvel at palaces, gardens and churches. Enjoy a delicious lunch at a resort. Plus enjoy free time at Mdina Glass and the Gold Market, to watch local artisans demonstrate the art of glass-blowing. Depart Valletta at 8 PM. PHOTOS



  1. 9.Sunday, October 28-At sea.



  1. 10.Monday, October 29-Arrive Palma De Mallorca, Spain at 7 AM. Discover spectacular scenic views and gothic architecture on the city of Palma, Majorca in a small group. Get a panoramic view of the city and harbor atop Bellver Castle, a restored royal stronghold, and Europe's first circular castle, resting on a 370-foot hill. Marvel at the dominating spires of Gothic 13th Century Le Seu Cathedral, and stroll its splendid grounds. The final stop is Palma's bullring, perfectly constructed with four main boxes oriented to the cardinal points.  Depart Palma De Mallorca at 5 PM. PHOTOS



  1. 11.Tuesday, October 30-Arrive Barcelona at 7 AM. Explore Barcelona’s rich art history on a half-day tour, to view architectural gems, roam the Gothic Quarter and browse around the renowned Picasso Museum. Travel past famous Passeig de Gracia avenue alongside a knowledgeable guide and admire architect Antoni Gaudi’s stunning Sagrada Familia masterpiece. Tour the stunning 13th-century Barcelona Cathedral and rove historic Gothic Quarter streets. Comb the Picasso Museum’s comprehensive collection of impressive cubist works by the famous Spanish artist. PHOTOS



  1. 12.Wednesday, October 31-Leave Barcelona at 6 PM.



  1. 13.Thursday, November 1-Arrive Marseille (Provence), France at 8 AM. After a one hour drive to Aix-en-Provence, briefly tour the city.  Attend All Saints Day Mass at the cathedral with the bishop and choir. Depart Marseille at 6 PM. PHOTOS



  1. 14.Friday, November 2-Arrive Sète at 8 AM. Meet gourmet walking tour of Sète at 9 AM. Depart Sète at 5 PM. PHOTOS



  1. 15.Saturday, November 3-Arrive Nice (Villefranche), France at 7 AM. Meet walking tour of Nice Old Town at 9:30 AM. Depart Nice at 6 PM. PHOTOS



  1. 16.Sunday, November 4-At sea



  1. 17.Monday, November 5-Arrive Rome (Civitavecchia) at 5 AM and disembark. Lunch at Ristorante Alfredo alla Scrofa, the restaurant where Fettuccine Alfredo originated. Eat again with the golden flatware sent to the restaurant by Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks in 1927 in appreciation after they sampled the fettuccine. Eating again with the golden flatware duplicated an experience we had at the restaurant forty years earlier in 1978. Hilton Hotel, Rome Fiumicino Airport. PHOTOS



  1. 18.Tuesday, November 6-Depart Rome Fiumicino Airport at 2:05 PM on British Airways Flt 555 (Airbus 321, Business Class) for London Heathrow. Arrive London at 3:50 PM (892 miles). Heathrow Sofitel Hotel.



  1. 19.Wednesday, November 7-Depart London Heathrow at 11:30 AM on British Airways Flt 217 (Boeing 747, Business Class) for Washington Dulles.  Arrive Washington at 2:55 PM (3,671 miles).





Itinerary  (Fall, 2018)         

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Mediterranean Cruise 2018