Day 1 – May 16, 2018
Afternoon departure from Toronto to Venice
Day 2 – May 17, 2018
Late morning arrival in Venice. Upon arrival we visit Padua, the city of St. Anthony, where we celebrate Mass in the basilica dedicated to him. Transfer to our hotel, dinner and overnight.
Day 3 – May 18, 2018
Full day in Venice. We relish the sights and sounds of this serene city including canal cruise by motor launch to St. Mark’s Square. We view the bridge of Sighs and Doge’s Palace. Mass in the Basilica of St. Mark’s. Then some free time for shopping before our return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 4 – May 19, 2018
Today we travel to Siena. Upon arrival our tour of Siena will take us to the old city, Piazza del Campo and Duomo. Mass, dinner and overnight.
Day 5 – May 20, 2018
After breakfast we are transferred to the port of Civitaveccia where we board the cruise ship. Dinner on board.
Day 6 – May 21, 2018
Morning arrival in Messina, a gateway to the island of Sicily. Our tour takes us to Taormina founded 400 BC and beautifully located overlooking the sea. We see the Greek theatre and the sub-tropical terraced gardens before strolling along the elegant Corso Umberto to the Piazza for splendid views across the bay to the Ionian Sea. Return to our cruise ship to dinner and overnight.
Day 7 – May 22, 2018
Full day at sea. Time for rest and relax. Enjoy a beautiful warm day swimming, sun tanning or simply relaxing.
Day 8 – May 23, 2018
Morning arrival in enchanting island of Mykonos in Greece. Stroll through the narrow streets, visit cafes and do some shopping. In the afternoon return to the ship for dinner and overnight.
Day 9 – May 24, 2018
We arrive at Kusadasi in Turkey and visit Ephesus, where St. Paul lived for some years. We enter through Magnesian Gate and discover numerous monuments such as the Forum, the Odeon, the Library of Celsus, the thermal baths of Scolastica and the Great Theater of Antiquity. We also visit the house of Mary, where according to St. John’s tradition she was brought after the death of Christ. Return to our ship for dinner and overnight.
Day 10 – May 25, 2018
This morning we arrive at Santorini Island, site of ancient volcanic eruption. We explore beautiful villages, with low-lying cubical houses, made of local stone and whitewashed or lime-washed with various volcanic ashes used as colors. Dinner and overnight on the ship
Day 11 – May 26, 2018
Early morning we arrive in port of Piraeus in the suburbs of Athens. Our tour takes us to the Acropolis, the Olympic stadium, the Temple of Zeus and Hadrian’s Arch and other memorials. In the afternoon free time for last minute shopping. Dinner and overnight.
Day 12 – May 27, 2018
Today we arrive in Chania, an ancient port on Crete’s north coast. You can spend some time walking on delightful narrow streets of Byzantine, Venetian and Turkish architecture. Dinner and overnight on the ship
Day 13 – May 28, 2018
Today we spend another day at sea relaxing and remembering the beautiful places we have just visited.
Day 14 – May 29, 2018
This morning we arrive in Naples. We go on a tour to enchanting Sorrento and we visit Pompeii, site of catastrophic volcano eruption in 79 AD. Return to our ship for dinner and overnight.
Day 15 – May 30, 2018
Early morning we arrive at our last destination – port of Civitavecchia. We are transferred to Rome for a panoramic tour of the city to include views the Coliseum, Forum Romanum and Trevi fountain We also visit St. Peter’s Basilica and Square. Mass and some free time in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight.
Day 15 – May 31, 2018
After breakfast we are transferred to the airport for a flight to Toronto. Afternoon arrival
** THE ITINERARY IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND MAY VARY IN THE ORDER YOU VISIT**
***HOTELS AS LISTED OR SIMILAR***