ms Nieuw Amsterdam sailing on September 24th, 2013

About Venice

Venice is the essence of romance. Along the Grand Canal, the city's "main street," you will see row upon row of Gothic-Renaissance homes and palaces. Most are hundreds of years old and house priceless works of art. Dozens of delicate bridges lead the visitor from one wonder to the next: The Basilica of St Mark, the Palace of the Doges, and the remarkable collection of modern art assembled by Peggy Guggenheim in the Palazzo Venier dei Leoni.

Venice Attractions

Probably the most famous site in Venice is St. Mark's Basilica. Built to enshrine St. Mark's body in the 9th century, it was rebuilt in the 11th century with a new, spectacular edifice. The interior is clad in wonderful mosaics and holds statues, icons and its famous horses, brought to St. Mark's after the 4th Crusade in 1204.

Venice Activities

• Explore the Doge's Palace, the official residence of the Venetian ruler, founded in the 9th century. See its famous Bridge of Sighs, linking the palace to the state prisons
• Take a walking tour through the quaint cobblestone streets and across the endless Venetian bridges to discover the intimate details that make Venice so unique.
• Enjoy a gondola ride through the canals as you relax and absorb the surroundings
• Campanile is the brick bell tower that stands in Piazza San Marco. The present structure is a reconstruction of the original, which stood for 1,000 years before it collapsed in 1912. An elevator can be taken to the top, affording views of the Lido, the lagoon and even as far as the Alps on a clear day.
• Art lovers will not want to miss this magnificent museum, Galleria dell’Accademia. It boasts the most extraordinary collection of Venetian art. In addition to priceless masterpieces by Giovanni Bellini, Paolo Veronese and Titian, there are paintings of 15th- and 16th-century Venice that show how amazingly little the city has changed since then. The Accademia is open every day of the week, but usually requires standing in line to enter.

About Venice

Venice is the essence of romance. Along the Grand Canal, the city's "main street," you will see row upon row of Gothic-Renaissance homes and palaces. Most are hundreds of years old and house priceless works of art. Dozens of delicate bridges lead the visitor from one wonder to the next: The Basilica of St Mark, the Palace of the Doges, and the remarkable collection of modern art assembled by Peggy Guggenheim in the Palazzo Venier dei Leoni.

Venice Attractions

Probably the most famous site in Venice is St. Mark's Basilica. Built to enshrine St. Mark's body in the 9th century, it was rebuilt in the 11th century with a new, spectacular edifice. The interior is clad in wonderful mosaics and holds statues, icons and its famous horses, brought to St. Mark's after the 4th Crusade in 1204.

Venice Activities

• Explore the Doge's Palace, the official residence of the Venetian ruler, founded in the 9th century. See its famous Bridge of Sighs, linking the palace to the state prisons
• Take a walking tour through the quaint cobblestone streets and across the endless Venetian bridges to discover the intimate details that make Venice so unique.
• Enjoy a gondola ride through the canals as you relax and absorb the surroundings
• Campanile is the brick bell tower that stands in Piazza San Marco. The present structure is a reconstruction of the original, which stood for 1,000 years before it collapsed in 1912. An elevator can be taken to the top, affording views of the Lido, the lagoon and even as far as the Alps on a clear day.
• Art lovers will not want to miss this magnificent museum, Galleria dell’Accademia. It boasts the most extraordinary collection of Venetian art. In addition to priceless masterpieces by Giovanni Bellini, Paolo Veronese and Titian, there are paintings of 15th- and 16th-century Venice that show how amazingly little the city has changed since then. The Accademia is open every day of the week, but usually requires standing in line to enter.

About Dubrovnik

This remarkable city on the Adriatic coast is an enduring example of strength and beauty. Dubrovnik is once again welcoming visitors, who are delighted to discover that it is still one of the finest examples of a walled medieval city.

Dubrovnik Attractions

The old city of Dubrovnik and the walls that surround it have been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Portions of the wall date back to the 13th century. The ramparts are intact and encircle the old city with a circumference of more than 1.5 miles. Don't miss the chance to take a walking tour along its length for a spectacular view of the city it surrounds.

Dubrovnik Activities

• Drive along the coastline to one of the finest botanical gardens in Croatia, the Arboretum.
• Spend the day touring the city's rich religious and cultural history. Visit the large Onofrio Fountain, the Franciscan Monastery, and the Rectors' Palace.
• Visit Lopud Island, the home of many great sailors and sea captains throughout history. With its mild climate, subtropical vegetation, charming footpaths, beautiful scenery, and sandy beaches, it is the perfect spot to relax.
• Visit the 15th-century Rectors' Palace that was once the seat of Dubrovnik's Republic government. The elected Rector was not permitted to leave this building during his one-month term without permission from the Senate. Today, the palace is a museum with furnished rooms, Baroque paintings, and historical exhibits that will give you a taste of how the ruling class and the aristocracy used to live in Dubrovnik.
• Take a side trip to the seaside resort of Cavtat. The original town grew up around the ruins of an ancient settlement by the Greeks from Epidaurus. Over the years, Cavtat has become a popular destination for yachting and sailing enthusiasts.

About Kotor

Montenegro is a country with deep blue sea, crystal clear rivers, mountains that reach the sky, dense forests, and beautiful lakes. It is bordered on the southeast by Albania. On the south, it is separated from Italy by the Adriatic Sea. Its western neighbors are the former Yugoslav republics of Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The old town of Kotor is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in this area of the Mediterranean. It has succeeded in maintaining its original form, typical of towns from the 12th-14th centuries. The only car in the old walled section is a replica of a small Fiat Cinquecento with a mini-trailer, used to collect the trash. The narrow streets and squares, along with numerous medieval monuments, helped earn Kotor a place on UNESCO's World Heritage list.

About Corfu

Regarded by many as the most distinctive of the Greek Isles because of its lush vegetation, hidden beaches, and near-mountainous scenery, Corfu has always attracted visitors - Venetians, Gauls, Austrians, and the British, who introduced cricket here. Shop for silver in the old Venetian quarter of Kerkyra, in main town, or visit the beach at Paleokastritsa and see if you agree that it is indeed the loveliest in the Mediterranean.

Corfu Attractions

Don't miss this opportunity to tour the Achilleion Palace, built by the Empress Elizabeth of Austria in 1891. View her breathtaking gardens as well as a spectacular panoramic view of the Ionian Sea. The Achilleion Palace also houses the Terrace of the Muses, which was built as a tribute to the nine muses of Greek mythology.

Corfu Activities

• Go off-roading to see Corfu's beautiful landscape up close.
• Take a scenic drive through the wonderful Corfiot countryside, full of olive groves, pine, cypress, lemon and orange trees.
• Hike to the top of Mount Pantokrator where you'll get a perfect view of Corfu's lush greenery and memorable views firsthand.

About At Sea

Relax and enjoy your vacation onboard your ship. You can do as much or as little as you want.

About Naples

Naples the diva of Italy. Voluptuous, vivacious and vibrantly alive. All the marvelous sights, scents and sounds of Southern Italy are here. It's where pasta was invented and where the first pizza was tossed. And in the ashen ruins of Pompeii, see where ancient Romans came to play, only to be lost under Vesuvius fire and fury.

Naples Attractions

While you're in the area, you'll want to visit Pompeii, one of the most famous excavation sites in the world. A thriving city 1,900 years ago, it was devastated by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D. when 30 feet of volcanic ash and pumice stone covered it. Enter Pompeii by the sea gate and take a short walk to the hub of the city: the Forum. View the lavish temples and porticoes that lay beneath the ash for centuries.

Naples Activities

• Take a short boat trip to the entrancing Isle of Capri, and explore Capri Town. Wander its quaint streets and explore its shops and cafés. Discover the Gardens of Augustus, overlooking the famous Faraglioni of Capri and Marina Piccola.
• Take a ride up the Amalfi Coast. With its ocean views and beautiful vistas, it's one of the most breathtaking stretches of road in the world.
• Walk around and spend an afternoon getting to know the picturesque city of Naples.

About Civitavecchia

For centuries the ancient port of Civitavecchia has served as the gateway to magnificent Rome. Its a city so immersed in history, you'll find yourself drifiting back to a distant time. Home of Michelangelos Sistine Chapel, Rome flourishes today as she did in her Golden Age. Experience Rome, a city of colossal ruins, majestic cathedrals and a golden past, worthy of many return visits.

Civitavecchia Attractions

Experience the history of Rome as you wander around the Colosseum and Roman Forum.

Civitavecchia Activities

• Explore the amazing history and culture of Rome. Stop at the Ara Pacis, or Altar of Peace, a Roman sacrificial altar enclosed in a screen of Parian marble.
• Visit the Vatican Museum, where you can walk through the many rooms that house the largest art collection in the world.
• Travel through magnificent St. Peter's Basilica, the largest church in the world.
• View the Sistine Chapel, a masterpiece of Renaissance art, the ceiling of which was painted by Michelangelo.
• Toss a coin in the famous Trevi Fountain - a way to ensure that you'll always return to Rome.

About Livorno ( Florence,Pisa)

The birthplace of the artist Modigliani, this is Tuscanys principal port, just a short jaunt from the artistic treasures of Florence. As you wander the streets and piazzas of this famous city you will encounter countless treasrues of Renaissance art and architecture.

Livorno ( Florence,Pisa) Attractions

When you're in the area, you'll definitely want to explore Florence, one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Start by visiting the church of Santa Croce, known as Italy's Westminster Abbey because of the Italian monarchy buried there. View the 14th-century interior and marvel at one of the finest examples of Florentine Gothic decoration. Stop at the Piazza del Duomo in Florence, where the cathedral, bell tower and baptistery share the same square. Then stop in the Piazza della Signoria, the city's largest square, and gaze upon a copy of Michelangelo's David and the Loggia dei Lanzi.

Livorno ( Florence,Pisa) Activities

• Shop for souvenirs at the famed Ponte Vecchio in Florence.
• Explore the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, home to works by Giotto, Botticelli, Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael and Rubens.
• Visit the Field of Miracles in Pisa, and discover one of the world's most amazing sights - the Campanile, or Leaning Tower. Learn the fascinating details about this famous bell tower, such as how it leans a bit more every year and has now reached over 14 feet out of perpendicular.
• Take a scenic drive through the Tuscan countryside, enjoying its soft, rounded hills, the medieval architecture of its villages and the silver green of the olive trees mingling with the dark-green of the cypress trees. Stop in a local winery to sample some of its delicious product.

About Monte Carlo

The jewel of the French Riviera a fitting destination and one sure to please. You'll be dazzled by Monte Carlos elaborate casinos, the famous wine cellars of the Hotel de Paris and the Ephrussi-de-Rothschild Museum with its XV and XIX century treasures. An exciting stop at one of the worlds most enticing and alluring playgrounds.

Monte Carlo Attractions

Monaco-Ville comprises the old town and holds the seat of Monaco’s government. Narrow streets lead to the Prince’s Palace dominating the rocky peninsula. Other attractions include the 19th-century cathedral, the Parliament building and the Oceanographic Museum operated under the auspices of the Jacques Cousteau Society. Most of the sites in Monaco-Ville and Monte Carlo have to be seen on foot.

Monte Carlo Activities

• Open year round, the Exotic Garden and the Observatory Cave offers amazing plants in a magnificient setting. An Eden for a variety of "succulent" plants landscaped onto a rock face, the garden offers a splendid panoramic view of the Principality of Monaco, as well as of the French and Italian Rivieras.
• At the elegant, baroque Monte-Carlo Casino try your luck in the elegant European Rooms - slots in the Salle Blanche, roulette and trente et quarante in the Salle Europe, chemin de fer and banques à deux tableaux and pai gow poker in the Salon Privés (high rollers only). Craps and blackjack, if that's your passion, the American Room.
• Fort Antoine Theater is a marvelous outdoor theater with a capacity of some 350 spectators in tiered seating built in a semi-circle. In this enchanting setting, high quality performances are given during the summer season.
• Inaugurated in 1910 by its founder, Prince Albert I, the Oceanographic Museum & Aquarium is a monumental architectural masterpiece with a grandiose façade rising sheer above the sea to a height of 279 feet. Visitors can enjoy the spectacular delights of the world-famous aquarium with its extraordinary show of marine flora and fauna.
• The magnificient Fontvieille Park covers an area of nearly 4 hectares and contains a multitude of green plants and shrubs from all over the world, planted around a charming little fresh-water pond inhabited by ducks and swans
• Situated on the Rue Basse the Wax Museum of the Princes of Monaco depicts historical episodes in the Grimaldi dynasty from the late XIII century to the present day. The wax figures are life-size, and many of them wear authentic period costumes.

About Marseilles

Founded nearly 26 centuries ago, Marseilles is the oldest city in France, a mosaic of old and new with a dozen villages and eight islands, each offering a world of enchanting discoveries. At nearby Avignon, visit the magmificient Palace of the Popes and the hilltop Basilica Notre Dame de la Garde. Explore ruins of 13th century Palais Longchamps and colorful "Old Harbour" where you can browse open-air markets.

Marseilles Attractions

For the best view of the city, there's only one place to go: Notre Dame de la Garde. Entirely covered in gold leaf, it towers over Marseille at an impressive 500 feet tall (154 meters.) Throughout the years, it has served as a lookout post, a military zone and a place of worship.

Marseilles Activities

• Stroll around the Old Port, or Vieux Port as the locals say, which was once known as the gateway to the Mediterranean. Here you'll find the popular theatre, Théâtre National de la Criée, as well as many cafés and restaurants lining the streets.
• See the amazing history of the city - 26 centuries worth - at Musée d'Histoire de Marseille.
• Walk through Cours Julien, a pedestrian square with a beautiful water garden and fountain, as well as trendy shops, cafés and theatres.
• Visit Le Prado south of the city where you'll find Parc Borély, a magnificent city park with numerous ponds, a botanical garden and a greenhouse.

About Barcelona

Founded by Romans in the first century BC, Barcelona is the vibrant capital of Catalonian Spain. Many of the worlds finest treasures can be seen in Barcelonas museums and monuments. Romanesque and Gothic frescoes and treasures can be enjoyed at the Catalan Art Museum. Among the most treasured sites is Gaudis masterpiece, The Sagrada Familia.

Barcelona Attractions

While you're in Barcelona, don't miss the Picasso Gallery. Several adjoining 15th-century palaces house a huge collection (over 2,000 pieces) of Picasso's work.

Barcelona Activities

• Stroll along Las Ramblas, a wonderfully vibrant part of the city where street vendors and performers vie for your attention.
• Explore the many churches and cathedrals of Barcelona and discover the city's modernist architecture along Paseo de Gracia.
• Visit Antoni Gaudí's unfinished Segrada Familia. With eight soaring spires and a spectacular main façade, this cathedral is a true architectural masterpiece.

About Barcelona

Founded by Romans in the first century BC, Barcelona is the vibrant capital of Catalonian Spain. Many of the worlds finest treasures can be seen in Barcelonas museums and monuments. Romanesque and Gothic frescoes and treasures can be enjoyed at the Catalan Art Museum. Among the most treasured sites is Gaudis masterpiece, The Sagrada Familia.

Barcelona Attractions

While you're in Barcelona, don't miss the Picasso Gallery. Several adjoining 15th-century palaces house a huge collection (over 2,000 pieces) of Picasso's work.

Barcelona Activities

• Stroll along Las Ramblas, a wonderfully vibrant part of the city where street vendors and performers vie for your attention.
• Explore the many churches and cathedrals of Barcelona and discover the city's modernist architecture along Paseo de Gracia.
• Visit Antoni Gaudí's unfinished Segrada Familia. With eight soaring spires and a spectacular main façade, this cathedral is a true architectural masterpiece.