COUNTRY ROADS OF SOUTHERN ITALY,
 SICILY, MALTA & MEDITERRANEAN CRUISE

Tour Departs:  9 June 2012    •    Tour Length:   26 or 37 Days

Overview:
There is so much more to Italy than just Rome and points north. The southern region is a treasure trove of surprises with some of the finest scenery in Italy -  spectacular coastlines, quiet country roads and isolated villages, fabulous island and coastal resorts, rolling hills and tranquil meadows. The region also boasts a history which is as varied as it is different from other parts of Italy and the people exhibit their own individuality that sets them apart. Here, the people truly do enjoy “la dolce vita”. Our relaxed-pace coach tour encompasses southern mainland Italy as well as the island of Sicily. We also visit the island state of Malta, once ruled by the Knights of the order of St John. Its concentrated history, architecture and wonderful Mediterranean climate is a delight to experience.
At the conclusion of the coach tour, we return to Rome where travellers can either choose to return home or enjoy an 11 night cruise of the Eastern Mediterranean and Turkey. Sit back and be pampered in luxury – a great way to finish the tour.

Tour Highlights:
• Rome, the “eternal city”, Vatican and Sistine Chapel
• Monte Cassino, the Benedictine Abbey and the war cemetery
• Amalfi Coast with its dramatic and magical landscape
• Isle of Capri, stunningly beautiful and a magnet for the “stars”
• Naples, a mixture of excitement, modern chaos and ancient history
• Sicily – Giardni Naxos, the capital of Palermo, Arigento
• Valleta, the Maltese capital and World Heritage City
• Mdina, the fortified city, the “Blue Grotto”,the fishing village of Marsaxlokk

Cruise Highlights:
• Enjoy 5 star luxury aboard “Celebrity Equinox”
• All staterooms with private balcony
• Visiting Santorini, Istanbul, Ephesus, Athens, Mykonos

Tour Costs:
26 Day Tour (without Cruise)
Share Twin Room                                  NZD   15,280.00     AUD   12,900.00
Supplement for Single Room                   NZD     2,250.00     AUD     1,800.00

37 Day Tour (including Cruise)
Share Twin Room/Stateroom                  NZD   19,250.00     AUD   16,155.00
Supplement for Single Room/Stateroom   NZD     5,250.00     AUD     4,200.00

Costs Include:
• Economy Class airfares from Auckland, Melbourne or Sydney. Cost to upgrade to Business Class available on request
• Prepaid government and airport taxes, security and fuel surcharges as at 01.09.11
• First Class/Superior grade accommodation throughout
• Deluxe ocean view staterooms with private balcony on “Celebrity Equinox”
• First Class air-conditioned coach transportation
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary (B=breakfast, L= lunch, D= dinner)
• Sightseeing and entrance fees as indicated in the itinerary
• Services of European Tour Director and local guides for touring and sightseeing
• Baggage handling of 1 suitcase per person
• All tips and gratuities to coach drivers, guides and cruise staff
• Fully escorted by a Mahers’ tour escort

Costs Exclude:
• Any meals and sightseeing not specifically mentioned in the itinerary
• Travel insurance – advice and assistance offered
• Items of a personal nature such as drinks, room service, laundry, telephone calls etc

 Important – Cancellation Conditions: Due to the cruise content of this tour, we must vary our standard payment and cancellation conditions. These will be detailed in our written confirmation of your booking. Travel insurance will also be offered at this time.

DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY

Saturday 9 June:
Home – Hong Kong
Early this afternoon, join your flight from Auckland, Melbourne or Sydney to Hong Kong. On arrival into Hong Kong this evening, you are met and transferred to your hotel for our 2 night stay. 

Sunday 10 June:
Hong Kong (B)
This morning we enjoy a sightseeing tour of Hong Kong Island. We take the tram to Victoria Peak for panoramic views over Hong Kong. Then visit Repulse Bay and the fishing village of Aberdeen for a short cruise around the harbour by sampan. We conclude with a visit to Stanley Markets. The afternoon is at leisure.

Monday 11 June:
Hong Kong – Rome (B)
Today is free to explore/shop on your own. Hotel rooms held for a late checkout before we are transferred back to the Airport in time to join the overnight flight to Rome.

Tuesday 12 June:
Rome (D)
Welcome to the “eternal” city of Rome. Few cities have had such an influence on the world as Rome and it remains a city of tremendous historical significance.  On arrival in the early morning we are met and transferred to our hotel for a 3 night stay.  The remainder of the day is at leisure to rest and relax after the journey from home. This evening we get together for dinner in the hotel. 

Wednesday 13 June:
Rome (B,D)
This morning we embark on a full day sightseeing tour of Rome. We visit the Vatican and its museums and marvel at the beauty of Michelangelo’s ceiling in the Sistine Chapel before visiting St Peter’s Basilica. In the afternoon we discover Imperial Rome with an absolute treasure-trove of historical sites, monuments and works of art - we see the Collosseum, Roman Forum, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Piazza Navona, Palatine Hill and Circus Maximus. 

Thursday 14 June:
Rome (B,L)
And now for something totally different today. The Italian’s love their food – for them it is one of the pleasures of life and a meal is an “event” and a very social occasion. This morning, we transfer to Ristorante La Carovana for a cooking class – a chance to learn about the delights of Italian food and its preparation, and afterwards enjoy a 4 course lunch.

Friday 15 June:
Rome – Cassino – Positano (B,D)
Leaving Rome, we drive through the picturesque region of Castelli Romani, before arriving at Cassino where a narrow winding road takes us up to visit the Benedictine Abbey of Montecassino dating back to the 6^th century and fully rebuilt after its destruction during WWII.  We also visit the Commonwealth War Cemetery before continuing our southern journey driving around the Bay of Naples and the Sorrento Peninsula to the elegant resort of Positano for a 2 night stay.

Saturday 16 June:
Amalfi Coast (B,D)
On today’s excursion, sit back and enjoy the dramatic scenery of the Amalfi Coast. Villages impossibly perched between crags, ancient terraced farming of abundant citrus groves, the incomparably beautiful village of Ravello where we visit the gardens of Villa Rufolo, once home to the powerful Rufolo family, Amalfi town for a leisurely stroll through the ancient streets. 

Sunday 17 June:
Positano – Isle of Capri (B,D)
We cruise to the “Isle of Dreams”, the sun drenched Island of Capri.  Arrive at Marina Grande and transfer to Anacapri for a 2 night stay.  Enjoy its discreet charm. Everywhere there is something to capture your gaze, whether it be the unsurpassed views of the sparkling waters of the Mediterranean or the little white house of the historical centre.

Monday 18 June:
Capri, Isle of Dreams (B)
This morning, we meet our guide and visit Capri town. Descend by funicular to the harbour and, weather permitting, we may take the short cruise to the amazing Blue Grotto, its interior walls made blue by sunlight, lighting the azure waters. The remainder of the day is free to enjoy the vistas and atmosphere. This evening, after the day trippers have returned to the mainland, it is ours to enjoy and why not do as the Italians do and work up an appetite on a traditional evening stroll (passeggiata) before dining at a local restaurant.

Tuesday 19 June:
Capri – Pompeii -Naples (B,D)
This morning, we return by ferry to Naples and continue to the ruins of Pompeii buried in 79AD by an eruption of Mt Vesuvius. Once the resort town for wealthy Romans, today you can still walk the roads filled with impressive temples, a forum and amphitheatre. Tonight we stay in Naples.

Wednesday 20 June:
Naples – Alberobello (B,D)
We follow the scenic route across the Appenine Mountains towards the Adriatic Coast.  Our  destination is the town of Alberobello in a region known for its strange white unique “Trulli” houses. On arrival we settle in for a 2 night stay in this small town.

Thursday 21 June:
Alberobello – Matera, Castellaneta Excursion Italy (B)
Firstly, we explore Alberobello with its strange white “Trulli” buildings spread out over the hillside.  Trulli are circular structures with conical roofs and domed within, built with local limestone without any mortar.  This afternoon continue along the local roads to Matera to see the extraordinary “sassi” or cave dwellings which were once home to more than 15,000 people.  Walk along the time worn stone streets to the simple white houses and churches dug out of the rock.  Return via. Castellaneta situated on ‘Gravina Grande.” A chance to dine out tonight and sample the local food at your leisure.

Friday 22 June:
Alberobello - Giardini Naxos, Sicily (B,D)
Following the shores of the Gulf of Taranto, we travel the gorgeous mountainous region of Calabria, favourite holiday destination for the Italians.  We continue around the purple coast at the toe of Italy to Villa San Giovanni where we join the ferry for the short crossing to Messina. We enjoy a relaxing 2 night stay at the beautiful seaside resort of Giardini Naxos.

Saturday 23 June:
Taormina Excursion (Sicily) (B,D)
This morning, we visit Toarmina founded 400BC.  This lovely little coastal town is located on the hillside offering sweeping views of the bays below and also of Mt Etna. Churchill described it as the prettiest place on earth. Visit the sub tropical terraced gardens before strolling along elegant Corso Umberto to Piazza 9 Aprile for splendid views across the bay to the Ionian Sea.

Sunday 24 June:
Cefalu, Sicily (B,D)
We make our way westward along the pretty northern coastline to the town of Cefalu, one of the Mediterranean's undiscovered jewels. The epitome of picturesque grandeur. Cefalu has a beach, winding, narrow, medieval streets, and delightful restaurants overlooking a rocky coast, all under the ever present gaze of the Norman-Arab-Byzantine cathedral, one of the greatest churches of southern Europe. There will be time this afternoon to relax and just enjoy this delightful town. 

Monday 25 June:
Cefalu – Palermo, Sicily (B,D)
We continue our Sicilian odyssey as we make our way to the vibrant city of Palermo for a 2 night stay. With its fabulous and eclectic mix of styles and flavours from every era and a history dating back 2800 years, Palermo has been conquered by countless forces including Greeks, Byzantines, Normans and Austrians making for a cultural smorgasbord.

Tuesday 26 June:
Palermo – Monreale – Palermo (B,D)
During our full day tour, we see the highlights of Palermo exhibiting a range of architecture  from different periods and different rulers.The Quattro Canti is the historic centre where the four city districts merge. The Chiesa di Santa Caterina and the Palazzo del Municipio are striking examples of baroque domes. In the afternoon, we take a drive out to Monreale, overlooking Palermo. The town straddles a slope of Mount Caputo about eight kilometers south of Palermo's cathedral. Set at about three hundred metres above sea level, the town overlooks the "Conca d'Oro," as the valley beyond Palermo is known. No extended visit of Palermo is truly complete without a visit to Monreale.

Wednesday 27 June:
Palermo – Erice – Arigento (B,D)
Today we leave the capital of Sicily behind to explore the many and varied delights of the island.  Heading west to the ancient walled city of Erice with its quiet alleyways, enjoy views from the gardens next to the Castle of Venus.  On a clear day you can see the Tunisian Coast.  We continue on to Agrigento and visit the Valley of the Temples, one of the greatest legacies of ancient Greece, then its on to Ragusa for our overnight stay.

Thursday 28 June:
Ragusa – Pozzallo – Valletta, Malta (B,D)
In the morning transfer to Pozzallo where we join the fast ferry to Malta. On arrival transfer to our centrally located hotel in Valletta and there is free time to relax with the remainder of the day at leisure. From the Romans to the Saracens, then to the Normans, on to The Knights of the Order of St John, the French and the English - many nations have had a hand in forging what we see now as Malta.This evening, we are joined by our local host who will brief us on the programme of our stay on Malta before dinner at the hotel.

Friday 29 June:
Valletta – Mdina (B)
This morning, we enjoy the sights of Valletta. We see the Barakka Gardens overlooking the Grand Harbour, St John’s Cathedral, the Magisterial Palace containing examples of medieval weapons used by the Knights of St John. In the afternoon, we visit Mdina, the ancient capital. The city is full of architectural wonders beginning with the classic arch at the entrance to the town. Its history dates back to the Phoenicians and even St Paul spent time here after being shipwrecked in 60AD.

Saturday 30 June:
Malta – Blue Grotto – the Southern Island (B,D)
We take in the awesome splendours of the impressive Blue Grotto, a cathedral in stone with nature as its architect.  The Blue Grotto is famous for its crystal clear water with beautiful colours going from light blue to deep blue, green and even red.  The main fishing village Marsaxlokk is a colourful town with dwellings painted in traditional reds, blues and yellows, situated in the tranquillity of a peaceful bay.  Time to browse the local markets before returning to our hotel for a farewell dinner.

Sunday 1 July:
Malta – Rome (B,D)
Today we leave Malta with memories and highlight of a superb stay, an hospitable island of colours and contrasts.  We are transferred to the airport to join the short flight to Rome where we are met and transferred to our hotel for a final night’s stay. The afternoon is free for your own pursuits.  This evening we enjoy dinner together.

EXCLUDING CRUISE TOUR
Monday 2 July:
Rome – Hong Kong(B)
Late this morning, transfer to the airport in time to join the flight to Hong Kong

Tuesday 3 July:
Hong Kong – Home
Arrive Hong Kong early morning. Hotel rooms have been reserved near the airport to allow you to rest up and relax before continuing your homeward journey on overnight flights to Auckland, Melbourne and Sydney 

Wednesday 4 July:                 
Arrive Home this morning

INCLUDING CRUISE TOUR
Monday 02 July:
Commence Cruise (B,D)
This morning is free.  In the early afternoon we are transferred to the port of Rome at Civitavecchia where we board our luxury home the ‘Celebrity Equinox’ for the next 12 days on our Eastern Mediterranean Cruise. All staterooms have a private outside verandah. 

Tuesday 3 July:
At Sea (B,L,D)
A full day at sea today. A chance to relax and settle into shipboard life; take part in some of the activities as advised in your daily cruise newsletter or just spend some time on deck, watching the world go by as we cruise towards the Greek Islands.

Wednesday 4 July:
Santorini, Greek Islands (B,L,D)
We are greeted by the beautiful sight of white washed houses perched atop the steep cliffs that are a signature “dish” of this magical place.  The azure waters of the Agean have served as creative inspiration and the light is so bright and clear that it is a photographers dream.

Thursday 5 July:
At Sea (B,L,D)
Enjoy a relaxing day and all the facilities your floating resort has to offer.

Friday 6 July:
Istanbul (B,L,D)
Exotic Istanbul.  We arrive early morning and spend the day and night in this unique place – the only city on earth that embraces two continents, Europe and Asia Minor. There is simply so much to see and do – take a cruise of the Bosphorus; visit the Blue Mosque visit Topkapi Palace, home to the treasures of the Ottoman Empire’; visit the Grand Bazaar, the world’s oldest and largest covered market with over 1200 shops.  We are sure you will enjoy your time in Istanbul.

Saturday 7 July:
Istanbul (B,L,D)
We have this morning in Istanbul, there is just so much to see and enjoy in this melting pot of cultures, where East meets West.  Our ship departs early afternoon.

Sunday 8 July:
Kusadasi – Ephesus (B,L,D)
Arrive at Kusadasi, renowned as one of the most beautiful cities along the Agean and the opportunity to visit Ephesus, one of the wonders of the world and the Eastern Mediterranean’s best preserved classical cities as well as being one of the great cities of the Greeks in Asia Minor.  It is also a sacred site for Christians, due to its association with St. John and the Virgin Mary.

Monday 9 July:
Athens (B,L,D)
An early morning arrival into the port of Piraeus means we have the full day available in Athens and time to explore the city with a history dating back almost 3,400 years.  See the ruins of the Pathernon atop the ancient Acropolis, feel the excitement of the central city or just stroll in the footsteps of Socrates, Plato and Aristotle in this the cradle of civilization.

Tuesday 10 July:
Mykonos, Greek Islands (B,L,D)
Few places in the world compare with Mykonos.  Here you will find whitewashed houses clinging to cliffs against a backdrop of indescribably blue sea. There are 365 chapels dotted around the island named after different saints covering each day of the year.  Follow a maze of tiny streets with a surprise around every corner, or see the mythical birthplace of Apollo.

Wednesday 11 July:
At Sea (B,L,D)
Our last full day at sea - seize the moment and enjoy the many amenities the ship has to offer.

Thursday 12 July:
Naples, Italy (B,L,D)
A return visit – this time by sea. Naples has spectacular scenery that attracts artists from around the world.  Take time to do the things you weren’t able to do on your first visit.

Friday 13 July:
Rome – Hong Kong (B)
Early morning sees our return to Civitavecchia, the port of Rome with reflection on memories and highlights of this beautiful cruise.  We say “farewell” to Rome as we are transferred to the airport to join the overnight flight to Hong Kong.

Saturday 14 July:
Hong Kong – Home
Arrive Hong Kong early morning. Hotel rooms have been reserved near the airport to allow you time to rest up and relax before continuing your homeward journey on overnight flights to Auckland, Melbourne and Sydney

Sunday 15 July:
Welcome Home
The tour ends with our mid morning arrival.