21 nightsFrom Istanbul10 ports of call
21-Day Mediterranean Crossing: Greek Isles, Italy & Spain
Holland America Line · Rotterdam
Overview
A 21-night voyage aboard Rotterdam, departing Istanbul on 2 Dec 2028 and arriving in Fort Lauderdale, calling at 10 destinations along the way.
IstanbulMykonosChania, CreteMessina, ItalyNaplesCivitavecchia, RomeLivornoCartagena, SpainGibraltarFort Lauderdale
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Itinerary
21 nights · 24 ports of call- 1
Day 1 ·IstanbulEmbark
2 Dec 2028Depart 21:00Blurring the line between east and west, Istanbul stands at the crossroads of two continents. The city's architecture is rivalled only by its spectacular natural setting on the Bosphorus Strait. See the Blue Mosque, the Topkapi Palace and the Byzantine Church of St Sophia. Take time to wander through the Grand Bazaar or the Spice Market and sample baklava and shish kebabs. - 2
Day 2 ·At Sea
3 Dec 2028 - 3
Day 3 ·Mykonos
4 Dec 2028Arrive 08:00Depart 17:00Informality rules on this sunny isle where pleasure-seekers from around the world come to play. Ramble along narrow streets past white-washed houses and blue-domed churches, bouganvillea-covered walls and thread-like, step-laden footpaths leading everywhere. - 4
Day 4 ·Souda (Chania)
5 Dec 2028Arrive 08:00Depart 18:00The port of Souda on the Aegean Sea is home to a Greek and NATO naval base and is located six kilometers (three miles) from Chania—the second-largest city on Crete, which itself is the largest of the Greek Islands. Once you’re in Chania, set your compass for the historic waterfront with its famous Venetian Harbor dating to the 14th century. Walk along the breakwater to the restored 500-year-old lighthouse for views that are particularly photogenic from late afternoon until sunset. The atmospheric tangle of streets that is Old Town is easily explored on foot, and you can stop at one of the many outdoor cafés for a bouyatsa (custard pastry) or a glass of Cretan red wine.Soúda can also be a jumping-off point for a visit to Rethymnon, located about 54 kilometers (33 miles) to the east. Shaped by centuries of invasion, namely by the Venetians and Turks, its Fortezza was built by the Venetians in the late 16th century and captured by the Ottomans in 1646. The Old Town has the same kind of architectural character as Chania, but on a smaller scale. - 5
Day 5 ·At Sea
6 Dec 2028 - 6
Day 6 ·Messina, Italy
7 Dec 2028Arrive 08:00Depart 17:00Messina's astrological clock is as much a man-made masterpiece as the road leading to Taormina, which canitlevers out of the rocky cliff face and stands on impossibly tall pylons. Leave it to the Italians to design a road that's both a thrill-ride and a feat of engineering! Once you're safely in Taormina, walk to the sublime Greco-Roman theatre that overlooks Naxos Bay and snow-capped Mt Etna, and spend some time on the Corso Umberto with a gelato firmly in hand. - 6
Day 6 ·Cruising Strait Of Messina
7 Dec 2028 - 6
Day 6 ·Evening passing Stromboli Volcano
7 Dec 2028 - 7
Day 7 ·Naples (Pompeii)
8 Dec 2028Arrive 08:00Depart 18:00Rising behind the wide curve of its bay with brooding Mount Vesuvius and the deep blue sea as a backdrop, Naples, Italy enjoys a magnificent natural setting. It is the third-largest city in Italy after Rome and Milan, and arguably the most colorful and seductive of them all: Splendor and squalor live side by side in 21st-century Naples, and the mix is intoxicating.
Cruise to Naples, home to world-class museums and attractions. Naples has something for everyone - superb restaurants, eclectic shopping, a thriving contemporary art scene and an edgy and vibrant street life. But once you’ve had enough of the pounding traffic and jostling crowds while sightseeing in Naples, there are endless opportunities for exploration further afield. The celebrated Roman ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum, both victims of Vesuvius’ devastating 79 C.E. eruption, lie just south of the city. Explore Naples' history or take a short ride over to the island of Capri on a Naples shore excursion. The delightful town of Sorrento and the magnificent scenery of the Amalfi Coast are also within easy reach, and the dolce vita glamour of Capri—not to mention the healing thermal waters of Ischia—are a short hydrofoil hop from the mainland. Naples cruises offer a perfect mix of cultural and natural attractions. - 8
Day 8 ·Civitavecchia (Rome)
9 Dec 2028Arrive 07:00Depart 17:00When you embark on a cruise to Rome with Holland America Line you experience its bustling modernism along with its rich history. You can walk in the footsteps of emperors, have coffee in Renaissance piazzas and see contemporary art all in one afternoon. Your sightseeing time in Rome begins at the nearby port of Civitavecchia, a seaside town with roots that stretch back to the Etruscan era. Take note of the Forte Michelangelo (both Bramante and Michelangelo had a hand in its design), and the lungomare, a lively stretch along the sea with beach clubs, bars and restaurants.
Once in the Eternal City you can fill your day with museums, churches, archaeological sites, traditional trattorias, artisan shops and, of course, gelato. The Colosseum and the Vatican Museums are Rome's superstar attractions, but there are plenty of quieter gems to explore. For food lovers there are the markets in Campo de' Fiori or the slightly farther flung Testaccio. The hip neighborhood of Monti, next to the Colosseum, has a vibrant piazza scene and boutique shopping, while the Villa Borghese offers a green oasis with a view towards Saint Peter’s Basilica and the masterpiece-filled Galleria Borghese. Although Rome might not have been built in one day, you'll certainly be able to see its highlights on our Rome cruises along with the top things to do there in 24 hours. - 9
Day 9 ·Livorno (Florence)
10 Dec 2028Arrive 07:00Depart 18:00Access to the best of Tuscany: Florence, with its magnificent art and architecture and elegant shopping; Pisa's Leaning Tower; and ancient Lucca. Sample shore excursions: Tuscan Countryside & Wine Tasting; Florence & the Academia. - 10
Day 10 ·At Sea
11 Dec 2028 - 11
Day 11 ·Cartagena, Spain
12 Dec 2028Arrive 08:00Depart 16:00There are more than two millennia of history to embrace in this port city in Spain's southeastern Murcia region. While Cartagena is famously home to the second-largest Roman amphitheater on the Iberian Peninsula, the city is much more than just spectacular ancient ruins.
In addition to Cartagena’s architecture—along with that amphitheater, there are striking Art Nouveau buildings, neoclassical churches and ultramodern edifices throughout the city—you’ll find many opportunities to shop for local and regional artisan wares. In the city, investigate the restored medieval fortress looking out on the bay from the city’s highest point. Or take a short trip by car or bus to the historic Agrupa Vicenta Mines, the remarkable palm forest at Elche and the holy city of Caravaca.
And the food of sunny Murcia! Friendly tapas bars with breezy terraces invite lingering over drinks, coffee or snacks. The local restaurants offer more than typical Spanish tapas on the menu—michirones (a spicy Murcian bean stew) and local spins on paella are widely available and worth a try. Grilled octopus, fried calamari, mussels and the freshest fish are some of the tasty benefits of the city’s perch beside the sea. - 12
Day 12 ·Gibraltar
13 Dec 2028Arrive 08:00Depart 16:00This strategic link between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean has been ruled by the Spanish, British and Moors. As long as the Barbary Apes remain, the British will rule Gibraltar this is the tradition that has held for 350 years. These pesky primates are a favorite with visitors despite their incessant chatter and light-fingered ways. Ride to the top of the Rock for great views over the Strait of Gibraltar-on a clear day you'll see Africa. - 13
Day 13 ·At Sea
14 Dec 2028 - 14
Day 14 ·At Sea
15 Dec 2028 - 15
Day 15 ·At Sea
16 Dec 2028 - 16
Day 16 ·At Sea
17 Dec 2028 - 17
Day 17 ·At Sea
18 Dec 2028 - 18
Day 18 ·At Sea
19 Dec 2028 - 19
Day 19 ·At Sea
20 Dec 2028 - 20
Day 20 ·At Sea
21 Dec 2028 - 21
Day 21 ·At Sea
22 Dec 2028 - 22
Day 22 ·Fort LauderdaleDisembark
23 Dec 2028Arrive 07:00There is an abundance of things to see and do in the Ft. Lauderdale area: visit the newly redesigned Ft. Lauderdale Beach and cafes, stroll the historic Riverwalk, shop the luxurious stores on Las Olas Boulevard or adventure to the Everglades for an intriguing air boat excursion.
Your ship: Rotterdam
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