Renaissance Italy and Historic Islands

Day 1 UK - Rome, Italy Titan’s VIP door-to-door travel service collects you from home, for your flight to Rome. On arrival, you will be met by Voyages to Antiquity representatives and transferred to your hotel. Day 2 Rome Take your choice of tours today - visit the Colosseum, still magnificent in ruins, and St Peter in Chains, the church named for the chains that held St Peter when he was imprisoned in Rome but better known for Michelangelo’s statue of Moses; or head to Ostia Antica, the ancient port city that was buried in silt for millennia and became an archaeological site that rivals Pompeii. Enjoy an afternoon of independent exploration or join an optional visit to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, considered one of the world's most important art collections. Day 3 Rome Enjoy a day at leisure to wander through the streets of Rome, where delightful lanes link numerous piazzas, ice cream parlours and Roman monuments. Or take an optional excursion this morning to tour the grounds of the Villa d'Este. Among the world's most beautiful gardens, the grounds of the Villa d'Este embody Renaissance culture. We transfer to Aegean Odyssey (4T) this afternoon, to begin our cruise. Day 4 Livorno (Florence) (overnight) Florence engulfs the senses and stretches your mind at every turn. It is the birthplace of the Renaissance and was home to many of Italy’s artistic giants, all of whom left behind an astonishing legacy of art. View city monuments including Ponte Vecchio and the Basilica di Santa Croce, and enter the world-renowned Uffizi Gallery and Galleria dell'Accademia, Europe’s first school of drawing. Or visit the remarkable Duomo, the impressive Piazza della Signoria where a copy of Michelangelo’s David stands tall, and Santa Croce, where many important Italians are entombed. Day 5 Livorno (Lucca - Pisa) Today’s included excursion takes us to Lucca, where cobbled streets, handsome piazzas and shady promenades sit amid imposing Renaissance walls. See the finely decorated, Romanesque Cathedral of San Martino and the remains of the colossal Roman amphitheatre that once graced the centre of town before we head to Pisa to see the iconic Leaning Tower and the magnificent Romanesque Cathedral, miraculously unscathed by World War II bombs. Day 6 Elba Explore Elba, the island where Napoleon Bonaparte was exiled, on our excursion that includes a walking tour of the Emperor's principal residence, an elaborate villa largely unchanged from when he lived here - even his books still fill the library. You also have the opportunity to explore the medieval village of Capoliveri on an optional tour and enjoy sampling the local wine at a beautiful old wine estate. Day 7 Bonifacio, Corsica Cruise the Iles Lavezzi and Maddalena Archipelago en route to a leisurely afternoon in the spectacular town of Bonifacio, established in 883 with ramparts rising from the white limestone cliffs of the natural harbour. The town has retained its Renaissance features, and feels more Italian than French. Day 8 Ajaccio Visit Ajaccio to discover another side of Corsica. The island’s capital is also the cultural hub, and the home of the city’s most famous son, Napoleon Bonaparte, is now a national museum to the emperor. There are also numerous ruins to find from its Roman origins, and the cathedral where Napoleon was baptised. Day 9 Mahón, Menorca, Spain Mahón only became Menorca’s capital relatively recently, in 1721 when the British wanted to take advantage of the beautiful natural harbour, the second deepest in the world. This historic city is a pretty place to spend your day, with many historical buildings to discover including the Church of Santa Maria, with a spectacular organ with over 3,000 pipes, which you may hear during a lunchtime recital. Day 10 Palma, Mallorca Take a tour of the highlights of Palma city, including Bellver Castle and the old quarter of the city for a visit to the breathtaking Roman Catholic Cathedral, more commonly known as ‘La Seu’. Alternatively, a guided driving tour will introduce you to the major landmarks, from the magnificent flying buttresses of the Catalan-Gothic Cathedral to the Royal Palace of La Almudaina. Leaving the hustle and bustle of Palma behind, the tour then transports you through pine forests and olive groves to the idyllic mountain town of Valldemossa where you will enjoy a delightful piano recital of Chopin’s music. Day 11 At sea Take in a lecture and relax as we sail towards the mainland. Day 12 Málaga Take a panoramic drive to view some of the outstanding sites of Málaga, including the grand 11th century Gibralfaro Castle, and visit the Picasso Museum which displays paintings, sculptures, drawings, ceramic and graphic works of this unique artist throughout his life. Or choose to take an optional tour to Granada, to one of the most magical places in the world and the most outstanding symbol of Moorish heritage in Spain, the Alhambra. Day 13 Gibraltar, UK This tiny British Overseas Territory at the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula has been punching above its weight ever since it was captured from Spain in 1704. An excursion takes you on a cable car ride towards the Top Station, located on the site of a World War II gun emplacement. During your short ride to the top, you can see Africa, Spain and the sparkling Mediterranean Sea. Day 14 Cadiz - Cruising the Guadalquivir River - Seville (overnight) We sail this morning along the Guadalquivir River right into the city’s heart, where we arrive early evening and dock for the night. Day 15 Seville Today we disembark and transfer to our hotel in Seville. Day 16 Cordoba Cordoba has been both a capital of a Roman province and capital of the Arab state of Al-Andalus. We take a tour to discover this UNESCO-listed city of wonderful buildings, monuments and artefacts that are a reminder of the cultures that have settled here throughout history, including the Roman Bridge, the old Jewish quarter and the famous Great Mosque. Day 17 Seville - UK We transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK. Upon arrival your Titan vehicle will be waiting for the journey home.