DAY 01 ISTANBUL AIRPORT – ROME – CIVITAVECCHIA
Meeting at Istanbul Airport International Terminal at 04:30 in the morning, followed by departure to Rome on Turkish Airlines flight TK1861 at 09:10. Upon arrival in Rome at local time 09:50, transfer to Civitavecchia port where our MSC WORLD ASIA ship will depart. After ship check-in and passport procedures, we will settle into our cabins and have free time. Our ship will depart from the port at 19:00. Dinner and overnight on board.
DAY 02 MESSINA (TAORMINA)
Our ship will dock at Messina port at 12:00 in the morning. After breakfast, there will be free time for personal activities. Guests who wish may join the “Taormina Tour” organized additionally by our guide. On this tour, we will visit the world-famous town of Taormina, passing through breathtaking scenic slopes. In Taormina, we will see the Cathedral, Corvaia Palace, the Roman Theatre (exterior), and Umberto Street. After free time for shopping, we will return to our ship. The ship will depart from the port at 20:00. Dinner and overnight on board.
DAY 03 VALETTA
Our ship will dock at Valletta port at 09:00 in the morning. After breakfast, there will be free time for personal activities. Guests who wish may join the “Mosta & Valletta & Mdina & Marsaxlokk Tour” organized additionally by our guide. Our first stop is Mosta. On this tour, we will visit the Santa Maria Assunta Basilica, which has the third largest dome in Europe. With an outer diameter of 56.2 meters, this colossal basilica features interior paintings, especially those made by the painter Giuseppe Cali. We will see a replica of the 200 kg bomb dropped by German Nazi aircraft during World War II in 1942, which pierced the dome and embedded itself in the church floor but did not explode, and learn about the church’s interior and exterior architecture. Afterwards, we will visit Mdina, Malta’s old capital and a natural set where many scenes of the famous series Game of Thrones were filmed. While walking through the narrow streets of this medieval city known as the Silent City, we will see the magnificent St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Falson Mansion built by the Falson family, one of Malta’s noble families dating back to the 13th century, the Karmelite Monastery built in Baroque style in the 17th century, Vilhena Palace, and the old houses of Mdina. Subsequently, we will continue our tour with a visit to the fishing village named “Marsaxlokk”. You must not miss the view offered by the small, charming fishing boats called Luzzo, which are unique to Malta in color and design. At the same time, in this charming fishing village where an open market is held, we will have free time for guests who wish to have lunch at local restaurants offering menus consisting of fresh fish and seafood. After our free time, we will head towards Valletta. We will conduct our Valletta city tour. Valletta was selected as the European Capital of Culture for 2018 by the Council of Ministers of the European Union. During our tour, we will have the opportunity to see the magnificent city of Valletta surrounded by walls from the outside. After the bus tour, we will explore the city by visiting the vibrant streets of the capital Valletta accompanied by our guide. Our first stop will be the Barracca Gardens, located on the upper section of the defensive walls surrounding this magnificent city. These gardens, built by the Knights of St. John, also offer magnificent views of the Grand Harbour and the three old cities surrounded by walls. At the end of our tour, we return to our ship. The ship will depart from the port at 17:00. Dinner and overnight on board.
DAY 04 CRUISING AT SEA
On this day spent cruising at sea, our ship will offer you many alternatives. Those who wish can enjoy the ship’s open and closed pools, jacuzzis, and sunbathing areas. Others can shop in duty-free stores, try their luck in the casino, or take advantage of various music and entertainment programs performed in dozens of bars. Various food alternatives will also be waiting for you throughout the day. Dinner and overnight on board.
DAY 05 BARCELONA
Our ship will dock at Barcelona port at 08:00 in the afternoon. After breakfast, there will be free time for personal activities. Guests who wish may join the “Barcelona City Tour” organized additionally by our guide. Our city tour in Barcelona, one of the most beautiful metropolises in Europe, will begin with our special bus waiting for us at the port. Among the places we will see are La Rambla Street, Cristoforo Colombo Monument, Maremagnum Artificial Port, Barceloneta Beach, the Olympic area and port, Catalunya Square, Paseu de Gracia street where Gaudi turned his houses into a street museum, and his most fundamental work, Sagrada Familia. During our tour, we will go up Montjuic hill and take landscape photos. After free time for shopping, we will return to our ship. The ship will depart from the port at 18:00. Dinner and overnight on board.
DAY 06 MARSEILLE
Our ship will dock at Marseille port at 08:00 in the morning. After breakfast, there will be free time for shopping and personal activities. Guests who wish may depart for the “Marseille City Tour & Aix En Provance Tour” organized additionally by our guides. In Marseille, an important maritime city, our tour will begin with a visit to the “Notre Dame de la Garde Cathedral”, located on a high hill. Following this visit, some of the places to be seen include Longchamps Fountain, Saint Charles train station, the old town, Hotel de Ville, and the yacht harbor area. Afterwards, we will go to Aix-en-Provence, located 40 minutes away from Marseille. We will start with the famous St. Saviour’s Cathedral, dating back to the 12th century, with its Romanesque front facade and covered arched walkway. Later, during our pleasant walk in the old part of the city, you will see the ancient inns located here and the Mazarino district designed by the brother of Cardinal Mazarino in the 17th century. Our ship will depart from the port at 18:00. Dinner and overnight on board.
DAY 07 GENOA
Our ship will dock at Genoa port at 08:00 in the morning. After breakfast, there will be free time for personal activities. Guests who wish may join the “Genoa & Portofino Tour” organized additionally by our guide. With our special vehicle waiting for us, we will head towards the city center of Genoa, the port city. It was the capital of an important maritime kingdom that once ruled over the Mediterranean region, including Istanbul. Important points we will see include San Lorenzo Cathedral, the Doge’s Palace, and Christopher Columbus’ house. In the second part, we will go to Portofino, located 1 hour away from Genoa, a town featured in songs and loved by lovers. After free time given in this peaceful coastal town, we will return to our ship. The ship will depart from the port at 18:00. Dinner and overnight on board.
DAY 08 CIVITAVECCHIA (ROME) - ISTANBUL AIRPORT
Our ship will dock at Civitavecchia port at 07:00 in the morning. After breakfast, we will complete our ship disembarkation procedures and then leave the ship. With our special vehicle waiting for us at the port, we will head to Rome Airport. After arriving at the airport and completing check-in and passport procedures, we will depart for Istanbul on Turkish Airlines flight TK1864 at 19:45. Arrival at Istanbul Airport at local time 00:20. End of our tour.