Ancient Empires of the Med 2011 

We leave St Pancras International by Eurostar for Paris in comfortable Standard Premier Class, with a light meal and drinks served on board. In Paris we cross the city by coach to spend the night at the Mercure Gare de Lyon. This evening you are free to explore - why not enjoy a cruise down the Seine as the 'City of Lights' comes alive after dark. We depart by train on Day 2, travelling down through France and Italy via Milan to Rome where we spend two nights at the Hotel Palatino located in the centre of the city.

We start the day with a sightseeing tour of Rome. Highlights include visits to the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, the Colosseum, the most imposing amphitheatre of the Roman Empire, and the Forum which was the political and economic centre of the city in ancient times. Your afternoon is free to wander through this awe-inspiring city and further explore its ancient and modern buildings.

Your morning is free to explore Rome further before we travel to the port town of Civitavecchia and board our floating hotel, Celebrity Silhouette. The pace of your holiday is set by you alone; you may wish to join optional shore excursions (payable locally) or explore independently. We depart this evening to cruise towards Israel.

Days 5 and 6 are spent at sea - the ideal time to relax and experience the excellent on-board facilities. Pamper yourself in the spa, enjoy a cookery demonstration by one of the trained chefs, take in a dazzling cabaret show or simply unwind by the pool - the choice is yours.

We arrive in Alexandria on Day 7. You are free to explore at your own pace or take an optional tour, perhaps a full day trip to Cairo and the Pyramids or even Luxor and the Valley of the Kings. Alternatively why not visit the Roman Amphitheatre or the Bibliotheca Alexandrina? We remain in Alexandria on Day 8.

We reach Ashdod in Israel on Day 9, a vibrant port city. Ashdod was first settled during the Canaanite era in the 17th century BC, making the city one of the most ancient in the world. Perhaps take one of the ship's excursions to Jerusalem or Bethlehem. You have the option of visiting a number of sacred sites, including the Western Wall, the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed the night before his crucifixion, and the Church of the Nativity of Bethlehem. We remain at port in Ashdod on Day 10.

We spend Day 11 at sea, enjoying the on board facilities as we cruise towards Turkey. Nestled along the craggy shores of the Aegean Sea is the Turkish port of Kusadasi, where we dock on Day 12. Renowned as one of the most beautiful cities along the Aegean, Kusadasi is blessed with sunshine an average of 300 days a year. From here why not join a tour to the archaeological site of Ephesus, famed for the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the Ancient World.

We visit Mykonos today. The island is well-known for its whitewashed houses clinging to cliffs against a backdrop of indescribably blue sea. Explore the maze of tiny streets, visit one of the world's most superb beaches, or see the mythical birthplace of Apollo.

We enjoy a further day at sea on Day 14 as we cruise back towards Italy. On Day 15 we arrive in Naples, an irrepressible city superbly placed on the Bay of Naples. Explore the city's ancient streets, monuments, churches and monasteries, or visit the mountainous and romantic island of fascinating Capri. You could perhaps join an optional excursion to visit the ruins of Pompeii or travel along the Amalfi Coast to visit the cliff-side gardens and many boutiques in Sorrento.

Celebrity Silhouette docks in Civitavecchia early morning. We disembark and travel by train to Turin, where we overnight at the ATA Hotel Concord. Departing on Day 17 we travel by train to Paris and cross the city by coach to join the Eurostar service to St Pancras International. As we travel in Standard Premier Class we enjoy a light meal and drinks before our arrival.

On our 31 August departure our cruise operates a different running order and will dock in the Israeli port of Haifa on Day 4 (departing Day 5) instead of Alexandria.

On our 24 September departure our cruise operates a different running order and has one extra day. On the extra day during the cruise the ship docks in Piraeus (for Athens). Additionally, Day 7 will be spent in Limassol, Cyprus, and on Day 8 the ship will dock in Haifa, Israel.

For full details of the itinerary on your chosen date, please contact us by telephone.