Silversea CruisesRome to Istanbul - Monuments & EmpiresItinerarySaturday - Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy Today’s Rome, with its splendid churches, ancient monuments and palaces, spacious parks, tree-lined boulevards, fountains, outdoor cafés and elegant shops, is one of the world’s most attractive and exciting cities. Among the most famous monuments is the Coliseum. As you walk its cool, dark passageways, imagine the voices that once filled the arena as 50,000 spectators watched combat between muscled gladiators and ferocious animals. Stop to see the remains of the Forum, once the city’s political and commercial center. In later times, Rome’s squares were enhanced with such imposing structures as the Vittorio Emanuele Monument, the grandiose Trevi fountain and Bernini’s Fountain of the Four Rivers, to name just a few. Rome jars the senses and captures the soul. Join the many visitors who stand in awe of St. Peter's Basilica, Christendom’s most magnificent church. Admire the timeless masterpiece of Michelangelo’s frescoes in the Sistine Chapel. For the Millennium, Rome underwent an extensive beautification program that restored and cleaned churches, palaces, museums and piazzas. Many of the streets, squares and public spaces have been turned into pedestrian areas, causing additional strain on already horrendous traffic conditions.
Sunday - Lipari, Italy In ancient times, the Lipari Islands were of great importance because of obsidian deposits, a hard volcanic glass that was exported from here to the whole Mediterranean region. Greek settlers colonized Lipari in 600 BC. In the following centuries, the islands experienced frequent attacks by Carthaginians and Athenians. In 252 BC, they fell into Roman hands; from then on, the history of the islands has been closely connected to that of Sicily. In modern times, the arrival of hydrofoil service established convenient and speedy transportation between the islands and Sicily. Today, the Eolians experience an ever-increasing amount of tourism due to their unusual scenery and mild climate. The variety and beauty of rock formations, the volcanic phenomenon of Stromboli and Vulcano, as well as the crystalline waters never fail to impress visitors. Local-style architecture adds charm to the picturesque villages. Lipari is the principal and largest island of the archipelago. In a bay on Lipari’s east coast lies the main town of the same name. It is dominated by the Castello. Sheltered within its walls stand the cathedral and the former Bishop's Palace, now home to the Archaeological Museum. North of the Castello is the fishermen’s quarter. To the south lie the warehouses in which the island’s exports, pumice stone, currants, Malvasia wine, capers and figs, are stored for shipment. At the local marina, there is a constant coming and going of hydrofoils and boats making trips to neighboring islands.
Monday - Valletta, Malta The Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs, Normans, Castilians, the Knights of St. John, the French and the British all left their mark. Controlling the island was a prerequisite to domination of the Mediterranean; Malta’s location at the crossroads of Europe made it a center of cultural, social and political activity. The era of the Knights is considered the most glorious in Malta’s history. Many relics and buildings bear testimony to the magnificence of this period; most are found in Valletta, the capital of the Maltese Islands, a city "built by gentlemen, for gentlemen." The Knights of St. John arrived here in the 16th century after being expelled from Rhodes by the Turks under Süleyman the Magnificent. The Turks followed them to Valletta; during the Great Siege of Malta, 40,000 of them battled 9,000 Knights, who miraculously emerged victorious. A Maltese legend was born. The Knights administered the islands for 268 years until 1798, when Napoleon drove them from Malta. Following a brief occupation, the French were forced to surrender in 1800 to the British and Malta became a part of the British Empire. In 1964, Malta attained its independence; ten years later, it was declared a Republic within the Commonwealth. Despite an extensive array of attractions, the central part of the city is fairly compact, making it easy to explore in one day. Those who wish to venture outside of Valletta will find quaint villages, medieval towns and ancient sites that will be of particular interest to archaeology buffs.
Tuesday - Tripoli, Libya Tripoli’s natural harbor and strategic location led to Libya’s position as essential cross-road of cultures with essential ties to Europe and Africa dating back to ancient times. The old walled city was built on the site of a Roman settlement and its basic street plan still follows the grid laid by the Romans. The major thoroughfares of modern Tripoli fan out from Green Square, in front of the Red Castle. Its massive, high walls with three immense gates served as protection against attacks from the interior of Tripolitania and from the sea. The Red Castle still dominates the skyline of Tripoli and houses an excellent museum with fine exhibits on Libya’s past and present. In 1911, Libya came under Italian occupation. During World War II, Tripoli served as base for the Axis powers and some of the fiercest battles took place in the Cyrenaica. After Libya’s independence in 1951, Tripoli started a new era and today this oil-rich nation is ready to welcome visitors from all over, offering an opportunity to experience the strategic and historical role Libya is playing in North Africa.
Wednesday - Day At Sea
Thursday - Darnah, Libya
Friday - Day At Sea
Saturday - Alexandria, Egypt It was the renowned capital of the Ptolemies and the site of the Pharos Lighthouse, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, as well as the Great Library. It was along Alexandria’s shores that history took a tragic turn at the time of Cleopatra, Julius Caesar, Mark Anthony and Octavian. After the Muslim conquest of Egypt in the 7th-century, Alexandria was replaced by Cairo as the new capital, but gained renewed importance when Napoleon invaded Egypt. During World War II, Alexandria served as a major Allied post and plans for the pivotal battle of El Alamein were contrived at the Hotel Cecil. Often called the Pearl of the Mediterranean, Alexandria is located 130 miles north-west of Cairo, linked by two major highways and a railroad line. Its pleasant climate and string of white beaches make it a popular summer getaway for many Cairo residents and visitors from the Middle East. Nightclubs, sidewalk cafés and fine restaurants add to Alexandria’s numerous attractions, such as museums, ancient catacombs and a Roman amphitheater. The opening of the new library, Bibliotheca Alexandrina, ranks at the top of the list of things to see in the city. Popular excursions from Alexandria include the Great Pyramids at Giza and Cairo attractions, as well as the World War II site of El Alamein.
Sunday - Day At Sea
Monday - Beirut, Lebanon Wider roads, infrastructure and underground parking have relieved the traffic, and Beirut is once again a vibrant city that retains a certain charm due mainly to the warmth and hospitality of its citizens. As in other Arab countries, life revolves strongly around the family. However, Western influences, especially French and American, have given the country a cosmopolitan façade, which is particularly evident in the cities, while in the interior mountain region many Lebanese retain their old customs and traditions. Much of Beirut’s city center is best seen on foot. Archaeological excavation sites have unearthed finds from the Ottoman, Byzantine, Roman, Persian and Phoenician periods. They include the Roman baths behind Bank Street and the Roman columns west of St. George's Cathedral. Major banks, hotels, restaurants and cafés, post and telephone offices are located in the city center area known as “Solidere”. The seaside Raouche district features the landmark Pigeon Rocks and is the site of numerous cafés overlooking the Mediterranean. The corniche road runs along Beirut's shores and is popular for walks Beirut is the country's transportation hub from where such interesting sites as Byblos and Baalbeck can be explored on one-day trips, allowing a glimpse into Lebanon’s long and turbulent history that reaches back to the dawn of civilization.
Tuesday - Tartous, Syria With Syria's long and turbulent history, places of interest range from magnificent Crusader castles to Roman ruins. Its capital, Damascus, is said by its citizens to be the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world, although the claim is disputed by Aleppo. Reminder: The dress code for ladies tends to be on the conservative side. Knee-length skirts or trousers, and tops that keep shoulders covered are appropriate. This applies especially for entering a mosque.
Wednesday - Day At Sea
Thursday - Rhodes, Greece Not far from the city is Mount Filerimos, where a church has been built on the site of an ancient temple. Another popular destination is Lindos, a charming village of whitewashed houses, with the main attraction its ancient acropolis. Dominating the village, the acropolis crowns the top of sheer cliffs and is surrounded by the walls of a 13th-century Crusader castle. Excavations at the beginning of the 20th-century brought to light a plaque, listing the dignitaries who visited the Temple of the Lindian Athena in ancient times - Hercules, Helen of Troy, Menelaus, Alexander the Great and the King of Persia among others. Today, stalls line the winding path up to the acropolis, where locals sell lace tablecloths and a wide range of souvenirs.
Friday - Kusadasi, Turkey The major attraction remains the archaeological site of ancient Ephesus, considered to be the most important one in all of Turkey. The history of this ancient city dates as far back as the 10th century BC. Many of the remarkable structures seen today are the result of an extraordinary excavation and restoration program. As you walk along the white marble road, grooved by ancient chariot wheels, the two-story Library of Celsus presents a striking sight. In addition, there are temples, houses of noblemen and community buildings lining the ancient streets. Nestled into the mountainside is the 25,000-seat amphitheater, still used today for performances during the Festival of Culture and Art. Ephesus was also a significant center of the early Christian world. This is evident from the remains of the Basilica of St. John and the House of the Virgin Mary, located in the nearby hills. The town of Seljuk is the site of the renowned Archaeological Museum; it contains an amazing collection of treasures unearthed at Ephesus and other archaeological sites in the area.
Saturday - Istanbul, Turkey Part of Istanbul’s great attraction is its unique position on two continents, divided by the Bosphorus. Most of the population lives on the European side. The Asian sector can be reached via the high-level Bosphorus Bridge, the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge or by ferry. With 12 million inhabitants, Istanbul offers all the excitement of a cosmopolitan city. Its numerous monuments, mosques and museums, plus the famous Grand Bazaar, make it one of the world’s great destinations. Although Ankara was appointed the capital in 1922 when Turkey became a republic, Istanbul’s dominance in the country’s commerce and culture is unchallenged; the city continues to be the heartbeat of the Turkish people. Istanbul's unequaled ambiance guarantees an overwhelming experience for the visitor, and it is easy to see that one short visit can scarcely cover its numerous attractions.
Sunday - Istanbul, Turkey Cost of This Itinerary14 Night Trip:The least expensive cabin costs: The most expensive stateroom costs: |
