DAY 01 ISTANBUL AIRPORT – MILAN/GENOA
Meeting at Istanbul Airport International Terminal at 03:30 AM, followed by departure to Milan on Turkish Airlines flight TK1873 at 08:15. Upon arrival in Milan at 09:05 local time, transfer to Genoa port where the MSC SINFONIA ship will depart. After check-in and passport procedures, guests will settle into their cabins and have free time. The ship will depart from the port at 17:30. Dinner and overnight on board.
DAY 02 MARSEILLE
The ship will dock at Marseille port at 08:30 AM. Free time for breakfast, shopping, and personal activities. Guests wishing to do so can join the "Marseille City Tour & Aix-en-Provence Tour" organized by our guides as an extra option. As a major maritime city, our tour of Marseille begins with a visit to the "Notre Dame de la Garde Cathedral," located on a high hill. Following this visit, other sights include the Longchamps Fountain, Saint Charles train station, the Old Town, Hotel de Ville, and the marina area. Later, we will travel to Aix-en-Provence, located 40 minutes from Marseille. The tour starts with the famous St. Saviour's Cathedral, dating back to the 12th century, known for its Romanesque front facade and covered arched walkway. During a pleasant walk through the old part of the town, you will see ancient caravanserais and the Mazarino district, designed in the 17th century by the brother of Cardinal Mazarin. The ship will depart from the port at 18:30. Dinner and overnight on board.
DAY 03 AT SEA
Today is spent cruising at sea, during which the ship offers many alternatives. Guests may enjoy the open and indoor pools, jacuzzis, and sunbathing areas. Others can shop in duty-free stores, try their luck in the casino, or enjoy various music and entertainment offered in dozens of bars. A variety of dining options are available throughout the day. Dinner and overnight on board.
DAY 04 MALAGA
The ship will dock at Malaga port at 07:00 AM. Free time for personal activities after breakfast. It is Spain's fifth-largest city after Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, and Seville. With its magnificent sunshine, lively nightlife, unforgettable seafood restaurants, and culturally rich historical sites, this rapidly growing city is the jewel of Andalusia, welcoming thousands of tourists every year. Guests wishing to do so can join the "Malaga City Tour" organized by our guides as an extra option. Malaga, the center of the Costa del Sol and Andalusia, is a unique fusion where Arab and Western cultures meet and flourish. It is no coincidence that Malaga is one of Spain's most touristy regions, featuring the Gibralfaro Castle, the Cathedral, the Palace of the Umayyad Sultans, and the Alameda Boulevard adorned with exotic trees... Picasso did not choose to be born here by accident... We will introduce you to this mystical city up close, and then head towards Mijas, another special Andalusian village famous for its cobblestone streets, white houses, sightseeing carriages, and authentic market. After the tour, we return to the ship. The ship will depart from the port at 16:00. Dinner and overnight on board.
DAY 05 TANGIER
The ship will dock at Tangier port at 08:00 AM. Free time for breakfast and personal activities. Guests wishing to do so can join the "Tangier City Tour" organized by our guides as an extra option. Leaving the ship, we proceed parallel to the ocean towards Place de France. Upon reaching the Cape Spartel area, we will see the point where the Mediterranean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean. A few kilometers later, we arrive at the Hercules Caves. The rock formation creating these caves offers a magnificent view. Later, we will visit the Kasbah area and have the chance to explore the old market there. We will also see the historic minaret located there. Our final stop is Petit Socco, a charming district of small hotels that has hosted many famous figures such as Matisse, Camille Saint-Saëns, and Paul Bowles. Then we return to the ship. The ship departs at 18:00. Dinner and overnight on board.
DAY 06 PORTIMAO
The ship will dock at Portimão port in Portugal's Algarve region at 07:00 AM. This coastal city on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean is known for its golden cliffs and impressive beaches. After breakfast on board, guests wishing to do so can join the extra "Algarve Tour." During the tour, Ponta da Piedade, Lagos, Alvor village, and Praia da Rocha will be visited, allowing exploration of the region's natural beauty and panoramic views. After the tour, we return to the ship. The ship will depart from the port at 18:00. Dinner and overnight on board.
DAY 07 CEUTA
The ship will dock at the port at 09:00 AM. Guests wishing to do so can join the extra "Ceuta (Septem) Panoramic City Tour" organized by our guides. Ceuta is an autonomous province of Spain located on the North African coast. The Royal Walls of Ceuta are a fortification line in Ceuta. The walls date back to 962 in their oldest sections and up to the 18th century in the most modern parts. Except for some exits, they remain largely unaltered. The House of Dragons (Casa de los Dragones) is a significant landmark in Ceuta and an extraordinary example of eclectic architecture, located in a corner of Kings Square. La Puerta Califal (Caliphal Gate) is approximately four meters wide, featuring a double horseshoe arch framed by a bishopric and a room behind it. After the tour, there is free time. We transfer back to the ship. The ship will depart from the port at 18:00.
DAY 08 ALICANTE
The ship will dock at Alicante port at 10:00 AM. Free time for personal activities after breakfast. Dinner and overnight on board. Guests wishing to do so can join the "Valencia City Tour" organized by our guides as an extra option. We will board the bus waiting for us at the port and depart. Our first stop will be the magnificent Art and Science City created by Santiago Calatrava, who has left his mark on the last decade. We will see the park area built on a dried riverbed, which houses modern museums, theaters, and opera houses. Later, during the bus tour, we will visit La Lonja, El Cid, the Cathedral, Micalet, and Virgin Square. Afterward, we will take a walking tour in the city center and have free time before returning to the ship. The ship will depart from the port at 20:00. Dinner and overnight on board.
DAY 09 AT SEA
Today is spent cruising at sea, during which the ship offers many alternatives. Guests may enjoy the open and indoor pools, jacuzzis, and sunbathing areas. Others can shop in duty-free stores, try their luck in the casino, or enjoy various music and entertainment offered in dozens of bars. A variety of dining options are available throughout the day. Dinner and overnight on board.
DAY 10 CIVITAVECCHIA/ROME
The ship will dock at Civitavecchia port at 08:30 AM. Free time for personal activities after breakfast. Guests wishing to do so can join the "Rome City Tour" organized by our guides as an extra option. During this full-day tour, after a 1 hour and 15-minute journey by bus waiting for us at Civitavecchia Port, we arrive in Rome and take a panoramic bus tour. Sights include Castel Sant'Angelo, the Tiber River, Borghese Park, Via Veneto, Piazza del Popolo, Piazza della Repubblica, Via Nazionale, the Theatre of Marcello, Circo Massimo, and the Forum areas. Later, we explore Rome's famous squares on foot. Sights include the Pantheon Square, Navona Square, the Trevi Fountain, and the Spanish Steps, concluding our tour with a shopping break. After the tour, we return to the ship. The ship will depart from the port at 19:00. Dinner and overnight on board.
DAY 11 GENOA/MILAN – ISTANBUL AIRPORT
The ship will dock at Genoa port at 08:30 AM. After breakfast, we complete the ship disembarkation procedures and leave the ship. We then depart for Milan Airport via private vehicle waiting for us at the port. After arrival at the airport and completing check-in and passport procedures, we depart for Istanbul on Turkish Airlines flight TK1876 at 18:35. Arrival at Istanbul Airport at 23:40 local time. End of our tour.