| Cruise Line |
Crystal Cruises |
| Ship |
Crystal Symphony |
| Destination |
EU Mediterranean |
| Nights |
9 |
| Departure Date |
07 Jul 2021 |
| Description |
9 Night cruise departing from Barcelona to Rome onboard Crystal Symphony.
On a voyage of art, culture and cuisine, discover the masterpieces of GaudÃ, Michelangelo and Bernini, the charms of Cinque Terre, and the enchantment scenery and shimmering nightlife unique to the Balearic Isles.
Highlights of this cruise:
Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona, capital of Catalonia, is a celebration of history and heir to Greek, Phoenician, Roman, Carthaginian, Gothic and Arab cultural legacies. Since it is nearly as close to Rome, Geneva and Munich as it is to Madrid, Barcelona has long been the Spanish link to Western Europe. It was the home of Picasso, Miró, Dali, Casals and Gaudà and has been described as a Mediterranean Manhattan, a cosmopolitan experimental center for political ideas and artistic movements. In addition to its abundance of artistic and architectural treasures, Barcelona serves as the gateway to one of the world's most impressive mountainside enclaves at Montserrat. Discover the secret legends of the Black Virgin and the alluring chants of monastic life high atop the Catalonian plains. Barcelona's ancient city walls and the narrow crooked streets of the town's old section are laid out for your discovery. You will find that Barcelona has something for everybody.
Mallorca/Palma de Mallorca, Spain
Palma de Mallorca, rich in monuments of many ages, was founded by the Romans more than 2,100 years ago. A magnificent rose-colored Gothic cathedral dominates the palm-fringed waterfront of its urban center. Mallorca, known as the "Island of Tranquility," is the largest and most developed of the Balearic group. Steep mountains, serene valleys and wide plains form its varied landscape. Don't miss seeing the island's quaint villages and the monastery where George Sand and Frederic Chopin spent a winter.
Ibiza, Spain
Ibiza’s reputation as the birthplace of the rave and Christopher Columbus reveals its split personality. On the one hand, the island—located in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Valencia—is the “Undisputed Party Capital of the World,— where DJs spin their newest mixes and young clubbers revel at parties that rock until the wee hours. But this island and its city Ibiza Town also have deep roots in Mediterranean history, as acknowledged by UNESCO with its designation of large portions of the island and various cultural icons as World Heritage Sites. The local government has demonstrated an interest in making this idyllic destination (indeed, the island is movie-quality photogenic) quieter and more family friendly by passing laws to raise hotel standards and require nightclubs to close earlier—by a still eye-reddening 6 am.
St-Tropez, France
St-Tropez has earned its glamorous reputation as a summer playground for celebrities, artists and writers. At the height of its popularity during the 1950s and 60s, one could easily find Pablo Picasso, Francoise Sagan, Jacques Prévet and the classic movie actress Brigitte Bardot vacationing here. Its famous beaches are still frequented by affluent guests who seek a lively night life and a piece of the "St-Trop" allure. Magnificent yachts line the port, as their owners rival to achieve titles for who has the biggest, the most luxurious or the best-kept vessel, or for which vessel has the most enthusiastic crew. You will certainly be enticed by the colorful sights and sounds of this "Gem of the Provençal Culture."
Porto Venere, Italy
Porto Venere, Italy, has all the essentials of an idyllic medieval town. It boasts two ancient churches, a 16th-century fortified castle, a bell tower built on the ruins of a Roman temple, even a wistful tale of English writers Lord Byron and Mary Shelley.
Lord Byron, the story goes, had a favorite spot on the rocks at the base of the church of San Pietro where he would pause to find his muse; it was also the place from which he would launch his swim across the bay to San Terenzo, where Shelley would be waiting.
While the legend is certainly romantic, Porto Venere's breathtaking natural beauty is enough to put it at the top of any traveler's list. Poised on the tip of the small peninsula that extends from the celebrated Italian Riviera, Porto Venere is the southernmost town on the walking trails connecting the five villages that make up the famous Cinque Terre, or five lands. Though not officially a part of the Cinque Terre, Porto Venere should be, and perhaps it would be if it weren't for its slightly removed location. With its sweeping views, brightly-colored houses, terraced gardens and three small islands -- Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto -- sitting prettily just off its rocky promontory, Porto Venere is so lovely, one wonders why Shelley did not instead make the swim to Byron.
Florence/Livorno, Italy
Goethe once observed that Tuscany "looks like Italy should [look]." Fortunately, little has changed in the two centuries since the German poet was himself a tourist in Tuscany. The Tyrrhenian port of Livorno was founded in the 15th century. It is the gateway to Italy's Tuscan region and to many spectacular sights; including the extraordinary Leaning Tower of Pisa, the charming medieval village of Lucca, the lovely hill town of San Gimignano and the timeless city of Florence. No place is as imbued with such grace, dignity, serenity and history as is Florence. This city's wealth of architectural and artistic treasures includes works by Raphael, da Vinci, Botticelli and Michelangelo. Truly Florence, cradle of the Italian Renaissance, is one of the world's most enticing cities.
Olbia, Sardegna, Italy
Positioned on the northeastern shores of the island of Sardinia, Olbia sits on a large bay, with a historic port dating to pre-Roman times and a newer ferry port connected to the city by causeway. Such is the dichotomy of past and present both on the island and in the Mediterranean at large. Visitors arrive by the latest means of travel, including luxury ships such as yours, and source sights to see with app-loaded smartphones that help lead to way to discoveries of antiquity. Sardinia’s ruins are particularly interesting, remnants of the daily lives and rituals of the Nurarghic people of the Bronze Age. Glimpse more of an ancient past at an archeological museum displaying Roman and medieval ships, embellished glassware and other relics. Beyond town, sandy beaches, holm oak forests and secluded coves invite exploration.
Rome/Civitavecchia, Italy
Civitavecchia was founded by Emperor Trajan in the 2nd century. Today this port is noted for its fine seafood and attractive monuments. Located 90 minutes away is the Eternal City of Rome. Steeped in 2,500 years of history, Rome was for many centuries the center of Western civilization. It was both the focal point of the Roman Empire and of Christendom. Landmarks such as the Colosseum, Forum, Pantheon, Vatican, Sistine Chapel and Spanish Steps are reminders of the legacy of its rich past. |
|
| Itinerary |
Cruise Itinerary
| Day | Date | Activity | Arrive | Depart |
|---|
| 1 |
07/07 |
Barcelona, Spain |
|
overnight |
| 2 |
08/07 |
Barcelona, Spain |
|
06:00 PM |
| 3 |
09/07 |
Mallorca, Spain |
08:00 AM |
06:00 PM |
| 4 |
10/07 |
Ibiza, Spain |
08:00 AM |
overnight |
| 5 |
11/07 |
Ibiza, Spain |
|
02:00 AM |
| 6 |
12/07 |
St Tropez, France |
08:00 AM |
11:00 PM |
| 7 |
13/07 |
Portovenere, Italy |
08:00 AM |
06:00 PM |
| 8 |
14/07 |
Livorno, (Florence, Pisa) Italy |
07:00 AM |
07:00 PM |
| 9 |
15/07 |
Olbia, Sardinia. IT |
08:00 AM |
06:00 PM |
| 10 |
16/07 |
Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy |
06:00 AM |
|
|
All itineraries and ports of call at the discretion of the cruise line subject to local weather conditions and may change without notice.
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