01. DAY 1 ISTANBUL AIRPORT – MILAN – GENOA
Istanbul Airport International Terminal at 04:30, after our meeting we complete check-in procedures and then depart for Milan on Turkish Airlines flight TK1873 at 06:50. Upon arrival in Milan at 08:45 local time, we transfer to the port of Genoa where our MSC World Asia ship is waiting via a private vehicle assigned to us. After completing ship check-in and baggage procedures, we settle into our cabins followed by free time. Our guide will organize a meeting after boarding to introduce you to the ship and our tours, after which you can enjoy the ship until dinner. Our ship will depart from the port at 16:00. Dinner and overnight on board.
02. DAY 2 NAPLES
Our ship will dock at Naples port at 13:00 in the morning. Guests who wish may join the extra tour organized by our guide: "Sorrento & Capri Tour (Full Day)". Sorrento is the city of colors, homeland of mermaids, lemon and orange trees, and the birthplace of poet Torquato Tasso. In the 1920s, it also hosted the famous Soviet writer Maxim Gorky. Sorrento is a charming southern city where kindness and hospitality are combined and passed down from generation to generation. After our Sorrento tour, we head to Capri. After traveling by fast ferry, we arrive at Capri island. Places to visit in Capri include the town of Capri located above the port and the town of "Anacapri" at the very top of the hill, Augustus Gardens, and the shopping street. Those who wish can take a cable car from Anacapri to the highest point of the island and have the chance to see a magnificent view. After the tour ends, we return to our ship. Our ship will depart from the port at 20:00. Dinner and overnight on board.
03. DAY 3 MESSINA (TAORMINA)
Our ship will dock at Messina port at 09:00 in the morning. After breakfast, there is free time for personal activities. Guests who wish may join the extra tour organized by our guide: "Taormina Tour". On this tour, we will visit the world-famous town of Taormina by passing through slopes with magnificent views. Among the places we will see in Taormina are the Cathedral, Corvaia Palace, Roman Theatre (exterior), and Umberto Street. After free time for shopping, we will return to our ship. Our ship will depart from the port at 19:00. Dinner and overnight on board.
04. DAY 4 VALLETTA
Our ship will dock at Valletta port at 08:00 in the morning. After breakfast, there is free time for personal activities. Guests who wish may join the extra tour organized by our guide: "Mosta & Valletta & Mdina & Marsaxlokk Tour". Our first stop is Mosta. On this tour, we will visit the Santa Maria Assunta Basilica, which has the third largest dome in Europe. The interior paintings of this colossal basilica, whose dome's outer diameter is 56.2 meters, were especially made by the painter Giuseppe Cali. We will see a replica of the 200 kg bomb dropped by German Nazi planes during World War II in 1942 that pierced the dome and stuck into the church floor but did not explode, and learn about the interior and exterior architecture of the church. Then, we will visit Mdina, Malta's old capital, which is 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 Carmelite Monastery built in the Baroque style in the 17th century, Vilhena Palace, and the old houses of Mdina. Afterwards, we will continue our tour by visiting the fishing village named "Marsaxlokk". You must not miss the view offered by small, cute fishing boats called Luzzo, which are unique to Malta in color and design. Also, since an open market is set up in this charming fishing village, 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 European Union Council of Ministers. 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, accompanied by our guide, we will explore the lively streets of the capital Valletta and discover the city. Our first stop will be the Barracca Gardens built on the upper part of the defensive walls surrounding this grand city. These gardens, built by the Knights of St. John, also offer magnificent views of the Grand Harbor and the three old cities surrounded by walls. At the end of our tour, we return to our ship. Our ship will depart from the port at 17:00. Dinner and overnight on board.
05. DAY 5 AT SEA
On this day spent cruising at sea, our ship will offer you many alternatives. Those who wish can use 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 enjoy various music and entertainment programs performed in dozens of bars. A variety of dining options await you throughout the day. Dinner and overnight on board.
06. DAY 6 BARCELONA
Our ship will dock at Barcelona port at 08:00 in the morning. After breakfast, there is free time for personal activities. Guests who wish will depart for the "Barcelona City Tour" organized additionally by our guide. Our city tour in Barcelona, one of Europe's most beautiful metropolises, will begin with a 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, Olympic area and port, Catalunya Square, Paseu de Gracia street where Gaudi's houses have been turned 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. Our ship will depart from the port at 18:00. Dinner and overnight on board.
07. DAY 7 MARSEILLE / AIX EN PROVENCE
Our ship will dock at Marseille port at 08:00 in the morning. After breakfast, there is free time for personal activities. Guests who wish will depart for the extra tour organized by our guide: "Marseille City Tour & Aix En Provence Tour". In Marseille, an important maritime city, we will start our tour by first visiting the "Notre Dame de la Garde Cathedral" located on a high hill. After this visit, some of the places to be seen include Longchamps Fountain, Saint Charles train station, the old town, Hotel de Ville, and the marina area. Then we will go to Aix-en-Provence, located 40 minutes from Marseille. We will start with the famous St. Saviour's Cathedral dating back to the 12th century, featuring a Romanesque front facade and a covered arched way. Later, during our pleasant walk in the old part of the city, you will see the ancient inns here and the Mazarino quarter 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.
08. DAY 8 GENOA – MILAN – ISTANBUL AIRPORT
Our ship will dock at Genoa port at 08:00 in the morning. After breakfast, we complete our ship exit procedures and then disembark. We move to Milan Airport with the private vehicle waiting for us at the port. After arriving at the airport, after completing check-in and passport procedures, we depart for Istanbul on Turkish Airlines flight TK1816 at 19:25. Arrival at Istanbul Airport at 23:25 local time. End of our tour.