MEDITERRANEAN, GREECE & TURKEY

Arrive in Barcelona and check into your hotel for two nights before your cruise begins. Take an easy first walk along Las Ramblas or settle in with a coffee at a pavement cafe as you get your bearings.

Spend a full day exploring Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter, where narrow medieval lanes open onto quiet squares and centuries old churches. Gaudí’s Sagrada Família and Park Güell are both an easy metro ride away, along with the city’s art galleries and boutique shopping streets.

Head into the mountains for a day trip to Montserrat, home to a centuries old monastery perched high above the Catalan countryside, before returning to Barcelona to board Queen Elizabeth this evening.

A day to settle into life aboard Queen Elizabeth, from a stroll around the Promenade Deck to afternoon tea served with white glove service, as Spain gives way to open Mediterranean water.

Pass through the Strait of Messina this afternoon, with Sicily on one side and mainland Italy on the other, as Queen Elizabeth threads the narrow channel on her way toward Greece.

A second sea day to enjoy the ship at your own pace, whether that’s a game of croquet on the Games Deck or a quiet afternoon in the library, with Athens still a day away.

Dock in Piraeus for a day in Athens, where the Acropolis rises above the city and the Parthenon still commands the skyline after thousands of years. Walk through the ancient Stoa, once a gathering place for philosophers, then head down into the Plaka for lunch among its narrow lanes and tavernas.

Sail through the Dardanelles today, the narrow strait linking the Aegean to the Sea of Marmara, with Istanbul waiting on the other side.

Arrive in Istanbul, the only city in the world set across two continents. Spend your first day getting orientated in Sultanahmet, home to the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, both within easy walking distance of the port.

With a second day in Istanbul, venture further afield to the Grand Bazaar’s covered lanes or cross to the Asian side of the city by ferry for a different view of the Bosphorus. Queen Elizabeth departs this evening, so leave time to make your way back to the ship.

Retrace your route back through the Dardanelles overnight, leaving Istanbul behind as Queen Elizabeth returns to open Aegean water bound for the Turkish coast.

Arrive in Kusadasi, gateway to the ancient ruins of Ephesus a short drive inland, where the Library of Celsus and the old marble streets remain remarkably intact. Back in town, the seafront promenade and marina make for an easy afternoon before returning to the ship.

Step ashore in Rhodes, where the medieval walls of the Old Town enclose cobbled lanes leading up to the Grand Master’s Palace. Time your visit for late afternoon, when the sandstone walls take on a warm orange glow at sunset.

A last full sea day before Katakolon, with time to enjoy the Thermal Suite or catch a show in the Royal Court Theatre as the Ionian Sea rolls by.

Dock in Katakolon, framed by low hills running down to the Ionian Sea, and head inland to Olympia. The UNESCO listed site still holds the remains of the ancient stadium and the temples once dedicated to Zeus and Hera, the birthplace of the Olympic Games.

Pass back through the Strait of Messina, this time heading toward Italy’s western coast, with Civitavecchia and Rome only a day away.

Disembark in Civitavecchia this morning for your private transfer to Rome. Use the rest of the day to walk past the Colosseum, still standing after almost two thousand years, before wandering the elegant streets around the Spanish Steps.

A full day to make the most of Rome, from the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel to the fountains and piazzas of the historic centre. The Trevi Fountain is an easy walk from most central hotels, especially in the early morning before the crowds arrive.

Your holiday ends today after two nights in Rome. Fit in a last espresso at a local cafe or a final wander through the Campo de’ Fiori markets before your transfer to the airport.