Your Itinerary
Days 1-2: Fly to Casablanca
Fly to Morocco, arriving in the city of Casablanca, which sits on the Atlantic coast. On arrival, transfer from the airport to your hotel, where the rest of the day is yours to relax or begin exploring. This evening there will be a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 3: Travel to Chefchaouen (via Rabat)
Visit the magnificent Hassan II Mosque with its towering minaret before departing for Morocco's capital, Rabat. Here you'll admire the beautiful architecture of Hassan Tower and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V and enjoy a lunch of local flavours at a traditional restaurant. Then, ascend into the peaks of The Rif to Chefchaouen, a mountain town famous for its picturesque, blue-washed buildings.
Day 4: Explore Chefchaouen
Wander the blue, cobblestone lanes of the town, pausing at artisan workshops, to see traditional bread being prepared and baked in the communal oven and to sample local goat's cheese. Lunch will be served in a traditional riad before an afternoon to explore independently. Come back together in the evening for an atmospheric Hadra Chaounia, an ancient musical sufi tradition led by local women.
Travel down to the mountains, stopping for a guided walk through the Roman ruins of Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its well-preserved ancient mosaics. Arrive in Fez and enjoy dinner in its medieval medina.
Long a centre of culture and learning, Fez is the place to soak up Morocco's rich heritage. Spend the morning exploring the narrow streets of the medina, seeking out age-old crafts and traditions in the tanners' quarter and pausing the admire ancient fountains and striking madrasas. This afternoon, choose between a ceramics workshop guided by master potters or enjoy a cooking class with a local chef.
Journey through the Middle Atlas Mountains, with stops to admire the fragrant cedar forests, before continuing through Ziz Valley toward Erfoud. Here, you’ll switch to 4x4 vehicles to venture into the desert to reach your luxury lodge. As twilight falls, sit down to dinner under a star-filled desert sky, savouring the peaceful quiet of the dunes.
Day 8: Through the High Atlas
Wake up to the tranquillity of a desert morning. Take the 4x4 back to Erfoud and continue your journey. Pass into the High Atlas Mountains and visit the Todra Gorge, with its soaring 300 metre cliffs, for breathtaking views. Arrive at Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO-listed ksar (fortified village) that you may recognise from many films, including Gladiator and Lawrence of Arabia.
Day 9: Arrive in Marrakech
This morning, explore the narrow alleyways of Ait Ben Haddou and admire its traditional earthen clay architecture. Continue driving through the High Atlas, enjoying the views, crossing the 2,260 metre Tizi n' Tichka Pass. Arrive in colourful Marrakech, the 'Red City', with its tangle of atmospheric alleys, treasure-filled souks and impressive history.
Day 10: Explore Marrakech
Get swept up into Marrakech's fast-paced bustle as you spend the day discovering its rich history and colourful culture. Stroll the peaceful courtyards and gardens of the Bahia Palace, considered a masterpiece of Moroccan architecture and Ben Youssef Madrasa, a gem of Islamic design. This afternoon is at leisure. Later, enjoy dinner in the old medina complete with traditional live music.
Bid farewell to Morocco and board a flight to Rome, Italy's timeless capital. On arrival, transfer to your hotel where you'll have the rest of the day to enjoy at your leisure.
Day 12: Discover ancient Rome
One of the world's most evocative cities, age-old treasures, sublime Renaissance architecture, glorious art and delicious food are all squeezed into this one city; Rome. Today you'll see some of its most awe-inspiring sights including the ancient Colosseum and Roman Forum and the magnificent Trevi Fountain. Later, enjoy a pasta making experience with a local chef, learning all the tricks of the trade before you feast on your creations.
Day 13: Embark the Sun Princess
Transfer to Rome's cruise port in Civitavecchia to board your Princess cruise ship. Settle into your cabin and explore the ship's facilities. Throughout your cruise, when your ship comes into port, there will be a range of excursions available to help you explore each destination. These excursions are at your own expense and are bookable on your cruise reservation.
Day 14: Cruise – Naples, Italy
Watched over by the mighty Mount Vesuvius, vibrant Naples is an ancient port and multi-layered city that is both stately and down-to-earth, and the birthplace of pizza. Spend the day wandering the old streets, head to famed ruins of Pompeii or use the city as a gateway to explore the spectacular Amalfi Coast and the island of Capri.
Day 15: Cruise – At Sea
Spend the day onboard exploring all the facilities and activities that your cruise ship has to offer.
Day 16: Cruise – Crete, Greece
Port at the Cretan city of Chania, a centuries-old city that showcases an enticing mixture of Minoan, Venetian and Roman history. Take a stroll through the labyrinthine passages of the Old Town, admire the atmospheric old port or head out of the city to the Minoan ruins at Knossos, the palace said to sit on top of the labyrinth that housed the legendary Minotaur.
Day 17: Cruise – At Sea
Make the most of your cruise ship facilities today – you could relax by the pool, try out the restaurants and bars, and enjoy the range of activities and shows.
Day 18: Cruise – Kusadasi, Turkey
On Turkey's beautiful Anatolian Coast, the port of Kusadasi is a sunny seaside resort with a seafront promenade, marina and harbour. Close by you'll find Ephesus, one of the ancient world's most famous cities, where you can walk amongst remarkable well-preserved remains and get a feel of what life was like in the 10th century BC.
Day 19: Cruise – Mykonos, Greece
One of Greece's most famous islands, Mykonos has a vibrant culture. Visit the famous windmills as you explore Mykonos Town's boutiques and tavernas, or hop over to its sister island, Delos, to discover ancient temples ruins.
Day 20: Disembark the Sun Princess
Bid farewell to your cruise ship as you arrive into Athens, Greece. Transfer to your hotel, from where the rest of the day is yours to relax or explore, with dinner at the hotel this evening.
Athens is a captivating blend of ancient history and vibrant modern life. This morning, step back into Ancient Greece and explore the cities wonderful highlights including the Panathenaic Stadium, the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the Acropolis with its crowning masterpiece, the Parthenon. For lunch, enjoy a food walking tour sampling some of the city's finest local flavours. Then this evening depart on an Athens by Night experience before dinner at a traditional taverna accompanied by a lively Greek music and dancing show.
Days 22-23: Depart Athens
Board your flight, arriving home the following day.
