Old Town Walking Tour

After meeting your professionally trained guide at the entrance to Dubrovnik's Old Town, you will begin your walking tour of this fascinating historical and cultural site.

The Old City, also known as the Pearl of the Adriatic, was an important Mediterranean Sea power from the 13th century onwards. Dubrovnik is a remarkably well-preserved example of a late-Medieval walled city with its Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque churches, monasteries, palaces, and fountains.

Your tour of the Old City begins at Pile Gate, the gated entrance to this ancient city. Cross the wooden drawbridge that was once pulled up each night in order to protect the city. Upon entrance into the walled city, see Onofrio's Fountain. During the Middle Ages, this fountain provided fresh water from the Dubrovnik River through an aqueduct system. Next on your walking tour of Old Town, see the imposing Baroque architectural features of The Franciscan Monastery. This monastery also features a garden, museum, and the famous Old Pharmacy. Still in operation after 700 years, The Old Pharmacy is one of the oldest working pharmacies in Europe, and visitors can peruse the jars, ointments, and poisons that date back to the 15th century.

Your walking tour of Dubrovnik's Old Town continues with a walk up and down both sides of the famous main street, the Stradun. A walk along the Stradun will show you a few of Dubrovnik's Renaissance buildings that survived the earthquake of 1667, and will give you an idea of the city's architectural heritage. Perhaps the finest Renaissance highlight is the Sponza Palace, which dates from the 16th century and is now home to the National Archives. The Rector's Palace is a Gothic-Renaissance structure from the 15th century when it was the seat of the Government and Rector of the Republic. It has finely-carved capitals and ornate decoration, which gives us a glimpse into how the ruling class lived. The St. Saviour Church is another glorious remnant of the Renaissance period.

After your guided tour, you may choose to continue sightseeing on your own on Stradun before making your way back to the ship. Stroll the quaint streets, shop in the many boutiques, enjoy refreshments at a local cafe, or simply sit on a bench and enjoy the sights before heading back to your ship.

Please Note: This tour concludes on the main street, Stradun. Guests must make their way back to the ship on their own.

Exclusive Snapshot of Malta

Escape the 50+ person mob tours the cruise lines offer with this group tour of never more than 30 guests (and often less). Leaving the port, you will be driven to Mdina. Approximately 30 minutes away and Malta's first capital, Mdina dates back to before Roman times. Together with the guide, you will stroll through the quaint winding streets, admire the beautiful palazzos still used as homes by Malta's oldest families, and enjoy the view from the bastions of the 'Silent City'. The total walking time with stops is approximately 45 minutes.

After leaving Mdina, you will have a short photo stop outside the Mosta Dome Church, the third-largest dome in Europe. In 1942, the church had 300 people inside when a bomb pierced the dome and miraculously failed to explode.

Arriving in Valletta, you will begin your approximate 90-minute walking tour of the capital city of Malta. You will visit the Upper Barrakka Gardens for a panoramic view of Malta's natural harbors and the historic cities of Senglea, Cospicua, and Vittoriosa in the distance.

Continuing through Valletta's main streets, you will walk to St. John's Co-Cathedral, the 16th-century knight's own church. Revealing a staggering display of Baroque art, it houses some of Malta's finest art treasures. The two masterpieces by Caravaggio, "The Beheading of St. John the Baptist" and "St. Jerome," hang in the Oratory.

At the end of the tour, you will walk past various important buildings before reaching your transport, which will be waiting to return you to the port below. Guests wishing to remain in town may do so but are responsible for getting themselves back to the cruise pier at their own expense.

Please Note: The St. John's Co-Cathedral will not be open to the public on Sundays and public holidays. In such instances, visits to the cathedral will be substituted with a visit to the Grand Master's Palace. The same would apply in case of any last-minute closures of St. John's Co-Cathedral. The order in which the sites are visited may change according to the logistical needs of the day.

Exclusive Pompeii and Amalfi Coast

Departing from the Maritime Station cruise pier in groups of never more than 30 people max, you will meet your guide and your driver, who take you on an approximately 45 minute drive along the road that follows the Bay of Naples towards Mount Vesuvius and the ancient City of Pompeii, which lies in its shadow. Ironically, one of the ancient world's worst disasters preserved time in Pompeii, where you will experience life as it was lived in 79 AD. Once a thriving empire, it was devastated by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD when 30 feet of volcanic ash and pumice stone covered the city.

Upon arrival in Pompeii, you will enter by one of its ancient gates, and a short walk will take you to the city's hub, the Forum. Surrounded by lavish temples and porticoes, you'll begin to grasp the lifestyle of the inhabitants. Admire the mansions and the art of wealthy patricians who moved to Pompeii to escape the turmoil of Rome; view countless paintings and inscriptions. See the streets with raised pavements on both sides and the stepping-stones that ensured pedestrians a safe crossing at intersections. Your guided visit to Pompeii is approximately 2 hours.

After your visit to Pompeii sit back and appreciate about a 40 minute drive to the door of Amalfi Coast: Vietri sul Mare, the picturesque seaside resort situated on top of a hill facing Amalfi Coast. It is one of the most popular holiday resorts in Italy. You will have approximately two hours to yourself in Vietri to buy lunch, shop, take pictures, or stroll the narrow streets and several churches on your own. You will then drive back to Naples.

Please Note: The entrance fee to Pompeii is included in the tour price; however, all guests must present a valid photo ID on the day of the tour. Crowds are to be expected at all sites and lines for certain attractions may exceed over one hour to enter. The tour itinerary may be reversed but will still cover the mentioned sights. Heavy traffic congestion should be anticipated and may affect the duration of the excursion. On select days or holidays, heavy delays in traffic may contribute to a change of itinerary at the operator's discretion. Your tour of the ruins is guided.