In Transit: Depart US/Canada on international overnight flight.

Morning: Arrival in Athens International Airport (ATH). Meet group outside of customs. Transfer to the hotel.

Afternoon: Settle in at our hotel. We gather in the hotel lobby at 5:00 PM for a welcome orientation to the program.

Dinner: Dinner in the hotel dining room at 7:00 PM.

Lodging: Metropolitan Hotel

Meals Included: Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast in the hotel dining room.

Morning: Enjoy an excursion to Cape Sounion famous for its 5th-century BC temple dedicated to Poseidon, the god of the sea. The temple stands at a rocky promontory guarding the maritime route from Athens to the Aegean Islands. The spot is superb! It offers magnificent views of the blue Aegean Sea and the hundreds of islands that emerge from its waters. When British poet Lord Byron visited Sounion, he immortalized his visit by inscribing his name on one of the ancient pillars of the temple.

Lunch: Lunch at a restaurant in Plaka.

Afternoon: Free time to explore Athens. We transfer to Piraeus where we will embark the MV Aegean Odyssey at 4:00 PM. Welcome orientation to the ship at 5:00 PM in the "Observation Lounge".

Dinner: Dinner on board.

Lodging: MV Aegean Odyssey

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast on board.

Morning: We will explore the long anticipated $200-million, 226,000-square-foot Acropolis Museum. In the dramatic Gallery of the Slopes of the Acropolis, ascending floors of glass literally “float” you above the excavations for an extraordinary perspective of the layers of Greek history that lie below.

Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant.

Afternoon: A guided excursion through the ancient citadel of Athens, the Acropolis. Built during the "Golden Age" of Athens between 447-438BC under the orders of the great statesman Pericles, the Acropolis represents the magnificent achievements of Athenian culture during this remarkable era.

Dinner: Dinner on board.

Evening: Night-time sailing to Nauplia. Attend a shipboard guest lecture.

Lodging: MV Aegean Odyssey

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Note: There is moderate to heavy walking on uneven surfaces in Nauplia, Mycenae and Epidaurus.

Breakfast: Breakfast on board.

Morning: Tales of Agamemnon and the time of Homer’s heroes take center stage today on this visit to Mycenae, one of the greatest cities of the highly-developed Mycenaean civilization. This culture dominated the eastern Mediterranean from the 16th to 13th century BC and laid the foundation for classical Greece. From the picturesque port of Nauplia, a scenic 45-minute drive across the Argolid Plain takes us to the imposing city of warrior merchants that Homer described as “rich in gold”. The citadel that stands guard over the city is built high above two rock-strewn ravines, and legend holds that it was erected with the aid of the Cyclops. Enter Mycenae on foot through the Lion Gate, Europe’s oldest piece of monumental statuary: it was here that the victorious, but battle-weary Agamemnon, was greeted by his wife, Klytemnestra, on his return from the long war with Troy, only to be murdered by her lover. Inside the gates, explore the Royal Palace, view the shaft graves and relive the tragic stories at an archaeological briefing in the Treasury of Atreus, also known as the Tomb of Agamemnon.

Lunch: Lunch on board or at a local restaurant on your own.

Afternoon: Free time to explore the elegant town of Nauplia where you will find an excellent Archaeological Museum, housed in the impressive former Venetian Arsenal. This afternoon there is an option to visit Epidaurus, sacred to Asclepios, the god of medicine, and the site of the best preserved of all ancient Greek theaters (additional cost, bookable on board).

Dinner: Dinner on board.

Evening: Attend a shipboard guest lecture.

Lodging: MV Aegean Odyssey

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast on board.

Morning: A chance to relax on deck and enjoy the shipboard guest lectures as the ship makes its way to Syracuse.

Lunch: Lunch on board.

Afternoon: Enjoy the Observation Deck if the weather is nice, or dive into a good book from the ship's library.

Dinner: Dinner on board.

Evening: Attend a shipboard guest lecture.

Lodging: MV Aegean Odyssey

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast on board.

Morning: At sea. Attend a talk by your Road Scholar Group Leader.

Lunch: Lunch on board.

Afternoon: Many a conqueror set his sights on Syracuse, one of the largest and wealthiest cities of ancient Europe that, at the height of its power, rivaled Athens, Carthage and Rome. In 661, one of these invaders, Emperor Constans II, made it the capital of the Holy Roman Empire but that honor brought with it horrific imperial taxes. To pay them, we are told that wives became prostitutes, husbands were sold as slaves and children taken from their parents. The nightmare ended in 668AD when Constans was slain by a Greek bath attendant wielding a soap dish. Enjoy a walking excursion of the city’s outstanding collection of Greek and Roman ruins including the Roman Amphitheater of Augustus and the 2nd-century BC Altar of Hieron (where as many as 400 bulls were sacrificed at one time in celebration of the Eleutherian Feast). Next, visit the Latomie of Paradise, huge caverns that served as a source of stone for the city’s monuments and also as a prison: 7,000 Athenian prisoners of war were held here in 413BC. One of the most impressive of these caverns is called the Ear of Dionysus in reference to its extraordinary formation and remarkable echo. The highlight of this excursion is a visit to the 5th-century Greek theater where many of Aeschylus’s tragedies were first staged. Complete your morning with an excursion of the vast Paolo Orsi Museum, named after the noted archaeologist responsible for many discoveries on this island.

Dinner: Dinner on board.

Lodging: MV Aegean Odyssey

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast on board.

Morning: At sea. Stretch your body and mind during early morning yoga before attending a stimulating lecture.

Lunch: Lunch on board.

Afternoon: It is about an hour’s drive to Segesta, once an advanced center of the Elymian civilization. The city is thought to have been founded in the 5th to 4th century BC by a combination of exiled Trojans, Phocaeans from Greece and Sicans of Sicily. Segesta was well defended, located on a vast plateau between two peaks and surrounded by walls. Presiding in splendid isolation is a stunning Greek theater and the majestic 36-columned, 5th-century BC Doric temple. This archaeological jewel is in an extraordinary state of preservation and makes a superb sight amid its surroundings of rolling hills.

Dinner: Dinner on board.

Evening: Attend a shipboard guest lecture.

Lodging: MV Aegean Odyssey

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast on board.

Morning: During Roger II’s reign as King of Sicily (1130AD to 1154AD), the island became a great maritime power and also the channel through which Greek and Arabic thought passed into Europe. The embracing spirit of Roger’s reign is gloriously expressed in many of the great buildings of Sicily, but nowhere more perfectly than the Palatine Chapel, built during the 1130s and 1140s. This is the king’s masterpiece – a miraculous fusion of Latin, Byzantine and Arabic architectural design. Creamy marble is inlaid with gold leaf, Byzantine mosaics blanket entire walls and the ceiling of carved wooden coffers speaks of the finest Arabic design. The palace in which the chapel is housed had its start in the 9th century AD, when the Emir of Palermo built on the site of a Punic Roman stronghold. Roger II turned the building into the city’s main fortress and his sumptuous palace, then crowned it with this jewel of a chapel. Following your visit to the Palatine Chapel, the walking excursion continues to nearby San Giovanni degli Eremiti, built by Roger II in 1132, a Norman church with Arabic domes and a Romanesque cloister. Drive next to Palermo Cathedral, site of the huge porphyry tomb of Roger II, as well as the silver urn that contains the remains of Palermo’s protector, St Rosalia. The ship will offer an optional extension of this excursion to Palazzo Gangi, a magnificent private residence dating to the 15th century (additional cost, bookable on board).

Lunch: Lunch on board or explore local fare on your own at a local restaurant.

Afternoon: Continue to explore Palermo on your own.

Dinner: Dinner on board.

Evening: Overnight in Palermo. Attend a shipboard guest lecture.

Lodging: MV Aegean Odyssey

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast on board.

Morning: Travel just a short distance out of Palermo to discover Monreale Cathedral, considered by many to be the most beautiful Norman church in Italy. Designed by William the Good in 1174, the church offers visions of beauty, grace and the divine. The exterior’s thick walls and powerful towers have the look of an austere fortress, but just step inside: it is the interior that is this cathedral’s true glory. The large nave with its side aisles and gray granite columns draws the eyes upward to 12th-century gold mosaics that cover over one and a half acres of wall space. The excursion also visits the Benedictine cloisters, a magnificent synthesis of Romanesque and Arab architecture. Admire the serenity of the courtyard with its graceful arcade featuring 216 sets of twin columns and pointed Arabic arches. Enjoy some free time in the main square before we return to the ship. Additionally, the ship will offer an optional extension of this excursion to Palazzo Gangi, a magnificent private residence dating to the 15th century (additional cost, bookable on board).

Lunch: Lunch on board.

Afternoon: A lunchtime sail takes the ship through the Lipari Islands where we will see the island of Stromboli. Its constantly active volcano is visible from the surrounding sea, giving rise to the island's nickname "Lighthouse of the Mediterranean."

Dinner: Dinner on board.

Evening: Attend a shipboard guest lecture as the ship makes its way to Sorrento.

Lodging: MV Aegean Odyssey

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Note: This excursion involves heavy walking for one or more hours over uneven terrain, with multiple uphill segments or where excursion features climbing in and out of local boats or small vehicles.

Breakfast: Breakfast on board.

Morning: The patricians who built their mansions in Pompeii came to escape the turmoil in Rome, but a different sort of violence awaited them in their southern retreats. In 79AD, Mount Vesuvius erupted at 10am and, within three hours, extinguished these affluent communities even as it preserved their remains for our discovery. Begin with a scenic hour drive along the Bay of Naples to Pompeii. On the walking excursion, you will be guided expertly through this spectacular site. Places not to be missed include the aristocratic mansions, temples, theaters, markets and large forum. At every turn, inscriptions bring the hustle and bustle of this ancient city to life: there are notices of wine sales and apartment vacancies, upcoming gladiatorial events in the theater and political announcements.

Lunch: Enjoy a typical Italian lunch at a local restaurant.

Afternoon: In the afternoon, we head to Herculaneum which was engulfed by volcanic mud in the same eruption that claimed Pompeii. Fortunately for us, this mud sealed and protected entire buildings: today inlaid marble floors, paintings, mosaics and carbonized woods can all be seen. These range from the sculpture of the Drunken Hercules in the House of the Stags to mosaics of tritons in the city baths. Perhaps the most famous relic is the Villa of the Papyri. The villa was owned by Julius Caesar's father-in-law, Lucius Calpurnius Piso Caesoninus, a man with a keen interest in Epicurean philosophy. Following our visit, we will return to central Sorrento where you have the option of exploring independently or returning to the ship in the company of the guide.

Dinner: Dinner on board.

Evening: Overnight in Sorrento. Attend a shipboard guest lecture

Lodging: MV Aegean Odyssey

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast on board.

Morning: Join your fellow Road Scholar participants and enjoy a full-day field trip along the Amalfi Drive, considered by many to be the most beautiful drive in the world. During this journey along one of Europe's most striking coasts, you will experience breathtaking panoramas, picturesque fishing villages, secluded beaches, and Mediterranean scenery. Explore Amalfi, the town which gives its name to the entire Sorrentine Peninsula, a port since the 6th century and Italy’s first independent maritime republic.

Lunch: Road Scholar lunch at a local restaurant.

Afternoon: Revisit the beauty of the Amalfi Coast on your return to Sorrento and your ship.

Dinner: Dinner on board.

Lodging: MV Aegean Odyssey

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast on board.

Morning: At sea. Attend a talk by your Road Scholar Group Leader.

Lunch: Lunch on board.

Afternoon: Discover the star of Corsica's cliff-lined coast: the medieval town of Bonifacio and its walled citadel, Haute Ville, perched high above the sea. Discover this magnificent town, founded in 828 by Bonifacio, the Marquis of Tuscany, and built on the site of an earlier Roman settlement. Start with a tram ride to upper town that offers panoramic views at every turn (if it's a clear day, you may spot Sardinia). Pass the eerie marine cemetery in the Bosco quarter and the 13th-century church of St Dominique, a rare example of the Corsican Gothic style. Following your ride, enjoy a walking excursion through the heart of the historic district. Stroll along cobblestone streets lined with tall narrow houses, many originally built without doors so residents could enter by ladders they pulled up after themselves to prevent surprise attacks. Bonifacio's architecture reflects its many centuries as a colony of Genoa. Admire the 12th-century cathedral, St Marie Majeure, a mix of Romanesque, Baroque and Gothic architectural styles. Visit The Two Emperors Street, where Charles V and Napoleon Bonaparte once stayed, in 1541 and 1793 respectively. See the Place des Armes, the Jardin des Vestiges and an old market that offers sweeping views over the 230-foot cliffs. Pass through the enormous walls of the Porte de Gênes, once the only entrance to Haute Ville, (the drawbridge is a later addition). See the Chapel of St Roch, built where the last plague victim died in 1528. Following the excursion, you can return to the ship with the guide or stay to explore on your own.

Dinner: Dinner on board.

Evening: Attend a shipboard guest lecture.

Lodging: MV Aegean Odyssey

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast on board.

Morning: Discover the town that gave birth to the Italian Renaissance and view the period's outpouring of art in the renowned Uffizi Museum. From the port of Livorno, it is a about an hour and a half drive through the Tuscan hills to Florence where you begin an exploration through the history and art of this timeless city. A highlight of the morning is a visit to the Accademia, Europe's first school of drawing, where Michelangelo's colossal statue of David presides over a rich collection of paintings and sculptures. Enjoy a guided walking excursion past such landmarks as the 10th-century Ponte Vecchio spanning the River Arno. View the Duomo cathedral flanked by Giotto's Bell Tower. So dense is Florence with monuments, every step reveals new marvels. See the Baptistry, where Ghiberti and Donatello competed to design the bronze doors. Admire the Basilica di Santa Croce where Michelangelo and Machiavelli are interred. Pause in Piazza Signoria, in 1497 the site of Fra Savonarola's Bonfire of the Vanities.

Lunch: Lunch on your own at a local restaurant.

Afternoon: The centerpiece of this excursion is an afternoon visit to the world-renowned Uffizi Museum. The 16th-century palace, built when Cosimo Medici was the First Grand Duke of Tuscany, houses such Renaissance masterpieces as The Annunciation by Leonardo da Vinci, the exquisite Madonnas of Filippo Lippi, and an entire room of Botticellis, including The Birth of Venus. Foreign artists from Rembrandt to Rubens are also represented. Later, savor your impressions on a panoramic drive back to the ship.

Dinner: Dinner on board.

Lodging: MV Aegean Odyssey

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast on board.

Morning: Disembark in Civitavecchia and transfer to Rome. Morning panoramic sightseeing excursion through the fabulous city of Rome.

Lunch: Explore local fare on your own.

Afternoon: Free afternoon to explore Rome on your own. You may wish to explore the Pantheon, or behold stunning views of the city from the top of the Spanish Steps.

Dinner: Farewell dinner at a Roman trattoria.

Lodging: Grand Hotel Beverly Hills

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast in hotel dining room.

Morning: Transfer to the Leonardo da Vinci International airport (FCO) for departures.

Meals Included: Breakfast