Road Scholar : La Dolce Vita: The Best of the Mediterranean - Spain/Monaco/Italy/Croatia

La Dolce Vita: The Best of the Mediterranean

Program Number:

21138RJ

Start and End Dates:


	4/19/2013 - 5/2/2013;

Duration:

13 nights

Location:

Spain/Monaco/Italy/Croatia

Price starting at:

$6,525.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city

Program Type:

Adventure Afloat Study Cruise; Ocean Cruises

Meals:

35; 12 Breakfasts, 11 Lunches, 12 Dinners

Meal Options:

Vegetarian

Experience “la dolce vita” — the sweet life — in the Mediterranean as you journey to the scenic ports and seaside towns of Spain, Italy, Croatia and Monaco.

Activity Particulars

Must be able to handle your own luggage, get on and off a motorcoach, walk a few blocks and climb a few stairs.

Programs with Crystal Cruises are designed for the independent traveler. These programs offer a lower activity level and the ability to choose your own shore excursion based on your preferences and physical ability. Road Scholar will provide one exclusive shore excursion and private onboard lectures with our own Group Leader and lecturer.

Itinerary At-a-Glance

Barcelona (Spain), 1 night; aboard Crystal Serenity, 11 nights.

Day 1: Overnight flight from the U.S.A.

Days 2-5: Arrival Barcelona (Spain) / embark Crystal Serenity:

Join a local expert for a panoramic exploration of Barcelona and a visit to the Picasso Museum. Enjoy a second day to experience the city on your own. Lodging: Four-star hotel.

Day 6: Monte Carlo (Monaco):

Thrill in the beauty of Monaco’s famous coastline and experience historic, bustling Monte Carlo.

Day 7: Florence (Italy):

With a resident art historian, experience a local’s view of Florence and its historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Day 8: Rome:

Absorb more than 2,500 years of history as you explore the Colosseum, Pantheon, Sistine Chapel and the Vatican.

Day 9: Sorrento:

Marvel at the sights of the Amalfi Coast and walk along the ruins of Pompeii during a day in Sorrento.

Day 10-11: Sicily / Taormina / At Sea:

Embrace the essence of Sicily as you walk the picturesque streets of Taormina in the shadow of the enormous Mount Etna.

Day 12: Trogir (Croatia):

Explore the churches, palaces and towers of Trogir, as well as the city’s Romanesque-Gothic quarter, deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Days 13-14: Venice (Italy) / disembark / departure:

Admire the richness of St. Mark's Basilica and the lavishness of the Palazzo Ducale during a day in Venice.

Crystal Serenity

At 820 feet long, this elegant ocean liner offers its 1,080 passengers plenty of space, unsparing amenities including the high-tech Computer University@Sea and several restaurants, including one by acclaimed chef Nobu Matsuhisa. Complimentary fine wines and premium spirits available throughout voyage.

Meals and Lodgings
	Hotel Catalonia Berna or similar
		Lisbon, Portugal	1 night
	Crystal Serenity
		Aboard Ship, At Sea	11 nights

Hotel Catalonia Berna or similar
	Type:	Four-Star Hotel
	Description:	Located in a fully restored historical building, in a central position just two blocks from "La Pedrera" ( Gaudi - Casa Mila) and four blocks from Plaza Catalunya.
	Contact info:	Roger de Lluria, 60 Barcelona, 08009 Spain phone: +34 93 272 00 50
	Room amenities:	Private facilities, hair dryer, in room a/c & heating, tel., Satellite TV, Minibar, Safe deposit box. Wi-fi
	Facility amenities:	Restaurant, Bar, Lounge and a spacious Lobby, lift to all floors. Internet and wi-fi in public areas
	Smoking allowed:	No
	Elevators available:	Yes
	Additional nights prior:	TBD Please contact Road Scholar Travel Services for details
	Check in time:	4:00 PM

Crystal Serenity
	Type:	Cruise Ship
	Ship Information:	68,000 gross registered tons (approx.) 820 ft. length (250 m) 105.6 ft. width (32.2 m) 24.9 ft. draft (7.6 m) 21.0 knots cruising speed 22.0 knots maximum speed Fin type roll stabilizers Two transverse controllable pitch bow thrusters
	Contact info:	2049 Century Park East Suite 1400 Los Angeles, CA 90067 USA phone: 186-644-6662 x5 web: www.crystalcruises.com
	Room amenities:	verandahs in 85 % of staterooms; all other staterooms have picture windows Refrigerators hairdryer In-stateroom Internet access Shower, tub, double sink in bathroom Queen or twin-sized beds, depending on preference ship-to-shore phones safe
	Facility amenities:	Two-story Crystal Plaza and Crystal Cove, lobby area with atrium, comfortable seating and piano bar, "Avenue of the Stars" shopping arcade with three boutiques offering upscale clothing, jewelry, and specialty items, Casino featuring slot machines, bar poker and slant top poker machines, blackjack tables, craps, a roulette table, baccarat table and the Ultimate Texas Hold'em, Galaxy Lounge, the ship's main entertainment venue Hollywood Theatre for recently released movies, with state-of-the-art audio visual and translation equipment that may be used for meetings and/or conferences; theatre also features audio enhancement for the hearing-impaired, Computer University@Sea® center with a lab for classroom instruction and separate room offering 24-hour Internet and e-mail access, The Studio, a completely new learning center for a variety of creative and educational hands-on classes, a variety of lounges including the Stardust Club for dancing and cabaret, Avenue Saloon cocktail and piano bar, Connoisseur Club, an intimate refined cigar lounge, Palm Court/Sunset Bar observation lounge, and Pulse disco Fantasia children's center and Waves teen center, a library featuring over 3,000 books, videos, DVDs, and books-on-tape, and a Bridge Lounge.
	Smoking allowed:	Yes
	Elevators available:	Yes
	Check out time:	9:00 AM

Travel Details
	Start of Program: This program begins on Day 2 in Barcelona, Spain with a welcome orientation at the program hotel. You will be staying at Hotel Catalonia Berna or similar that night.
	End of Program: This program ends on the morning following breakfast on board the ship in Venice, Italy You will be staying at Crystal Serenity the night before.
	Required documents: The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required. IMPORTANT INFORMATION All participants MUST register online with Crystal Cruises. To register go to checkin.crystalcruises.com to access the Priority Check-in and Planning Center. To log in, you need type in your first/last names as they appear on your passport and your booking number (which appears on your cruise confirmation or can be obtained from Road Scholar). You will need to enter your contact and passport information in order to register. Once registered you will be able to book excursions and on-board activities (such as specialty dining, spa appointments, etc). If you did not recieve a booking number, please call us at 1.866.359.5966. For more information on using the Priority Check-in & Planning Center please see the attachment at the end of this booklet. Proof of citizenship is required for ALL guests. For full information regarding traveling with Crystal Cruises, we recommend visiting the Crystal Cruise website at: www.crystalcruises.com and refer to the "Cruise Guidebook"
	Parking availability: Driving to program site is not possible.

Transportation		(For Independent Travelers)

	To Start of Program
	Location:	Lisbon
	Transportation to site:	Transfers will be provided from the Barcelona Airport to the program hotel for all participants who arrange their air travel through Road Scholar, and are arriving on Day 2 of the program. There will be one designated group transfer, which Program Only Participants (POPS) may join if the flight times coincide with your arrival flights. The group transfer time will be confirmed in your final program materials sent approximately 5 weeks prior to the program. We recommend that all participants arrive by 3:00 pm in order to make it to the ship in time for the program orientation.

	From End of Program
	Location:	Aboard Ship
	Transportation from site:	There will be one departure transfer from the Port of Venice on the morning of Day 14. Participants who arranged their airfare through Road Scholar Travel Services and who are departing on the group date will be provided with a transfer from the ship to the airport in Venice. Independent travelers may join the group transfer or take a taxi. We do not recommend booking flights that depart before 12:00 pm. The group transfer time will be confirmed in your final program materials sent approximately 5 weeks prior to the program.

The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Daily Schedule

Day 1:

Depart North America for Barcelona
(Friday, April 19)

Depart From:

Flights depart from North America

Day 2:

Arrive in Barcelona
(Saturday, April 20)

Arrive To:	Arrive in Barcelona, Spain and transfer to the program hotel.
Afternoon:	Program Welcome and Orientation: Review program details with your group leader.
Dinner:	Welcome dinner at the hotel

Accommodations:	Hotel Catalonia Berna or similar
Meals Included:	Dinner

Day 3:

Barcelona, Spain / Embark the Crystal Serenity
(Sunday, April 21)

Breakfast:	Buffet Breakfast at the hotel
Morning:	EXCLUSIVE ROAD SCHOLAR FIELD TRIP: This morning your local expert will discuss Barcelona’s beautiful landmarks, architecture and history during a panoramic city drive. Stop at the "Templo Expiatiorio de La Sagrada Familia" for a look at the interior of this remarkable cathedral. Originally conceived in a modest orthodox neo-Gothic style, the project changed direction and scale under Gaudi, who used the opportunity to reflect his own spiritual and nationalist feelings, spending most of the rest of his working life in the project.
Lunch:	Lunch will be served at a local restaurant.
Afternoon:	Picasso Museum: This afternoon enjoy a field trip to view the Picasso Museum collections, which testify to the artist's strong ties with the city where he spent his artistic formative years. Gain an understanding of the artist's development by examining some of the 3,500 works that make up the museum's permanent collection. Transfer to the Barcelona Cruise Terminal to Embark the Crystal Serenity.
Dinner:	Join your study leader for a group dinner in the Crystal Dining Room.

Accommodations:	Crystal Serenity
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4:

Barcelona, Spain
(Monday, April 22)

Note: Choose your own shore excursion from a variety offered by Crystal Cruises. Excursions may be booked online up to 6 months prior to the departure date. Please visit www.crystalcruises.com for more information about their shore adventures.

Breakfast:	Breakfast at leisure on board in the Crystal Dining Room (open seating) or the more casual Lido Café. Room Service is also available 24 hours a day.
Morning:	INDPENDENT EXPLORATION: Explore Barcelona independently by choosing from a variety of shore excursions offered by Crystal Cruises. Excursions will vary in length from a couple of hours to a full day with different activity levels. Barcelona, capital of Catalonia, is a celebration of history and heir to Greek, Phoenician, Roman, Carthaginian, Gothic and Arab cultural legacies. Since it is nearly as close to Rome, Geneva and Munich as it is to Madrid, Barcelona has long been the Spanish link to Western Europe. It was the home of Picasso, Miró, Dali, Casals and Gaudí and has been described as a Mediterranean Manhattan, a cosmopolitan experimental center for political ideas and artistic movements. In addition to its abundance of artistic and architectural treasures, Barcelona serves as the gateway to one of the world's most impressive mountainside enclaves at Montserrat. Discover the secret legends of the Black Virgin and the alluring chants of monastic life high atop the Catalonian plains. Barcelona's ancient city walls and the narrow crooked streets of the town's old section are laid out for your discovery. You will find that Barcelona has something for everybody.
Lunch:	Lunch at leisure on board the ship in the Crystal Dining Room, the Lido Café, or the Trident Grill, or you may choose to eat independently ashore. Some Crystal shore excursions will include lunch (depending on the length).
Afternoon:	Continue independent exploration of Barcelona
Dinner:	Join your study leader for a group dinner in the Crystal Dining Room.

Accommodations:	Crystal Serenity
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5:

Cruising the Mediterranean Sea
(Tuesday, April 23)

Breakfast:	Breakfast at leisure on board in the Crystal Dining Room (open seating) or the more casual Lido Café. Room Service is also available 24 hours a day.
Morning:	Enjoy a relaxing morning aboard Crystal Serenity. Explore the ship's world class complimentary services, enjoy onboard lectures by experts in their fields, explore the various dining options, or take classes such as language lessons or piano instructions. This morning you will also be invited to attend an exclusive lecture for Road Scholars presented by your study leader exploring Art and Culture in the Mediterranean.
Lunch:	Lunch at leisure on board the ship in the Crystal Dining Room, the Lido Café, or the Trident Grill.
Afternoon:	Join your study leader for another exclusive lecture for Road Scholar participants exploring Art and Culture in the Mediterranean.
Dinner:	Join your study leader for a group dinner in the Crystal Dining Room.

Accommodations:	Crystal Serenity
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6:

Monte Carlo, Monaco
(Wednesday, April 24)

Note: Choose your own shore excursion from a variety offered by Crystal Cruises. Excursions may be booked online up to 6 months prior to the departure date. Please visit www.crystalcruises.com for more information about their shore adventures.

Breakfast:	Breakfast at leisure on board in the Crystal Dining Room (open seating) or the more casual Lido Café. Room Service is also available 24 hours a day.
Morning:	INDEPENDENT EXPLORATION: Explore Monte Carlo independently by choosing from a variety of shore excursions offered by Crystal Cruises. Excursions will vary in length from a couple of hours to a full day with different activity levels. Monaco is an ancient principality steeped in rich and colorful history. Its proud monarchy is presided over by Prince Albert, who assumed the throne after his famed father Prince Rainier died in 2005. Today when gazing on its modern skyline, it is hard to imagine that Monaco endured a turbulent past. Once a Greek settlement conquered by the Romans, it was bought from the Genoese in 1309 by the Grimaldis, who still rule as the world's oldest monarchy. Monaco covers less than one square mile and is known primarily for its Grand Casino.
Lunch:	Lunch at leisure on board the ship in the Crystal Dining Room, the Lido Café, or the Trident Grill, or you may choose to eat independently ashore. Some Crystal shore excursions will include lunch (depending on the length).
Afternoon:	Continue independent exploration of Monte Carlo.
Dinner:	Join your study leader for a group dinner in the Crystal Dining Room.

Accommodations:	Crystal Serenity
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7:

Florence / Livorno, Italy
(Thursday, April 25)

Note: Today's field trip is included in your program price. Please do not book an Independent Crystal Shore Excursion today if you intend on joining the group.

Breakfast:	Breakfast at leisure on board in the Crystal Dining Room (open seating) or the more casual Lido Café. Room Service is also available 24 hours a day.
Morning:	EXCLUSIVE ROAD SCHOLAR FIELD TRIP: Travel from the port in Livorno to Florence. Learn about this Tuscan capital through an in-depth exploration with your group leader, a Florence resident and art historian.
Lunch:	Lunch at a local restaurant.
Afternoon:	Continue exploring Florence before transferring back to the Crystal Serenity.
Dinner:	Join your study leader for a group dinner in the Crystal Dining Room.

Accommodations:	Crystal Serenity
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8:

Rome / Civitavecchia, Italy
(Friday, April 26)

Note: Choose your own shore excursion from a variety offered by Crystal Cruises. Excursions may be booked online up to 6 months prior to the departure date. Please visit www.crystalcruises.com for more information about their shore adventures.

Breakfast:	Breakfast at leisure on board in the Crystal Dining Room (open seating) or the more casual Lido Café. Room Service is also available 24 hours a day.
Morning:	INDEPENDENT EXPLORATION: Explore Rome independently by choosing from a variety of shore excursions offered by Crystal Cruises. Excursions will vary in length from a couple of hours to a full day with different activity levels. Civitavecchia was founded by Emperor Trajan in the 2nd century. Today this port is noted for its fine seafood and attractive monuments. Located 90 minutes away is the Eternal City of Rome. Steeped in 2,500 years of history, Rome was for many centuries the center of Western civilization. It was both the focal point of the Roman Empire and of Christendom. Landmarks such as the Colosseum, Forum, Pantheon, Vatican, Sistine Chapel and Spanish Steps are reminders of the legacy of its rich past.
Lunch:	Lunch at leisure on board the ship in the Crystal Dining Room, the Lido Café, or the Trident Grill, or you may choose to eat independently ashore. Some Crystal shore excursions will include lunch (depending on the length).
Afternoon:	Continue independent exploration of Rome.
Dinner:	Join your study leader for a group dinner in the Crystal Dining Room.

Accommodations:	Crystal Serenity
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9:

Sorrento, Italy
(Saturday, April 27)

Note: Choose your own shore excursion from a variety offered by Crystal Cruises. Excursions may be booked online up to 6 months prior to the departure date. Please visit www.crystalcruises.com for more information about their shore adventures.

Breakfast:	Breakfast at leisure on board in the Crystal Dining Room (open seating) or the more casual Lido Café. Room Service is also available 24 hours a day.
Morning:	INDEPENDENT EXPLORATION: Explore Sorrento independently by choosing from a variety of shore excursions offered by Crystal Cruises. Excursions will vary in length from a couple of hours to a full day with different activity levels. As your ship approaches the Sorrento Peninsula, delight in craggy cliffs draped with flowing pink blossoms. Renowned for its serene way of life, this romantic port exudes a special magic. Its dramatic bluffs and surrounding flowered hills bid travelers welcome to a town overflowing with charm and character. It is easy to relax in this languid southern Italian atmosphere. The sensational Amalfi Coast and the haunting ruins at Pompeii are among the region's highlights..
Lunch:	Lunch at leisure on board the ship in the Crystal Dining Room, the Lido Café, or the Trident Grill, or you may choose to eat independently ashore. Some Crystal shore excursions will include lunch (depending on the length).
Afternoon:	Continue independent exploration of Sorrento.
Dinner:	Join your study leader for a group dinner in the Crystal Dining Room.

Accommodations:	Crystal Serenity
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10:

Sicily / Taormina, Italy
(Sunday, April 28)

Note: Choose your own shore excursion from a variety offered by Crystal Cruises. Excursions may be booked online up to 6 months prior to the departure date. Please visit www.crystalcruises.com for more information about their shore adventures.

Breakfast:	Breakfast at leisure on board in the Crystal Dining Room (open seating) or the more casual Lido Café. Room Service is also available 24 hours a day.
Morning:	INDEPENDENT EXPLORATION: Explore Taormina independently by choosing from a variety of shore excursions offered by Crystal Cruises. Excursions will vary in length from a couple of hours to a full day with different activity levels. Nature and history have made Sicily a land of striking contrasts. The largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, Sicily was for centuries the center of the known world. Its unique geographic position made the island vulnerable to attacks by foreigners, while also making it a meeting place of Mediterranean civilizations, a bridge between the East and West. The picturesque little town of Taormina enjoys a beauty comprised of light, color and sea. Taormina has no middle tones, no grays and no muted shades. Lying on a short terrace of the coast and dripping off the shoulders of the enormous Mount Etna, Taormina embodies the essence of Sicily.
Lunch:	Lunch at leisure on board the ship in the Crystal Dining Room, the Lido Café, or the Trident Grill, or you may choose to eat independently ashore. Some Crystal shore excursions will include lunch (depending on the length).
Afternoon:	Continue independent exploration of Taormina.
Dinner:	Join your study leader for a group dinner in the Crystal Dining Room.

Accommodations:	Crystal Serenity
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11:

Cruising the Adriatic Sea
(Monday, April 29)

Breakfast:	Breakfast at leisure on board in the Crystal Dining Room (open seating) or the more casual Lido Café. Room Service is also available 24 hours a day.
Morning:	Join your study leader for an exclusive Road Scholar presentation on art and culture in the Mediterranean.
Lunch:	Lunch at leisure on board the ship in the Crystal Dining Room, the Lido Café, or the Trident Grill.
Afternoon:	Join your study leader for an exclusive Road Scholar presentation on art and culture in the Mediterranean
Dinner:	Join your study leader for a group dinner in the Crystal Dining Room.

Accommodations:	Crystal Serenity
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12:

Trogir, Croatia
(Tuesday, April 30)

Note: Choose your own shore excursion from a variety offered by Crystal Cruises. Excursions may be booked online up to 6 months prior to the departure date. Please visit www.crystalcruises.com for more information about their shore adventures.

Breakfast:	Breakfast at leisure on board in the Crystal Dining Room (open seating) or the more casual Lido Café. Room Service is also available 24 hours a day.
Morning:	INDEPENDENT EXPLORATION: Explore Trogir, Croatia independently by choosing from a variety of shore excursions offered by Crystal Cruises. Excursions will vary in length from a couple of hours to a full day with different activity levels. In a region where the words "Baroque," "medieval" and "Renaissance" - not to mention "beautiful" and "charming" - describe virtually every sight, one might think it would be difficult to find any one town that is a standout. Yet Trogir, Croatia, may just be that place. Located on a small island between the Croatian mainland and the island of Ciovo, the city of Trogir has a history that reaches back to the 3rd century BC, when it was founded by the Greeks. Later influenced by the Romans and Venetians, Trogir is nothing short of an open-air museum, sprinkled liberally with churches, palaces, towers and fortifications. Its Romanesque-Gothic quarter is one of the best-preserved not only in the Adriatic, but in all of Central Europe. UNESCO has recognized Trogir as the special place that it is, designating the historic center as a World Heritage Site.
Lunch:	Lunch at leisure on board the ship in the Crystal Dining Room, the Lido Café, or the Trident Grill, or you may choose to eat independently ashore. Some Crystal shore excursions will include lunch (depending on the length).
Afternoon:	Continue independent exploration of Trogir.
Dinner:	Join your study leader for a group dinner in the Crystal Dining Room.

Accommodations:	Crystal Serenity
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 13:

Venice, Italy
(Wednesday, May 1)

Note: Choose your own shore excursion from a variety offered by Crystal Cruises. Excursions may be booked online up to 6 months prior to the departure date. Please visit www.crystalcruises.com for more information about their shore adventures.

Breakfast:	Breakfast at leisure on board in the Crystal Dining Room (open seating) or the more casual Lido Café. Room Service is also available 24 hours a day.
Morning:	INDEPENDENT EXPLORATION: Explore Venice independently by choosing from a variety of shore excursions offered by Crystal Cruises. Excursions will vary in length from a couple of hours to a full day with different activity levels. Venice rests three miles off the coast of mainland Italy and is considered one of the world's most enchanting cities. Known as the "Queen of the Adriatic," it actually comprises more than 100 separate islands. Laced together by a string of 400 intricate bridges, Venice is legendary for its labyrinthine network of canals. A whimsical stroll through the city can lead one to a hidden world of ornately decorated piazzas and shops. As you explore colorful marketplaces and busy town squares, marvel at a priceless legacy of Baroque architecture. Admire the richness of St. Mark's Basilica and the lavishness of the Palazzo Ducale. Getting lost in Venice can be a truly delightful experience. The place of dreams, this romantic city will live long in your memory.
Lunch:	Lunch at leisure on board the ship in the Crystal Dining Room, the Lido Café, or the Trident Grill, or you may choose to eat independently ashore. Some Crystal shore excursions will include lunch (depending on the length).
Afternoon:	Continue independent exploration of Venice.
Dinner:	Join your study leader for a group dinner in the Crystal Dining Room.

Accommodations:	Crystal Serenity
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 14:

Venice Italy / Departures
(Thursday, May 2)

Breakfast:	Breakfast at leisure on board in the Crystal Dining Room (open seating) or the more casual Lido Café. Room Service is also available 24 hours a day.
Morning:	Disembark the ship and transfer to the Venice Airport.

Meals Included:

Breakfast

Free Time Opportunities

Aboard Ship

Crystal Cruise Line Shore Excursions
Participants enrolled in this program wanting to pre register for the Crystal Adventure shore excursions using their $200 ship board credit should contact the program provider at 1-866-359-5966 to secure their individual reservation number and may do so online (link below). To view the most up to date Crystal Adventure shore excursion offered by Crystal cruise line please visit the link below and once the page has fully loaded select Crystal Adventures. Adventures are generally listed within 6 months of departure. PLEASE REMEMBER that as part of your Road Scholar program we have included a full day exclusive Road Scholar shore program in Madeira. **PLEASE NOTE: Details on Crystal Cruises shore excursions are available approximately 6 months prior to your program. You will be able to access the list of shore excursions and prices by following this link. For additional information, visit www.crystalcruises.com/VoyageDetail.aspx?CID=0328

Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

You can't find a better value than Road Scholar.

As a not-for-profit organization, we are dedicated to providing all-inclusive educational programs at great value. From lectures to gratuities to field trips to accommodations - the tuition you pay up front is all that you pay.

Specifically, this program includes:

12 nights accommodations
35 meals: 12 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 12 dinners
Expert-led lectures: 4
Expert-led lectures

Led by one or more of our world-class instructors, typically in a classroom setting, lectures come in the form of presentations, discussions or workshops and offer expert insight into your area of study.
Field trips: 1
Field trips

The world is your classroom, as you're on location with an instructor to pursue your educational theme firsthand.

Plus these special experiences...

Explore Gaudi's Sagrada Familia, Barcelona's most recognizable landmark, with an expert Road Scholar guide.
Join your group leader for an insider's look at Florence, Italy.

View the Daily Schedule to see more

And included with all Road Scholar programs:

Learning led by expert instructors who are authorities in the field of study.
An experienced Group Leader attuned to the needs of Road Scholar participants.
Customary gratuities throughout the program that you would normally pay yourself.
The Road Scholar Travel Assistance Plan, providing 24-hour-a-day emergency assistance coverage.
Taxes

Experience “la dolce vita” — the sweet life — in the Mediterranean as you journey to the scenic ports and seaside towns of Spain, Italy, Croatia and Monaco.

Activity Particulars

Must be able to handle your own luggage, get on and off a motorcoach, walk a few blocks and climb a few stairs.

Itinerary At-a-Glance

Barcelona (Spain), 1 night; aboard Crystal Serenity, 11 nights.

Day 1: Overnight flight from the U.S.A.

Days 2-5: Arrival Barcelona (Spain) / embark Crystal Serenity:

Join a local expert for a panoramic exploration of Barcelona and a visit to the Picasso Museum. Enjoy a second day to experience the city on your own. Lodging: Four-star hotel.

Day 6: Monte Carlo (Monaco):

Thrill in the beauty of Monaco’s famous coastline and experience historic, bustling Monte Carlo.

Day 7: Florence (Italy):

With a resident art historian, experience a local’s view of Florence and its historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Day 8: Rome:

Absorb more than 2,500 years of history as you explore the Colosseum, Pantheon, Sistine Chapel and the Vatican.

Day 9: Sorrento:

Marvel at the sights of the Amalfi Coast and walk along the ruins of Pompeii during a day in Sorrento.

Day 10-11: Sicily / Taormina / At Sea:

Embrace the essence of Sicily as you walk the picturesque streets of Taormina in the shadow of the enormous Mount Etna.

Day 12: Trogir (Croatia):

Explore the churches, palaces and towers of Trogir, as well as the city’s Romanesque-Gothic quarter, deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Days 13-14: Venice (Italy) / disembark / departure:

Admire the richness of St. Mark's Basilica and the lavishness of the Palazzo Ducale during a day in Venice.

Crystal Serenity

Meals and Lodgings

Travel Details

Daily Schedule

Note: Choose your own shore excursion from a variety offered by Crystal Cruises. Excursions may be booked online up to 6 months prior to the departure date. Please visit www.crystalcruises.com for more information about their shore adventures.

Note: Choose your own shore excursion from a variety offered by Crystal Cruises. Excursions may be booked online up to 6 months prior to the departure date. Please visit www.crystalcruises.com for more information about their shore adventures.

Note: Today's field trip is included in your program price. Please do not book an Independent Crystal Shore Excursion today if you intend on joining the group.

Note: Choose your own shore excursion from a variety offered by Crystal Cruises. Excursions may be booked online up to 6 months prior to the departure date. Please visit www.crystalcruises.com for more information about their shore adventures.

Note: Choose your own shore excursion from a variety offered by Crystal Cruises. Excursions may be booked online up to 6 months prior to the departure date. Please visit www.crystalcruises.com for more information about their shore adventures.

Note: Choose your own shore excursion from a variety offered by Crystal Cruises. Excursions may be booked online up to 6 months prior to the departure date. Please visit www.crystalcruises.com for more information about their shore adventures.

Note: Choose your own shore excursion from a variety offered by Crystal Cruises. Excursions may be booked online up to 6 months prior to the departure date. Please visit www.crystalcruises.com for more information about their shore adventures.

Note: Choose your own shore excursion from a variety offered by Crystal Cruises. Excursions may be booked online up to 6 months prior to the departure date. Please visit www.crystalcruises.com for more information about their shore adventures.

Free Time Opportunities

You can't find a better value than Road Scholar.

As a not-for-profit organization, we are dedicated to providing all-inclusive educational programs at great value. From lectures to gratuities to field trips to accommodations - the tuition you pay up front is all that you pay.

Specifically, this program includes:

Plus these special experiences...

And included with all Road Scholar programs: