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Morning: Arrive in Barcelona and transfer to the program hotel.
Afternoon: Before dinner, we will gather in our private meeting room where the group leader will greet you with a warm welcome and introduce everyone. We will review the up-to-date daily schedule and any changes, discuss responsibilities, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer any questions you may have. Please be aware that program activities and scheduled times could change due to local circumstances. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner: Join your group and group leader for a welcome dinner at the hotel.
Evening: At leisure.
Breakfast: At the hotel.
Morning: Enjoy a panoramic tour by coach of Barcelona, which will include many of the city center neighborhoods influenced by modernist artists, as well as a guided visit to Gaudí's unfinished masterpiece- La Sagrada Familia. Continue your Gaudí experience with a visit of one of Gaudí's creations, Casa Milà, popularly known as “La Pedrera” (The Quarry) for its Modernist façade.
Lunch: At a local Tapas restaurant.
Afternoon: Continue your exploration of Barcelona.
Dinner: At a local restaurant.
Evening: At leisure.
Activity note: The time available in each port is set by the cruise line. Whenever possible, the Road Scholar daily schedule indicates port arrival and departure times (subject to change by the cruise line). Road Scholar delivers a robust educational program in each port, and this may mean that free time in port is limited.
Breakfast: At the hotel.
Morning: Join your local expert for a walk through Barcelona's gothic quarter, and through the main artery of the old city to Las Ramblas. Finish the morning with a discovery of la Boqueria Market.
Lunch: On your own.
Afternoon: Transfer by coach to the port to embark the MS Oosterdam.
Dinner: Aboard ship. The expansive offerings include a variety of hot and cold dishes for every taste.
Evening: Enjoy the ship's variety of activities on board.
Breakfast: Aboard ship. The expansive offerings include a variety of hot and cold dishes for every taste.
Morning: From Marseille, continue to Avignon where we will explore this medieval city on foot. Enjoy a walking discovery of the austere and imposing Palais des Papes, where we will learn about the history of papacy in Avignon. You may even get a chance to visit the Saint Benezet Bridge, known as "Le Pont d'Avignon," made famous by the children's song.
Lunch: At a local restaurant.
Afternoon: Continue your exploration. The ship is scheduled to depart at 6:00 p.m. Later, as a special highlight, we'll gather for a Road Scholar cocktail party and to share what we may have in common beyond a love of learning.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: Enjoy the ship's variety of activities on board.
Activity note: Requires walking long distances over uneven and steep terrain or on steps.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: Monaco, home to the royal Grimaldi family, is a principality of fairytale beauty. Your coach will take you to the foot of the famous Rock of Monaco and from there you will proceed to the top. A guided walking tour through the narrow streets takes you past the Royal Palace, the Oceanographic Museum, and the cathedral that houses the tomb of Princess Grace. Re-board the motor coach for a drive along the Grand Prix Circuit. You will have time at leisure to window shop at the elegant boutiques of major Parisian jewelers and couturier houses nearby.
Lunch: Aboard ship. The expansive offerings include a variety of hot and cold dishes for every taste.
Afternoon: We gather for a lecture by our Study Leader.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: Enjoy the ship's variety of activities on board.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: Your coach will take you to Florence where you will explore the town and the Accadamia Gallery.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: At leisure.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: Enjoy the ship's variety of activities on board.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: From Civitavecchia, travel to Rome to explore the city's historical and meaningful highlights. You will see the Colosseum and the Roman Forum.
Lunch: At a local restaurant.
Afternoon: Continue your exploration of Rome.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: Enjoy the ship's variety of activities on board.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: From Naples, your coach will take you to Pampeii.
Lunch: At a local restaurant.
Afternoon: Continue your exploration.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: Enjoy the ship's variety of activities on board.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: Travel by coach to Syracuse to explore.
Lunch: Aboard the ship.
Afternoon: At leisure.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: Enjoy the ship's variety of activities on board.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We gather for a lecture by our Study Leader.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: We gather for a lecture by our Study Leader.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: Enjoy the ship's variety of activities on board.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: This morning join your local expert for a walking discovery of Corfu Town to discover ancient Byzantine and Venetian art. Admire the impressive fortresses both old and new that bear eloquent witness to the town's rich history. View the Liston, a long building built in the 19th century French style, as you stroll through the Spianada, the largest square in the Balkans and the town’s trademark where aristocrats used to enjoy their evening promenade. Enjoy the unique architecture of the Old Town, as you witness how Renaissance, Baroque and Classical architecture met local traditions to create a unique blend of palaces, fortresses and austere public buildings of the Venetian rule.
Lunch: Return to the ship for lunch
Afternoon: Enjoy some free time to explore independently.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: Enjoy the ship's variety of activities on board.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: With your local expert explore Dubrovnik, a place Lord Byron described as “the Pearl of the Adriatic” and George Bernard Shaw called “Paradise on Earth.” With such lavish praise heaped on the city, visitors could be forgiven for fearing it might fall short of expectations. Happily, even at first glance, it soon becomes apparent that with its towering stone walls, marble streets and beautiful baroque buildings, Dubrovnik is a city that is not just aesthetically pleasing, but steeped in a rich and fascinating history. We begin with a short transfer bus from the New Port, then cross a stone bridge and walk down the stone-paved main street known as the Stradun. It is the city's main thoroughfare, lined with graceful stone palazzi where people both work and live. Led by a local expert, we will then explore the Franciscan monastery, the impressive Rector's Palace, and the Church of St. Blaise.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: Enjoy some free time to explore independently.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: Enjoy the ship's variety of activities on board.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: This morning, join a local expert to discover a labyrinth of lanes all paved in old marble stones polished by the rains and feet of numerous visitors. Hidden piazzas boast intricate architecture and old churches, shops and cafes surrounded by strong city walls bear witness to centuries of history. St John’s Hill rises dramatically behind the city and casts a shade over the Old Town, giving respite to the inhabitants and visitors alike from the sun. The founding of the city has long been disputed, and, whichever story might be correct, it is believed that Kotor dates back to the times of the Phoenicians and is as old as the sea trade in the Adriatic. At the Maritime Museum learn about the distinguished personalities from the maritime past of Kotor and delve into the rich history of this city.
Lunch: Aboard ship.
Afternoon: The ship departs Kotor at 2:00 p.m. Later this afternoon, gather for a lecture by our Study Leader.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: Enjoy the ship's variety of activities on board.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: We gather for a lecture by our Study Leader.
Lunch: Aboard ship. The ship arrives in Venice at 1:00 p.m.
Afternoon: Explore Venice.
Dinner: Aboard ship.
Evening: Enjoy the ship's variety of activities on board.
Activity note: Please see the "Travel Details/Transportation" section for information about transfers.
Breakfast: Aboard ship.
Morning: Disembark.Transfer to the Venice airport for flights back to the US. If you are booking your own air, avoid scheduling flights prior to 8:00 a.m. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are trasnferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Please join our Facebook page and share photos of your program. Visit us at www.facebook.com/rsadventures. Best wishes for all your journeys!