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ROME TO BARCELONA | May 10, 2015 | 7 NIGHTS | Seven Seas Mariner®

PRE CRUISE LAND AND HOTEL PROGRAMS

PRE CHERISHED RELICS OF ROMECODE: CIVL06

PRE-CULINARY CREATIONS: ROMACODE: CIVL08

POST CRUISE LAND AND HOTEL PROGRAMS

REY JUAN CARLOS ICODE: BCNH09

POST SPANISH CAPITALS,POST SPANISH CAPITALSCODE: MDDL08

POST – CULINARY CREATIONS: BARCELONACODE: BCNL02

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PRE CRUISE LAND AND HOTEL PROGRAMS

PRE CHERISHED RELICS OF ROMECODE: CIVL06

Marvel at the true icons of Rome, including the Vatican Museums, Saint Peter’s Basilica, the Colosseum and the gardens of the Pope’s summer residence.

DAY 1

Upon exiting Customs in the Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport, you will be met and transferred to the Hotel Boscolo Palace. Check in is at 2PM, and the rest of the day is yours to settle in at your leisure.

The hotel enjoys a prime location on Rome’s celebrated Via Veneto, providing easy access to an abundance of shops and restaurants.

DAY 2

Following breakfast at the hotel, you will tour the Vatican Museums and Saint Peter’s Basilica. The museums contain some of the world’s greatest paintings and sculptures, including works by Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael and Caravaggio. Besides seeing the most well-known exhibits, you will also visit areas usually closed to the general public, including the tomb of Pope Pius XII and the Niccoline Chapel, which features the lives of St. Lawrence and St. Stephen.

Note: When the Niccoline Chapel is not available, we will substitute with a visit to the “private room of the tears and the room of Pope’s vestments.

Next, you will drive to the Piazza Navona, a lovely square constructed in the 15th century and lined with cafes and Baroque palaces. Here you will enjoy lunch.

Your afternoon is devoted to two more icons. First, you will be treated to an inside visit of the Colosseum, an enduring symbol of ancient Rome that once held 55,000 spectators. Afterwards, you will explore the treasures that lie beneath San Clemente Basilica, which include a 4th-century church, a 2nd-century pagan temple and a 1st-century house. The farther down you go, the more ancient the structures, until you reach the foundations which date from the Roman Republic.

Following the visit of San Clemente you will be driven to San Crispino’s near the famed Trevi Fountain for a cup of what is touted to be the best gelato in Rome.

In time, you will return to your hotel where the remainder of the evening and dinner are on your own.

DAY 3

Following breakfast at the hotel, you will drive southeast from Rome toward Lake Albano, where you will find Castel Gandolfo, the pope’s summer residence. Here you will be granted privileged access to the Vatican (Barberini Gardens). Here you can wander through the ruins of the Imperial Theatre and the Crypto-Portico – a covered passageway where the Emperor and his guests would stroll to escape the summer heat. Amongst the hidden treasures that can see are the Magnolia Garden, the Path of Roses, the Square of Holly Oaks and the aromatic herb garden. (note: an inside visit to the castle is no longer permissible).

 

Next you will visit the Chigi Palace in Ariccia. This ducal palace is a unique example of a baroque home which has remained virtually unchanged in its environment. It still contains its original furnishings and is a testament to the great wealth of one of the most important Italian papal lines: the Chigi Family.

Around midday, you will drive to a nearby farmhouse for a hearty lunch and an olive oil tasting. You will also learn also how to make pasta at the farmhouse. Afterwards, you will return to the hotel and enjoy an afternoon at your leisure.

The evening ends in style with a special Roman farewell dinner served at an extraordinary restaurant in the Via Veneto area near the hotel.

DAY 4

Following breakfast and check out at the hotel, you will transfer to the ship to begin your cruise.

Land Program Step by Step: The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. The times indicated are approximate, given here only for general reference, and are subject to change.

Extra nights: If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be met when your flight arrives and transferred to the Hotel Boscolo Palace. Check-in time is 2:00pm. Meals other than breakfast, as well as activities, are on your own until Day 2 of the program. Be sure that the cruise line has your up-to-date flight details.

DAY 1

Arrive at the Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport and proceed through Customs. You will be met and transferred to your hotel where you will spend the evening.

DAY 2

AM Breakfast

7:30am Depart the hotel

8:30am Start tour of the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica

12:30pm Lunch in Piazza Navona

2:30pm Drive to the Colosseum

3:00pm Inside visit of the Colosseum

4:00pm Walk to the San Clemente Basilica

4:30pm Visit the San Clemente undergrounds

5:30pm Drive to the Trevi Fountain Drive and visit San Crispino’s for ice cream

6:15pm Drive back to your hotel

Evening and dinner at your leisure

Overnight at the Hotel Boscolo Palace or similar hotel

DAY 3

AM Breakfast

7:30am Drive to Castel Gandolfo

8:30am Visit the Gardens of the Papal Residence in Castle Gandolfo

10:00am Walk around Castel Gandolfo (no inside visit)

11:00am Visit Chigi Palace in Ariccia

12:30pm Drive to the farmhouse

1:00pm Lunch in the farmhouse and olive oil tasting

4:00pm Drive back to the hotel

7:30pm Short walk to the restaurant for farewell dinner

9:00pm Return to your hotel

Overnight at the Hotel Boscolo Palace or similar hotel

DAY 4

AM American breakfast

10:00am Hotel check out

1:15pm Transfer to the ship

2:45pm Arrive at the ship for embarkation

Expected weather:

April — 68° Fahrenheit (20° Celsius)

May/June/September — 78° Fahrenheit (28° Celsius)

July/August — 86° Fahrenheit (30° Celsius)

November — 59° Fahrenheit (15° Celsius)

What to bring:

Dress is generally casual, although when visiting churches your knees and shoulders must be covered. Bring good walking shoes, a hat, weather-appropriate clothing, sunglasses and sunscreen.

Local currency:

The Euro is the local currency, but U.S. dollars and travelers checks are also accepted.

Electricity:

220 volts

Hotel address:

Hotel Boscolo Palace

Via Vittorio Veneto 70, 00187 Rome

Telephone: +39 06 478719

* If a hotel is substituted due to an unforeseen situation, it will be of equal ratings and standards and you will be notified. If you receive no change notification then you will stay at the hotel listed.

 

Program includes:

• Standard room accommodations for three nights, including breakfasts

• Transfers

• Lunch on Day 2

• Lunch on Day 3

• Farewell dinner on Day 3

• A bottle of water during the tours on Days 2 and 3.

Please note: Guests booking their own flights (independent of the cruise line) are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the most current arrival information, so your transfer can be arranged; however, if you book additional hotel nights independently of the cruise line, an arrival transfer is not provided.

Program excludes:

• Meals or services not mentioned above

• Gratuities to drivers and guides

• Hotel incidentals

Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces, which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, gravel or natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation.

All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Land Programs must be purchased no later than 60 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 60 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty.

PRE – CHERISHED RELICS OF ROMEPrice: $2,299.00 per guest based on double occupancy.

PRE – CHERISHED RELICS OF ROME (Concierge-Level Suite Pricing)Price: $2,184.00 per guest based on double occupancy.

Hotel and Land Program pricing is not combinable with FREE 1-Night Pre-Cruise Luxury Hotel Package. If applicable, please our travel advisor for multi-night pre-cruise hotel pricing information. Land program promotions are subject to terms.

 

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PRE-CULINARY CREATIONS: ROMACODE: CIVL08

Delve into the culinary delights of Rome through inspired wine and food tastings, a country meal at a rural farmhouse, and at a chef’s home, where you’ll be treated to a private cooking lesson.

 

DAY 1

Upon arriving at Customs in the Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport, you will be met and transferred to the Hotel Boscolo Exedra . Check in is at 2PM, and the rest of the day is yours to settle in at your leisure.

The hotel enjoys a prime location in Rome’s celebrated Piazza della Repubblica, providing easy access to an abundance of shops and restaurants.

 

DAY 2

Following breakfast at the hotel, you will drive southeast from Rome toward Lake Albano, where you will find Castel Gandolfo, the pope’s summer residence. The castle has been in the church’s domain since 1596, when Pope Clement VIII received it from a local family in lieu of unpaid debts.

After a brief tour of the castle, you will pass by the lovely village of Nemi and several surrounding lakes on the way to a traditional farmhouse. Here, you will enjoy a hearty lunch and a tasting of distinctive, locally produced wines. To complement your culinary immersion, you will also learn how to make pasta from scratch, a staple of nearly every farmhouse meal.

Another wine tasting awaits you on the return drive to Rome, as you stop at Castel de Paolis or a similar winery. The wines produced in this area south of Italy’s capital have long been admired and Castel de Paolis is one of the most respected winemakers, as it strictly adheres to organic principles of production.

By late afternoon, you will return to the Hotel Boscolo Exedra for dinner on your own and to spend another relaxing evening.

DAY 3

Following breakfast at the hotel, you will accompany an Italian chef to a local farmer’s market to select fresh, seasonal ingredients for the cooking lesson that follows. The menu will be dictated by which ingredients look best, but you can expect it to encompass everything from traditional appetizers through indulgent desserts. To enhance the experience and authenticity, the cooking lesson will be in the chef’s home. Best of all, after the food is perfectly prepared, you will enjoy it during a leisurely lunch.

Then, after a few hours of free time back at the hotel, you will be treated to a walking tour of Trastevere, one of the oldest sections of Rome. As you meander through the labyrinthine streets, you will stop for as many as ten tastings that may include wine, pizza, pasta dishes, cheeses, cookies and gelato. It’s a sampling that reveals a traditional Roman diet and gives you great insight into daily life in this historical neighborhood.

Afterwards, you will return to the hotel for an evening at your leisure.

DAY 4

Following breakfast, you will check out of the hotel and transfer to the ship to begin your cruise.

Land Program Step by Step: The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. The times indicated are approximate, given here only for general reference, and are subject to change.

Extra nights: If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be met when your flight arrives and transferred to the Hotel Boscolo Exedra. Check-in time is 2:00pm. Meals other than breakfast, as well as activities, are on your own until Day 2 of the program. Be sure that the cruise line has your up-to-date flight details.

DAY 1

Arrive at the Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport and transfer to the Hotel Boscolo Exedra (or similar), where you will spend the evening.

DAY 2

From 7:00am American breakfast

9:00am Drive to Castel Gandolfo

10:30am Visit Castel Gandolfo

12.00pm Drive to the farmhouse

12:30pm Wine tasting and lunch

3.00pm Drive to a nearby winery

3:30pm Wine tasting at the winery

5:00pm Drive back to the hotel

Dinner at leisure

Overnight at the Hotel Boscolo Exedra or similar hotel

DAY 3

From 7:00am American breakfast

9:00am Drive to the market

9:30am Visit the market

10:30am Cooking lesson and lunch

2:00pm Drive back to the hotel

2:30pm Afternoon at leisure

5:30pm Walking tour of Trastevere with food and wine tastings

Overnight at the Hotel Boscolo Exedra or similar hotel

DAY 4

From 7:00am American breakfast

10.30am Hotel check out

1:15pm Transfer to the ship

2:45pm Arrive at the ship for embarkation

 

Expected weather:

April — 68° Fahrenheit (20° Celsius)

May/June/September — 78° Fahrenheit (28° Celsius)

July/August — 86° Fahrenheit (30° Celsius)

November — 59° Fahrenheit (15° Celsius)

What to bring:

Dress is generally casual, although when visiting churches your knees and shoulders must be covered. Bring good walking shoes, a hat, weather-appropriate clothing, sunglasses and sunscreen.

Local currency:

The Euro is the local currency, but U.S. dollars and travelers checks are also accepted.

Electricity:

220 volts

Hotel address:

Hotel Boscolo Exedra

Piazza della Repubblica, 47 00185 Rome, Italy

Telephone: +39 06 489381

* If a hotel is substituted due to an unforeseen situation, it will be of equal ratings and standards.

 

Program includes:

•Standard room accommodations for three nights, including breakfasts

•Transfers

*Lunch on Day 2 and tastings

•Lunch on Day 3

•Walking tour and tastings on Day 3

*A bottle of water during the tours on Days 2 and 3.

Please note: Guests booking their own flights (independent of the cruise line) are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the most current arrival information, so your transfer can be arranged; however, if you book additional hotel nights independently of the cruise line, an arrival transfer is not provided.

Program excludes:

•Meals or services not mentioned above

•Gratuities to drivers and guides

•Hotel incidentals

Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces, which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, gravel or natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation.

PRE – CULINARY CREATIONS: ROMAPrice: $2,299.00 per guest based on double occupancy.

PRE – CULINARY CREATIONS: ROMA (Concierge-Level Suite Pricing)Price: $2,184.00 per guest based on double occupancy.

Hotel and Land Program pricing is not combinable with FREE 1-Night Pre-Cruise Luxury Hotel Package. If applicable, please our travel advisor for multi-night pre-cruise hotel pricing information. Land program promotions are subject to terms.

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POST – REY JUAN CARLOS I CODE: BCNH09

The Hotel Rey Juan Carlos I Business & City Resort has a Mediterranean restaurant with a poolside terrace. There is also an international buffet restaurant and various bars, including a stylish lobby bar with live music. The comfortable and spacious accommodations feature the latest facilities and outstanding views over Barcelona. The air conditioned rooms come with a separate sitting area and feature a flat screen TV with satellite channels. The private bathrooms are equipped with a hairdryer, bathrobe and slippers. With 432 luxurious rooms, Hotel Rey Juan Carlos I presents a superb range of luxury accommodations.

Zona Universitària Metro Stop is 1500 ft away, offering services to the center of the city in under 20 minutes or by taxi approximately 15 to 20 minutes depending on traffic.

Standard RoomNumber of Nights: 1, Price: $334.00 per guest based on double occupancy.Number of Nights: 2, Price: $553.00 per guest based on double occupancy.Number of Nights: 3, Price: $772.00 per guest based on double occupancy.

Standard Room (Concierge-Level Suite Pricing)Number of Nights: 1, Price: $318.00 per guest based on double occupancy.Number of Nights: 2, Price: $526.00 per guest based on double occupancy.Number of Nights: 3, Price: $734.00 per guest based on double occupancy.

Land program promotions are per person for guests 1 and 2 for one pre- or post-cruise program only, subject to terms.

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POST SPANISH CAPITALS,POST SPANISH CAPITALS CODE: MDDL08

POST – SPANISH CAPITALS – MADRID & BARCE

Price: $2,199.00 per guest based on double occupancy.

POST – SPANISH CAPITALS – MADRID & BARCE (Concierge-Level Suite Pricing)Price: $2,089.00 per guest based on double occupancy.

Land program promotions are per person for guests 1 and 2 for one pre- or post-cruise program only, subject to terms.

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POST – CULINARY CREATIONS: BARCELONA CODE: BCNL02

Savor the distinctive cuisine and signature beverages of Catalonia by taking a hands-on cooking class, sampling the area’s wines and cavas, and visiting a farm that has been operating since the 16th-century.

Day 1:

Following disembarkation from the ship you will drive to Montserrat, where you will ride a cable car to the 12th-century monastery built into the mountain. Besides learning all sorts of interesting facts about the monastery, you will see the statue of La Moreneta, the Black Madonna, which has supposedly performed numerous miracles. Consequently, pilgrims have been coming for centuries to see the wooden Black Madonna.

While at the monastery, you may also meander about the grounds and visit the Royal Basilica and Museum of Montserrat, whose collection holds works by Picasso, Dalí and Monet.

Later, you will enjoy a traditional 3 course Catalan lunch of locally grown products at a 16th-century farm, which formerly belonged to the monastery’s monks. Afterwards, you will have the chance to visit the farm’s olive oil mill and tour the property at your leisure.

Then, it’s on to Penedès, the capital of Cava (Catalan champagne), where you will visit a winery. You will discover the many stages of wine and cava production, from the first pressing of the grapes to fermentation in the cellars. Afterwards, you will sample some of the products and then drive to Barcelona and check in at your hotel. The evening is at your leisure.

Day 2:

After meeting the group in the hotel reception area, you will enjoy a short but panoramic drive to another part of Barcelona. Here, you will walk along the famed, shop-lined Las Ramblas boulevard and through the vibrant La Boqueria food market. As you meander about the stalls and shops, you will see a seemingly endless array of fresh fish, meats, cheeses, and fruits and vegetables.

Continuing on with your guide, you will then meet a chef at the Santa Caterina Market, the largest such market in Barcelona. Here, the chef will purchase all the necessary ingredients to prepare a traditional Spanish meal. Expect the ingredients to be fresh, flavorful and representative of Spanish cuisine.

Then, it’s off to a nearby venue, where you will participate in a hands-on cooking workshop and prepare an authentic Spanish meal that includes paella. Once the dishes are ready, you will enjoy them for lunch before returning to the hotel. The remainder of the day is at your leisure to do whatever you please. This is the perfect time to use the Hop On Hop Off Barcelona Bus Tours ticket that you will receive. The ticket is only valid on the day you first use it.

Day 3:

Today, you will have the opportunity to assist (optional) in the preparation of a human tower called a “castell,” which is usually built by local citizens for annual festivities. The towers are often six to ten people high with the participants standing on each other’s shoulders.

You may form part of the bottom level, as being in the higher levels takes more practice and skills. In fact, the tower-building methods are usually so involved that they are handed down from generation to generation. Castells are so emblematic of the Catalan culture that UNESCO has recognized them on its Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list.

Please note: if Day 3 falls on a Sunday, you will assist in building the human tower in the morning (the venue may be crowded), and lunch will be included before returning to Barcelona. If Day 3 falls on a weekday, you will assist at a training session of a human tower display in a local association in the evening, and dinner will be included.

Day 4:

Today you will check out and be transferred to the Barcelona Airport in time for your flight.

Land Program Step by Step: The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. The times are approximate, given here only for general reference and are subject to change. Markets in Spain are closed on Sundays, so if Day 2 falls on a Sunday then the days will be reversed to accommodate all aspects of the tour.

DAY 1

8:00am Disembark the ship

8:30am Leave for Monsterrat

9:30am Visit Monastery of Monsterrat

12:00pm Drive to 16th-century farm for traditional lunch and tour

2:00pm Drive to Penedes

3:45pm Visit wine cellar and tasting

4:15pm Return to Barcelona and check in

Evening and dinner are on your own

Overnight at your hotel in Barcelona

DAY 2

AM Breakfast at the hotel

8:30am Meet in the hotel reception area

9:00am Brief panoramic tour of Barcelona

10:00am Walk the Ramblas and the Boqueria Market

11:00am Meet the chef at St. Caterina Market

12:00pm Cooking class with lunch

2:30pm Return to the hotel

Afternoon and dinner at your leisure. Perhaps use the Hop on Hop off bus tickets to enjoy the city of Barcelona at your leisure (ticket only valid on one day)

Overnight at your hotel in Barcelona

DAY 3 (WEEKDAYS)

AM Breakfast at the hotel and lunch on own

Perhaps use the Hop on Hop off bus tickets to enjoy the city of Barcelona at your leisure (ticket only valid on one day)

6:00pm Depart from the hotel

6:30pm Brief visit of the city of Vilafranca del Penedes (or the city of Mataró), including tapas-style dinner in restaurant or bar

8:00pm Visit Human Tower Association Centre for a displays/practice session

10:30pm Return to the hotel in Barcelona for the evening

DAY 3 (SUNDAYS)

AM Breakfast at the hotel

10:00am Depart from Barcelona

11:00am Human Towers and local festivities (location differs)

1:30pm Tapas-style lunch

3:30pm Return to the hotel in Barcelona

PM Evening and dinner on your own

Overnight at your hotel in Barcelona

DAY 4

AM Breakfast at the hotel

12:00pm Check out and transfer to the Barcelona Airport based on your flight details. For guests with late flights, luggage storage is available at the hotel

EXTRA NIGHTS: Should you book any extra nights through the cruise line, you will be transferred to the airport per your departure flight details. Please note that check out time is 12:00nn. Any meals other than breakfast as well as any activities are on your own after the program officially ends on the morning of Day 4.

Average Temperatures in Barcelona:

April: 12º C / 53º F

May: 15º C / 59º F

June: 20º C / 68º F

September: 22º C / 71º F

October: 15º C / 59º F

November: 10º C / 50º F

What to Bring: Weather-appropriate clothing, good walking shoes, sun protection, umbrella, light jacket and camera.

Currency: Euro

Electricity: 220-volt. Bring a converter.

Documents and Visa Requirements: Valid passport is required.

Accommodation:

JUAN CARLOS HOTEL

Av. Diagonal 661 – 671 – 08028 – Barcelona

Phone: +34 902 051 111

Program Includes:

Transfers

Accommodation (standard double room) as mentioned in above

Meals per the itinerary including bottled water and wine (2 glasses per guest) with lunch or dinner

Touring and cooking class per the itinerary and entrance fees per the itinerary

Hop on Hop Off tickets for Day 3

Porterage on Day 4

Please Note: Guests booking their own flights (independent of the cruise line) are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the most current arrival information, so your transfer can be arranged; however, if you book additional hotel nights independently of the cruise line, a departure transfer is not provided.

Program Excludes:

Gratuities to drivers and guides

Meals and beverages not specified in the program

Hotel incidentals including mini bar and room service

Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces, which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, gravel or natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation.

POST – Culinary Creations: BarcelonaPrice: $1,799.00 per guest based on double occupancy.

POST – Culinary Creations: Barcelona (Concierge-Level Suite Pricing)Price: $1,709.00 per guest based on double occupancy.

Land program promotions are per person for guests 1 and 2 for one pre- or post-cruise program only, subject to terms.

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