HOLY LAND HERITAGE

V5322

Istanbul to Rome on Crystal Serenity
DATES : September 20 - October 2, 2015 (12 Days) CRUISE-ONLY FARES FROM : $4,810 Per Person

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Travel through the cradles of civilization, from the seat of the Byzantium and Ottoman Empires, and the seas of the Colossus of Rhodes, to the reverence of the Holy Land and the wonders of Rome.

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Date	Port	Arrival	Departure
Sep 20, Sunday	Istanbul, Turkey (overnight) »		Embark pm
	For poets, Istanbul, next to Venice and Rome is the loveliest city in Europe and one of the most splendid in Asia. It is the only city in the world spread over two continents, separated by the Bosphorus. Istanbul was founded by Greek scouts in 660 BC and later became capital of the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman empires. With its 3,000 years of history behind, it has always been the meeting point of East and West. It is a city filled with wonders of architecture and monuments to the faiths that inspired them. Formerly known as Byzantium, then Constantinople, its mosques, minarets and museums span two continents where the Bosphorus divides Asia from Europe. This strategic position has assured Istanbul's status as a crossroads for trade and cultural exchange during the centuries. Must-see attractions include the dazzling treasury in Topkapi Palace and exquisite buildings of timeless beauty such as the Blue Mosque and Basilica of St. Sophia. Even those who are not avid shoppers will be enticed by the colorful sights and sounds of the world's largest bazaar.
Sep 21, Monday	Istanbul, Turkey »		12 n
	For poets, Istanbul, next to Venice and Rome is the loveliest city in Europe and one of the most splendid in Asia. It is the only city in the world spread over two continents, separated by the Bosphorus. Istanbul was founded by Greek scouts in 660 BC and later became capital of the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman empires. With its 3,000 years of history behind, it has always been the meeting point of East and West. It is a city filled with wonders of architecture and monuments to the faiths that inspired them. Formerly known as Byzantium, then Constantinople, its mosques, minarets and museums span two continents where the Bosphorus divides Asia from Europe. This strategic position has assured Istanbul's status as a crossroads for trade and cultural exchange during the centuries. Must-see attractions include the dazzling treasury in Topkapi Palace and exquisite buildings of timeless beauty such as the Blue Mosque and Basilica of St. Sophia. Even those who are not avid shoppers will be enticed by the colorful sights and sounds of the world's largest bazaar.
	Cruising the Dardanelles »
	Your Story at Sea Adventure. Romance. Discovery. Aboard the most award-winning ships at sea, your story can be written exactly as you wish: pamper yourself at the Feng Shui-inspired Crystal Spa, work-out at our state-of-the-art fitness center or Walk-on-Water along our 360^o Promenade Deck; learn how to translate your story into a movie with USC’s School of Cinematic Arts Digital Filmmaking class at our Creative Learning Institute^®; or learn about art, history and worldly destinations with our engaging celebrity entertainers and speakers with our Crystal Visions^® Enrichment Program; sneak away to watch recently-released movies in the Hollywood Theatre, shop our luxury boutiques, or simply lounge poolside while our attentive crew caters to your every whim. From mat Pilates and yoga to PGA golf instruction and paddle tennis on full-size courts, today is all about you. As evening arrives, dine on the renowned culinary creations of Nobu Matsuhisa, and Crystal’s own acclaimed chefs with new Modern Cuisine and Global Inspired menus, enjoy special wine-makers dinners, breakout new production shows, intimate lounges, a pulsing dance club or our action-packed Crystal Casino. The choices as always aboard the World’s Best are yours. How will you write your story on board?
Sep 22, Tuesday	Kuşadasi, Turkey »	12 n	12 m
	A lovely seaside resort on Turkey's Aegean coast, Kusadasi [koo-SHAH-duh-see] is renowned for its inviting sparkling waters, broad sandy beaches and large marina. The shops in town are filled with designer clothing, carpets, jewelry and leather goods. South, along the Aegean coast, the ancient Greco-Roman cities of Priene, Miletus and Didyma furnish impressions of the sophisticated civilizations that once thrived here. Kusadasi is perhaps best known as the gateway to the archaeological site of Ephesus, one of the world's greatest archaic finds. Excavations continue in the 4,000-year-old city and it is believed that more than half of it still remains buried in the hillside. Its marble streets are lined with architectural masterpieces. The city played a significant role in the life of the Apostle Paul, who wrote an epistle to its people.
Sep 23, Wednesday	Rhodes/Lindos, Greece »	10 am	6 pm
	Best known of the Dodecanese islands, Rhodes is rich with natural beauty, architectural variety and colorful history. The city of Rhodes is architecturally one of the most varied in Europe. Hellenistic, Byzantine, Medieval and Turkish architectural styles freely intermingle. Sunshine and dry air combine to cast such a magnificent light over the island that the ancients dedicated Rhodes to Apollo, the God of Light.
Sep 24, Thursday	Limassol, Cyprus »	11 am	6 pm
	The wine flows freely in Limassol, and so does the festive atmosphere. The center of Cyprus’ wine industry, Limassol is home to a bustling bar and restaurant scene, as well as numerous wineries that are open for tours and tastings. The city seems to be engaged in constant celebration, staging elaborate festivals throughout the year. For those who would rather revel in good buys, the expansive waterfront promenade and nearby streets present shoppers with a dizzying array of choices, from traditional, handmade goods to expensive designer labels. Limassol also offers quieter pleasures, including museums, art galleries, and lush municipal gardens.
Sep 25, Friday	Ashdod, Israel »	7 am	10 pm
	A tidy planned community built on golden dunes, Ashdod is southern Israel's only Mediterranean harbor. Yet this new city has fabulously ancient roots: Ashdod is mentioned in the Old Testament, and archaeologists have found ruins almost 4,000 years old. This is the doorway to the historic treasures of Jerusalem, and the worldly pleasures of Tel Aviv.
Sep 26, Saturday	Haifa, Israel »	6 am	10 pm
	Haifa is Hebrew for "beautiful coast," and the shining coastline of Israel's largest Mediterranean port lives up to its name. But even more impressive are the slopes of Mt. Carmel, on which much of the city lies. Travel through the gorgeous villas and resort hotels to the summit for spectacular views of the city's many gardens, and striking Haifa Bay.
Sep 27, Sunday	Cruising the Mediterranean Sea »
	Your Story at Sea Adventure. Romance. Discovery. Aboard the most award-winning ships at sea, your story can be written exactly as you wish: pamper yourself at the Feng Shui-inspired Crystal Spa, work-out at our state-of-the-art fitness center or Walk-on-Water along our 360^o Promenade Deck; learn how to translate your story into a movie with USC’s School of Cinematic Arts Digital Filmmaking class at our Creative Learning Institute^®; or learn about art, history and worldly destinations with our engaging celebrity entertainers and speakers with our Crystal Visions^® Enrichment Program; sneak away to watch recently-released movies in the Hollywood Theatre, shop our luxury boutiques, or simply lounge poolside while our attentive crew caters to your every whim. From mat Pilates and yoga to PGA golf instruction and paddle tennis on full-size courts, today is all about you. As evening arrives, dine on the renowned culinary creations of Nobu Matsuhisa, and Crystal’s own acclaimed chefs with new Modern Cuisine and Global Inspired menus, enjoy special wine-makers dinners, breakout new production shows, intimate lounges, a pulsing dance club or our action-packed Crystal Casino. The choices as always aboard the World’s Best are yours. How will you write your story on board?
Sep 28, Monday	Crete/Chania, Greece »	8 am	5 pm
	Grecian? Venetian? Turkish? The answer is all three, as the Cretan city of Chania has been ruled and influenced by both the Venetians and the Turks. Current-day Chania (pronounced Hahn-yah and sometimes spelled without the “C”) is home to the Municipal Agora, a marketplace built in 1913 on the site of the old southern Venetian walls, and features a waterfront that would look right at home on the Venetian Lagoon. A maze of narrow alleyways opening onto squares edged by Byzantine and neo-classical buildings are quintessential Greece: quaint, friendly and gracefully aged. In classic Greek style, the Venetian structures that lack rooftops due to the bombings of World War II have beautifully evolved into open-air shops and restaurants, inviting locals to stop to appreciate the mild Mediterranean weather and warm companionship of friends.
Sep 29, Tuesday	Cruising the Ionian Sea »
	Your Story at Sea Adventure. Romance. Discovery. Aboard the most award-winning ships at sea, your story can be written exactly as you wish: pamper yourself at the Feng Shui-inspired Crystal Spa, work-out at our state-of-the-art fitness center or Walk-on-Water along our 360^o Promenade Deck; learn how to translate your story into a movie with USC’s School of Cinematic Arts Digital Filmmaking class at our Creative Learning Institute^®; or learn about art, history and worldly destinations with our engaging celebrity entertainers and speakers with our Crystal Visions^® Enrichment Program; sneak away to watch recently-released movies in the Hollywood Theatre, shop our luxury boutiques, or simply lounge poolside while our attentive crew caters to your every whim. From mat Pilates and yoga to PGA golf instruction and paddle tennis on full-size courts, today is all about you. As evening arrives, dine on the renowned culinary creations of Nobu Matsuhisa, and Crystal’s own acclaimed chefs with new Modern Cuisine and Global Inspired menus, enjoy special wine-makers dinners, breakout new production shows, intimate lounges, a pulsing dance club or our action-packed Crystal Casino. The choices as always aboard the World’s Best are yours. How will you write your story on board?
Sep 30, Wednesday	Taormina/Giardini Naxos, Italy »	8 am	5 pm
	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.
Oct 1, Thursday	Naples, Italy »	7 am	5 pm
	Naples, the center of southern Italian commerce, is located on the scenic Bay of Naples. View a moment frozen in time at the excavations of Pompeii and Herculaneum, ancient cities buried by an eruption of nearby Mt. Vesuvius.
Oct 2, Friday	Rome/Civitavecchia, Italy »	6 am
	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.