Italy & Adriatic Coast — Shore Excursion Guide

Flight Itinerary — American Airlines

1

12:26 PMDepart Colorado Springs (COS) — AA 4942 to Chicago O'Hare (ORD)

2

4:10 PMArrive Chicago O'Hare (ORD) — AA 4942 | Layover ~1 hr

3

5:10 PMDepart Chicago O'Hare (ORD) — AA 110 overnight transatlantic to Rome Fiumicino

4

9:10 AMArrive Rome Fiumicino (FCO) — Oct 8 | AA 110

Arrive at COS at least 90 minutes before departure. Chicago layover is ~1 hour — allow time to clear the gate.

Arrival — Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO)

1

9:10 AMLand at Rome FCO on AA 110 — allow 45–60 min for passport control & baggage claim

2

10:30 AMTaxi from FCO to hotel near Roma Termini — use the official white taxi rank outside arrivals~$55–66, ~45 min

3

11:30 AMHotel check-in — early check-in subject to availability; store luggage if room not ready

4

AfternoonRest and recover from the overnight flight — take it easyFree

5

EveningLight dinner near the hotel — keep it simple after a long journey~$20–30 pp

After an overnight transatlantic flight, fatigue is inevitable. Resist the urge to push through a full sightseeing day — a gentle walk and early night will set you up well for the days ahead.

Morning — The Ancient City

1

9:00 AMTaxi from hotel to the Colosseum — pre-book timed entry to avoid queues~$11–16 taxi · ~$20 pp entry

2

9:30 AMColosseum — allow 1.5–2 hours; combined ticket includes Roman Forum & Palatine HillIncluded

3

11:30 AMRoman Forum & Palatine Hill — walk at your own pace; mostly flat gravel pathsIncluded

Afternoon — Rest & Easy Evening

4

1:00 PMLong, relaxed lunch in the Testaccio neighborhood — one of Rome's most authentic local areas~$18–28 pp

5

2:30 PMReturn to hotel — rest and recover; jet lag may still be a factor on day twoTaxi ~$11–16

6

5:30 PMOptional gentle stroll: Trastevere neighborhood — cobbled lanes, no hills, easy paceFree

7

7:00 PMDinner in Trastevere — Rome's most charming neighborhood for traditional dining~$28–40 pp

Pre-book Colosseum entry — walk-up queues can exceed 2 hours. A proper afternoon rest sets you up well for the days ahead — don't push through fatigue.

Morning — Vatican City

1

8:00 AMTaxi from hotel to Vatican City — approx. 4 km across the city~$20–27

2

8:30 AMVatican Museums & Sistine Chapel — allow 3–4 hours; pre-booked timed entry essential$30–35 pp

3

12:00 PMSt. Peter's Basilica — awe-inspiring Renaissance basilica; free entryFree

Early Afternoon — Light & Rest

4

1:00 PMLunch near Vatican — Borgo Pio street has good, accessible options~$22–33 pp

5

2:30 PMCastel Sant'Angelo — papal fortress on the Tiber with internal lift; river views$15 pp

6

4:00 PMReturn to hotel by taxi — REST for the remainder of the afternoon~$16–22 taxi

7

7:00 PMDinner near the historic centre or close to the hotel~$22–33 pp

The Vatican Museums are among the most visited sites in the world and can be mentally as well as physically tiring. Build in a full afternoon rest after Castel Sant'Angelo.

Morning — Pantheon & Nearby Highlights

1

9:00 AMPantheon — Rome's best-preserved ancient building; timed entry required; arrive promptly to avoid midday queues~$11–16 taxi · $6 pp

2

10:00 AMPiazza Navona — 5-min walk from the Pantheon; Bernini's Four Rivers Fountain; wide, flat and accessibleFree

3

10:45 AMCampo de' Fiori morning market — 5-min walk; vibrant open-air produce and flower marketFree

4

11:30 AMTrevi Fountain — short taxi; Rome's most famous fountain; arrive before peak afternoon crowdsFree

5

12:15 PMSpanish Steps — sit at the base and enjoy the view without climbingFree

Afternoon — Rest & Pack

6

1:30 PMLong leisurely lunch near the historic centre~$22–33 pp

7

3:00 PMReturn to hotel — REST and pack for tomorrow's early departureFree

8

7:00 PMLight farewell dinner near the hotel — early night recommended~$22–33 pp

The Pantheon, Piazza Navona, and Campo de' Fiori are all within a short walk of each other — an easy, flat cluster. Use the afternoon to pack and rest; tomorrow's train leaves mid-morning.

Morning — Check Out & Head to Port

1

8:30 AMBreakfast and final hotel check-out — have luggage ready and packedHotel breakfast

2

9:30 AMWalk or short taxi to Roma Termini station — hotel is right thereFree – ~$5

3

9:45 AMTrain: Roma Termini → Civitavecchia (Trenitalia regional, frequent departures)~$6 pp, ~60 min

4

10:45 AMTaxi from Civitavecchia train station to the cruise port terminal~$11, ~5 min

5

11:15 AMCheck in at the cruise terminal — security, boarding pass, and stateroom key

6

12:00 PMBoard the ship — staterooms typically available; drop carry-ons and begin exploring

Afternoon — Explore & Relax on Board

7

12:15 PMLunch on board — try the main dining room or buffet for a first taste of ship diningIncluded

8

1:30 PMExplore the ship — pool deck, spa, entertainment venues, shops, and public spacesIncluded

9

3:30 PMMuster drill / safety briefing — required for all passengers before departure

10

5:00 PMSail away from Civitavecchia — watch from the deck as Italy's coastline recedesIncluded

11

6:30 PMFirst dinner on board — a relaxed evening to settle inIncluded

Boarding early means the ship is quiet and uncrowded — the best time to find your way around, claim deck chairs, and book any specialty dining or spa appointments before they fill up.

Getting to Florence

1

8:00 AMTaxi from ship to Livorno Centrale train station~$11–13

2

8:30 AMTrain: Livorno → Florence Santa Maria Novella (~90 min)$9–13 pp

Morning — Santa Croce & Lunch

3

10:15 AMBasilica of Santa Croce — Florence's Franciscan masterpiece; tombs of Michelangelo, Galileo & Machiavelli; pre-book entry~$11–16 taxi · $10 pp

4

11:30 AMAll'Antico Vinaio — Florence's most celebrated sandwich shop; legendary schiacciata with house-cured meats on Via dei Neri~$9–13 pp

Afternoon — Historic Centre

5

1:00 PMPiazza della Signoria & Palazzo Vecchio exterior — the outdoor sculpture galleryFree

6

1:45 PMCathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (Duomo complex) — Brunelleschi's iconic dome$22–28 pp

7

4:00 PMPiazzale Michelangelo — best panoramic view of Florence; take a taxi up the hillFree + $11–16 taxi

8

7:00 PMDinner in Florence before returning to ship (ship docked overnight)~$33–55 pp

Ship is docked overnight — no curfew. Consider staying for dinner in Florence and returning by taxi (~$28) or late train.

Pisa Day Trip — Closer to Port

1

8:30 AMTaxi from ship to Livorno Centrale train station~$11–13

2

9:00 AMTrain: Livorno → Pisa Centrale (~20 min)$4 pp

3

9:30 AMWalk or taxi to Piazza dei Miracoli — the famous Field of Miracles$6–9 taxi

4

9:45 AMLeaning Tower of Pisa climb — timed entry required; book well in advance$22 pp

5

11:00 AMCathedral of Pisa — magnificent Romanesque architecture$6 pp (or incl. w/ Tower)

6

11:45 AMBaptistery of Pisa — exceptional acoustics; hourly singing demonstrations$6 pp

Afternoon — Return

7

12:30 PMLunch in Pisa city centre~$20–28 pp

8

2:00 PMExplore Piazza dei Cavalieri — the Knights' SquareFree

9

3:00 PMTrain: Pisa → Livorno + taxi back to ship$4 pp + $11 taxi

10

4:30 PMBack on ship well before the 5:00 PM deadline

Alternative: A second day in Florence — Accademia Gallery (Michelangelo's David, $22 pp) or the Bargello Museum ($10 pp). Allow extra travel time if choosing Florence.

Suggested Onboard Activities

1

MorningSpa, pool deck, or gentle stretching class — rest your legs for the days ahead

2

MiddayOnboard enrichment lecture or culinary demonstration if offered

3

AfternoonRelax on deck as the ship crosses the Tyrrhenian Sea toward Salerno

4

EveningCaptain's dinner or specialty restaurant reservation

Use today to review tomorrow's Amalfi Coast itinerary and confirm ferry times from Salerno.

Morning — Ship Excursion: Pompeii on Your Own Transfer

1

9:00 AMBoard ship transfer to Pompeii — coach departs from the portPam · Janet · Amber

2

9:45 AMArrive Pompeii — UNESCO World Heritage Site; explore at your own paceExcursion fee

3

Forum, temples, plaster casts, bakeries, Villa of the Mysteries — allow 2.5–3 hrsIncl. in excursion

4

12:30 PMBoard transfer back to Salerno port

5

1:00 PMReturn to Salerno — excursion concludes at ship

Afternoon — Salerno

6

1:30 PMLunch in Salerno city centre — a charming medieval town in its own right~$18–28 pp

7

2:30 PMSalerno Cathedral (Duomo di Salerno) — 11th-century Norman cathedral with ancient cryptFree

8

3:15 PMLungomare Trieste — Salerno's scenic waterfront promenade; easy, flat walkFree

9

3:45 PMReturn to ship — on board before 4:00 PM deadlineShort walk or ~$5 taxi

Pompeii fills the morning beautifully. The Amalfi/Positano ferry would be too rushed against the 4 PM deadline, so the afternoon is a relaxed Salerno exploration instead. Pompeii is vast — wear comfortable shoes, bring water, and pick a route in advance.

Before Excursion — Messina

1

8:30 AMMessina Cathedral & Astronomical Clock — quick visit before excursion; clock figures perform at noonFree

Ship Excursion: Lovely Taormina

2

9:00 AMShip excursion departs — "Lovely Taormina" guided tour; coach transport includedPam · Janet · Amber

3

~10:00 AMAncient Greek Theatre (Teatro Greco) — breathtaking views of Mount Etna and the seaIncl. in excursion

4

Corso Umberto — Taormina's picturesque pedestrian main street; guided walkIncl. in excursion

5

Piazza IX Aprile — panoramic clifftop terrace with views to the coastline and Mount EtnaIncl. in excursion

6

Lunch break in Taormina — time to explore independently and dine on Corso Umberto~$24–38 pp

7

2:00 PMReturn to ship — excursion concludes; coach returns to Messina port

Afternoon — Free Time in Messina

8

2:30 PMRest on board or stroll Messina waterfront — Piazza del Duomo is steps from the portFree

9

EveningDinner on board before the 8:00 PM departure — a long, relaxed Sicilian evening

Ship excursion includes guided coach transport to and from Taormina — no need to arrange InterBus independently. Returning by 2 PM leaves a comfortable afternoon before the 8 PM departure.

Suggested Onboard Activities

1

MorningBreakfast on the open deck as the ship enters the Adriatic Sea

2

MiddayPool, spa, or light stretching session

3

AfternoonOnboard enrichment lecture on Adriatic history or Balkan culture

4

EveningDinner and evening entertainment

A good day to read up on Kotor and the Bay of Montenegro — an extraordinary natural harbour.

Ship Excursion: Highlights of Montenegro

1

8:45 AMShip excursion departs — "Highlights of Montenegro" guided tourPam · Janet · Amber

2

Kotor Old Town — UNESCO World Heritage Site; guided walk through medieval streets and piazzasIncl. in excursion

3

Cathedral of Saint Tryphon — finest Romanesque church on the Adriatic (12th century)Incl. in excursion

4

City Walls viewpoint — sweeping panoramas over the Bay of Kotor without the full 1,350-step climbIncl. in excursion

5

Bay of Kotor scenic drive — one of Europe's most dramatic fjord-like waterwaysIncl. in excursion

6

1:45 PMReturn to ship — excursion concludes at the port

After Excursion

7

2:00 PMLunch on board or at a waterfront cafe in the Old Town if energy allows~$16–28 pp if ashore

8

2:45 PMReturn to ship comfortably ahead of the 3:00 PM deadline — enjoy the scenic Bay departure

The guided excursion covers Montenegro highlights with expert commentary — far richer than self-guided exploration. The Bay of Kotor viewed from a moving coach is spectacular. No need to navigate independently.

Getting to Old Town

1

7:30 AMBus from cruise port (Gruž) to Old Town Pile Gate$2–3 pp each way

2

Alternative: Taxi to Old Town — more comfortable for limited mobility~$22–28 each way

Morning — Dubrovnik Old Town

3

8:00 AMOld City Walls walk — the crown jewel of Dubrovnik; 2 km circuit with sea views$38–44 pp

4

9:45 AMRector's Palace — stunning Gothic-Renaissance architecture; important city museum$14 pp

5

10:45 AMFranciscan Monastery & one of Europe's oldest pharmacies (in operation since 1317)$6 pp

Midday & Afternoon

6

12:00 PMLunch on the Stradun — Dubrovnik's marble-paved main avenue~$24–38 pp

7

1:30 PMCable Car to Mount Srđ — panoramic views over the walled city and surrounding islands$28–31 pp round trip

8

3:00 PMFree time on the Stradun or Gundulić Square; browse Mala Braća pharmacy productsFree

9

4:30 PMReturn to port via bus or taxi — on board before the 6:00 PM deadline

Arrive early to beat crowds on the walls. An accessible elevator near Buža Gate assists with limited mobility. Avoid peak midday heat — the walls offer little shade.

Morning — Ship Excursions (Split Itinerary)

Pam & Janet

1

8:45 AM–12:15 PMMedieval TV Show Sites in Split — guided tour of Game of Thrones & other filming locations within Diocletian's Palace and Old TownPam · Janet

Amber

1

8:30 AM–12:45 PMAncient Salona and Town of Trogir — archaeological site of Roman Salona and the stunning UNESCO-listed medieval town of TrogirAmber

Afternoon — All Together

2

1:00 PMLunch along the Riva waterfront promenade — regroup after morning excursions~$18–28 pp

3

2:30 PMMeštrović Gallery — outstanding museum in the estate of Croatia's greatest sculptor$11 pp

4

Taxi to Meštrović Gallery (~2 km from Old Town)~$11 each way

5

3:30 PMKaštilac — sculptor's summer estate; included with gallery ticketIncluded

6

4:30 PMReturn to ship before 5:00 PM

Pam and Janet explore Split's famous filming locations while Amber ventures out to Roman Salona and the magical walled town of Trogir. All three reunite for a relaxed afternoon on the Riva waterfront and at the Meštrović Gallery.

Split Itinerary — Morning & Afternoon

Amber — Ship Excursion

1

9:15 AM–2:45 PMPanoramas of Historic Dalmatia — scenic guided tour of the Dalmatian coastline and its historic sitesAmber

⚠ Amber returns 2:45 PM — just 15 minutes before the 4:00 PM ship deadline. Head straight back to the ship on return.

Pam & Janet — Zadar Old Town

1

8:30 AMTaxi from port to Zadar Old Town~$9–13 pp

2

9:00 AMRoman Forum — ancient ruins at the heart of the city's peninsulaFree

3

9:30 AMChurch of St. Donatus — iconic 9th-century Byzantine rotunda; best-preserved in Europe$4 pp

4

10:00 AMArchaeological Museum — 3,000 years of Zadar history in an excellent collection$4 pp

5

11:00 AMSea Organ — architect Nikola Bašić's extraordinary installation; the sea literally makes musicFree

6

11:30 AMSun Salutation — solar-powered light installation; striking even in daytimeFree

7

12:00 PMLunch along the Zadar waterfront — seafood recommended~$18–28 pp

8

1:30 PMGold and Silver of Zadar — permanent exhibition of sacred medieval art and reliquaries$6 pp

9

2:30 PMNarodni Trg (People's Square) — the lively central piazzaFree

10

3:00 PMTaxi back to ship — on board before 4:00 PMPam · Janet

Alfred Hitchcock famously declared Zadar home to 'the most beautiful sunset in the world.' Zadar is compact and its main sights cluster on a small peninsula — easy and relaxed for Pam and Janet to explore independently.

Morning — Ravenna (UNESCO Mosaic Capital of the World)

1

8:00 AMDisembark ship — taxi from Ravenna port to the city centre (~10 km)~$22–28

2

8:30 AMBreakfast in Ravenna historic centre~$9–13 pp

3

8:30 AMBasilica di San Vitale — extraordinary 6th-century Byzantine mosaics; a UNESCO masterpieceCombined ticket: $13 pp

4

9:30 AMMausoleum of Galla Placidia — tiny jewel-box with the finest surviving mosaic vault in the worldIncluded

5

10:30 AMBasilica di Sant'Apollinare Nuovo — long golden mosaic processions of saints and martyrsIncluded

6

11:15 AMDante's Tomb — the final resting place of Italy's greatest poet, exiled from FlorenceFree

Midday

7

12:00 PMLunch in Ravenna historic centre — try piadina or pasta al ragù~$20–33 pp

8

1:30 PMBattistero Neoniano & Cappella Arcivescovile — further mosaic masterpieces in combined ticketIncluded

Afternoon — Train to Venice

9

3:00 PMWalk or short taxi from historic centre to Ravenna train station (~5 min)Free / ~$6

10

3:30 PMTrain: Ravenna → Venice Santa Lucia (Trenitalia, direct or change at Ferrara/Bologna)~$16–27 pp, ~2 hrs

11

5:30 PMArrive Venice Santa Lucia — Vaporetto Lines 4.1/4.2 to Murano (Faro or Colonna stop)~$10 pp, ~45 min

12

Private water taxi direct to Murano Island — recommended for luggage & limited mobility~$88–110

Evening — Murano Island

13

7:00 PMCheck in to Hyatt Centric Murano Hotel — on Murano Island, 15 min from Marco Polo Airport

14

7:30 PMDinner on Murano Island — quiet restaurants away from the Venice crowds~$28–44 pp

Murano's famous glassblowing workshops are steps from the Hyatt. The airport is just 15 min by water taxi — a real advantage for departure day.

Getting Around from Murano

1

All DayVaporetto Day Pass — Lines 4.1/4.2 connect Murano to Fondamente Nove; Lines 1/2 for Grand Canal$28 pp

2

MorningMurano glassblowing demonstration — world-famous studios are steps from the Hyatt Centric MuranoFree to watch

Morning — St. Mark's & Doge's Palace

3

9:00 AMVaporetto from Murano to Fondamente Nove, then into the city (Line 1 or 2 from Rialto area)Covered by day pass

4

9:30 AMSt. Mark's Basilica — golden Byzantine mosaics; arrive early to avoid queuesFree (museum $3 pp)

5

10:45 AMDoge's Palace — magnificent seat of Venetian power; Bridge of Sighs and grand state rooms$28 pp

6

12:30 PMLunch near St. Mark's — step one street back from the piazza for better value~$24–38 pp

Afternoon — Rialto & Grand Canal

7

2:00 PMRialto Bridge — Venice's most famous bridge with views across the Grand CanalFree

8

2:30 PMRialto Market area — historic fish and produce market still in daily useFree

9

3:00 PMTraghetto gondola ferry across the Grand Canal — the authentic local option$2 pp

10

3:30 PMGallerie dell'Accademia — Venice's premier art collection (Titian, Tintoretto, Bellini)$16 pp

11

6:00 PMReturn vaporetto to Murano (Lines 4.1/4.2 from Fondamente Nove) — rest at the hotelCovered by day pass

12

7:30 PMAperitivo and dinner on Murano Island — your island base gives you a quiet retreat~$44–66 pp

Staying on Murano is a real advantage: mornings are peaceful, glass studios open early. Line 4.1/4.2 from Murano reaches Fondamente Nove in ~10 min; switch there for Lines 1/2 along the Grand Canal.

Early Morning — Transfer to Airport

1

5:00 AMHotel water shuttle from Hyatt Centric Murano directly to Marco Polo Airport (~20 min)Free

2

6:00 AMArrive Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) — check in and clear security

3

8:00 AMDepart Venice (VCE) — UA 9700 to Munich (MUC)United Airlines

Flight Itinerary — United Airlines

4

8:00 AMDepart Venice Marco Polo (VCE) — UA 9700~1 hr flight

5

9:00 AMArrive Munich (MUC) — UA 9700 | Layover ~2 hrs 50 min

6

11:50 AMDepart Munich (MUC) — UA 9459 to DenverTransatlantic

7

3:35 PMArrive Denver (DEN) — UA 9459 | Layover ~2 hrs 15 min

8

5:50 PMDepart Denver (DEN) — UA 5861 to Colorado Springs~40 min flight

9

6:30 PMArrive Colorado Springs (COS) — UA 5861 | Home

Staying on Murano is a significant advantage for this early departure: the island is roughly 20 minutes from Marco Polo Airport, saving both time and cost compared to departing from central Venice. Pack and lay out luggage the night before.