Come discover the history of ancient ruins, the romance of sun-drenched isles and the enchantment of diverse Mediterranean cultures aboard the ms Noordam.

ROME

Your journey starts in the "Eternal City". By extending your stay before or after your cruise begins, you can explore Rome at your leisure. From the Roman Forum, it's a short walk to the Colosseum, the Arch of Constantine and Palatine Hill. Across the Tiber River, the Sovereign State of the Vatican holds the key to the Sistine Chapel and Bernini's awesome colonnade. Rome's port city of Civitavecchia is about a 90 minute commute from the Rome airport (60 minutes from central Rome).. If your flight arrives on the day of embarkation, we can assist with your airport-ship transfers. If you elect to arrive in Rome prior to embarkation, its a simple matter to arrnage the transfer through your hotel. Call us for details 800-326-0373.

DUBROVNIK, CROATIA

Magnificent medieval walls protect this World Heritage Site and former naval city-state. Inside are a beautiful 14th-century Franciscan monastery, the Sponza Palace and graceful stone palazzi. The old town was completed in the 13th century and remains virtually unchanged to the present day. Tall ramparts surround it and there are only two entrances to the old town which lead to the Stradun, the city's promenade. One of the greatest pleasures for many visitors is to have a drink in one of the nearby cafes and watch the world go by, whilst they themselves are being watched by the city patron, St. Blaise, or Sveti Vlaho as the locals call him.

CORFU, GREECE

Corfu Greece, is the most popular of the Ionian Islands. It is a very green island and a mixture of the civilizations that have passed through at various times. The town of Corfu (Kerkyra) impresses and charms the visitor with its two forts which flank the entrance to the port, narrow streets, tall houses, arcades, Venetian-built Town Hall, church to Saint Spyridon, the island's patron saint, flower-filled gardens, and balconies with their superb wrought-iron fences. Lose yourself in the Venetian old town or head north for dramatic seascapes.

KATAKOLON, GREECE

Gateway to Olympus, site of the original Olympic Stadium and host to some games of the 2004 Olympiad. From the small port of Katakolon on the Ionian Coast, it's a short 30-minute drive to Olympia, where ancient Greeks came to celebrate the games. At the ruins of the sanctuary at Olympia, visitors can see the temples of Zeus and Hera, the floor of the original stadium and the Council House where athletes took the Olympic oath. A museum has a unique collection of Greek sculpture, ancient pieces of armor and bronze figurines found during the excavations.

SANTORINI, GREECE

35.25 degrees north. 25.20 degrees east. Perfection has coordinates. Here on Santorini, you'll find whitewashed houses accented by roofs of the bluest blue - there's no doubt that azure waters of the Aegean have served as creative inspiration. Among the many historic sites on the island is the ancient city of Akrotiri, once buried under a thick blanket of volcanic ash over 3,600 years ago. Your harbor on this island was created by a volcano in 1500 BC., and the effect is still explosive: steep cliffs rise from sea level, cubist white houses glow in the Aegean sun.

KUSADASI, TURKEY

Kusadasi, one of Turkey's principle holiday resorts, offers an excellent environment for an unforgettable holiday. Situated on the west coast of Turkey- 90km south of Izmir, Kusadasi, is reputed for one of the most attractive city of the Aegean, as it is close to many important historical sites including Ephesus, one of the best-preserved archeological sites in the classical world. Explore its grand colonnaded marble streets, the Celsus Library, the ancient Agoura and the Baths.

VALLETTA, MALTA

Valletta, Malta's capital and a World Heritage site, is nothing short of an open-air museum. It is a living experience of Baroque architecture, a monument donated by the Knights of St John nearly five centuries ago. Throughout the years, Valletta has welcomed emperors, heads of state, artists and poets and is now the permanent seat of the Maltese government. Dotted with quaint cafés and wine bars, the city hosts among others, the majestic St John's Co- Cathedral, the imposing bastions and a treasure of priceless paintings. It also provides a stunning snapshot of Malta's Grand Harbour, often described as the most beautiful in the Mediterranean.

MESSINA, SICILY

Located in northeastern Sicily, on the slopes of the Peloritani Mountains, Messina is an ancient place with a fascinating history. Walk by the ruins of the Santa Maria Alemanna church, built in 1220 by the Teutonic Knights. You'll also want to see the Duomo, a Romanesque and Norman cathedral that includes a display of artifacts in its treasury. Gateway to Taormina and its views of snowcapped Mt. Etna. The small museum here shows works by Caravaggio.

Shore Tours

Holland America offers a wonderful variety of optional shore excursions. These trips are value priced and allow you to more fully experience the sightseeing, shopping, cultural and recreational aspects of this itinerary. You can even pre-order your shore excursions on-line! Click here for more information. Use the reservation number listed on your invoice, not the Special Event Cruises Booking ID number, when requesting shore excursion information from the above link.