Explore prominent landmarks and extraordinary cities that define Spain, many of them World Heritage sites, an experience that will leave you with a deeper historical and cultural perspective of the country.

NOTE: this program ends in Madrid, Spain therefore departing flights need to be booked out of the Madrid International Airport (MAD). This tour is not recommended for guests with walking difficulties or for those who use a wheelchair, walker or scooter due to the amount of walking, many steps and cobbled surfaces. There are long segments of driving on this program.

DAY 1

After disembarking the cruise ship in Barcelona, you will enjoy a leisurely and immensely scenic drive to the Poblet Monastery. A 12th-century church stands at the center of this sacred World Heritage site, which features a fortified royal residence. While touring, you will learn about the monks’ lifestyle in the Middle Ages and the mountainous route that connects this Cisterian monastery to two others.

Continuing on to the nearby medieval village of Montblanc, you can expect to see its Gothic churches, the royal palace and the city’s 14th-century stone walls, more than half of which still exist. Free time follows, during which you can explore further. The centrally located Plaza Mayor is a great starting point for shopping and people-watching.

Afterwards, you will settle in for a relaxing drive to Zaragoza, the capital of the province that lies on the Ebro River. Upon arriving, you will check into your hotel, where the remainder of the day will be at your leisure with dinner on your own.

Note: At the Monastery of Poblet you will have approximately 1.5 km / .9 miles of walking and about 10 steps to negotiate. In Montblanc there will be approximately 1 km./.06 miles of walking over cobblestone surfaces

DAY 2

After breakfast at the hotel, you will spend the next two hours or so exploring Zaragoza, especially the Old Town. Its star attraction is the multi-domed Basilica of Pilar, an important pilgrimage site. According to local legend, the Virgin Mary gave Saint James a pillar made of jasper here and instructed him to build a church on the site. This last version of El Pilar, as it’s known locally, was constructed beginning in the late 17th century.

You will next visit the ancient town of Medinaceli, which in Arabic and means “City on the Hill.” The Romans founded the city and structures from that time still remain, the most famous being a stone arch built in the 2nd century. Other highlights include a 17th-century palace and a Gothic church built even earlier.

Following lunch, you will settle in for a relaxing drive to Madrid, where you will check into the Eurostar Madrid Tower or similar hotel. The remainder of the day will be at your leisure with dinner on your own.

Note: In Zaragoza there will be approximately 1 km/ .6 miles of walking over flat, paved surfaces. In Medinaceli, 1.5km / .9 miles over cobbled and paved surfaces with slight inclines.

DAY 3

Following breakfast at the hotel, you will depart for Toledo, a city so architecturally rich that Spain has declared it a national monument. UNESCO agreed and designated the historic center a World Heritage site, in part because three religions existed harmoniously here—Christianity, Islam and Judaism.

As you walk through this extraordinary city on the Tagus River, you will get a genuine feel for what life was like here in the Middle Ages. The historic city center is that atmospheric. The Toledo Cathedral is particularly impressive, as it is considered one of Europe’s greatest Gothic buildings. Built over nearly three centuries, starting in 1226, the cathedral contains a spectacular high altar and two painting by El Greco, the famed painter that lived in Toledo.

Lunch follows, after which you will proceed to Madrid. As an introduction to Spain’s vibrant capital, you will drive past key landmarks before starting an enlightening walking tour in Plaza Mayor. This grand arcaded square in the heart of the city offers wonderful options for shopping and dining nearby, as you may discover during free time.

By late afternoon, you will return to the hotel, where you will spend the evening with dinner on your own.

Note: In Toledo there will be approximately 2.5 km / 1.5 miles of walking over paved and cobblestone surfaces with some ascending inclines. In Madrid you will have approximately 1.5km / .9 miles of walking over flat, paved surfaces.

DAY 4

After breakfast at the hotel, you will drive to Segovia, a World Heritage site perhaps best known for its aqueduct that was probably constructed during the reign of Roman emperor Trajan. Until about 100 years ago, the aqueduct still carried water from the Frio River into Segovia 10 miles away.

The Alcazar is another landmark that is impossible to miss. Construction began in the 12th century and its fabulous fairy-tale style supposedly inspired the design of the Walt Disney castle in part. You will also spend time in Segovia’s walled upper town, whose cathedral is the last Gothic one built in Spain. It stands where Isabella I was proclaimed the Queen of Castile in 1474.

Following lunch in Segovia, you will drive to the 16th-century Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial on the outskirts of Madrid. It too is a World Heritage site and celebrated for its austere appearance, which influenced Spanish architecture for the next half century or so. As you wander through the interior, the guide will describe the building’s illustrious history, including how King Philip II conceived El Escorial as a funerary monument for his father.

After visiting, you will return to the hotel in Madrid, where you will spend the evening with dinner on your own.

Note: In Segovia you will have approximately 1km / .6 miles of walking over cobblestones and paved surfaces, with some ascending inclines and in Escorial there will be approximately 2.5 km / 1.5 miles of walking over flat, paved surfaces.

DAY 5

Following breakfast at the hotel and check out, you will transfer to the Madrid International Airport based on the departure of your flight. Luggage can be stored at the hotel for guests with flights that depart late in the day.

Land Program Details Step by Step:

•Please note: The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. All program timings are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change.

•Itineraries with the most up to date details (at the time) will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. Final itineraries with the most up to date details will be provided by the Destination Services Team once you board the ship. Please review your final itinerary carefully for any amendments.

•The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.

•A departure transfer is not included if guests leave before the last day of the program.

DAY 1

8:45am Disembark in Barcelona and drive to Poblet

10:30am Visit the Poblet Monastery

11:30am Walking tour of Montblanc

1:00pm Lunch

3:00pm Transfer to Zaragoza

5:00pm Check into the Hotel Alfonso Zaragoza

Remainder of the day at leisure, dinner on your own

Overnight at the NH Collection Zaragoza or similar hotel

DAY 2

AM Breakfast at the hotel

8:45am Begin touring Zaragoza

10:45am Transfer to Medinaceli

1:00pm Lunch at a restaurant

3:00pm Visit Medinaceli

5:00pm Transfer to Madrid

7:00pm Check-in at the hotel

Remainder of the day at leisure, dinner on your own

Overnight at the Eurostar Madrid Tower Hotel or similar hotel

DAY 3

AM Breakfast at the hotel

8:30am Drive to Toledo

10:00am Visit of Toledo

1:00pm Lunch

3:00pm Depart for Madrid

4:30pm Begin touring Madrid

6:00pm Return to the hotel

Remainder of the day at leisure, dinner on your own

Overnight at the Eurostar Madrid Tower Hotel or similar hotel

DAY 4

AM Breakfast at the hotel

8:30am Depart for Segovia

10:00am Visit Segovia

12:30pm Lunch

2:00pm Depart for Escorial

3:00pm Arrive in Escorial

3:15pm Visit Escorial

5:30pm Return to the hotel

Remainder of the day at leisure, dinner on your own

Overnight at the Eurostar Madrid Tower Hotel or similar hotel

DAY 5

AM Breakfast at the hotel

12:00pm Check out of the hotel

Transfer to Madrid International Airport based on the flight details provided

Should you have a late flight, luggage storage is available at the hotel until your transfer.

Extra Nights: If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be transferred to the airport per the flight details provided. Check-out is 12:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast are on your own after Day 5 of the program.

Transfers: All guests booking their flights independently are required to ensure that the cruise line has their up-to-date flight details so that transfers to the airport can be arranged. If flight details are not received 14 days before your cruise start date, transfers will not be arranged.

If you book any extra nights on your own or your flight is not on the last day of the program, transfers are not included.

If you have a late-departing flight, you may wish to book an extra night so that you may occupy the room until your departure. Day rooms can only be purchased directly through the hotel.

Expected Weather

April: average temperature 12º C

May: average temperature 15º C

June: average temperature 20º C

September: average temperature 22º C

October: average temperature 15º C

November: average temperature 10º C

What to Bring

Weather-appropriate clothing, hats, flat comfortable walking shoes, sunglasses, sun protection, umbrellas and cameras.

Currency

Euro

Electricity

220 volts. We recommend bringing your own travel convertor for electric devices.

Documents and Visa Requirements

A valid passport is required.

Hotel addresses

NH Collection Zaragoza

C. Joaquín Costa, 5, 50001 Zaragoza, Spain

Phone: +34 976 22 19 01

Eurostar Madrid Tower Hotel

P.º de la Castellana, 259, B, 28046 Madrid, Spain

Phone: +34 913 34 27 00

*We will only source different hotels in unforeseen situations. If similar hotels are required, they will be of equal ratings and standards and you will be notified of the change. If you are not notified of any changes before your departure, then you will be staying at the hotels listed in this program.

Program Includes

1 night at the NH Collection Zaragoza including breakfast or similar hotel (standard double room)

3 nights at the Eurostar Madrid Tower Hotel including breakfast or similar hotel (standard double room)

4 lunches as indicated in the itinerary including 2 glasses of wine, mineral water, coffee

English-speaking tour escort

Luggage handling at hotels (maximum 2 pieces of luggage per person)

Entrance fees per the itinerary

Please Note: Guests booking their own flights independently of the cruise line are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated departure information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, a departure transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.

Program excludes

•Gratuities to drivers and guides

•Meals and beverages not listed in the program details

•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 and 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.

Please note: 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 90 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 90 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program.

Price: $2,999 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.

Savor the full “Tuscan experience” on this overnight program designed for a small group. Spend an overnight in the heart of Florence including a visit to one of the most beautiful museums in the city, visit the charming medieval town of San Gimignano and round out your tour with a fun and interactive cooking class at typical homestead nestled within the rolling hills of Tuscany.

This program is limited to 10 guests. There is a good amount of walking over cobbled or uneven ground in both Florence and San Gimignano.

DAY 1 – October 30, 2025

Set off from the pier in Livorno with your local escort and meander your way through the countryside towards Florence, the “cradle of the Renaissance” as it’s commonly nicknamed.

Wherever you look around, you’ll find yourself surrounded by historical buildings which bear the mark of the history of Florence. After checking in at your hotel and dropping off your luggage, enjoy lunch at Osteria Pagliazza, reputed to be one of the best restaurants in Florence, located on the ground floor of the Brunelleschi Hotel, a very exclusive hotel located in the shadow of the dome of Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral.

After a delicious lunch of Tuscan specialties, you will begin a walking tour of this fascinating city – its historic center inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Walking though the cobbled streets, you will see the most iconic sites like the magnificent Duomo and Piazza della Signoria, respectively the religious and political centers of the city, where art and architecture really played an important role.

Crossing the famous Ponte Vecchio, the most famous bridge of Florence, you will then reach Palazzo Pitti, where you’ll have the chance to visit the “Galleria Palatina”, which houses one of the most important collections in Italy with works from sixteenth and seventeenth centuries belonging to the Medici family. You’ll then have some free time to browse around the city at dusk, before returning back to the hotel for a delicious dinner.

DAY 2 – October 31, 2025

After breakfast and check-out, you will meet your guide at the hotel, board your coach and again to head into the countryside. During your journey you will already see your next destination on the horizon as it has a very distinctive skyline. San Gimignano’s tall walls and narrow streets are typical of Tuscan hill towns, but it's the medieval "skyscrapers" that set the town apart from its neighbors. Today, fourteen of the original seventy-six towers have survived.

After a short introduction by your guide, you will have some free time to stroll at leisure in town, browsing through the many handicraft shops and admiring the medieval architecture which has landed the historic center on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

You will then meet your guide again and drive to “Fattoria Poggio Alloro”. This simple, family establishment welcomes guests for a visit of their cellar, shed, vineyards and olive groves. It is here that you will experience and soak in the authentic atmosphere of a traditional Italian farmhouse.

Poggio Alloro features all organic products such as wine, oil, and cereals. The farm also claims one of the most ancient Tuscan breeds of cattle, the selected Chianina breed. After a chance to browse, you will engage in a cooking class where you will learn how to prepare fresh handmade pasta, which you will then enjoy during your lunch while tasting their delicious wines.

Eventually it will be time to say goodbye to your hosts and you will return to the port of Livorno where you will reboard the ship.

Land Program Step by Step:

Please note: The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. All program details including timings indicated below are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change. Final itineraries with the most up to date details will be provided by the Destination Services Team once you board the ship. Please review your final itinerary carefully for any amendments.

DAY 1

11:15am Meet your guide at the pier in Livorno and drive to Florence

12:30pm Luggage drop-off at your hotel

1:00pm Lunch at Osteria della Pagliazza or similar venue

3:00pm Guided walking tour including the Galleria Palatina

6:00pm Free time

7:30pm Dinner at your hotel’s restaurant

Overnight at the Grand Hotel Minerva or similar hotel

DAY 2

AM Breakfast at the hotel

8:30am Departure for San Gimignano

9:30am Free time in town

10:45am Drive to Fattoria Poggio Alloro

11:00am Cooking class

1:30pm Lunch and wine tasting

3:30pm Reboard the coach

5:00pm Arrive back to the port of Livorno and re-board the ship

Expected Weather:

At the end of October, beginning of November it can be cold and rainy. The average temperature is between 6 C / 42 F and 15 C / 59 F

What to Bring:

Guests should bring comfortable walking shoes and warm clothing. It is recommended to bring an umbrella in case of rain.

Local Currency:

Euro.

Credit cards are accepted in most of the shops

Electricity

In Italy, power plugs and sockets (outlets) of type F (two larger pins) and type L (three small pins) are used. The standard voltage is 230 V at a frequency of 50 Hz. There may be some adaptors available at the hotel however we recommend brining your own universal travel adaptor for electric devices.

Documents and Visa Requirements:

A valid passport is required

Hotel address:

Name: Grand Hotel Minerva

Address: Piazza S. Maria Novella, 16 – 50123 Firenze

Phone: +39 05527230

*We will only source different hotels in unforeseen situations. If similar hotels are required they will be of equal ratings and standards and you will be notified of the change. If you are not notified of any changes before your departure then you will be staying at the hotel listed in this program.

Program Includes for guests:

•1 night at the Grand Hotel Minerva Hotel (subject to change) – Deluxe double room with a view of Santa Maria Novella square, including breakfast and city tax

•Lunch at Osteria della Pagliazza or similar venue on Day 1

•Guided walking tour in Florence

•Entrance to the “Galleria Palatina”

•3-courses dinner and beverages at your hotel

•Cooking class at “Fattoria Poggio Alloro”, with wine tasting and lunch

Program Excludes for guests:

•Gratuities for drivers and guides

•Hotel incidentals including mini bar and room service

•Any meals or beverages not listed

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, and 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. Weather appropriate clothing; hats; sunglasses; and flat, comfortable walking shoes are generally recommended.

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. Mid cruise overland 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.

Price: $1,699 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.