Star Collector: Culture & Charms of Italy & Croatia

In this enchanting city the past and present intersect in perfect harmony. Casually intermingled among ancient ruins and majestic cathedrals are the trappings of a modern metropolis: Skyscrapers,cafes, boutiques selling designer footwear. But of course what you seek first in the heart of Rome is its breathtaking history.  A good place to begin is the Vatican, with its Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica. Works by Bernini, Michelangelo, Caravaggio, and Raphael are just a few of those on display, any one of which is worth hours of contemplation. Then the ancient ruins—Colosseum, Forum, Circus Maximus. And of course the Trevi Fountain for the obligatory coins promising your return to the Eternal City.

Rich in both Greek and Roman history and home of the mathematician Archimedes, Syracuse is full of ancient ruins including the Roman Amphitheater, Teatro Greco, and the Orecchio di Dionisio. The Ortigia, or Old Town is full of sites to see like the Ortigia Cathedral which houses a number of relics of St. Lucy, the patron saint of Syracuse.<br />
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Malta&rsquo;s capital city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is among the world&rsquo;s smallest, yet definitely most charming.&nbsp; Graced with the paintings of Caravaggio and kissed by beautiful shorelines, you&rsquo;ll find photographic icons at almost every turn.&nbsp; Not to be missed is a visit to the stately Palazzo Parisio to glimpse the enchanting lifestyle of Malta&rsquo;s nobility.&nbsp;

Pretty Xlendi Bay lies on the west coast of Gozo, an island long thought to be the mythical Ogygia of Homer&rsquo;s <em>Odyssey</em>. In the story, Calypso fell in love with Odysseus and held him captive for seven years.. The reputed Calypso Cave is just one of several intriguing caves on the island. There&rsquo;s also Caroline&rsquo;s Cave, a natural grotto that was once a private swimming hole for nuns. Surprisingly for such a small island, Gozo is home to the oldest freestanding temples in the world, the Ggantija Temples, nestled among the rolling green hills. You should also visit the Citadella, a small, fortified town that houses the island&rsquo;s Cathedral, the Museum of Archaeology, the Folklore Museum, and the Old Prisons.

Here you&rsquo;ll find what are widely acclaimed as the best, ancient ruins in the entire Mediterranean. Imagine the wonders of Athens, of Ephesus, of legendary Olympia itself. Then imagine them all in one place, at Agrigento, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As you wander the verdant ridge overlooking the Mediterranean you will be transported to the 5th and 6th centuries. The irresistible scent of olive, almond, and eucalyptus trees will entice you back to the present. This is one of the world&rsquo;s most beautiful sites.&nbsp;

At once ancient and contemporary, Trapani is a city of contrasts. From the salt marshes that produce much of the Mediterranean&rsquo;s signature colored salts, to the intricate mosaics of Mozia and the famous wines of Marsala, to the best view in all of Sicily from the medieval hill town of Erice where the colorful gardens are rivaled only by the cannolis for pure sensory delight. The line of 17th century windmills, still hard at work in ancient Phoenician salt marshes beckons you to return to Trapani again and again.&nbsp;

Take time on shore to explore the beautiful village and enjoy the exclusive access that only a small ship can provide in a port large cruise ships cannot reach.&nbsp;&nbsp; An optional tour will introduce you to the highlights of the largest of the seven Aeolian Islands, well-known for its mythological connections and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.&nbsp;

UNESCO World Heritage Sites abound in Sorrento.&nbsp; &nbsp;Optional tours will take you to the archaeological areas of Pompeii and Torre Annunziata, or the 4^th century B.C. city of Herculaneum. Perhaps your choice will be a boat ride to Positano, the legendary home of the Sirens. Perched on a terrace on the spectacular Amalfi Coast, Sorrento offers exceptional views of the Bay of Naples and Mount Vesuvius.&nbsp;

The town of Amalfi lies at the mouth of a deep ravine surrounded by dramatic cliffs and coastal scenery. As part of the Amalfi Coast, it has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is an important tourist destination. The whole region is famed for its lemons, which are about double the size of other lemons, and the production of the limoncello liqueur. An optional tour can take you to the UNESCO archaeological areas of Pompeii, Positano and Ravello.

In this enchanting city the past and present intersect in perfect harmony. Casually intermingled among ancient ruins and majestic cathedrals are the trappings of a modern metropolis: Skyscrapers,cafes, boutiques selling designer footwear. But of course what you seek first in the heart of Rome is its breathtaking history. &nbsp;A good place to begin is the Vatican, with its Sistine Chapel and St. Peter&rsquo;s Basilica. Works by Bernini, Michelangelo, Caravaggio, and Raphael are just a few of those on display, any one of which is worth hours of contemplation. Then the ancient ruins&mdash;Colosseum, Forum, Circus Maximus. And of course the Trevi Fountain for the obligatory coins promising your return to the Eternal City.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites abound in Sorrento.&nbsp; &nbsp;Optional tours will take you to the archaeological areas of Pompeii and Torre Annunziata, or the 4^th century B.C. city of Herculaneum. Perhaps your choice will be a boat ride to Positano, the legendary home of the Sirens. Perched on a terrace on the spectacular Amalfi Coast, Sorrento offers exceptional views of the Bay of Naples and Mount Vesuvius.&nbsp;

Today you&rsquo;ll discover one of Sicily&rsquo;s jewels, the charming village of Giardini Naxos, nestled in one of the world&rsquo;s most beautiful bays. An optional excursion to the popular hillside town of Taormina will be a highlight of your voyage &mdash; from the stunning setting of the iconic Greek Theater to the sparkling beaches along the Ionian Sea. Take a more adventurous tack and explore the UNESCO site of Mount Etna, Europe&rsquo;s most active volcano.

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This is one of Montenegro&rsquo;s most beautiful bays, and the approach offers one breathtaking fjord-like view after another. Just when you&rsquo;ve reached your fill of blues and greens, the bright red rooftops of the medieval Old Town come into view. The entire area has been proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The charming streets of Old Town remain car free, filled with 12th century Baroque palaces and Romanesque churches. For a fresh perspective, climb to the fortress on the hill for a breathtaking vista.&nbsp;</div>

While larger ships must pass by, we anchor right beyond the famous walled city so you can admire its beauty with every glance. Tender ashore and step right into Old Town, a UNESCO site where no cars are allowed, just eons of history. Capture the exhilarating views on your camera &mdash; and in your memory. End your day at the Buza Café (if you can find it) watching bold divers leap off the cliffs into the crystalline sea.&nbsp;

Split welcomes you with open arms, Mediterranean style, and a bustling harbor lined with busy cafés. Beyond, looms stately Diocletian&rsquo;s Palace a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the center of town. Within the palace walls, a majestic cathedral soars, surrounded by polished marble streets lined with every type of tempting shop. If you&rsquo;re longing for a quiet respite, head for the western end of town for an easy stroll through a verdant mountain park. Or take an optional tour to Trogir, another UNESCO site.

The lovely fishing port of Rovinj on the west coast of the Istrian peninsula bordered on three sides by the Adriatic Sea. You can tour the maze of cobblestone streets that lead to the hilltop St. Euphemia Cathedral with its towering steeple dominating the skyline. Old Town Rovinj is a delightful tangle of medieval streets and twisting stairways. Seek out the Bronze Age ruins of Monkodonja, the hidden beaches or the breathtaking natural beauty of the 6-mile-long Lim Fjord.<br />
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No other sea approach in the Adriatic raises goose bumps like Venice, a small ship exclusive where the entire city and its lagoon are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On your luxurious home-away-from home, you arrive already equipped with a sense of what it&rsquo;s like to live in the city that&rsquo;s neither land nor water. Add your own sigh to the Bridge of Sighs, sip a spritz al bitter as you plot your agenda, and let the water taxis do your navigating unless you don&rsquo;t mind getting lost. Not such a bad prospect, with serendipitous discoveries around every corner.