This Rail-Cruise has an itinerary made up of exciting landscapes, ancient artifacts and priceless treasures in Mediterranean ports rich in scenic and historic interest. Aboard the magnificent Costa Pacifica - new in 2009 - you will find a casual and friendly atmosphere, warm Italian hospitality and attentive service.
This super ship provides a wide variety of activities and fun things to do, but it’s entirely up to you to decide how you wish to spend your time on board. Either way, the staff (English-speaking) will always be on hand to ensure you enjoy a memorable cruise.
The holiday starts with a Champagne check-in at St Pancras before an escorted morning departure on Eurostar to Paris (just over 2 hours journey time) where we join the TGV train to Nice, arriving early-to-mid evening. We break our journey in Nice with an overnight stay in a hotel. The next morning we check out of the hotel and head for Monaco & Monte Carlo, just 20km away with the famous landmoarks of the Cssino, Royal Palace and harbour full of multi-million-pound yachts. From Monaco we continue along the coast road to Savona, in Italy (around 90 minutes drive), where we join the Costa Pacifica to start our 11-night cruise calling at: Civitavecchia (Rome), Greece - Katakolon & Piraeus (Athens), Turkey - Izmir, Israel - Ashdod, Egypt - Port Said & Alexandria.
At the end of the cruise we return to Savona, then transfer by coach to Nice to join the TGV to Paris for an overnight stay in a hotel. A great opportunity to see the French capital decorated for Christmas. The next day we continue to London by Eurostar arriving early-to-mid afternoon.
Note: Adverse weather or sea conditions may prevent the vessel calling at scheduled ports.

Itinerary: Day 1: London - Paris - Nice
AM - PM: Join us for a glass of Champagne at St Pancras' famous Champagne Bar before our morning departure on Eurostar to Paris. Transfer to Gare de Lyon to join the TGV to Nice. Transfer to our hotel to check-in.
Day 2: Nice, France - Savona, Italy
PM - 17.00: After breakfast we join our coach and Depart Nice for the 2-hour journey to Savona, including a visit to Monaco en-route. We will arrive in Savona early-to-mid afternoon and board the Costa Pacifica which sails at 17.00hrs.
Day 3: At sea. »»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»
Day 4: Katakolon, Greece
13.00 - 18.00: Katakolon is a small port founded in the first half of the 19th century and linked to the legendary and nearby Olympia. The Olympic Games originated here and it is still possible to see the starting and finishing lines of the races in the ancient stadium.
Day 5: Piraeus, (Athens) Greece
08.00 - 17.00: The cradle of Greek civilisation, Athens today is a bustling, frenetic, modern city of six million people, one third of the total population of Greece. The historic attractions of Athens are world-renowned. The Acropolis, overlooking the city a rocky hilltop, is the dominant monument of ancient Greece, the site of the first temple dedicated to the goddess Athena and the stunning Parthenon.
Day 6: Izmir, Turkey
08.00 - 18.00: Izmir is Turkey’s second city, after Istanbul. Located in a beautiful bay, surrounded by hills, the town has become a modern metropolis with a thriving café culture. Archaeological digs indicate that Izmir was probably first inhabited in the third millennium BC and has been part of the Roman and Ottoman Empires. There are many historic sites and and animated and colourful bazaar with stalls selling every kind of local goods.
Day 7: At sea. »»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»
Day 8: Ashdod, Israel
07.00 - 20.00: Ashdod is one of the most important ports in Israel - gateway to the most renowned places in the Holy Land, Just a few kilometres from the coast, the landscape is typically Middle Eastern, evoking images of the Bible. Perhaps the most impressive route from Ashdod is the road to Bethlehem and to Jerusalem, with historic monuments such as the Wailing Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Garden of Gethsemane. The Dead Sea is around two hours by caoch from Ashdod.
Day 9: Port Said, Egypt
07.00 - 09.30: Port said is the port for Cairo, Egypt’s capital and the largest city in Africa with over 12 million inhabitants. Cairo is also the starting point to visit the most important remains of ancient Egypt, notably Giza and Saqqara necropolis, the three pyramids of Cheops, Chefren and Micerino, and the Sphinx.
Day 9: Alexandria, Egypt
19.30 - 21.00 Alexandria is one of the most important cities in the history of the Mediterranean - a cradle of civilisations, history and culture founded by Alexander the Great and named after him. Alexandria’s reign continued under Roman rule and with 500,000 inhabitants it became the second city of the Roman Empire. Today Alexandria blends its multi-layered historical past with a vibrant modern city which, for many, is the gateway to Cairo.
Day 10: At sea. »»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»
Day 11: At sea. »»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»
Day 12: Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy
08.00 - 20.00: Civitavecchia is the port of the Eternal City of Rome. Take a tour and see the Colosseum and Forum, visit the Vatican or shop for fine Italian fashion goods. Be sure to toss a coin into Trevi Fountain which, according to legend, will guarantee you will return to Rome one day.
Day 13: Savona - Paris
Return to Savona. Disembark after breakfast, join our coach to Nice to join the TGV to Paris. Transfer to our hotel to check in.
Day 14: Paris - London
After breakfast check out of out hotel and transfer to the Gare du Nord to join Eurostar to London, arriving early-to-mid afternoon.

INCLUDED: Champagne check-in • Escorted throughout from London • Return Eurostar & TGV rail travel from London St Pancras to Nice
• 1 night hotel B&B in Nice outbound • Visit to Monaco • 11–night full–board cruise sharing a twin or double standard inside stateroom • Entertainment on board • Port charges • 1 night hotel B&B in Paris
• All transfers abroad
NOT INCLUDED: Local travel to/from St Pancras International • Porterage Services • Optional Excursions • Travel Insurance
Deposit: £200pp.

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