Mediterranean Jewels Tour 2013

Along the shores of the Mediterranean - Literally the Sea in the middle of the world - most of the great civilizations of the West flourished. On this tour we meet many of them - Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Renaissance - as well as regions and cities of outstanding beauty - Dubrovnik, Italy’s Cinque Terre and Provence.

This tour is offered, genuinely, “by popular demand”. On a recent tour, 8 tour members - all veterans of former Great Trains Tours - sat down and produced this itinerary out as their ideal “next” European tour, both new and exciting. So demand is very strong with 8 deposits paid already.

Day 1, Monday, Sep 2nd  

Our tour commences today at our city hotel. There is an optional pre-tour visit to Gallipoli and Troy. Meet for Welcome Drinks and Dinner. [D]

Day 2, Tuesday, Sep 3rd  

City sightseeing includes visits to a number of Byzantine and Ottoman treasures: the Hippodrome Square, Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and the Topkapi Palace. [B]

Day 3, Wednesday, Sep 4th  

Istanbul sightseeing continues today on two continents: Europe and Asia. [B]

Day 4, Thursday, Sep 5th  

A free day in Istanbul: perhaps the Golden Bazaar for that last minute bargain. There is no daytime train from Istanbul to Greece, so we take the sleeper train. [B]

Day 5, Friday, Sep 6th  ^ Top ^

The purists consider the Greek to have been the greatest of all the Mediterranean civilizations. We arrive in Athens by midday and spend the afternoon putting this ancient city in context - the highlight, of course, is the Acropolis with the Parthenon. [B] [D]

Day 6, Saturday, Sep 7th  

The most important spiritual centre in Ancient Greece - the navel of the world, home of the oracle, and shrine to the god Apollo - was Delphi, now a UNESCO World Heritage site. We explore it today on a full day’s visit. Home to our Athens hotel tonight. [B]

Day 7, Sunday, Sep 8th  

Today we visit the ancient city of Mycenae home to the kingdom of mythical Agamemnon. We visit the tomb of Agamemnon, the Palace and the Lionesses Gate. We move on then to the world heritage listed city of Epidaurus, birthplace of Apollo’s son Asklepios, the healer, and the site of one of the best preserved classical Greek theatres buildings, still with near-perfect acoustics. [B]

Day 8, Monday, Sep 9th  

There is no train to our next jewel of the Mediterrranean (Adriatic to be precise) - Dubrovnik, so we must fly. On arrival in our city centre hotel, we stroll about the old town of this ancient port city. [B] [D]

Day 9, Tuesday, Sep 10th  

A day’s sightseeing in this truly unique city Dubrovnik, rich in Byzantine and Venetian history - the 10th century city walls, the Pile Gate, the Fort of St John. Then wander the gleaming marble streets with their baroque buildings and sculpted Renaissance fountains. [B]

Day 10, Wednesday, Sep 11th  ^ Top ^

Croatia’s off shore islands have been popular beauty spots since the time of Pliny the Elder in the First century. We spend today exploring these islands. [B]

Day 11, Thursday, Sep 12th  

Nor is there a train out of Dubrovnik, so we fly on today to another jewel of the Mediterranean, the City of Canals, Venice. Our 4 star hotel overlooks the Grand Canal. Settle in and watch the lights come on as the waterbuses chug past. [B] [D]

Day 12, Friday, Sep 13th  

This morning we begin to explore the art and history of Venice. Byzantine St Mark’s is considered by many to be the most beautiful church in the world and the historic Doge’s Palace and its Bridge of Sighs are “must sees”. Venice is best taken slowly, wandering along her canals and bridges. [B]

Day 13, Saturday, Sep 14th  

There is time for a visit to an outer island - Burano for exquisite lace, Murano for world-famous Venetian glass. Art lovers will want to see the Tintoretto paintings in the Scuola di San Rocco, the Titian in the Friary Church, and the collection of Venetian Renaissance art in the Accademia Gallery. [B]

Day 14, Sunday, Sep 15th  

We join Italy’s flagship Eurostar Italia train today and cross the Italy from the eastern shore to the Western. We break our journey in Milan to gaze upon one of Western civilization’s masterpieces, Leonardo da Vinci’s “Last Supper”. We arrive in our seafront hotel in Portofino. [B] [D]

Day 15, Monday, Sep 16th  ^ Top ^

Today we ramble in the beautiful Cinque Terre, with an opportunity for the sprightly to walk the 5 villages, while others may chose a dip in the Mediterranean or a ridiculously long lunch in a seafront restaurant. [B]

Day 16, Tuesday, Sep 17th  

The Mediterranean was birthplace not just of the Old World, but also of the New World. Nearby Genoa was Christopher Columbus’ birthplace, and you have the opportunity to visit it today or, alternatively, a leisurely day in your seafront hotel. [B]

Day 17, Wednesday, Sep 18th  

By local train today along the Italian and French Riverias to the jewel of Provence, Avignon, home to the Popes for 70 years in the late Middle Ages. Excursions are offered each day into rural Provence - lavender, cicadas and stone farmhouses. [B] [D]

Day 18, Thursday, Sep 19th  

Off the beaten track today as we drive through some of Provence“s favourite villages, - Lourmarin, hilltop Bonnieux, rainbow-coloured Roussillon, Gordes, and L“Isle-Sur-la-Sourge with its water-wheels, France's second largest antiques centre - with stops for coffee, lunch and shopping. [B]

Day 19, Friday, Sep 20th  

The Romans were in Provence and left many magnificent monuments to their civilization: today we visit the arena in Arles and the Pont du Gard (with a gesture to 19th century van Gogh). Our last night in Provence tonight. [B]

Day 20, Saturday, Sep 21st  ^ Top ^

Our International train skirts the Mediterranean across the border to Spain’s second largest city, Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia. It was founded by the Romans. [B]

Day 21, Sunday, Sep 22nd  

This morning’s sightseeing begins with visits to the Mirador de Colon and the Placa Reial and winds up at Antoni Gaudí’s unfinished masterpiece, La Sagrada Família cathedral. [B]

Day 22, Monday, Sep 23rd  

Barcelona lends itself to aimless wandering, and La Rambla ranks with Paris’ Champs Elysees as the best place in Europe to do it. Later, take the funicular to the top of Montjuïc for a fine view of Barcelona and its harbor. Farewell Dinner tonight. [B] [D]

Day 23, Tuesday, Sep 24th  

The tour ends after breakfast.

Tour costs:  

$AUD 13,950 per person Twin Share. Join in Istanbul, leave in Barcelona

What's included?^ Top ^  

All Great Trains of Europe Tours include:

• 22 nights bed & breakfast in central 4 and 5 star hotels - 7 dinners
• First Class rail travel in reserved seats
• Economy class flights Athens - Dubrovnik - Venice
• All stops 3 nights minimum - full luggage between stops on rail legs
• Sightseeing and entrances - Local guides
• Full time Australian Tour Director who is the Company Principal

The TOUR COST does NOT include:^ Top ^

• Hotel incidentals (eg. Mini-bars, telephone calls, laundry), airport and departure taxes, local transport in any city,
• Optional excursions listed or meals other than breakfast and the one restaurant dinner in each city - the first night in each new city, except Barcelona where it takes the form of a farewell dinner. On other nights, the Tour Leaders are available to accompany group members to local, authentic restaurants.

There are no Optional Excursions offered with this tour.

About the 2013 Mediterranean Jewels Tour Tour

Note well: Booking Conditions « Tours index ^ Top ^