Cruise description

39 Night Cruise sailing from Tilbury to Rome aboard Aegean Odyssey. Hotel stays pre-cruise in London and post-cruise in Rome.

39 Night Cruise sailing from Tilbury to Rome aboard Aegean Odyssey. Hotel stays pre-cruise in London and post-cruise in Rome.

An extraordinary journey combining three cruises into one. Board Aegean Odyssey in the British capital of London after a two-night hotel stay, then sail to the edge of the Arctic Circle in Iceland, the Faroe Islands, the mysterious Orkney and Shetland Isles, and the Celtic landscapes of the Scottish mainland.

Sail inland to Rouen on the Seine for a chance to visit Paris, as part of Voyages to Antiquity’s maiden voyage to the three great rivers of France. Cruise the Loire in Nantes for a scenic ride into the heart of Chateaux Country, and the Gironde to Bordeaux, world capital of wine.

Explore the Spanish province of Galicia, Portuguese Oporto and the capital of Lisbon. Cruises to Cadiz and Malaga, with the opportunity to visit Granada for a full-day’s guided tour of the magnificent Alhambra and its gardens. Calls at Valencia, Monte Carlo and Portofino give you a true idea of the beauty and history of the Mediterranean, before your grand cruise climaxes with two of the most impressive and historically fascinating cities in the world, Florence and Rome, including a two-night hotel stay in the Eternal City.

Highlights of this cruise:

Tilbury
Tilbury is located on the north bank of the River Thames, in the borough of Thurrock in England, at the point where the river suddenly narrows to about 740 metres in width. Tilbury is a modern town, which is home to one of Europe’s largest container ports, together with a international cruise terminal.

To the west of Tilbury is the popular Lakeside shopping complex, and the Queen Elizabeth II bridge, the longest cable-stayed bridge in Europe.To the East is St. Catherine’s Church which is possibly on the site of one of the first Christian monasteries developed in the 7th C. Henry VIII built riverside block houses at East and West Tilbury, these later becoming Coalhouse and Tilbury Forts.

Reykjavik
Located in the North Atlantic Ocean, directly east of Greenland, Iceland is Europe's westernmost country and the second largest island in the North-Atlantic ocean. Its capital, Reykjavik holds practically half of Iceland’s entire population, perhaps not surprising considering how little of the country is actually habitable. As such it is the country’s unrivalled cultural and economic centre surrounded by a vast wilderness of mountains and glaciers.

The city’s highlights are mostly found in central Reykjavik: lining Old Town and Lake Tjornin are attractive tin houses, some of the more historical buildings, and many of its restaurants and nighttime hotspots. Its nightlife is legendary, with all-night street parties in summer and a huge club scene year-round. The nearby surrounding wilderness offers walking trails at Videy Island or the lava area at Heidmork, is definitely worth a visit. At "Smoky Bay" you can see geothermal steam rising from the ground. Harnessed to heat the city, these smoke signals can be seen along with any number of natural wonders, half an hour out of town.

Torshavn
Tórshavn is the capital of the Faroe Islands. It is located in the southern part on the east coast of Streymoy, Denmark. To the north west of the town lies the 347-metre (1,140 ft) high mountain Húsareyn, and to the southwest, the 350-metre (1,100 ft) high Kirkjubøreyn.

The town is a charming blend of old and new. In the area around the harbour lies Tinganes where the ‘old town’ of Tórshavn is located. The small colorful houses are an attraction in the town, as is Skansin, an old fortress built over the harbour. Five minutes walk from the harbour is the city-centre Vaglið. Here is also Løgtingið, the Faeroese parliament. Nearby are shops, restaurants, hotels and a cinema.

Bordeaux
Bordeaux is a port city in the south west of France. It is the capital city of the Aquitaine region and is famous for its many varieties of wine, which are considered among the best in the world.

Bordeaux is a historical city with many tourist attractions. The city itself boasts elegant neoclassical architecture, wide avenues, and attractive public squares and parks. The centre of town lies between Place Gambetta and the Garonne River. There are many fascinating museums and art galleries, excellent shopping and beautiful gardens to enjoy.

Bordeaux also offers a great selection of cafes and restaurants in the Place de la Victoire, the Place du Parlement or the Rue de Parlement Sainte Catherine. Sample some of Bordeaux’s lively nightlife by checking out the city’s late night dance venues on the Quai de Paludate.

La Coruna
Beautiful city attractions include Ciudad Vieja (Old Town), which was once protected by walls on three sides and by the sea on the other. In addition, the city offers a variety of modern museums, devoted to fine arts, science, anthropology, and even old clocks! La Coruna is a maritime city and enjoys cool, pleasant summer weather. It offers excellent beaches and superior regional cuisine, in a friendly, hospitable environment.

Lisbon
Lisbon is the capital city of Portugal. a lively and multicultural place. Pre World War I wooden trams clank up steep gradients, past mosaic pavements and Art Nouveau cafés, and the medieval, village-like quarter of Alfama hangs below the city's castle.

Modern Lisbon has kept an easy-going pace and boasts a vibrant, cosmopolitan identity from large communities of Africans and Asians. In 1994, Lisbon was European City of Culture, while in 1998 the city hosted the last great Expo of the millennium.

There are few monuments and little art in Lisbon, largely due to the 1755 earthquake. There is one building from Portugal's golden age – the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos at Belém – that is the equal of any monument in the country. More modern developments include the Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian museum complex and the Tómas Taveira's amazing postmodernist shopping centre at Amoreiras.

Barcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain and the capital of Catalonia. It is located on the shores of the Mediterranean and enjoys a mild climate all year round.Barcelona is one of Europe’s largest and most successful ports and one of the world’s leading cities in art and architecture.

From the modern cruise terminal at the docks you will need a taxi or tour to see the artistic beauty of this unique destination, credited to the talents of Joan Miro, Pablo Picasso, Antonio Gaudi, Jose Clara and others. Stroll the mosaic-paved Ramblas, the city's social hub, with open-air cafes, street entertainers and flower displays. See its unique Catalonian cultural heritage in the ancient Gothic Quarter, the surrealistic architecture of Antonio Gaudi and some outstanding museums.

Sights of interest include the Columbus Monument, the Cathedral of Santa Eulalia (1298 to 1454), the Maritime Museum, Picasso Gallery, La Sagrada Familia (Gaudi's unfinished cathedral), Palau Guell (Gaudi mansion) and the Olympic stadiums.

Monte Carlo
The principality of Monaco and city of Monte Carlo lie on the southern Mediterranean Sea coast of France, near the border with Italy, in Southern Europe. It is the second smallest independent state in the world. With no natural resources of its own, Monte Carlo is a haven for tourists and the wealthy jet-set.

Monte Carlo features a beautiful Riviera setting, yacht-filled harbor and elegant casino. Wander through the covered passageways of the old quarter, have a drink in the grand Hotel de Paris, or shop in chic boutiques favored by the princesses Caroline and Stephanie.

Rome
Rome is one of the most popular cities in the world and is a history lesson in itself. Key sites include the Vatican City, The Forum, the Colosseum and the ruins of the Circus Maximus. There are many museums and art galleries, with works by Raphael, Bottecelli, Pinturicchio and Belini and many more.

The Vatican City has many spectacular buildings and churches to visit principle amongst which is the Sistine Chapel with its Michelangelo ceiling. It is the world's smallest independent sovereign state and also features St. Peter's Basilica was built over 1,500 years ago the Vatican Library hand the Vatican Garden.

Modern Rome is a city of restaurants, open piazza's, wonderful shopping and more.