2008 Itinerary

Westbound

Click here for Eastbound itinerary.

• Indicates day of cruising

Day 1: Athens awaits!
Welcome to Athens, a city with many layers of history and culture. Take the included transfer from Athens International Airport to the Hilton Athens in the heart of the city, from which you can gaze up at the Acropolis from its rooftop terrace. Your Mediterranean tour and luxury cruise with Tauck begins at the hotel at 6:00 PM. We look forward to meeting you at our welcome reception and dinner this evening.
Meals: Dinner
Lodging: Hilton Athens

Day 2: Mythology and history
Sample the sights of Athens today, the first full day of your Mediterranean tour. From the Agora, the ancient heart of Athens, to the bustling Plaka with its myriad shops, restaurants and cafés, the city reveals a vibrant past and present. Marvel at the fabled Acropolis and the Parthenon and have lunch in a local restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Lodging: Hilton Athens

• Day 3: Athens, past and present
Experience a taste of daily life at a cooking demonstration of Greek cuisine prior to boarding your Regent ship as your Mediterranean tour and luxury cruise with Tauck begins its cruise days by setting sail for Turkey.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Regent Cruise Ship

• Day 4: Enchanting Ephesus
Because it was abandoned rather than destroyed, Ephesus is one of the best-preserved ancient cities on your Mediterranean tour and cruise, offering a feeling of what life was like here in its heyday. Follow the stone footprints through the streets to view the imposing Library of Celsus, the ancient baths, and other well-preserved buildings. Marvel at the 2,500 seat Greco-Roman theatre, built in the 1st century BC. It is so well designed acoustically that a penny dropped on the stage can be heard in the highest seats. See the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and visit the Selçuk Museum.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Regent Cruise Ship

• Day 5: Blues and whites of Santorini
The island of Santorini is a visual symphony of blue and white. Explore Oia, with its whitewashed and pastel homes and blue-domed churches. Visit a beautiful Byzantine church in Fira and take in the splendid views out over the caldera. Board the cable car or ride a donkey down the steps to rejoin your ship.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Regent Cruise Ship

• Day 6: In synch with the sea
Take advantage of a glorious day at sea to sample all the many varied activities and amenities aboard the ship. Perhaps you’ll choose to take in an art auction, make a donation to the casino, be pampered in the spa, attend an interesting lecture or just laze by the swimming pool. All that and more is available to you today.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Regent Cruise Ship

• Day 7: Sicily, a little bit of Paradise
No Mediterranean tour and luxury cruise would be complete without a visit to Sicily and the lovely medieval, mountainside town of Taormina. A walking tour reveals its charming winding streets and the Old Town. The views of Mt. Etna and the sea from the ancient Greco-Roman theatre are memorable.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Regent Cruise Ship

• Day 8: Captivating Capri
After your ship docks in Sorrento on the Italian mainland, travel by hydrofoil to the captivating Isle of Capri. Tour the island in an open-air convertible, visiting the town of Capri and the lovely Gardens of Augustus. After lunch, explore Anacapri and Villa San Michele, with its Swedish influence.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Regent Cruise Ship

• Day 9: Roman Holiday
Visit the “Eternal City” of Rome today, a highlight of your Mediterranean tour and luxury cruise. Have lunch in Piazza di Spagna; take a walking tour to see the Pantheon, the Bernini-inspired Piazza Navona, and the Spanish Steps – and toss a coin into Trevi Fountain! See the Roman Forum and St. Peter’s Basilica and evoke the days of the gladiators as you view the Colosseum.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Regent Cruise Ship

Day 10: Bonjour, Côte d'Azur
The cruise portion of Tauck’s Mediterranean tour concludes today as you bid adieu to your Regent cruise ship for two days of sightseeing in the fabled Côte d’Azur. Walk through Menton, just a mile from the Italian border in France, with your Tauck Director and visit Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, dating from feudal times. See the sights in glittering Monte-Carlo during a tour that includes views of the famous casino.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Lodging: Fairmont Monte Carlo

Day 11: Glamorous Cap-Ferrat
A visit to Cap-Ferrat, a haven for European aristocracy and international millionaires, is a highlight of any Mediterranean tour. At Ville Ile de France, the grand estate of Baroness Ephrussi de Rothschild, discover an impressive art collection and seven different magnificent gardens, each one taking its inspiration from a place to which she traveled. Please join us for a farewell reception and dinner this evening.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Fairmont Monte Carlo

Day 12: A fond farewell
Your Mediterranean tour ends in Nice. A transfer is included from the Fairmont Monte Carlo to Nice Côte d'Azur International Airport for your flight home. Allow at least 2 1/2 hours for airport check-in formalities. We wish you a safe and pleasant journey.
Meals: Breakfast

Greece, Turkey, Italy, Monaco and France await on a marvelous Mediterranean tour and luxury cruise with Tauck! Space is limited so make your plans soon.

Inclusive Prices

Tour prices are per person in U.S. dollars. All accommodations, motor coach, hydrofoil and cruise ship transportation, sightseeing, admissions, shore excursions, luggage handling, airport transfers, the cost of the Turkey visa, and the services of Tauck Directors are included.

Hotel and Ship Accommodations – Tauck’s price includes all hotel and ship accommodations with private baths. The Tauck standard is to provide the best available hotels without sacrificing value. Although the quality of accommodations may differ from place to place, this standard remains uncompromised. Two-bedded rooms are reserved in most hotels. Triples are two-bedded rooms plus a rollaway cot and are not recommended for comfort.

Meals – Most meals are included as specified in the itinerary. Complimentary wine is served with dinner onboard the Seven Seas Navigator. Meal codes are: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner.

Tauck Director – Each Monte Carlo to Athens cruise is conducted by a Tauck Director who remains with the group throughout the duration of the tour. Your Tauck Director is a professional, fully trained employee of Tauck.

Gratuities Included – All appropriate gratuities for bellmen, doormen, dining room servers, drivers, ship staff, local guides and drivers are included.

No Options Sold - Tauck Directors sometimes assist with information on free-time activities based on honest opinion and guidance, but they will not sell you anything. This means better value and a more relaxed, pleasant experience for you.

Not Included

Airfare to the tour departure point and from the tour ending point is not included. Airfare may be purchased from Tauck for travel originating in the United States.

Hotel Rooms Before and After Tours – To avoid jet lag and possible flight delays, many quests prefer to make hotel arrangements for the nights preceding or following their tour. As a service, Tauck will book additional nights for you on a space-available basis using special rates only available through Tauck. Hotel room charges will be added to the tour cost. If you wish to spend additional nights, please consult the Extend This Journey section on this website and discuss with the reservations agent when you book your tour.

Luggage Responsibility – Although every effort is made to handle guests’ luggage carefully, we cannot be responsible, assume liability or accept claims for loss or damage to luggage and personal effects due to breakage, theft, or fair wear and tear through hotel, airline and group carrier handling. It is important for your own self-interest and protection that you make certain you have adequate insurance to cover these eventualities. Please refer to Tauck Travel Protection for more information.

Personal Expenses - Phone calls, room service, alcoholic and bar beverages, laundry, airline excess luggage charges, vaccinations, visa fees (if applicable), and other optional incidental extras are not included and may be significant.

Tauck Director Gratuities – The customary gratuity to the Tauck Director is not included. Gratuities should be extended on a voluntary, individual basis and not as a group.

Additional Information

Airline Security Measures – Travelers must provide identification in the form of a passport at the time of airport check-in. Your passport name must match the name on your tour reservation and airline ticket or you may be denied boarding.

Air Services – Airfare may be purchased through Tauck for travel originating in the United States. By using Tauck's air services, you agree that Tauck, in purchasing, selling or otherwise arranging air transportation, is acting only as your agent and is not liable or responsible for any accident, death, personal injury, illness, property damage, delay or other loss or expense of any nature whatsoever arising directly or indirectly out of any act of God, or any actions or omissions (including any failure to provide services) or default of, any carrier. All carriers are independent contractors and are not owned, managed, controlled or operated by Tauck. Your airline ticket constitutes a contract between yourself and the airline (and not Tauck), even if purchased through Tauck. Tauck is not liable for, and does not assume responsibility or accept claims with regard to, seat assignments, schedule changes, flight changes, cancellations, claims for a refund or reimbursement of airline ticket fees, or any other loss incurred by you for any reason whatsoever (including, without limitation to, bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar relief from creditors). Tauck must handle ticketing for Tauck's special fares, which are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed until reserved. Special fares cannot be combined with any other promotional offer. Tauck's air services can only be purchased in conjunction with a Tauck tour. Tickets or e-ticket numbers will be mailed with final documents. If you cancel or change your air before or after departure, all airline cancellation and change fees will apply.

Cruise Regulations – Travelers must provide their passport number and date of birth to Tauck at time of booking. Tauck must provide this information to the cruise line before departure or you may be denied boarding.

Cruise Start and End Times are provided at time of booking and are subject to change due to airline schedule changes. All booking agents and guests will be advised of such changes.

Holidays and Museum Closures – Museum visits and personal shopping time may be disrupted due to unforeseen circumstances or the many religious, state and local holidays locally observed.

Itinerary Changes and Price Flexibility – Tauck pledges to make every effort to operate all tours as advertised. Tauck reserves the right to alter or curtail the itinerary, or substitute sightseeing, hotels, and/or conveyances as deemed necessary. Any savings realized by these changes will be refunded to passengers. Any resultant added expense will be covered by Tauck. Although not expected, prices on this website may be modified due to unexpected significant external factors not forecasted at the time of printing.

Membership will be granted to all persons. Tauck reserves the right to terminate the tour of any persons who are abusive of others or whose behavior disrupts the tour.

Photography on Tour – Occasionally, Tauck will use photographs taken by fellow guests or your Tauck Director on your tour for promotional purposes. If you prefer that your photo not be used in any marketing activities, please notify your Tauck Director at the start of your tour.

Preparing to Go

Air Conditioning - The motor coaches used on this tour are air-conditioned for your comfort. All of the hotel rooms and ship cabins have air conditioning.

Clothing and Packing - As you prepare for travel, select a wardrobe that is adaptable. Many days are spent outside or in transit. Therefore, during the day, casual, comfortable, cotton clothing is recommended. Occasionally cool weather will require warmer, layered clothing.

Onboard the Seven Seas Navigator, attire ranges from country club casual to informal and formal. Country club casual (resort-style outfits) is appropriate for daytime onboard ship or ashore. Evening attire can be country club casual, informal or formal. Casual wear includes open neck shirts, slacks and sport outfits. For informal evenings, dresses or pantsuits, coats and ties are suggested. Formal evening-wear includes gowns and cocktail dresses, tuxedos, dinner jackets and dark suits. Cruises of seven to ten days have one or two formal nights. Evening dress codes begin at 6 p.m. Shorts are not appropriate after 6 p.m. in any of the public rooms or lounges. Guests are asked not to wear bathing suits in the restaurants and lounges at any time.

Valet laundry service is available at the Athens Hilton and the Fairmont Monte Carlo. Additionally hair dryers, irons and ironing boards are either located in your guest room or are available immediately upon request. Onboard the ship, laundry and valet services, including pressing and dry cleaning, are available for a fee and may be arranged through your stewardess. Self-service laundries, including irons and ironing boards, are located on select guest decks.

We recommend that you pack your prescription medicines (an adequate supply to last through your journey) along with your travel documents and a change of clothing in your carry-on bag to avoid any inconvenience in the event that your flight or luggage is delayed.

Following is a list of recommended items to pack for travel to the Mediterranean

• Shorts and pants for casual daytime wear
• Resort style outfits
• Sunglasses, sunscreen, hat
• Bathing suit
• A light sweater or jacket for the cooler months or a breezy night
• Binoculars
• Insect repellent
• Camera, lenses, batteries and plenty of film
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Travel alarm
• Raincoat and umbrella
• Comfortable walking shoes
  

Elevation - The maximum elevation on this tour is 1880 feet, or 573 meters.

Health - To fully enjoy this tour’s itinerary, participants must be in fairly good health and be able to walk reasonable distances, as some of the sightseeing can only be accomplished on foot. However, for the most part, the amount of walking you do at the various sites and in cities and towns is at your discretion.

On day 10, walking can be arduous for those who wish to see the complete medieval village of Roquebrune. The hilltop town has many steps and inclines. The pavement is solid and there are many places to pause. One may stop and return at any time. On day 4, guests will explore the ancient ruins and temples of Ephesus where walking will also be difficult. On day 2, the combined heat of Athens and the hill and steps at the Acropolis make for a challenging walk for some. There are many steps, mostly of marble – which can be slippery, as well as long inclined walkways of cement and gravel.

If you have a medical condition which might limit your participation in activities, please consult your physician for pre-departure health advice and notify Tauck as soon as possible, if you have not already done so. We will advise your Tauck Director accordingly.

Tauck is not able to accommodate wheelchairs on this tour. We regret that we cannot provide individual assistance to guests for walking, dining or other personal needs. Persons needing such assistance must be accompanied by an able companion who will assist them.

Guests bringing a quantity of medication with them are advised to carry a doctor’s certificate to avoid possible problems with customs officials.

Onboard the ship, certain public venues have been designated as non-smoking areas. Generally, the portside (left side) of the ship is non-smoking and the starboard side (right side) allows for smoking. There are no restrictions concerning smoking in suites or staterooms.

The medical center on the Seven Seas Navigator is staffed by a licensed doctor and nurse. The ship’s medical center is designed to provide medical care for certain temporary illnesses and accidents, and is not intended or capable of providing on-going treatment of pre-existing medical conditions. Emergency service is available 24 hours a day. If you require medical services, they will be added to your shipboard account, and you will be provided with an itemized account to submit to your insurance company. For guests requiring oxygen equipment, an oxygen concentrator is the only form of oxygen equipment allowed aboard ship, and must be provided by the guest. The wheelchairs onboard are for emergency purposes only. The Seven Seas Navigator is registered in The Bahamas. Please check with your insurer to learn if coverage applies outside the United States, and purchase appropriate travel insurance if necessary.

For vaccination and inoculation information, contact your physician, the public health service in your area, or the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. The Travelers' Health Section of the CDC operates a 24-hour, pre-recorded "Travelers' Health Hotline" at 877-394-8747 (toll-free in the US). You may also logon on to the CDC Internet website at www.cdc.gov.

Luggage Restrictions:

Checked Luggage – General
While it is common for airlines to allow passengers to check more than one piece of luggage per person, space constraints during your Tauck journey make it difficult to accommodate extra luggage. We ask that you limit your checked luggage to one average size suitcase per person.

In addition, airlines have adopted more strict policies in enforcing size and weight limits. Luggage exceeding maximum restrictions may require expensive overage fees, frustrating and hurried re-packing at the ticket counter, or even risk being left behind.

As of June 2006, many carriers require checked luggage not exceed a weight of 50 lbs, or 22.7 kilograms, per piece. Airlines revise luggage policies frequently and often without notice; therefore, Tauck cannot be held liable to the weight limit listed above. We urge you to check with your airline before traveling to determine current weight and size restrictions. It is also important to note that restrictions for luggage size and weight may vary with the same airline based on the class of service you select. First and Business Class ticket holders may have different restrictions than Coach Class travelers.

Tauck World Discovery cannot be held liable for additional fees or inconveniences imposed by the airline due to luggage size, piece or weight policies.

Please be sure to attach your Tauck luggage tag to your suitcase before leaving home.

Carry-on Luggage - General:
Although oversized bags and wheeled, carry-on luggage are popular for airline travel, they are often not convenient or appropriate for motor coach travel or for many intra-tour flights. Most modern sightseeing motor coaches offer limited space for numerous or larger items. Space under seats or in the overhead rack is typically small, and designed to accommodate items like coats, hats, purses, and small camera bags, etc.

For your day-to-day travel while on tour, we recommend that you limit your hand luggage to a small, soft-sided carry-on piece, and only those items you need handy during the day such as purses, make-up, medications, cameras, film, etc. Items too large to fit under the motor coach seat or in the overhead rack must be stored in the luggage bays beneath the motor coach, and may not allow for access during daytime travel.

Travel Document Requirements – A valid passport or similar acceptable travel document is required of all people wishing to travel to and enter France, Monaco, Italy, Greece and Turkey.

U.S citizens do not need a visa to travel to these countries for this tour, with the exception of Turkey. The cost of the Turkey visa is included in the tour package and the visa will be obtained by the Tauck Director on behalf of all guests.

Tauck strongly recommends that guests’ passports be valid for six months beyond the completion of their tour. It is a good idea to carry a photocopy of the first page of your passport, as well as to leave photocopies of your travel documents and identification papers with someone at home.

Citizens of other countries should contact an embassy or consulate of the countries visited on this journey to determine what travel documentation is required.

Travel with Children – Many countries have specific entry requirements for children under 21 who are traveling with or without both parents. Usually a notarized letter, signed by the parent or parents not traveling with the child and stating the name of the child, the adult guardian, the itinerary and dates of travel, and the flight number, is required. To ensure smooth travel, Tauck requires all travelers to comply with the regulations for the country you are visiting. This information is available from each country’s consulate. Tauck is not responsible for the disruption of travel caused by improper documentation for any travelers, including children traveling without both parents. While there is no definitive format or standards for these letters, Tauck does offer for download guidance for writing this letter.

The cruise line requires that children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or other responsible adult over the age of 21. They are also unable to accept infants less than 6 months of age.

Destination Information

Cell Phones - We understand and appreciate the value of instant communication when we travel; it keeps us in touch with friends and family, and it's a reassurance in the event of an emergency. However, the use of cell phones can be disruptive to a tour and to other guests who are enjoying their vacation. As a courtesy to others, we ask that guests refrain from cell phone usage during motor coach travel, group functions, sightseeing and when the Tauck Director is addressing the group as a whole. There are usually ample opportunities to make or receive calls at times when it does not impact others.

Please contact your cell phone carrier to determine limitations and services that exist for the destinations to which you are traveling.

Currency and Exchange Rates - For the best exchange rates, we suggest using ATMs, which are easily available throughout the Mediterranean, and major credit cards. Although it is not necessary for you to exchange money prior to your trip, it may be useful to have a small amount of local currency with you when you arrive. If upon arrival you require local currency, you can visit one of the many currency exchange facilities at the airport, use an ATM, or exchange currency at your hotel.

As of July 26, 2006, the exchange rate for one U.S dollar was .792 EUR (France, Italy, Greece and Monaco) and 1.544 TRY (Turkish New Lira).

To obtain the most current exchange rate, you may want to check your local newspaper or log on to the Internet website www.oanda.com.

Customs and Tax-Free Shopping – For U.S residents returning to the United States, current regulations permit bringing back $800 worth of items duty-free, as long as you physically bring them with you. There are limits to the alcohol and tobacco that can be a part of this exemption - one-liter of alcohol, 200 cigarettes, and 100 cigars. Certain restrictions apply to unaccompanied goods mailed from abroad to the United States. Please call your local customs office or consult the U.S. government's customs website for further details and up-to-date limits at www.cbp.gov.

Citizens of other countries should refer to their own countries’ rules and regulations regarding customs and duty-free shopping to ensure compliance.

Electrical Current – Onboard the Seven Seas Navigator, all staterooms are equipped with 110v, 60Hz, AC, which accommodates standard U.S. plugs. Travelers who bring electric devices that are not compatible should bring the appropriate adapters and converters.

The electrical current in Greece and Monaco is 220v, 50Hz, AC. If your appliances are 110v, you will need a voltage converter and/or adapter.

Time Zones – Monte Carlo and Rome are 1 hour ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (or Greenwich Mean Time); Athens and Kusadasi are 2 hours ahead. From April through October, these locations switch to Daylight Savings Time and are 2 and 3 hours ahead respectively. In June, these cities are 6 and 7 hours ahead of New York City. To determine current time in major cities around the world, we suggest you log on to the Internet website, www.timeanddate.com.

Weather - During the months of May through October, temperatures typically average 67 to 83 degrees Fahrenheit, or 19 to 28 degrees Celsius, in Monaco and Rome and 72 to 91 F, or 22 to 33 C, in Athens and Kusadasi.

	Average Temperature
	Monte-Carlo, Monaco		Rome, Italy
Month	Hi/Lo ºF	Hi/Lo ºC	Hi/Lo ºF	Hi/Lo ºC
May	67 / 56	19 / 13	71 / 53	22 / 12
June	74 / 62	23 / 17	78 / 60	26 / 16
July	79 / 67	26 / 19	83 / 64	28 / 18
August	80 / 68	27 / 20	83 / 65	28 / 18
September	75 / 63	24 / 17	78 / 60	26 / 16
October	68 / 56	20 / 13	71 / 53	22 / 12
	Kusadasi, Turkey		Athens, Greece
Month	Hi/Lo ºF	Hi/Lo ºC	Hi/Lo ºF	Hi/Lo ºC
May	75 / 51	24 / 11	75 / 60	24 / 16
June	84 / 60	29 / 16	83 / 68	28 / 20
July	91 / 66	33 / 19	88 / 73	31 / 23
August	91 / 66	33 / 19	88 / 72	31 / 22
September	84 / 59	29 / 15	82 / 67	28 / 19
October	72 / 50	22 / 10	73 / 59	23 / 15

To determine current weather conditions, we suggest you log on to the Internet website, www.weather.com.

If You Have to Cancel

Cancellation Fees – Regardless of reason, cancellations of confirmed bookings result in Tauck incurring costly penalties and cancellation fees from our travel and hotel providers. Therefore, Tauck will charge guests who cancel confirmed bookings a cancellation fee according to the when the cancellation notice is received in our Norwalk, CT office. To help limit guests’ liability, Tauck offers its guests Tauck Travel Protection.

Guests choosing to purchase Tauck’s Guest Protection or Cancellation Fee Waiver will have cancellation penalties reduced. Click here for more details.

Guests choosing not to purchase Tauck’s Guest Protection or Cancellation Fee Waiver will incur cancellation penalties per person as follows:

Did you know that you can link-up Tauck itineraries to create longer journeys? Many of these trips are in the same region, and depending upon availability you might connect with them before or after your trip. Alternatively, you might find one of these options better suited for your interests and preferences or for when you are available to travel.

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