DAY 1: UK - Nice - Genoa.
Fly to Nice where you will be met and transferred to your cruise ship in Genoa, MSC Armonia. Your cruise includes full board from dinner this evening until breakfast on day 12. (D)

DAY 2: Naples.
Enjoy a morning on board as your ship cruises southwards over the sparkling Mediterranean towards Naples. Perhaps relax on deck, soaking up the sun and gentle sea breezes, or take advantage of the many on board amenities MSC Armonia offers. This afternoon, seize the chance to experience exhilarating Naples. A captivating mix of vibrant street life and historical grandeur, this famous city sits in a breathtaking location between mighty snow-capped Vesuvius, Europe's second-largest active volcano, the mud springs of the Flegrean Plains and the glittering Bay of Naples. As well as being the place where pizza was invented, the city overflows with cultural treasures and atmospheric sights, including the Old Centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the 13th century cathedral, and picturesque castles. Also today, there's a chance to visit the spectacular island of Capri, the remarkable remains of Pompeii city - buried in ash in 79AD, and soaring Vesuvius to see its slopes and crater close-up. (B, L, D)

DAY 3: At sea.
A whole day relaxing and enjoying the amenities and comforts of MSC Armonia as it sails towards Athens. Sunbathe by the pool, stroll along the deck absorbing the ocean views and enjoy the sports, dining and lounge bar facilities. (B, L, D)

DAY 4: Piraeus for Athens.
After a morning's cruising, your ship docks in Athens' port, Piraeus, for an afternoon enjoying the historic Greek capital. The country's largest city and named after the Greek goddess Athena, Athens is dominated by the flat-topped hill of the Acropolis site, from which rises the mighty Parthenon, one of the world's most famous classical monuments. Built in the 5th century BC, this majestic edifice is considered the highpoint of Greek architecture. Vibrant modern Athens offers chic shopping and dining in its fashionable Kolonaki district, as well as bustling street markets, souvenir stalls and vine-shaded tavernas, making it a paradise for shoppers and explorers. Other highlights include the labrynthine Plaka district and outside the city, the engineering feat that is the four-mile long Corinth Canal, built to link the Ionian with the Aegean Sea in the late 19th century. (B, L, D)

DAY 5: At sea.
Relax on board today as your ship glides over the Aegean and through the Bosphorus and Dardanelles to the Black Sea. (B, L, D)

DAY 6: Yalta.
With its spectacular mountain backdrop and sandy beaches, Yalta enjoys one of the most beautiful spots on the Crimean Coast. First built by Russia's Tsars who holidayed here in grand mansions, this lovely city was also favoured by literary giants such as Chekhov and Tolstoy. The Baroque-style Palace of Massandra was a holiday haunt of Russia's royal family, the Romanovs, and is a vision of elegance surrounded by ornate gardens and glorious views. The impressive Livadia Palace played host to the post-World War II meetings of Churchill, Stalin and Roosevelt who used its meeting rooms to reshape Europe. Close by, the spectacularly situated Swallow's Nest Castle is the most photographed spot on the Black Sea Coast. (B, L, D)

DAY 7: Odessa.
Founded by Catherine the Great in the 18th century, Odessa stands on the Black Sea's northern shore and is known as the 'Pearl of the Black Sea'. Now a bustling, lively port, Ukraine's third largest city oozes charm with its lush parks, greenery and flowers. Today, admire its glittering Opera House and famous Potemkin Steps, immortalised in Eisenstein's film, 'The Battleship Potemkin', as well as Pushkin's monument as you stroll along the city's shady promenade. See the ornate Uspensky Cathedral, the Museum of Arts with its collection of Ukrainian and Russian art, and relax in the restaurant-filled Arcadia district before enjoying the fabulous views over the Black Sea from Shevchenko Park. (B, L, D)

DAY 8: Istanbul.
The former capital of three empires - the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman - and straddling the two continents of Europe and Asia, colourful Istanbul is a spellbinding melting pot of culture, religion, ancient history and the present-day. Filled with fascinating museums, soaring mosques, crowded bazaars, churches and palaces, all of which co-exist with modern offices, luxury hotels and smart shops, it holds an inexhaustible fascination for the visitor. Today, savour its unique atmosphere and beauty with visits to its exquisite Blue Mosque, with its intricate blue and white-tiled facades, St Sophia Church, with its wonderful Byzantine mosaics, and the magnificent Topkapi Palace, the power base of the Ottoman Empire between the 15th and 16th centuries. (B, L, D)

DAY 9: At sea.
(B, L, D)

DAY 10: Messina.
A pleasant town in northern Sicily, Messina overlooks the Straits of Messina between the Tyrrenian and Ionian Seas and stands on the slopes of the rugged Peloritani Mountains. Known for its silk and muslin-making, its location makes it a gateway to Sicily's beautiful cities and historic sites. Taormina, a charming and romantic town, boasts a spectacular Greco Roman theatre, ancient palace and Odeon, as well as a beautiful cathedral. Towering Mt Etna, one of the world's most active volcanoes, is a breathtaking natural wonder, with its solidified lava flows and vast craters. (B, L, D)

DAY 11: Salerno.
Enjoying breathtaking views over the Gulf of Salerno, Salerno is a beautiful city, only a short drive from the towns and villages of the Amalfi Coast including Positano, Ravello, Sorrento and Amalfi. Spend time at leisure wandering through the historic centre with its web of alleyways and long seafront promenade, or perhaps join the optional excursion to Pompeii. (B, L, D)

DAY 12: Genoa - Nice - UK.
Disembark your ship after breakfast and transfer to Nice airport for your return flight to the UK. (B)