DAY 1: UK - Venice area.
Fly to Venice where you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel for an overnight stay. (D)

DAY 2: Venice - Assisi.
Venice, a city of unparalleled beauty, offers a feast of wonderful sights. Imagine the delightful criss-crossing canals, the gondolas, water buses, arched bridges, palaces and little quiet piazzas. Your day starts with a canal boat ride to the heart of Venice followed by an orientation of this delightful city and a typical Venetian glass-blowing demonstration. In the afternoon we head south, crossing the Po River and following the 'backbone' of Italy, the Apennines, to the beautiful hilltop town of Assisi for an overnight stay. (B, D)

DAY 3: Assisi - Sorrento.
In the morning we visit Assisi's beautiful Basilica of St Francis, with its world-famous frescoes by Giotto, before heading across the Apennines to the glorious azure Bay of Naples and the spectacular setting of Sorrento, your base for the next two nights. (B)

DAY 4: Capri.
A favourite haunt of the jet set, Capri is a beautiful island with many sightseeing attractions. We'll travel by ferry to this legendary island, landing in Capri Town, with its pretty piazza, maze of streets, fashionable boutiques and smart restaurants. There's a chance to join our optional tour around the island and enjoy some stunning panoramic views. (B, D)

DAY 5: Sorrento - Pompeii - Rome.
In the morning we visit the archaeological site of Pompeii with local guide, the incredible ancient city which was buried for centuries by lava ashes from the volcano, Vesuvius. You will see the well-preserved remains of villas, temples and the forum. In the afternoon, we head for the 'Eternal City', Rome, where you will spend the next two nights. (B)

DAY 6: Rome. Included sightseeing.
Rome never ceases to amaze and delight, with its rich legacy of history and culture and its stylish, vibrant atmosphere. Our included sightseeing tour starts in St Peter's Square, followed by a visit to the Roman Forum and the mighty Colosseum. There's also a full programme of great-value optional excursions to choose from, including an evening outing with dinner. (B)

DAY 7: Rome - Florence area. Included sightseeing.
Heading north, we travel through central Italy and into the lush countryside of Tuscany. We arrive in the area in time for an afternoon visit to the Tuscan capital Florence, a living museum, packed with art and architecture from the glory days of the Renaissance. Your included walking tour with local guide will take you to most of the sightseeing highlights, including the Piazza Santa Croce, the Piazza Signoria, the Palazzo Vecchio, the Piazza del Duomo with its magnificent cathedral, and the Loggia dei Lanzi. (B, D)

DAY 8: Florence area - Venice.
Enjoy a last lingering look at the glorious Tuscan countryside before transferring to your cruise ship, MSC Musica. (B, D)

DAY 9: Bari.
Facing the Adriatic, on the edge of the plateau of the Terra di Bari, Bari is divided into two main parts marked out by the Corso Vittorio Emanuele: the old city, a network of medieval streets and monuments, where visitors will lose themselves in the beauty of the impressive Romanesque-Pugliese structures, and the quarters which were developed after 1820 and characterised by perfectly straight streets and squares. (B, L, D)

DAY 10: Corfu.
This picturesque island is a popular holiday destination, and is known for its splendid beaches. The Old Town of Corfu has many colourful shops and lovely arcades and the surrounding countryside is filled with rich orange and olive groves. (B, L, D)

DAY 11: Santorini - Mykonos.
Santorini is a beautiful crescent shaped island with sheer cliffs that rise out of the sea. Visit Thira town, thought by many to be the lost city of Atlantis. Take a walk through the streets, with their characteristic white houses, with blue domed roofs and wonderful views over the sea. In the evening the ship docks at the fascinating Greek island of Mykonos famed for its cosmopolitan nightlife and Greek hospitality. (B, L, D)

DAY 12: Piraeus (for Athens).
After breakfast why not join an optional sightseeing tour of the Acropolis and Athens? The tour includes a visit to the Parthenon and the Acropolis museum, followed by a tour of the city by coach. (B, L, D)

DAY 13: Katakolon (for Olympia).
Katakolon on Greece's Peloponnese is the gateway to ancient Olympia, which was not only the birthplace of the Olympic Games, it was also a sanctuary dedicated to the god Zeus. Highlights of an optional excursion to Olympia include the ruins of the spectacular Temple of Zeus and the vast stadium, built to hold 45,000 spectators. (B, L, D)

DAY 14: Dubrovnik.
Noted for its imposing buildings, squares and fortified walls, Dubrovnik is Croatia's best preserved medieval city. It lies on the rugged southerly coast beside olive and pine bordered shingle beaches. (B, L, D)

DAY 15: Venice - UK.
Early morning arrival in Venice is a wonderful lasting memory. Disembark after breakfast and transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK. (B)