Amalfi Coast, Africa & Iberia

Today, disembark your ship and transfer to your hotel. Along the way, you will stop for a guided tour through the labyrinthine streets of the Gothic Quarter; steeped in history, its narrow warrens are home to the remains of the city’s ancient Roman wall and medieval landmarks, including its impressive Gothic cathedral. After check in, relax or begin exploring Barcelona on your own. Your Viking Tour Director is available to help you plan your time here so you can make the most of your visit.

This morning, journey outside the city to explore the elevated heights of picturesque Monserrat, nestled in its namesake mountain range. Take in the majestic mountain landscape while admiring sweeping views over the Catalan countryside to Barcelona and the Mediterranean Sea. You will also visit the Santa Maria de Montserrat Abbey, a significant religious site that houses the revered Black Madonna statue. After lunch, return to your hotel and enjoy the remainder of your day at leisure. (B, L)

Set out early this morning to beat the crowds and enjoy a visit to the iconic La Sagrada Família, the crowning achievement of architectural genius Antoni Gaudí. Admire views of its towering, distinctive exterior, then step inside to marvel at its breathtaking sanctuary. Later today, partake in a Catalan cooking class before enjoying a glass of cava at one of Barcelona’s stunning viewpoints. (B)

This morning, check out of your hotel and transfer to the airport for your journey home. (B)

Discover beautiful Rome, the “Eternal City.” You will be met at the airport by a Viking Representative and transfer by motor coach to your hotel. After checking in, enjoy the rest of your day at leisure. You may consider a visit to one of the city’s many fine museums as well as a dinner of local specialties. A Viking Host is available to help you plan your time in Rome so you can make the most of your visit.

After a leisurely breakfast, you have a full day to explore on your own. Learn more about the city’s rich history by visiting iconic landmarks such as the Trevi Fountain, the Arch of Constantine, the Pantheon or the Spanish Steps. You may also choose to join an optional excursion; perhaps venture to the Roman Forum for a glimpse of the Colosseum or visit Castel Sant’Angelo to uncover its storied past. (B)

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and transfer by motor coach to your awaiting ship. (B)

When you arrive at the airport in Florence, you will be greeted by a Viking Representative who will escort you on your journey through Tuscany. Enjoy the views as you travel through the Chianti region’s scenic countryside to your villa. Upon your arrival, check in and enjoy lunch at your historic villa. Your Viking Tour Director is available to help you plan your time in Tuscany so you can make the most of your visit. This evening, dinner will be served at your villa. (L, D)

This morning, drive to Florence for a walking tour of the city center, a UNESCO Site. See the Duomo as well as Giotto’s Bell Tower and the Baptistery, with its beautiful doors that Michelangelo called the “Gates of Paradise,” and more. After lunch, you will have free time to enjoy a gelato or espresso, shop, or explore the birthplace of the Renaissance. Then, proceed to a Tuscan winery, where you can tour the cellar and taste local wines before sitting down to a typical Tuscan dinner. (B, L, D)

After breakfast, travel to the walled city of Siena, located in the heart of the Chianti wine region. On your walking tour, see the exterior of the exquisite marble cathedral, the beautiful Mangia Tower, the Town Hall, the Piazza del Campo and other historic sites. Then you will drive to the charming medieval village of San Gimignano and have lunch at a typical farm. Walk back in time as you explore the village’s ancient squares, narrow streets and elegant cistern built in 1273. (B, L, D)

Enjoy breakfast at your villa before you check out. Then, board your motor coach and transfer to your embarkation port, where your Viking ship awaits you. (B)

Arrive in Rome and transfer to your hotel. Depending on when you arrive, you may wish to use your free time to explore the local area. This evening, enjoy a wine tasting and dinner at a picturesque vineyard in the rolling Umbrian hills. Your Viking Tour Director is available to help you plan your time in Umbria so you can make the most of your visit. (D)

Journey to the medieval city of Spoleto, located at the foot of a scenic valley. Surrounded by ancient walls, Spoleto is brimming with Roman and Lombard remnants such as the amphitheater dating to the 1st century AD and the Romanesque cathedral. After lunch, return to the medieval town of Perugia, Umbria’s charming capital. Set out on foot to discover the city’s rich history and view its important landmarks, including the elegant Maggiore Fountain and a 15th-century cathedral. (B, L, D)

Discover the city of Assisi, birthplace of St. Francis of Assisi and a grand repository of UNESCO-listed Franciscan structures. At the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, see the chapel where St. Francis started the Franciscan movement before visiting the Basilica of St. Francis, one of Italy’s most important sites of Christian pilgrimage. At the Basilica of St. Clare, view the remains of St. Clare of Assisi. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure and a delicious dinner of Umbrian cuisine. (B, D)

Take a guided walking tour of Orvieto, perched atop a volcanic plateau and surrounded by scenic vineyards and olive and cypress groves. Producer of Umbria’s finest wine, the town is home to a magnificent Gothic cathedral. Uncover its exquisite details during a tour, admiring its ornate facade and impressive interior featuring lush frescoes and jewel-like mosaics. Enjoy traditional Umbrian flavors during lunch before transferring to Civitavecchia to board your ship and begin your cruise. (B, L)

Discover Spain’s elegant and casual capital, adorned with graceful architecture, generous public spaces and plentiful tapas bars where you can sample the city’s finest cuisine and wines. Disembark your ship and journey by high-speed train to Madrid. Upon arrival, transfer to your centrally located hotel. You might spend the afternoon exploring the Plaza Mayor, where locals gather for tapas and Rioja wine.

Embark on a comprehensive tour of Madrid. A panoramic drive takes you past the Royal Botanical Garden and the Royal Palace, home of the Spanish royal family. Later, walk through Madrid of the Hapsburgs, rich in baroque and Renaissance buildings set along streets leading to grand churches and picturesque fountains. Visit the famous Prado Museum, a repository of Spanish art from Velázquez to Picasso. This evening, you might enjoy an optional tapas dinner and wine tasting. (B)

On your final day, you will transfer to the airport for your flight home. (B)

Discover the capital of Cataluña, the beautiful city of Barcelona. A small city by some standards, it is easy to get around and has much to offer. From your ship, embark on a panoramic drive past the Olympic Port and Forum Park before enjoying free time to explore scenic Ciutadella Park. Continue past the Arc de Triomf en route to the viewpoint on Montjuïc Mirador, where you will admire sweeping views. Afterward, transfer to your hotel and enjoy the remainder of your day at leisure.

Take time to explore this architecturally significant city on your own, starting with the surreal masterpieces of Antoni Gaudí including Casa Millá, Park Güell and his greatest work, La Sagrada Família. Discover the boutiques and cafés located within the narrow cobblestone lanes of the Gothic Quarter, just a short walk from the modernism of the Olympic Port. Or enjoy delicious tapas accompanied by a refreshing beverage at the bustling Mercado de La Boqueria. (B)

On your final day, you will transfer by coach to the airport for your return flight. (B)

Fly to Rome, meet your Viking Representative and transfer to your hotel. After check in, take the rest of the day to explore the “Eternal City” on your own. Your Viking Tour Director is available to help you plan your time in Rome so you can make the most of your visit. This evening, enjoy dinner at your leisure.

This morning, enjoy time to explore your surroundings on your own, or join an optional excursion. After lunch, set off to Vatican City for a guided tour of the world-renowned Vatican Museums. Stroll through the galleries to admire pieces from Raphael and Caravaggio, and view Michelangelo’s spectacular ceiling in the Sistine Chapel. This evening, learn how to make pasta during a culinary workshop. (B, D)

After breakfast, set out to discover Rome during a morning excursion. This historic city is home to many of the great sights of ancient Rome. By small motorized vehicle and on foot, view the mighty Colosseum—the most important amphitheater in the Roman world—and the Circus Maximus; you will also see Venice Square and Capitoline Hill. Enjoy an afternoon at your leisure before joining your fellow guests for a traditional dinner. (B, D)

Check out of your hotel and head to one of Rome’s exquisite Renaissance gardens. The Italian Renaissance style began during the 15th century and its trademark look expressed symmetry through orderly and manicured landscaping. Learn more about this style during a guided walk around the grounds of one of Rome’s best-kept examples. Afterward, you will transfer to your ship to begin your cruise. (B)

Disembark your ship in Barcelona and transfer to the train station for a high-speed train to Zaragoza, Spain’s fifth-most populous city. Upon arrival, you will enjoy a walking tour of its notable landmarks, including the Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar, one of Spain’s most important pilgrimage sites. After free time for lunch on your own, board your motor coach and transfer to San Sebastián to check in to your hotel. The evening is yours to spend at your leisure.

Following breakfast at your hotel, enjoy a panoramic drive to the hilltop setting of Monte Igueldo for views over the city. After time for photos, head to the old town for a leisurely walking tour to sample a selection of typical pintxos, the Basque region’s distinct version of tapas. The charismatic old town is a maze of medieval streets featuring shops, bars and hidden squares. Enjoy free time here to explore on your own before returning to your hotel for an evening at your leisure. (B, L)

Today, visit Guernica, famously razed to the ground by German aircraft during the Spanish Civil War in 1937; the atrocity inspired Pablo Picasso’s painting. Next, head to Bermeo, a colorful town with a strong fishing heritage, for a guided tour and time to explore on your own. Continue to the San Juan de Gaztelugatxe viewpoint and a nearby restaurant for lunch, after which you may join a hike to the top of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe before heading to Bilbao and your hotel. (B, L)

See the sights of Bilbao’s old quarter and head to La Ribera to meet a local chef who will introduce you to the region’s cuisine, including its famous pintxos—small appetizers topped on a slice of baguette. At a local txoko, a traditional Basque restaurant, attend a cooking demonstration and sample the prepared dishes for lunch. Continue to the iconic Guggenheim Museum, designed by Frank Gehry, to explore its repository of modern art. Return to your hotel for an evening at your leisure. (B, L)

Journey to Laguardia, the capital of the La Rioja Alavesa region, and take a guided walk around its medieval center. Continue to the Marques de Riscal City of Wine vineyard, one of Rioja’s most beloved winemakers, for a wine tasting and lunch. Considered the Spanish château of the 21st century, the vast complex combines historic cellars, award-winning dining and an avant-garde hotel designed by Frank Gehry. Enjoy a lunch of local dishes paired with wine before returning to your hotel. (B, L)

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and transfer to the airport for your flight home. (B)