Ancient Adriatic Treasures

Disembark your ship and transfer to your hotel then set out into the countryside to enjoy a farm-to-table brunch experience in an idyllic setting. Indulge in a feast of Turkish specialties of fresh, organic produce and artisanal delights, then journey to the Beylerbeyi Palace on the shores of the Bosphorus Strait; it was a summer retreat enjoyed by royals and sultans for centuries. After, browse the stalls of a local spice market—a kaleidoscope of colors. This evening, dine at your leisure. (L)

After breakfast, set out to explore Istanbul’s cultural treasures. Visit the Topkapi Palace and hear intriguing stories of those who resided within these walls. Continue to the Blue Mosque, a revered architectural masterpiece, and the Hagia Sophia, a landmark that has witnessed the rise and fall of several empires. Savor authentic Ottoman cuisine at a Michelin Star restaurant, then continue to the Grand Bazaar, the world’s largest marketplace. This evening, enjoy dinner at your leisure. (B, L)

This morning, enjoy a hearty breakfast then spend the rest of your day exploring the city on your own. Perhaps explore the Bosphorus Strait, the body of water that separates Europe from Asia. Or stroll the city's streets to admire its unique architecture. Your Viking Tour Director is available to help you plan your time in Istanbul so you can make the most of your visit. (B)

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

Arrive in Milan and transfer to beautiful Lake Como, where you will check in to your hotel for a two-night stay. Located in the picturesque Lombardy region, Como paints a stunning canvas anchored by its shimmering namesake lake encircled by soaring alpine peaks and elegant villas. Your Viking Tour Director is available to help you plan your time at Lake Como so you can make the most of your visit. (D)

Board your private boat for a scenic cruise on Lake Como, long a draw for poets, artists and actors; George Clooney keeps a summer residence on its shores. Pass historic Villa Carlotta, renowned for its botanical gardens, and stop for free time in Bellagio, the “Pearl of Lake Como.” Return to Como for lunch on your own and free time to shop. Later, admire the Gothic Como Cathedral during a guided walk. This evening, take a cooking class, then enjoy the delicious dishes you have prepared. (B, D)

Travel to romantic Verona, the famed setting of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Savor traditional Veronese recipes at lunch. During a guided walk of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, you will see the balcony of Juliet’s House, the legendary home of the Capulets. View the Verona Arena, an ancient Roman amphitheater. Stroll through Piazza delle Erbe and the open air Piazza dei Signori, then contemplate the monumental Scaliger Tombs. This evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. (B, L, D)

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and travel to the 16th-century Villa Giusti outside of Verona, temporary residence of King Victor Emmanuel III during World War I. Its lush palace gardens are considered one of the finest examples from the Italian Renaissance. Stroll among the age-old trees, gargoyles, fountains and echoing grottoes of this tranquil setting. After, you will depart for Venice and your awaiting ship. (B)

Arrive in Milan and transfer to your hotel on Lake Maggiore. After check in, spend the rest of the day at your leisure before enjoying dinner this evening with your fellow guests. Your Viking Tour Director is available to help you plan your time so you can make the most of your visit. (D)

Take a private boat ride across the lake to the Borromean Islands, owned by the Borromeo family for centuries. On Isola Bella, visit the Palazzo Borromeo to admire its collection of period furniture and decor, then stroll through the botanical garden full of rare plants from across the world. Enjoy free time for lunch on Isola dei Pescatori and visit the baroque-style summer palace on Isola Madre. Walk its grand halls and view exquisite collections of paintings, armor and silk tapestries. (B)

Transfer to Como, long a draw for poets, artists and actors; George Clooney has a summer residence, Villa Oleandra, on its shores. Admire the beauty of your surroundings during a scenic cruise on the city’s eponymous lake. Disembark at the village of Bellagio, the “Pearl of Lake Como,” and enjoy free time to independently explore its stone lanes and cobblestone stairways lined with graceful, century-old buildings and inviting shops. Return to Lake Maggiore for dinner. (B, D)

This morning, check out of your hotel and board your motor coach for a scenic drive to Venice, where your Viking ship awaits you. (B)

Today, arrive at the airport and transfer to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you may choose to relax or begin exploring the city on your own. Your Viking Tour Director is available to help you plan your time in Venice so you can make the most of your visit.

After breakfast, set out for a guided stroll through the historic city center. At the bustling Rialto Market, browse stalls displaying the day’s catch and observe locals as they shop, followed by a cicchetti lunch at a typical bacaro, or tavern. This afternoon, you may choose to partake in an optional excursion with your fellow travelers. This evening, take a cruise on the Grand Canal, admiring the impressive palaces that line its banks and overarching bridges along this famous waterway. (B, L)

This morning, you may choose to partake in an optional excursion with your fellow travelers. Later today, follow your guide on a walk through the city, stopping to visit St. Mark’s Square. Admire its famous Campanile and the grand interior of the basilica, then continue to view the 14th-century Doge’s Palace, once the seat of government for the Venetian Republic and Courts of Justice. Tonight, head out to enjoy an evening of bellinis and Italian cuisine. (B, D)

This morning, check out of your hotel, then set out on an early stroll through Venice. Your excursion will include a walk along the winding cobblestone lanes of the vibrant Cannaregio neighborhood, once home to the city’s Jewish population. Afterward, you will transfer to your ship to begin your cruise. (B)

This morning, disembark your ship in Istanbul and transfer to the airport for your flight to Cappadocia. After checking in to your hotel, the afternoon is yours to explore your surroundings on your own. This evening, enjoy a delicious dinner of local fare while watching an engrossing folkloric performance. Your Viking Tour Director is available to help you plan your time in Cappadocia so you can make the most of your visit. (L, D)

This morning, join an optional excursion and take to the skies for a hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia. Return to your hotel for breakfast, then visit local historic sites. Journey through the Dervent Valley, dotted with rock formations called “Fairy Chimneys.” In Avanos, observe a pottery demonstration and continue to an underground city. Explore the Göreme Open Air Museum, a UNESCO Site, and visit the Roman Uçhisar Castle. This evening, enjoy dinner at your hotel. (B, L, D)

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and transfer to the airport for your flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival, enjoy a panoramic drive past historic landmarks such as the “Blue Mosque,” the Hippodrome of Constantinople and the Topkapi Palace en route to your hotel. After check-in, the remainder of the day is free for you to explore the city at your leisure. Your Viking Tour Director is available to help you plan your time in Istanbul so you can make the most of your visit. (B)

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

Discover the former capital of the mighty Venetian Republic, the beautiful city of Venice. Famous for the canals that crisscross this “floating” city, Venice is ideal to explore on foot or by one of the excellent local water buses, or vaporetti. You will be met at the airport for a short transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day and evening are at your leisure. A Viking Host is available to help you plan your time in Venice so you can make the most of your visit.

Today will afford you ample time to explore this storied city at your own pace. Discover the myriad hidden passageways and courtyards of Venice, and watch the ancient and modern worlds unfold over the perfect cup of cappuccino. Be sure to visit the magnificent Doge’s Palace and its works of art and elegant St. Mark’s Square, or take a boat over to Murano to glimpse the work of its legendary glassmakers. (B)

On your final day, 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)

Disembark your ship for a visit to the striking Blue Mosque, stepping inside to admire its ornate interior. Continue to the Underground Cistern to glimpse its illuminated interior, a space supported by 336 columns. Then, set out on a scenic cruise along the Bosphorus Strait while savoring a tasty Turkish-style lunch. Back on land, visit the Grand Bazaar for a presentation on Turkish carpets, as well as time to browse the many stalls. The rest of the day is yours to explore at your leisure. (L)

Enjoy a full day to explore Istanbul on your own. Stroll through the Old City’s narrow cobblestone streets and perhaps visit one of the many vibrant local markets. Or stop by a cozy café for a pot of Turkish coffee with some Turkish Delight, a tasty confection. A Viking Host is available to help you plan your time in Istanbul so you can make the most of your visit. (B)

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