Captivating Cote d'Azur & the French Riviera

Luxury All-Inclusive Cruising

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aptivating

COTE D’AZUR & THE FRENCH RIVIERA

A Luxurious 14 Night Fly, Cruise & Stay Holiday through some of the Best Ports of Call in the Western Mediterranean!

DEPARTS 14TH MAY 2019

Rome - Sorrento - Propriano - Cannes Marseilles - Cassis - Livorno Monte Carlo - Calvi - Barcelona

On board the stunning Six Star

Crystal Serenity

THE DIFFERENCE IS CRYSTAL CLEAR Welcome to the All-Inclusive Crystal Experience An unrivaled Standard of six-star service, provided by professionals chosen for their winning personalities and uncompromising attention to detail Complimentary fine wines, champagne & premium spirits Complimentary gratuities throughout the ship Invitation to dine on a complimentary bases at specialty restaurants

A festival for the senses, this sojourn is a director’s cut of film-worthy highlights, including the stylish streets of Cannes and fabulous beaches of Corsica. End credits go to Gaudí’s Barcelona, a colourful mélange of art and architecture. This twelve day exploration of Italy and the French Riviera cruises by as you tour the Tuscan countryside, see Michelangelo’s David, encounter Gaudí’s Sagrada Familia and take in the heady excitement of the annual Monaco Grand Prix....

14th May You will travel overnight, flying from Brisbane to Rome, Italy.

15th May ROME, ITALY On arrival, your private car transfer will whisk you to the heart of the Eternal City for a 2 night stay at the elegant 5* Westin Excelsior Hotel, located in the Via Veneto. Breakfast is included.

16th May ROME, ITALY A day at leisure is the perfect opportunity to explore the historical streets of Rome on your own, or Travel Masters and The Travel Studio can help you with a range of sightseeing options to enhance your day.

17 May CIVITAVECCHIA, ITALY Depart at 7pm You will be met at your hotel for the scenic drive to the port of Civitavecchia, where the Crystal Serenity awaits you. th

18th May SORRENTO, ITALY Arrive at 7am, Depart at 7pm As your ship approaches the Sorrento Peninsula, delight in craggy cliffs draped with flowing pink blossoms. Renowned for its serene way of life, this romantic port exudes a special magic.

Its dramatic bluffs and surrounding flowered hills bid travelers welcome to a town overflowing with charm and character. It is easy to relax in this languid southern Italian atmosphere. The sensational Amalfi Coast and the haunting ruins at Pompeii are among the region’s highlights.

19th May PROPRIANO, CORSICA Arrive at 1pm, Depart at 7pm Positioned in the Mediterranean Sea between France and Italy, once ruled by Genoa and awarded to France with the treaty of Versailles, the island of Corsica seems to belong to two worlds – Italian and French – and offers visitors a wonderful taste of both.

Propriano, on the southwest of the island, proves an ideal place to savor a slice of mixed-ingredient culture, with its Church of Notre Dame de la Misericorde dominating its small city center and harbor hosting vessels ranging from modest fishing boats to luxurious yachts. Beaches are appealing spots to bask in the light of one of the Mediterranean’s most coveted treasures, sunshine, while traditional houses outfitted with shops, cafes and taverns brighten your day with food and wine.

20th May CANNES, FRANCE Arrive at 8am, Depart at 10pm One of nature’s miracles, the Côte d’Azur was blessed with superb natural beauty. It lies between the coastal mountains and the sea, where the Maritime Alps tumble down to the Mediterranean preventing cold northern winds from reaching the coast. This sun-drenched slope stretches some 60 miles westward from the border of the fairy-tale Kingdom of Monaco.

As Crystal Serenity approaches the shore, you will be treated to a spectacular panorama of irregular peaks and scenic villages clustered on narrow ledges. Majestic cities like Nice, Monte Carlo and St-Tropez host pleasure boats, yachts and all the other trappings of the glamorous French Riviera.

21st May MARSEILLES, FRANCE Arrive at 8am, Depart at 7pm The queen of the Côte d’Azur, Marseille is France’s oldest city and one of the Mediterranean’s premier ports. Amid the bigcity bustle, the old port is a quaint landscape of historic charm: colorful fishing boats sail past the imposing Fort Saint-Jean, narrow streets wander among ancient churches and cobbled squares, while the venerable Basilica overlooks the scene from the hilltop above.

22nd - 23rd May BARCELONA (OVERNIGHT STAY) Arrive at 8am (22nd May), Depart at 6pm (23rd May) Barcelona, capital of Catalonia, is a celebration of history and heir to Greek, Phoenician, Roman, Carthaginian, Gothic and Arab cultural legacies. Since it is nearly as close to Rome, Geneva and Munich as it is to Madrid, Barcelona has long been the Spanish link to Western Europe. It was the home of Picasso, Miró, Dali, Casals and Gaudí and has been described as a Mediterranean Manhattan, a cosmopolitan experimental center for political ideas and artistic movements. In addition to its abundance of artistic and architectural treasures, Barcelona serves as the gateway to one of the world’s most impressive mountainside enclaves at Montserrat. Discover the secret legends of the Black Virgin and the alluring chants of monastic life high atop the Catalonian plains. Barcelona’s ancient city walls and the narrow crooked streets of the town’s old section are laid out for your discovery. You will find that Barcelona has something for everybody.

24th May CASSIS, FRANCE Arrive at 8am, Depart at 7pm Take a picture of Cassis and you have an instant work of art, colorful and painterly in the manner of the French Impressionists.

Certainly, the lively fishing port has all the elements to inspire a timeless composition: vibrantly hued boats bobbing in the harbor, rugged hills carpeted with luxuriant shrubbery, a headland crowned by a rocky plateau (called Cap Canaille), and a 14th-century castle, today a privately owned hotel, overlooking it all. Take a walk from town or board a boat to discover Cassis’s renowned calanques, steep-walled inlets with turquoise waters and small beaches. Naturally, you will want to have your camera ready to memorialize these and other sights, including the old fountains and open-air markets of the village and, farther afield, acres of vineyards and pine groves.

25th May LIVORNO, ITALY (FOR FLORENCE & PISA) Arrive at 7.30am, Depart at 9pm Goethe once observed that Tuscany “looks like Italy should [look].” Fortunately, little has changed in the two centuries since the German poet was himself a tourist in Tuscany. The Tyrrhenian port of Livorno was founded in the 15th century. It is the gateway to Italy’s Tuscan region and to many spectacular sights; including the extraordinary Leaning Tower of Pisa, the charming medieval village of Lucca, the lovely hill town of San Gimignano and the timeless city of Florence. No place is as imbued with such grace, dignity, serenity and history as is Florence. This city’s wealth of architectural and artistic treasures includes works by Raphael, da Vinci, Botticelli and Michelangelo.

Truly Florence, cradle of the Italian Renaissance, is one of the world’s most enticing cities.

26th May MONTE CARLO, MONACO Arrive at 7am, Depart at 11.59pm Monaco is an ancient principality steeped in rich and colorful history. Its proud monarchy is presided over by Prince Albert, who assumed the throne after his famed father Prince Rainier died in 2005. Today when gazing on its modern skyline, it is hard to imagine that Monaco endured a turbulent past. Once a Greek settlement conquered by the Romans, it was bought from the Genoese in 1309 by the Grimaldis, who still rule as the world’s oldest monarchy. Monaco covers less than one square mile and is known primarily for its Grand Casino.

27th May CALVI, CORSICA Arrive at 8am, Depart at 5pm Corsica is known as l’ile de beaute, the island of beauty, which is an apt name for this Mediterranean gem filled with white sandy beaches, azure seas, dense forests, snowcapped mountains and rolling countryside. The prosperous citadel town of Calvi is located on top of a promontory in the northwest section of the island and is surrounded by turquoise waters of the Golfe de Calvi. The coast between Calvi and l’ile Rousse to the north is studded with spectacular beaches. Journey to the south of the island to see the Citadelle of Bonafacio, which sits precariously on top of a headland of white limestone cliffs. Noted as the most stunning natural sight in Corsica, Les Calanches is a dramatic mountain landscape of red and orange granite that formed the most amazing and unusual shapes.

28th - 29th May BARCELONA, SPAIN (OVERNIGHT STAY) Arrive at 12.30pm (28th May), Disembark Early (29th May) Another overnight opportunity to explore this famous Catalan city before you are transferred to Barcelona Airport for your overnight flight back to Brisbane

Your Luxury Rome Hotel - The Westin Excelsior A long-time favourite of celebrities, heads of state and artists, the Westin Excelsior was built in the grand tradition of Italian hotels at the turn of the century and is located in the heart of the city. This iconic palace is located in the heart of the city on the legendary, Via Veneto, nestled between the Spanish Steps and the Borghese Gardens & Gallery. Over the years, the staff of the Westin Excelsior has always offered guests warm, attentive service in the grand old fashioned manner. The Westin Excelsior’s magnificent and imposing dome unveils the Villa La Cupola offering the ultra-elite a truly ‘Roman Emperor‘ experience. The hotel’s guestrooms and suites feature Empire or Biedermeier style crystal chandeliers; Westin Heavenly Beds; and, in somecases, views of the famed Via Veneto below.

During your stay, be sure to ask to see the stunning Villa Cupola, one of the most luxurious suites in Europe. Take a dip in the indoor swimming pool, styled after a Pompeian bath, or ‘people-watch’ while sipping a delicious cocktail at the Café Doney, the innovative lounge bar that extends along the Via Veneto.

Crystal Cruises - The World’s Most Awarded Luxury Cruise Line Renowned as The World’s Most Awarded Luxury Cruise Line, Crystal Cruises offers an all inclusive luxury vacation experience accentuated by exquisite cuisine, including complimentary specialty dining at Prego and Nobu Matshuhisa’s only sea-going restaurants; engaging enrichment at the Creative, Learning Institute and Computer University@Sea; elegant gaming at the Resorts World at Sea Casino; lavish production shows and intimate piano bars; and beautifully appointed staterooms and suites, most with private verandah.

Crystal’s enduring legacy of excellence began with Crystal Cruises, and the ships that set a new standard of luxury in the cruise industry. Since Crystal Harmony’s maiden voyage in 1990, it has been the Crystal Cruises credo to continue to best itself with exceeding levels of service, space, quality and choices aboard its ocean ships. Sailing innovative global itineraries to virtually every corner of the earth, today, Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity offer travelers unforgettable vacation experiences highlighted by Crystal’s unique brand of personal touches and attention to detail.

The Evolution of Crystal Serenity Sharing the global spotlight as World’s Best with her fleet mate, Crystal Serenity will undergo her own luxurious evolution in October 2018, following a four-week transformation that welcomes new penthouses and suites, new dining concepts, specialty venues and open-seating, and an expanded roster of high-tech advancements, including free unlimited Wi-Fi, increased internet speed and a dedicated guest portal called Crystal Connect. The ship’s already generous roster of luxury accommodations will add two Penthouse Suites measuring 538sq ft and 36 new Penthouses, bringing the total number of lavish suites to 143, with the added amenity of unlimited specialist restaurants. With the conversion of previous staterooms to the new suites and penthouses, guest capacity about Crystal Serenity will be reduced from 1,070 to 980, thereby increasing the ship’s service and space ratios to rank with the highest in the industry.

Crystal Serenity enchants with an unrivalled chic elegance reflecting her expansive redesigns of recent years. Inviting, open public space channel the relaxed yet elegant style of the California Riviera, while Penthouses and staterooms boast the sophisticated charms of a Manhattan pied-à-terre and the classic flats of London

Crystal Serenity

Your Crystal Stateroom with Verandah • Complimentary soft drinks and bottled water; stocked refrigerator • Frette bathrobes, kimonos, and slippers • ETRO S.P.A. Exclusive Sea bath products packaged exclusively for Crystal Cruises • Security safe, Mohair blanket, Hairdryer • Complimentary select beer, wine & spirits on request • Ultra-thin 43” Interactive HD TV • In-suite satellite TV; movies available from the library • Free, unlimited Wi-Fi/Internet access • Data port for laptop computer hook-up • Fresh fruit basket replenished throughout voyage upon request • 24-hour room service

Captivating Cote d’Azur & the French Riviera A Hosted 14 Night Fly, Cruise & Stay Holiday | Departs 14th May 2019

INCLUSIONS:

- Private transfer from Rome Airport to Hotel - 2 nights at the Westin Excelsior Hotel in Rome including Breakfast* - Private transfer from Hotel to Civitavecchia Port - International Economy Flight Brisbane to Rome (other Australian Airports available*) - 12 nights onboard the Crystal Serenity in a Deluxe Crystal Stateroom with Verandah, and the All-Inclusive Crystal Experience - Private transfers from Barcelona Port to Barcelona Airport - International Economy Flight from Barcelona to Brisbane

From $10,999 per person *Other departure airports may effect the package price. Flights can be extended, or deviated from the set itinerary, but may result in a surcharge.

The Westin Excelsior is subject to availability - in the event of the hotel being unavailable, a hotel of similar standard will be offered. All aspects of this package are subject to availability. Cruise Host is subject to minimum participation numbers. All advertised prices are subect to currency fluctuation and may change up until final payment is made. Conditions apply.

Your Host - Lola Scherma LOLA SCHERMA, SENIOR TRAVEL ADVISER, IS THE CONSUMMATE TRAVELLER WITH PERSONAL EXPERIENCE OF EXOTIC DESTINATIONS IN ALL CORNERS OF THE GLOBE. LOLA WILL BE HOSTING THE TRAVEL MASTERS & THE TRAVEL STUDIO GUESTS ON THIS FABULOUS CRUISE!

ASK US ABOUT ANY OF OUR FANTASTIC 2019 ESCORTED GROUP TOURS!

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