Mein Schiff Cruises for 2018

2018

2018 PRE-SALE BOOK BY 31 JULY 2017 & SAVE ...in a class of its own

EXCITING NEW ITINERARIES • MALTA to MALTA with Crete, Mykonos, Bodrum & Athens • MALTA to TRIESTE with Dubrovnik, Split & Slovenia • Trieste to Malta with Dubrovnik & Kotor Newspaper Post - Published June 2017

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Peace of Mind from the Moment You Book

2

Orange Travel Group

• You get the benefit of the Orange Travel Group Ultra All-Inclusive Package • The excursions are already included in the price and there are 5 in each cruise, all carried out by local expert English speaking guides (Our shore excursions cannot be exchanged to TUI Cruises shore excursions) • Our coaches will be waiting for you close to the ship • You get expert advice about the product and about any important information you need to know before you depart or while on cruise • You can pay by local cheque, cash, debit card or credit card • You get your cabin number straight away • You are offered a choice of travel insurances to find the one that suits you • You can participate in a detailed pre-cruise meeting and another one on board the ship, both offering you precious guidelines for the full enjoyment of the cruise.

• You benefit from the assistance of our experienced tour leader on board the ship at any time • You will be provided with the ship’s Daily Programme and the A-Z glossary information in English • You will be offered assistance if required for the online check-in and for any other formalities required prior to the date of departure

Most Restaurants

All-Inclusive

A selection of restaurants to choose from, offering a huge variety of delicious cuisine always freshly cooked and mouth watering.

Some restaurants are excluded from the Premium Alles Inklusive-concept and are at an extra charge.

Most of the Drinks, including a comprehensive list of Spirits, Beer, Table Wine, most of the spirits, whiskies, juices, soft drinks and coffee specialities. The list of drinks that are included in the price is never-ending and available even outside the restaurant hours.

Nespresso Machine

Sport, Sauna & SPA

The comfort of a Nespresso coffee machine in every cabin (1 capsule per person per day included in the price). In every cabin one can also find a caraffe of water that can be filled up regularly and free of charge at the water stations present in every corridor.

Various sports and health offerings as well as the entry to the SPA & Sport area and a modern gym are already included.

All Port Taxes & Gratuities No extra charges. Once on board you do not have to pay any gratuities.

5 Shore Excursions Included All the 5 excursions are carried out by experienced licensed local guides and are the only official excursions in English. These excursions are part of your cruise package and you do not have to pay extra. Refer to pages at the end of the brochure.

Excursions cannot be changed into TUI Cruises excursions

English Speaking Representative An English speaking representative shall be on board throughout the whole cruise, providing daily cruise programmes in English and answering queries at appointed times of the day. She/He will also assist you during the 5 shore excursions. An introductory meeting will be held on the first day of your cruise.

Orange Travel Group

3

Best Price Guaranteed

Day Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

Port Country Arr Dep Valletta Malta 22:00 At Sea - Chania (Crete) Greece 08:00 18:00 Bodrum Turkey 08:00 19:00 Mykonos Greece 07:00 19:00 Piraeus/Athens Greece 05:30 19:00 At Sea - Valletta Malta 04:30

INSIDE D INSIDE C

MYKONOS Bodrum

MALTA KRETA

INSIDE A

OUTSIDE B

BALCONY B

BALCONY A

TWIN

TWIN

TWIN TRIPLE QUAD TWIN TRIPLE QUAD

TWIN TRIPLE QUAD

TWIN TRIPLE TWIN TRIPLE

27 May

1149 1199 1249 1299 1199 1129

1249 1299 1349 1379 1299 1229

1309 1159 1099 1359 1209 1149 1409 1259 1199 1439 1289 1229 1359 1209 1149 1289 1139 1079

1479 1329 1269 1529 1379 1319 1579 1429 1369 1609 1459 1399 1529 1379 1319 1459 1309 1249

1689 1539 1739 1589 1789 1639 1819 1669 1739 1589 1669 1519

24 Jun 22 Jul 19 Aug 16 Sep 14 Oct

4

INSIDE B

Athen Piräus

Orange Travel Group

1359 1209 1149 1409 1259 1199 1459 1309 1249 1489 1339 1279 1409 1259 1199 1339 1189 1129

1759 1609 1809 1659 1859 1709 1889 1739 1809 1659 1739 1589

The above prices are per adult. All prices quoted in these pages include all taxes, tips and all our excursions. Children 2-14 years: €149. nfants (under 2 years min 6 months): €99. Single supplement: 60% of the Twin Rate

Sunny Islands

The Cruise Package Includes:

Excursions (Included)

• 7 nights accommodation in the cabin of your choice • Meals in almost all restaurants • Drinks according to the Premium Alles Inklusive Bar menu • 5 shore excursions in English by a local expert guide • Free entrance into the SPA & Sport area • All tips and service charges • All port taxes • English speaking Representative

• Bodrum Town • Mykonos Island Tour • Athens City Tour • Rethymno - Crete • Swimming at Chrissi Akti Beach These rates are only valid until the 31 July 2017 and we guarantee that these will be the lowest rates available in Malta and if for any reason, later on, the prices in Malta are less, we shall refund the difference.

Important Notice

The official language on board TUI Cruises Mein Schiff 2 is German as the vast majority of guests on board will be German nationals.

All entertainment and announcements will be in German and there will be no official translation into English. Our English speaking representative on board will be there to assist you. Some menus are available in English on demand. Almost all the crew on-board, who originate from over 50 countries, speak English. Our shore sightseeing excursions and the safety drill will be in English. Your daily programme will be translated into English by our representative.

Orange Travel Group

5

Excursions sunny islands 6

Orange Travel Group

Bodrum Town

We depart from the port on a panoramic city tour of Bodrum Town. We pass near the Carian Princess Hall, a last reminder of the Hecatomnid dynasty until the city fell to the Macedonian armies of Alexander the Great. We go past Myndos Gate and proceed via the King Mausoleum to the Gumbet windmill landscape where we stop for photos. Our next stop will be at the ancient theatre of Halicarnassus (built in the late second century B.C) where the seating capacity was once 10,000 people. We then continue to St. Peter’s castle, a place in Bodrum that no visitor to this great city should miss. It overlooks the harbour and the international marina and was constructed by the Knights of St. John in the 15th century during the crusades of the middle ages. After a short explanation by the guide you will be given the option to visit the interior of the castle of St. Peter together with your guide (entrance fee not included – to be paid on the spot) or to go shopping at the nearby market. We shall meet again at the same spot and the bus will take us back to our ship for lunch.

Duration: ca. 3.5 hours. Stress level: 2

Mykonos Island Tour

Duration: ca. 3.5 hours. Stress level: 2

After disembarking (the ship might be on anchor, in which case we have to use tender boats to get ashore) we have a half day excursion to see a bit more of this beautiful island. It is after all the most famous Greek island and is established as the cosmopolitan centre of Cyclades. Arriving at the harbour of Mykonos we are welcomed by a row of windmills which stand guard looking out to the open sea. These windmills together with the pelicans are the symbols that signify Mykonos Island. Enjoy the drive over the little hills passing brilliant white sugar–cube buildings with splashes of colour from their bright blue shutters and beautiful flowers. We drive past some of the most wonderful beaches including Ornis Beach and Aghios Ioannis Beach, where ‘Shirley Valentine’ was filmed, before turning inland to visit Ano Mera, the most populated village on Mykonos. Ano Mera is not as crowded as other parts of Mykonos during summer and has a long religious history, since the 18th century Monastery of Panagia Tourliani and the ruin of the 12th century Monastery of Paleokastro are to be found here. We shall have a short stop near the quaint central square for you to enjoy the traditional Mykonos atmosphere whilst looking at the little stalls selling fresh products and excellent local cheeses. We return via Kalafatis beach and St. John’s Bay to Mykonos Town. The guide will walk with you to the famous windmills and from there take you through the maze of narrow streets, filled with numerous souvenir shops, little bars and tavernas. Some free time for souvenir shopping before the bus takes us back to our ship.

Athens City Tour

We depart early from Piraeus harbour to reach Athens after short drive. On the way we see some of the stadiums which were built for the summer Olympics in 2004 and Microlimano, a beautiful little cove in Piraeus famous for its speciality restaurants. Upon arrival in Athens the bus will take us to a view-point from where we can have a look at the Acropolis, one of the wonders of the ancient world and the guide will give you a short introduction into Greek mythology and culture. We continue with a panoramic tour by bus showing you the major sights of Athens such as the Syntagma Square, the law courts, the Greek parliament, Hadrian’s Arch and the Old Olympic Stadium. We shall stop at the Plaka district, a most vividly colourful neighbourhood in the old town of Athens. This area is home to clothing boutiques, souvenir shops, speciality stores and numerous taverns and restaurants. Some free time for souvenir shopping will be allowed. We return for lunch to our ship.

Duration: ca. 4 hours. Stress level: 4

Rethymno – Crete

Today we offer you an excursion to the exceptionally beautiful town of Rethymno which lies in the centre of Crete and surely is one of the highlights of any visit to Greece. It is built between the modern day capital of the island, Heraklion, and the ancient capital of Chania. Rethymnon is the third largest city of the island and is a fascinating combination of old and new: In the old quarter, evidence of Rethymnon’s Venetian and Ottoman past is all around one. On our guided city walk you will be meandering through the narrow maze of streets that seem a world apart from the hustle and bustle of modern-day life. On the other hand, the new town provides residents and visitors alike with all the amenities and facilities one could wish for in the 21st century. Rethymno and its villages offer picture postcard views, which are pervaded by the aroma of Cretan cuisine and the sounds of the Cretan lyre. The great number of visitors who return repeatedly confirm the words of the poet: ”Rethymno is not a place where you go to, but a place where you return. We return to the Mein Schiff for lunch on-board.

Duration: ca. 4 hours. Stress level: 3

Swimming at Chrissi Akti Beach

In the afternoon we offer you a transfer to the Golden Beach (greek: Hrissi Akti), one of the most beautiful in all of Crete, which is located 5 km west of Souda and a few meters east of Agii Apostoli. It actually consists of two sandy beaches separated by a small hill. The west cove is the main Golden Beach and the east one is called Aptera beach.

The west bay, which is the most popular, is very well organized with umbrellas, lifeguards, showers, cafes, water sports etc. It has fine golden sand and shallow waters, making it also ideal for young children. Moreover, there is a playground for kids nearby. The sandy beach of Aptera, located on the other side of the hill, is more peaceful and less organized. There are the ruins of the hotel Aptera Beach, which was abandoned in the late 90s due to debts.

The beach is very nice and suitable for those who seek for a place with relatively few people. The whole area to Agii Apostoli is full of small parks with pines and eucalyptuses. After approx. 2.5 hours of free time for swimming, the bus will take you back to the port of Souda.

Duration: ca. 3.5 hours. Stress level: 1 Orange Travel Group

7

Best Price Guaranteed

Cruise & Fly

Day Port Country Arr Dep Sunday Valletta Malta 22:00 Monday At Sea - Tuesday Dubrovnik Croatia 07:00 21:30 Wednesday Bari Italy 08:00 18:00 Thurday Split Croatia 07:00 19:00 Friday At Sea - Saturday Koper Slovenia 07:00 23:00 Sunday Trieste Italy 01:00

Flight to Malta

INSIDE D INSIDE C

Split Dubrovnik

Bari

MALTA

INSIDE A

OUTSIDE B

BALCONY B

BALCONY A

TWIN

01-Jul

1299 1399 1459 1309 1249 1509 1359 1299 1649 1499 1439 1859 1709 1929 1779 1349 1449 1509 1359 1299 1559 1409 1349 1699 1549 1489 1939 1789 1999 1849 1319 1399 1459 1309 1249 1509 1359 1299 1649 1499 1439 1859 1709 1929 1779

29-Jul 26-Aug 8

INSIDE B

Triest Koper

Orange Travel Group

TWIN

TWIN TRIPLE QUAD TWIN TRIPLE QUAD

TWIN TRIPLE QUAD

TWIN TRIPLE TWIN TRIPLE

The above prices are per adult. All prices quoted in these pages include all taxes, tips and all our excursions. Children 2-14 years: €249. nfants (under 2 years min 6 months): €99. Single supplement: 60% of the Twin Rate

Malta to Trieste

The Cruise Package Includes:

• 7 nights accommodation in the cabin of your choice • Meals in almost all restaurants • Drinks according to the Premium Alles Inklusive Bar menu • 5 shore excursions in English by a local expert guide • Free entrance into the SPA & Sport area • Transfer from port to airport • Flight from Italy to Malta with 20kg luggage allowance • All tips and service charges • All Port & Airport taxes • English speaking Representative

Excursions (Included) • • • • •

Cavtat & Konavle Valley City of Dubrovnik & Lokrum island Alberobello Split & Trogir Ljubljana

These rates are only valid until the 31 July 2017 and we guarantee that these will be the lowest rates available in Malta and if for any reason, later on, the prices in Malta are less, we shall refund the difference.

Important Notice

The official language on board TUI Cruises Mein Schiff 2 is German as the vast majority of guests on board will be German nationals.

All entertainment and announcements will be in German and there will be no official translation into English. Our English speaking representative on board will be there to assist you. Some menus are available in English on demand. Almost all the crew on-board, who originate from over 50 countries, speak English. Our shore sightseeing excursions and the safety drill will be in English. Your daily programme will be translated into English by our representative.

Orange Travel Group

9

Best Price Guaranteed

Fly & Cruise

Day Port Country Arr Dep Sunday Flight to Italy Sunday Trieste Italy 22:00 Monday At Sea - Tuesday Dubrovnik Croatia 07:00 21:30 Wednesday Kotor Montenegro 08:00 18:00 Thursday Bari Italy 08:00 18:00 Friday At Sea - Saturday Catania Italy 08:00 19:00 Sunday Valletta Malta 04:30

INSIDE D INSIDE C

Dubrovnik Kotor Bari

SIZILIEN

MALTA

INSIDE A

OUTSIDE B

BALCONY B

BALCONY A

TWIN

15-Jul

1299 1399 1459 1309 1249 1509 1359 1299 1649 1499 1439 1859 1709 1929 1779 1349 1449 1509 1359 1299 1559 1409 1349 1699 1549 1489 1939 1789 1999 1849 1319 1399 1459 1309 1249 1509 1359 1299 1649 1499 1439 1859 1709 1929 1779

12-Aug 09-Sep 10

INSIDE B

Triest

Orange Travel Group

TWIN

TWIN TRIPLE QUAD TWIN TRIPLE QUAD

TWIN TRIPLE QUAD

TWIN TRIPLE TWIN TRIPLE

The above prices are per adult. All prices quoted in these pages include all taxes, tips and all our excursions. Children 2-14 years: €249. nfants (under 2 years min 6 months): €99. Single supplement: 60% of the Twin Rate

Trieste to Malta

The Cruise Package Includes:

• Flight from Malta to Italy with 20kg luggage allowance • Transfer from airport to port • 7 nights accommodation in the cabin of your choice • Meals in almost all restaurants • Drinks according to the Premium Alles Inklusive Bar menu • 5 shore excursions in English by a local expert guide • Free entrance into the SPA & Sport area • All tips and service charges • All Port & Airport taxes • English speaking Representative

Excursions (Included) • • • • •

Cavtat & Konavle Valley City of Dubrovnik & Lokrum island Budva & Kotor Alberobello Catania

These rates are only valid until the 31 July 2017 and we guarantee that these will be the lowest rates available in Malta and if for any reason, later on, the prices in Malta are less, we shall refund the difference.

Important Notice

The official language on board TUI Cruises Mein Schiff 2 is German as the vast majority of guests on board will be German nationals.

All entertainment and announcements will be in German and there will be no official translation into English. Our English speaking representative on board will be there to assist you. Some menus are available in English on demand. Almost all the crew on-board, who originate from over 50 countries, speak English. Our shore sightseeing excursions and the safety drill will be in English. Your daily programme will be translated into English by our representative.

Orange Travel Group

11

Excursions malta to trieste

Fascinating Cavtat & Konavle Valley

In the morning we have a scenic drive though the most southern part of Croatia flanked on one side by the sea and on the other side by the border to Bosnia-Hercegovina. We have a short photo-stop high above Dubrovnik where we have a birds-eye view of this wonderful city. We continue inland to the fertile Konavle Valley and have a look at the Old Mill next to the cascading waters of the Ljuta River. From there we proceed to the enchanting seaside resort of Cavtat, once a prosperous Greek and Roman colony. It is now more relaxed and quite charming making it a preferred destination for the area’s many yachtsmen. You can almost feel time slow down as you wander the seaside promenade and quiet streets on your own. Enjoy a coffee in one of the splendid seaside bars, take a photo of the pretty bay or do some souvenir shopping. A picturesque drive along the coastal road takes us back to the port of Dubrovnik in time for lunch on the ship.

Duration: ca. 4 hours. Stress level: 2

Duration: ca. 4 hours. Stress level: 3

Duration: ca. 4 hours. Stress level: 4

The walled city of Dubrovnik & the Island of Lokrum

After lunch we have a short 15-minute drive from the port of Dubrovnik to the Old Town where we have a 1-hour guided tour of the city, a city of unique beauty and harmony, spread out on the stone rocks and cliffs descending into the embrace of the sea and the waves. The main street is known as the Stradun and many of the city’s attractions are right here, including several monasteries, and the elegant 16th century Venetian Gothic Sponza Palace, once the city’s Custom House and notable for its fine courtyard columns and elaborate stone carvings. Dubrovnik’s famed symbol of freedom, a carved figure of an armoured knight, adorns the Orlando Column in a nearby square. After the walking tour you can either have free time for souvenir shopping or take the boat to Lokrum Island (boat and entr. fee to the island not incl ca. €20).

Today the island is a Special Reserve of Forest Vegetation under the strict protection of UNESCO. You can wander around the island (no cars are on this island) discover the monastery complex, Charlotte’s Well or the Gardens of Maximillian, chose to have a coffee at the open-air cafeteria or just go for refreshing swim on the rocky beaches. Our bus will return from Dubrovnik to the ship at 18.00 hours.

Alberobello & the Unesco Site of the Trulli

Departing from the port of Bari we discover that in Italy’s most southeastern region, there lies a most astounding valley. To get there, we drive through golden fields of grain and past gently undulating hills. And then you come to the Murge Valley. All of a sudden a vibrant green washes across the landscape, thanks to small groves of an oversized oak tree that grows only here. You will also see tropical vegetation - palm trees and bougainvilleas and gigantic hibiscus - as well as larger and healthier olive groves. And interspersed among all this verdant beauty, you will see the strange conical houses that exist only here. At first they appear one by one, like solitary mirages cowering amidst the olive trees. Gradually, as you drive on, they grow taller, and their whitewashed bases make them more visible. Soon you are spotting them in clusters of up to a dozen all attached to each other to make one larger dwelling. And then you drive into the little town of Alberobello, where they cover four entire hillsides, seeming for all the world like a cheerful white nativity scene recreated to true human dimensions. If this were California, Mr. Disney’s name would be visible on a neon sign. But it’s Apulia, and these houses were first built many centuries ago by the local inhabitants and were declared a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1996. (Attention: This excursion includes a rather strenuous 20 minutes walk from the bus parking area to the centre of the Trulli)

Split & Trogir

Duration: ca. 4 hours. Stress level: 3

Situated in a small island squeezed in between the mainland and the larger island of Ciovo, Trogir is connected to the mainland with a bridge. Except for the green parks the entire island is occupied by spectacular constructions: bleached stone houses, palaces, churches, monasteries, towers, walls etc. The streets are narrow and they truly give a feel of how life might have been in the old days. You will see from the outside the main attraction in Trogir - the Cathedral of St. Lawrence. This 13th century building is probably the finest example of sacral architecture in Croatia. The unusual construction with three naves and three semi circular apses dominates the whole town.

Other fine buildings that will be viewed are the Town Loggia decorated with stone carvings, including one by great Croatian sculptor Ivan Mestrovic, the Town Hall, the Cipiko Palace etc. Continue with the drive back to Split. The Old Town of Split is built on and around the spectacular Roman Palace erected in the 4th century. During your walking tour you will see the Diocletian Palace and the very interesting Cathedral of St. Duje (patron saint of the city). The Cathedral is built on the remains of an ancient shrine and is supposed to be the oldest in the world. On your tour you will also see the Golden Gate, the Silver Gate and the Peristyle Square. After the walking tour you may spend some free time in the biggest city of Dalmatia and return on your own to the ship.

Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia

We depart early from Koper to visit Ljubljana, the capital city of Slovenia and one of the most charming cities in all of Europe, filled with museums, theatres, historic sites and many other attractions. During the 1.5 hour bus drive to reach the city, you can marvel at the beautiful countryside of Slovenia. After reaching the capital we will spend some 2.5 hours in the historic centre. Ljubljana’s Old Town is filled with churches and buildings dating all the way back to medieval times. The old world charm continues at Ljubljana Castle, whose tower (entrance fee not included) provides a magnificent view of the city. At the city centre lies Prešeren Square, which features the famous statue of Slovene national poet France Prešeren. Right off of the square is Cop Street, one of the main shopping streets in the city. The guide will walk with you to the Square of the Republic and will show you the Roman ruins which are a must. We continue our walk to the turn of the century Dragon Bridge and from there to Metelkova a place full of bars and nightlife. We return to Koper in the early afternoon.

Duration: ca. 5.5 hours. Stress level: 3 12

Orange Travel Group

Excursions trieste to malta

Fascinating Cavtat & Konavle Valley

In the morning we have a scenic drive though the most southern part of Croatia flanked on one side by the sea and on the other side by the border to Bosnia-Hercegovina. We have a short photo-stop high above Dubrovnik where we have a birds-eye view of this wonderful city. We continue inland to the fertile Konavle Valley and have a look at the Old Mill next to the cascading waters of the Ljuta River. From there we proceed to the enchanting seaside resort of Cavtat, once a prosperous Greek and Roman colony. It is now more relaxed and quite charming making it a preferred destination for the area’s many yachtsmen. You can almost feel time slow down as you wander the seaside promenade and quiet streets on your own. Enjoy a coffee in one of the splendid seaside bars, take a photo of the pretty bay or do some souvenir shopping. A picturesque drive along the coastal road takes us back to the port of Dubrovnik in time for lunch on the ship.

Duration: ca. 4 hours. Stress level: 2

Duration: ca. 4 hours. Stress level: 3

Duration: ca. 5 hours. Stress level: 3

The walled city of Dubrovnik & the Island of Lokrum

After lunch we have a short 15-minute drive from the port of Dubrovnik to the Old Town where we have a 1-hour guided tour of the city, a city of unique beauty and harmony, spread out on the stone rocks and cliffs descending into the embrace of the sea and the waves. The main street is known as the Stradun and many of the city’s attractions are right here, including several monasteries, and the elegant 16th century Venetian Gothic Sponza Palace, once the city’s Custom House and notable for its fine courtyard columns and elaborate stone carvings. Dubrovnik’s famed symbol of freedom, a carved figure of an armoured knight, adorns the Orlando Column in a nearby square. After the walking tour you can either have free time for souvenir shopping or take the boat to Lokrum Island (boat and entr. fee to the island not incl ca. €20).

Today the island is a Special Reserve of Forest Vegetation under the strict protection of UNESCO. You can wander around the island (no cars are on this island) discover the monastery complex, Charlotte’s Well or the Gardens of Maximillian, chose to have a coffee at the open-air cafeteria or just go for refreshing swim on the rocky beaches. Our bus will return from Dubrovnik to the ship at 18.00 hours.

Walled City of Budva & Unesco Town of Kotor

On our way to Budva we have a stop near the unique little island town of Sveti Stefan, connected to the shore by a causeway and crammed full of terracotta-roofed stone dwellings. Gazing down on Sveti Stefan provides the biggest ‘wow’ moment on the entire coast but taking a photo is all we can do, as this tiny island is now the luxurious Aman resort, off limits to all but paying guests. We continue to Budva which is a vibrant coastal city with a modern flair. The old city of Budva is a small labyrinth of narrow lanes and we walk close to the Citadela, an ancient castle and the most significant fortification building of the Montenegrin Coast. Enjoy some free time discovering what this town has to offer: from a lively promenade filled with colourful coffee places and restaurants to old town filled with charming and tasteful souvenir shops. Back in Kotor, follow your guide on a walking tour of the city which boasts of Venetians architectural influences and is surrounded by an impressive, well preserved city wall protected by UNESCO. Once in Kotor you will soon see why the town was deemed a World Heritage Site as it offers its visitors a remarkably well preserved town centre with important buildings such as the cathedral of Sveti Tripun. Savour the beautiful atmosphere of this true gem of town before returning back by tender boat to our ship.

Alberobello & the Unesco Site of the Trulli

Duration: ca. 4 hours. Stress level: 4

Departing from the port of Bari we discover that in Italy’s most southeastern region, there lies a most astounding valley. To get there, we drive through golden fields of grain and past gently undulating hills. And then you come to the Murge Valley. All of a sudden a vibrant green washes across the landscape, thanks to small groves of an oversized oak tree that grows only here. You will also see tropical vegetation - palm trees and bougainvilleas and gigantic hibiscus - as well as larger and healthier olive groves. And interspersed among all this verdant beauty, you will see the strange conical houses that exist only here. At first they appear one by one, like solitary mirages cowering amidst the olive trees. Gradually, as you drive on, they grow taller, and their whitewashed bases make them more visible. Soon you are spotting them in clusters of up to a dozen all attached to each other to make one larger dwelling. And then you drive into the little town of Alberobello, where they cover four entire hillsides, seeming for all the world like a cheerful white nativity scene recreated to true human dimensions. If this were California, Mr. Disney’s name would be visible on a neon sign. But it’s Apulia, and these houses were first built many centuries ago by the local inhabitants and were declared a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1996. (Attention: This excursion includes a rather strenuous 20 minutes walk from the bus parking area to the centre of the Trulli)

Catania

Today we encourage you to come and see Catania, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the city known for its streets built with black lava stone from Mount Etna. We shall see Via Etnea, Via Crociferi, the Piazza Duomo and the “Liotru” statue, symbol of the city, the Roman Amphitheatre, the Opera House (external visit), the University and the noble Palace of Biscari (external visit). The guide will show you two of the “Seven Doors” protecting S. Agatha’s treasure, the famous “candelora”. You can also find an abundance of quaint shops, boutiques, great restaurants, very tempting cafeterias, with unique Sicilian ricotta or almond and pistachio cookies or traditional ice-creams (the first one in history was produced in this province). There will be ample free time for shopping before the bus takes you back to the ship for lunch at around 13.00 hours.

Duration: ca. 4 hours. Stress level: 3 Orange Travel Group

13

MEIN SCHIFF 2 Deck Plan Flag: Malta Built: Meyer Werft shipyard in

Papenburg, Germany Reconstructed: 2011 and inaugurated as

Mein Schiff 2 Maiden Voyage: 27 October 1997

14

Orange Travel Group

Reconstruction: Gross Weight: Overall Length: Overall Width: Draft: Passengers:

2011 77.302GT 866 ft (262.5m) 105.6 ft (32.2m) 25.5 ft (8.5m) 1,912 passengers

Orange Travel Group

15

2, Naxxar Road, Birkirkara BKR 9048

Mon to Fri: 09:00hrs - 13:00hrs & 14:30hrs - 18:00hrs Sat: 09:30hrs - 12:00hrs

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745, High Street, Hamrun HMR 1014

103, Paola Square, Paola PLA 1266

Mon to Fri: 09:00hrs - 13:00hrs & 14:30hrs - 18:00hrs Sat: 09:30hrs - 12:00hrs

Mon to Fri: 09:00hrs - 13:00hrs & 14:30hrs - 18:00hrs Sat: 09:30hrs - 12:00hrs

33, Tower Road, Sliema SLM 1609

30, Republic Street, Victoria VCT 1012 - Gozo

Mon to Fri: 09:00hrs - 13:00hrs & 14:30hrs - 18:00hrs Sat: 09:30hrs - 12:00hrs

Mon to Fri: 08:00hrs - 13:00hrs & 15:00hrs - 18:00hrs Sat: 09:30hrs - 12:00hrs

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