Serenity, Magnificent Mediterranean ex Venice to Barcelona

12 Night Cruise sailing from Venice to Barcelona aboard Crystal Serenity.

At 68,000 tons and capable of serving 1,080 guests, Crystal Serenity-is the largest ship in the fleet. However, like her sister ships, she still maintains one of the highest space-per-guest ratios at sea, so you'll never feel crowded. Featuring many of the same popular public spaces as Crystal Harmony and Crystal Symphony, Crystal Serenity also serves up innovation in the form of new dining venues like Tastes, Silk Road and The Sushi Bar, The Studio, and 85% of staterooms with private verandahs.

Venice
Venice rests three miles off the coast of mainland Italy and is considered one of the world's most enchanting cities. Known as the "Queen of the Adriatic," it actually comprises more than 100 separate islands. Laced together by a string of 400 intricate bridges, Venice is legendary for its labyrinthine network of canals. A whimsical stroll through the city can lead one to a hidden world of ornately decorated piazzas and shops. As you explore colorful marketplaces and busy town squares, marvel at a priceless legacy of Baroque architecture. Admire the richness of St. Mark's Basilica and the lavishness of the Palazzo Ducale. Getting lost in Venice can be a truly delightful experience. The place of dreams, this romantic city will live long in your memory.

Split
Split was first settled when, at the end of the third century AD, the Roman Emperor Diocletian built his palace in the charming city. The importance of Diocletian's Palace far transcends local significance because of its level of preservation and the buildings of succeeding historical periods found within its walls, which today form the very heart of old Split. The palace is one of the most famous and integral architectural and cultural constructs on the Croatian Adriatic coast. The seaport of Split lies on the Dalmation coast. It is the economic and administrative center of Middle Dalmatia, with about 200,000 inhabitants. Split's growth became particularly rapid in the 7th century, when the inhabitants of the destroyed Greek and Roman metropolis Salonae took refuge within its walls. The lovely ruins of Solin, located outside the city, can still be explored today. Split has a long tradition of collecting and caring for monuments. This interest appeared as early as the Renaissance. Diocletian's Palace, Mestrovic Gallery, the Archaeological Museum and the Temple of Jupiter are just a few of the impressive museums and galleries that shouldn't be missed.

Sorrento
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.

Rome
Civitavecchia was founded by Emperor Trajan in the 2nd century. Today this port is noted for its fine seafood and attractive monuments. Located 90 minutes away is the Eternal City of Rome. Steeped in 2,500 years of history, Rome was for many centuries the center of Western civilization. It was both the focal point of the Roman Empire and of Christendom. Landmarks such as the Colosseum, Forum, Pantheon, Vatican, Sistine Chapel and Spanish Steps are reminders of the legacy of its rich past.

Livorno
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.

Monte Carlo
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.

Barcelona
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.

   ___    ___  __   __   ___   ___    ___ 
  / _ \  | _ ) \ \ / /  / __| | _ \  / __|
 | (_) | | _ \  \ V /  | (__  |  _/ | (_ |
  \__\_\ |___/   |_|    \___| |_|    \___|