Empires of the Mediterranean

With the Potomac Annuitants Club

April 22 – May 1, 2024

Starting at $4549 per person, double occupancy

 

 

 

 

Ancient Ruins & Iconic Cities

Ten days. Nine magnificent destinations. One epic journey. Sail the Adriatic and Aegean, taking in all the riches of this fabled region. On an exploration bookended by iconic Venice and Athens, discover the ancient ruins of Olympia and the Acropolis. Explore the medieval warrens of Zadar and Dubrovnik, and admire the famed whitewashed villages of Santorini. Delight in the beauty of Corfu and be captivated by Koper, the gateway to picturesque Slovenia.

ITINERARY

Day 1 | April 22, 2024 | Athens, Greece
Step on board in Athens, where you will have an entire day to explore this ancient city. As we remain in port overnight, you’ll have time to enjoy dinner in town.

Day 2 | April 23, 2024 | Athens, Greece
Today, you will have the opportunity to journey into ancient Athens via a panoramic drive, passing the promenade at Mikrolimano as you enter the city’s heart. There, you will see the Hellenic Parliament, Constitution Square, the Panathenaic Stadium, the Temple of Zeus and the iconic Acropolis. Explore the bustling Plaka District at the base of the Acropolis. Or as an option, explore the interior of this UNESCO Site; climb 80 steps to the entrance and glimpse an unforgettable view of the Parthenon at its peak.

Day 3 | April 24, 2024 | Santorini, Greece
Gliding toward a full day in Santorini, prepare for its spectacular caldera and looming cliffs. Once anchored, embark a local boat for the island’s main port of Athinios. On your included excursion, drive with a local guide to the top of Mt. Profitis, where you can take in spectacular views of the island, the Aegean Sea and the summit’s monastery. En route to clifftop Oia, take  in the beauty and charm of the countryside and traditional villages. Then enjoy free time in the capital of Thíra. Alternatively, visit the hot thermal springs of Palea Kameni island and enjoy the most remarkable swim of your life. Or, choose to visit a Greek vineyard for a tour and tasting.

Day 4 | April 25, 2024 | Olympia (Katakolon) , Greece
Visit the quaint Greek port of Katakolon, huddled around a pretty little harbor dotted with colorful fishing boats. During your visit, venture into the fertile  valleys of the western Peloponnese to the legendary city of Olympia, classical birthplace of the modern-day Olympic Games on the slopes of Mt. Kronos. Walk among the ancient city’s ancient ruins with an expert guide and historian, admiring the remains of temples, the Palaestra, or wrestling school, and the Gymnasium. You will gain insight into the very first Olympic Games at the fascinating museum.

Day 5 | April 26, 2024 | Corfu, Greece
Corfu has a rich history shaped by conquerors and by royalty seeking tranquility. Corfu’s Old Town and Fortress—fashioned by the once powerful Venetian Republic—comprise a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its narrow warrens lead to one of Europe’s largest public squares and a lovely promenade once exclusively reserved for the local aristocracy. Everywhere, magnificent coastal views unfold and scenic byways lead to history-rich enclaves, from the archaeological site of Paleopolis and the stunning Vlacherna Monastery to a former Greek royal villa.

Day 6 | April 27, 2024 | Kotor, Montenegro
Spend the day traversing the medieval streets of this historic Montenegro town with a walking tour. Pass by Venetian walls constructed in 1420 en route to the Cathedral of St. Tryphon, built in 1166. Notice its mismatched towers, the result of an earthquake and a budget too small to rebuild properly. Included on this tour is a visit to the Maritime Museum, which documents Kotor’s heritage. As an option, venture to the small towns of Budva and Sveti Stefan, the latter once a hideaway for the rich and famous.

Day 7 | April 28, 2024 | Dubrovnik, Croatia
Dubrovnik is a historic jewel, with its spectacular Adriatic setting, 12th-century medieval streets and incredibly preserved structures. So stunning is its Old Town, the playwright George Bernard Shaw famously called it “paradise on Earth.” It is all spectacularly surrounded by a towering medieval wall. Inside, the ancient city’s Stradun is lined with authentic stone houses. The peaceful 14th-century Franciscan Monastery and Apothecary, housing the world’s oldest working pharmacy and fine collection of Renaissance paintings, provide insight into the ages.

Day 8 | April 29, 2024 | Zadar, Croatia
Explore remarkable Zadar, once an island separated from the mainland by a deep moat. The capital of independent Dalmatia for a millennium, Zadar’s impressive city walls attest to its might. A walking tour leads you along a maze of cobblestone streets through its magnificent Old Town, a remarkable repository of red-roofed, medieval stone houses. During your tour, stop to admire its three stunning churches in bold Romanesque. Perhaps you’ll also stroll the Riva, the picturesque seafront promenade where acoustical tubes embedded beneath large marble steps sing the song of the city with every  lashing wave.

Day 9 | April 30, 2024 | Koper, Slovenia
Call on the Slovenian port of Koper, gateway to the unspoiled Istrian region. Your tour of this historic city reveals the rich architectural legacy of the Venetian Republic. In Tito Square, admire the Venetian-Gothic Praetorian Palace with its crenellated facade and the elegant Loggia where lively town debates once took place. Take the time to ascend the tower of the Cathedral of the Assumption for splendid views of the city and the Gulf of Trieste.

Day 10 | May 1 2024 | Venice (Chioggia), Italy
Awake in Chioggia, where you will disembark your ship. From here, you can easily take a few extra days to further explore this historic city with our post-cruise extension.  Located about an hour south of Venice, Chioggia is a charming fishing community steeped in its age-old seafaring traditions. It is also the gateway to Venice, famed for its wondrous patchwork of graceful piazzas, tranquil canals, artful footbridges and Gothic splendor.

 

PRICES These prices are based on DOUBLE occupancy 

Explorer Suite ES 3                    $12784
Penthouse Junior Suite PS1     $10274
Penthouse Junior Suite PS2     $10074
Penthouse Junior Suite PS3     $9874
Penthouse Veranda PV1          $7574
Penthouse Veranda PV2          $7474
Penthouse Veranda PV3          $7374
Deluxe Veranda DV1                $6774
Deluxe Veranda DV2                $6574
Deluxe Veranda DV3                $6474
Deluxe Veranda DV4                $6374
Deluxe Veranda DV5                $6274
Deluxe Veranda DV6                $6174
Veranda V1                                $5974
Veranda V2                                $5874

PRICES INCLUDE
$125 discount for Sharon Carr Travel clients

Gov’t Taxes & Fees

PRICES DO NOT INCLUDE

AIRFARE (please call for help booking airfare)

All personal expenses i.e. phone, laundry, etc.

Optional excursions

Airline baggage charge

Meals other than specified

 

Viking Star

Click here for Deck Plan and Stateroom Information.

Athens 3-Day Pre Stay $549/person

Take more time to uncover the legacies of Athens.

Enjoy ample time to explore Athens in depth. Ascend Acropolis Hill to explore the ancient Parthenon and admire the Temple of Athena Nike. Stop by an authentic taverna to sample meze, with a taste of ouzo or a glass of wine. Or wander the labyrinthine streets of the historic Plaka District.

You will be met at the airport for a transfer to your hotel, located in the heart of the city. Nearby, you can walk to the Kolonaki market district to shop or browse the private collection of the Museum of Cycladic Art. Or take the metro to Syntagma (Constitution) Square to see the city’s government center. Take time to explore the main sites of Athens on your own. On your final day, you will transfer by motor coach to your awaiting ship.

Accommodations—Athens Marriott (or similar)

Included
2 hotel nights in Athens | 2 meals: 2 Breakfasts | Services of a Viking Host | All transfers

Viking has other pre– and post– options. Go to www.vikingcruises.com for more info and email [email protected] to book.

Tuscany 4-Day Post Stay $1699/person

Ultimate Italy – Tuscany

At the conclusion of your cruise, disembark your ship and transfer by motor coach to Tuscany. Stop for lunch at a farmhouse, then continue through the Chianti region’s scenic countryside. Upon your arrival, check in and enjoy dinner 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.

On Day 2, 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. Then, proceed to a Tuscan winery before sitting down to a typical Tuscan dinner. On Day 3, 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. On our final morning, enjoy breakfast at your villa before you check out. Then, board your motor coach and transfer to the airport in Florence for your flight home.

Accommodations—Tuscan Villa

Included
3 nights in a Tuscan villa | 9 meals: 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches & 3 dinners | All transfers
3 guided tours: Walking tours of Florence, Siena & San Gimignano | Fully escorted by your Viking Tour Director

Viking has other pre– and post– options. Go to www.vikingcruises.com for more info and email [email protected] to book.

 

DEPOSIT The deposit amount is $350 per person. Please call Sharon Carr Travel at 1-800-648-4856 to reserve space and pay your deposit. Payments may be made by check or credit card.  All major credit cards accepted.

FINAL PAYMENT  Final Payment is due June 30, 2023. Why? Viking requires final payment earlier than most cruiselines because “their ships fill up very quickly and they have to confirm each reservation with payment”.  If a client books after 06/30/23, the final payment is typically due approximately 30 days after deposit is made.

CANCELLATION POLICY Regardless of reason, cancellations result in costly charges from our travel and hotel providers covering penalties and fees incurred by canceling confirmed bookings. These fees vary from tour to tour.

Up to 121 days before your trip:
$100 per person cancellation fee
From 91—120 days before your trip:
Penalty of 20% of trip total will be incurred
From 61—90 days before your trip:
Penalty of 35% of trip total will be incurred
From 46—60 days before your trip:
Penalty of 50% of trip total will be incurred
From 45 or fewer days before your trip:
Trip is nonrefundable

Sharon Carr travel will retain a fee of $200/person if cancelled 120 days or less before departure.

 

 

AIR TRAVEL If you need help with air please contact Sharon Carr Travel. If you choose to book on your own, please send your air itinerary to [email protected] as soon as possible.

TRANSFERS If client purchases Viking’s air and arrives on embarkation day (04/22/24) and departs on debarkation day (05/01/24), transfers are included. If client books independent air (still arriving 4/22 & departing 5/1), transfers can be purchased for $196 per person roundtrip.  It is VERY IMPORTANT to note (as of this writing and always subject to change) that ships can no longer dock in Venice.  It is best to book a return flight no earlier than 1PM.

INSURANCE Cancellation insurance is highly recommended.  Insurance information will be provided to you once all components of your trip are booked.  Please read the quote carefully and email [email protected] with permission to purchase. If you have a pre-existing condition, insurance must be purchased before final payment is made.

RESPONSIBILITY  SHARON CARR TRAVEL is not the source or supplier of the travel services included in this package and they act solely as an agent for the actual suppliers of such service and assume no liability for injury, damage, loss, accident, delay, war, insurrection, pandemic, vendor bankruptcy, revolt or other civil uprising, other military actions, strikes or any Act of God occurring in either the country of origin, destination or through passage, or for any reason whatsoever. SHARON CARR TRAVEL will not be held responsible should any of these suppliers fail to provide the travel services purchased. SHARON CARR TRAVEL will not be held responsible for any loss or damage to luggage during the tour. SHARON CARR TRAVEL will not be liable regarding provision of medical care or the adequacy of any care that may be rendered.  Acceptance of the Tour Contract will serve as a Release of Liability and Assumption of Risk Agreement.  This agreement is binding on your heirs, legal representatives and assigns. SHARON CARR TRAVEL is not liable or responsible for any client who has not provided proper documentation to enter the countries listed on the booked itinerary.  If, for some reason, a trip must be rescheduled due to any of the above reasons, participants are bound by the new dates of travel, and can only obtain a refund if insurance has been purchased and insurer is contractually bound. SHARON CARR TRAVEL IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR WEATHER-RELATED OR MECHANICAL DELAYS.  Any out of pocket expenses caused by airline delays are the sole responsibility of the client and any refunds due are at the sole discretion of the airline.  Client must contact the airline directly for any reimbursement.  Once again, INSURANCE IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

While the ExxonMobil Potomac Annuitants Club (EMPAC) works with Sharon Carr Travel to obtain a memorable travel opportunity for our members, neither ExxonMobil Corporation nor the EMPAC accept any responsibility arising out of the provision of these travel services, or the alteration or cancellation thereof.  Members are encouraged to consider purchasing travel insurance to cover any risks associated with travel including the cancellation thereof for reasons outside the control of the travel operator.

 

 

Click below to download a printable flyer in pdf format.

2023 Viking Empires of the Mediterranean

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