Depart on flight to Rome.

Arrive in Rome and transfer to the port of Civitavecchia to board the
Celebrity Ascent.

At Sea

Arrive in the morning in Chania port. Your tour begins at the British
Commonwealth War Cemetery in Souda Bay. Afterwards, continue
on to the Agia Triada Monastery of Jagarolon. It is one of the
most significant monastic complexes from the end of the Venetian
Occupation of Crete. It contains a rich offering of the history and
education of Crete. Discover in the east suburbs of Chania on the
hill of Profiti Elia (Prophet Elijah). After a photo stop, continue on
to Chania town, where neoclassical mansions and massive Venetian
fortifications testify to the city’s turbulent and diverse past. There
you will have the chance to explore the Venetian port on your own
before you return to the port.

Dock in Santorini today, one of the most beautiful of the Greek
islands, where picturesque, whitewashed villages topped with
brilliant blue domes stand in stark contrast to the sheer-drop cliffs
overlooking the Aegean Sea. The island itself perches on the edges
of a volcano whose eruption 3,500 years ago is thought to have led
to the collapse of the Minoan civilization. Explore the island on your
own or join one of the optional excursions available for purchase on
board.

Ephesus was the leading one of the Seven Churches of Revelation
and was once a bustling port town with wide, colonnade-bordered
streets and had a population of 250,000. Spectacular excavations
in the last 110 years have revealed much of the glory of ancient
Ephesus, including the huge Agora and the Library, much has been
lost. Explore the ancient site virtually at the Ephesus Experience
Museum where you will see life in Paul’s time. We will view the
terrace houses, also known as “the house of the rich,” which gives
a true impression of the ancient lifestyle. The ancient world once
declared the Temple of Artemis to be one of the Seven Wonders
of the World but today, only a single column remains to mark its
site. After enjoying Ephesus, you will embark on another Turkish
experience at the Carpet factory for a local lunch and a presentation.

Nestled between Europe and Asia, Turkiye offers a blend of both
worlds. The country has been a bridge between the two continents
for thousands of years. Istanbul offers sensory delights at every turn,
from its towering, colorful minarets to the scent of coffee brewing in
fragrant cardamom and sugar.

The bejeweled capital of Istanbul sits between two continents and
is home to 450 mosques. You will visit the famous Blue Mosque
with its six minarets and sparkling interior. Walk through St. Sophia
(Hagia Sophia), which was the largest church in Christendom for
1000 years, built by Justinian (532-537 A.D.). The church has 107
columns; fossil imbedded white marble floors, and beautiful glass
mosaics. Today, it is the Museum of Byzantine Art. Enjoy the aroma
of cinnamon, cloves, thyme, and other exotic spices as you explore
the Spice Bazaar.

At Sea

Arrive today at the world-famous Greek Island of Mykonos, where
gleaming whitewashed buildings seem to climb atop each other
to reach the azure sky. Admire its many hills dotted with iconic
windmills. Explore the island on your own or join one of the optional
excursions available for purchase on board.

Shore excursions are not included today and can be purchased directly
from Celebrity

At Sea

Journey inland to ancient Pompeii, dating almost to the time of Paul,
where you can see the spectacular ruins that were covered by ash
from the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79.

Disembark the Celebrity Ascent this morning. History is woven
through the streets and neighborhoods of Rome as in no other
city. Today you’ll explore the many wonders of ancient Rome when
you visit the magnificent Colosseum and the Pantheon. From the
most sacred hill of ancient Rome, Campidoglio, you will view the
Forum. You will also view the Circus Maximus, the Arch of Titus,
the famous Baths of Caracalla and the Arch of Constantine. You will
see the Victor Emanuel Monument and the Monti Region, Rome’s
most ancient neighborhood which spreads over three of her seven
hills. Also, near the Forum is the Mamertine Prison. It was the site
where Romans kept their high-profile prisoners until they died or
were executed. It is revered as the place Peter was held before his
crucifixion. Visit the Basilica of St. Paul’s Outside the Walls, housing
the Tomb of St. Paul the Apostle, affectionately known as the Apostle
of the Gentiles.

Depart on flight back to Los Angeles.