Mediterranean & Adriatic Sojourn

Resort:
Operator: Viking Ocean Cruises
Destination: Europe
Price From: £7640.00

Span the Mediterranean

CombineVenice, the Adriatic & Greece,Italian SojournandIconic Western Mediterraneanfor a comprehensive 22-day voyage. From ancient Athens and Croatias stunning Dalmatian coast to the rustic shores of Italy and the glamorous French Riviera, you will immerse yourself in rich cultures and traditions and marvel at spectacular coastal beauty. Overnight stays in Venice, Florence/Pisa and Barcelona help you delve more deeply into this historic and legendary region.

Itinerary:

Day 1 Athens, Greece

Step on board in Athens, where you will have an entire day to explore this ancient city. Perhaps you will see the Hellenic Parliament, Constitution Square, the Panathenaic Stadium, the Temple of Zeus or the iconic Acropolis. Explore the bustling Plaka District at the base of the Acropolis. Tonight we set sail for Olympia.

Day 2 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 citys 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 3 Corfu, Greece

Spend the entire day on the romantic island of Corfu, resplendent with charming pastel town houses and pristine white beaches. Our included tour takes us on a drive to Kanoni, where we will make a photo stop to view tiny Mouse Island and the Vlacherna Monastery. Following the coastline through Garitsa Bay, you will reach the UNESCO Site of the Old Town. See the fabled Esplanade, one of Europes largest public squares, and the Liston Promenade, once exclusively reserved for the local aristocracy.

Day 4 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 Kotors 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 5 Dubrovnik, Croatia

Where city meets coastline, you will sail to this beautiful 12th-century walled city in Croatia. The playwright George Bernard Shaw once declared, Those who seek paradise on earth should come to Dubrovnik. Enjoy an entire day here to take an inclusive tour and take in magnificent views of the city and countryside. Then enter the city on foot through the historic Pile Gate, passing by the Sponza Palace, the 15th-century Onofrios Fountain and stop inside the Dominican Monastery to see Renaissance paintings. You may also wish to consider exploring the famed Dubrovnik Riviera with a cruise along the Lapad peninsula.

Day 6 Split, Croatia

Experience the age of antiquity as you wander through the center of the city that is built around the Diocletian Palace, walking through the well-preserved cellars before continuing to the Ethnographic Museum. In this historic quarter, you will notice the results of over 17 centuries of construction, passing pre-Romanesque churches and Gothic chapels. You may also choose more natural pursuits, from a rafting trip on the Cetina River or a journey through the Croatian hinterland to the famous waterfalls of the Krka National Park. Or spend the entire day discovering the small, more intimate destinations along the Dalmatian Coast.

Day 7 Venice, Italy

Trace spectacular Adriatic shores and uncover the glories of the Venetian and Hellenic Empires on this 8-day cruise between romantic Venice and classical Athens, featuring an overnight in romantic Venice. Youll trace Croatias Dalmatian Coast, dotted with emerald isles, azure waters and remnants of a fascinating past. Explore the palace at Splt, a Roman emperors retirement home, and stroll the marble streets of medieval Dubrovnik. Sail into the fjords of magnificent Kotor Bay to its namesake Venetian outpost. On Greek shores, call on scenic Corfu with its inviting Old Town and Katakolon, gateway to the Peloponnese and Olympia.

Day 8 Venice, Italy

Awake and further explore central Venice on your own this morning, as you investigate the out-of-the-way passages that reveal beautiful, hidden piazzas, or cross the lagoon to Murano and Burano to view the world-renowned glassblowing craftsmen. If you did not take yesterdays included guided tour, you may do so today. Or opt for one of the many optional tours. As your ship sets sail, enjoy a spectacular view of the lagoon as we head out to the Adriatic Sea.

Day 9 Venice, Italy

Watch the sunlight dapple on the water as we ease our way through the archipelago. You can enjoy a panoramic boat ride towards the magnificent St. Marks Square on your included tour, and with your guide, you will visit the glorious Doges Palace, make your way across the fabled Bridge of Sighs, and on to Saint Marks Basilica. Or take a boat to Murano to see glassmakers at work in their centuries-old tradition with a stop to visit historic San Giorgio Maggiore island. In the evening enjoy a fine restaurant, the vibrant nightlife, and perhaps even a romantic evening gondola ride along the Grand Canal as we remain in port until midnight.

Day 10 ibenik, Croatia

Cruise the scenic St. Anthony Channel into the oldest Croatian city on the Dalmatian Coast, ibenik. Resting at the mouth of the Krka River, this UNESCO World Heritage Site has a remarkably preserved Old Town. Roam its narrow streets past medieval houses and churches, all surrounded by four historic fortresses. The citys St. James Cathedral is the most important Renaissance structure in Croatia. Perhaps you will join an excursion to view the impressive waterfalls of the Krka River.

Day 11 Bari, Italy

Explore sunny, palm-lined Bari, where streets are lined with romantic, honey-toned balconied houses, welcoming courtyards and Romanesque and baroque churches. Visit the Norman-Swabian castle, the splendid Romanesque Basilica of St. Nicholas and the Petruzzelli Theater, one of Italys most important opera houses, and stroll the picturesque waterfront. Or perhaps visit Alberobello and its fascinatingtrullihouses, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of whitewashed buildings with conical roofs.

Day 12 Crotone, Italy

Uncover the deep past of Crotone, founded as a Greek colony in 710 BC. Boasting a vast array of archaeological relics, the city was once heralded as the home of some of the Hellenic Empires most celebrated figures, including many victors of the Olympic Games and Pythagoras, whose mathematical theories altered Western thought. During your visit, marvel at the impressive cathedral, a neoclassical wonder, browse the Pythagoras Museum and Gardens, and explore the waterfront and Crotone castle.

Day 13 Sicily, Italy

Today you will call on the Sicilian city of Messina, celebrated as one of Europes ten greatest cities when it fell under Spains purview in the 17th century. Admire the surrounding mountains, picturesque orange and olive groves, and rolling vineyards. You will see the best of the city during a tour, including the expansive Piazza Municipio and the hillside Votive Temple of Christ the King. Or, choose to climb Mt. Etnas towering volcano, and marvel at the ancient temples and arenas of Taormina.

Day 14 Naples, Italy

In Naples, your choice of excursions abounds. Take in magnificent examples of Greek and Roman architecture and the Piazza del Plebiscito, the grandest public square in the city, facing the former Royal Palace of the King of Naples. Optionally, also explore Herculaneum, Italys other Pompeii, drive along the stunning Amalfi Coast, or take a trip to the summit of Vesuvius. In your spare time, sample a hot espresso, a slice of pizza (the worlds first pizzeria opened here in 1830) or a locally madelimoncello.

Day 15 Rome, Italy

From the ancient Forumpolitical hub of the Roman Empireto the 18th-century Spanish Steps, Rome is a city with monuments around every turn. One could spend an entire day just visiting Vatican Cityhome to the Pope, and a country all its ownwith the massive St. Peters Square and Basilica and the Sistine Chapel, where the ceiling is adorned with Michelangelos breath-taking frescos.

Day 16 Florence/Pisa, Italy

Immerse yourself in the beauty of Tuscany with an included, well-curated tour of Pisa. Alternatively, enjoy a full-day tour that combines Pisa and Florence. Begin with a scenic drive through the countryside to Florence, where you will stroll by the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore. Then on to the medieval Ponte Vecchio, and the attractive Basilica di Santa Croce, resting place of Michelangelo. In Pisa, you will have time to explore the Square of Miracles, including the famous Leaning Tower, the Cathedral and Baptistery.

Day 17 Florence/Pisa, Italy

Immerse yourself in the beauty of Tuscany with an included, well-curated tour of Pisa. Alternatively, enjoy a full-day tour that combines Pisa and Florence. Begin with a scenic drive through the countryside to Florence, where you will stroll by the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore. Then on to the medieval Ponte Vecchio and the attractive Basilica di Santa Croce, resting place of Michelangelo. In Pisa, you will have time to explore the Square of Miracles, including the famous Leaning Tower, the Cathedral and Baptistery.

Day 18 Monte Carlo, Monaco

Enjoy a full day in Monaco, the playground for the rich and famous, as well as the gateway to the beautiful South of France. Visit medieval Monaco, stopping at the Princes Palace and St. Nicholas Cathedral, the burial site of the royal family, including American actress Grace Kelly. You will have time to step inside the Casino de Monte-Carlo, the most prestigious and celebrated gambling mecca on Earth. As an option, venture out of town to the legendary perfumeries in Grasse, or stroll along the English promenade in glamorous Nice.

Day 19 Marseille, France

Visit Marseille, Frances oldest city, rich in timeless treasures. Discover its atmospheric Old Port, overseen by two 17th-century fortresses. The picturesque quay was built on the order of Louis XII and Louis XIII and is one of the worlds most romantic walks. As you explore, take in the beauty of its natural harbor, dotted with elegant yachts. Marvel at the church of Notre Dame de la Garde and Palais Longchamp, or venture to Aix-en-Provence with its tree-shaded squares and wide boulevards.

Day 20 Montpellier (Ste), France

Explore Montpellier today, a center of learning for centuries. Its namesake university, founded in 1160, is one of the worlds oldest, predating the Renaissance. The social and cultural center of Montpellier is the Place de la Comdie, anchored by the elegant Three Graces fountain and the stunning, neoclassical Opra Comdie. Other sites pay tribute to a rich heritage, from the art-filled Muse Fabre and impressive St. Clement Aqueduct to the St. Pierre Cathedral with its floating porch supported by a pair of towers.

Day 21 Barcelona, Spain

Discover the best of Barcelona as you visit the Columbus Monument, Port Vell and the Arc de Triomf, among the many monumental sights you will see. Other scenic highlights include the Olympic Port, built for the 1992 Olympic Games, and the Passeig de Grcia, a gracious boulevard renowned for its architecture, including stunning works by Gaud.

Day 22 Barcelona, Spain

Awake in Barcelona, where you will be finishing your journey. From here, you can easily spend a few extra days to further explore this city and its world-class culinary delights, or discover other areas of Spain.

 

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