7 nights. Greece, Montenegro, Croatia

Day 1

athens (piraeus), greece

Departure: 23:00

Piraeus is a port city in the Attica region of Greece. It lies within the Athens urban area, about 8 kilometres southwest of the city centre (the municipality of Athens), along the east coast of the Saronic Gulf. According to the 2011 census, Piraeus had a population of 163,688 within its administrative boundaries, making it the fifth-largest municipality in Greece and the second-largest within the wider Athens urban area, after the municipality of Athens. The municipality of Piraeus and four neighbouring suburban municipalities make up the regional unit of Piraeus, sometimes referred to as Greater Piraeus, with a total population of 448,997. This regional unit forms part of the Athens urban area. Piraeus has a long recorded history, dating back to ancient Greece. The city was founded in the early 5th century BC, when the area was chosen to become the new port of classical Athens and was developed as a model harbour, concentrating all of Athens’ import and transit trade. During the Golden Age of Athens, the Long Walls were built to fortify both Athens and its port at Piraeus. As a result, Piraeus became the principal harbour of ancient Greece, but it gradually declined after the 3rd century BC, before expanding again in the 19th century, following the declaration of Athens as the capital of Greece. Today, Piraeus is a large, busy city and an integral part of Athens, home to the country’s biggest harbour and displaying all the hallmarks of a major maritime and commercial–industrial centre. The port of Piraeus is the main port in Greece, the largest passenger port in Europe, and the second-largest in the world, handling around 20 million passengers each year. With a throughput of about 1.4 million TEUs, Piraeus ranks among the top ten European ports for container traffic and is the leading container port in the Eastern Mediterranean. The municipality hosted events during both the 1896 and 2004 Summer Olympic Games held in Athens. The University of Piraeus is one of the largest universities in Greece and includes the country’s second-oldest business school, as well as the oldest academic department specialising in finance.

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Day 2

santorini, greece

Arrival: 08:00 - Departure: 18:30

Formed by the massive volcanic eruption which gave rise to the Atlantis legend, Santorini is the most striking island in the Aegean. The island is actually the outer rim of a sunken volcano, its entire eastern coast is a succession of small towns perched on high hills. Fira is the island’s dramatically situated capital. Perched on the cliffs, overlooking the sea, the town of Fira shares with the Parthenon the fame of the best known images of Greece. The narrow streets are filled with souvenir shops, lovely boutiques and a lot of jewellery shops. It has two beautiful churches, the Greek Orthodox and the Catholic Cathedral of St John the Baptist. It also has a small local museum. Nightlife in Fira is also quite lively with good restaurants and bars, plus a few nightclubs. The city is a spectacle in itself, with a climax at sunset. Another great place to enjoy the sunset is the town of Ia, a small village clinging to the rocky point of land at the northern tip of the island, 300m above the sea. The beaches in Santorini are much different than other beaches in Greece due to their special geographical features. Red and black volcanic pebbles lay the shores of Santorini beaches and steep cliffs provide a picturesque ambience. The most famous of Santorini beaches is the Red beach, while particularly popular are Perissa, Kamari and Perivolos. Santorini is a truly wonderful destination. The siting of some of its major towns along the clifftop rim of the caldera is one of the most spectacularly lovely sights in the world. The buildings seem to defy gravity in the way they cling to the cliffs and are stacked one on top of the other like so many sugar cubes. The sandy, multicoloured beaches are simply the icing on the cake.

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Day 3

heraklion (iraklion), crete

Arrival: 07:00 - Departure: 15:30

Heraklion is the capital of Crete and usually the starting point for holiday visitors wishing to explore the island. With about 130,000 inhabitants, it is the fifth largest town in Greece. The city is marked by different influences of Venetians, Saracens, and Greeks. History is very much alive in Heraklion, just like in most Greek cities. All around the old part of the city, a visitor can walk following the old Venetian walls that meet at a bastion called Koules Fortress, which dominates the old harbour of the city. The Venetians began the construction of the city walls in 1462, and they took more than a century to complete. The walls are about 4 km in length and of a triangular shape with seven bastions and are now one of the icons of the city. The central square, surrounded by stores, cafes, and restaurants, is dominated by the fountain of the Lions, built by a Venetian governor in the 17th century. The Archaeological Museum at Heraklion is impressive, and it is the pride and joy of the city. The displays are satisfyingly thorough and well laid out; all aspects of life in Crete from prehistory through to the Roman period are covered in a series of spacious galleries. The Palace at Knossos is the second most popular tourist site in all of Greece, second only to the Acropolis. The site is in incredible shape, and there is much to see. It is also in a beautiful setting with great views over the countryside. Heraklion offers a vast array of historic and archaeological holiday attractions, including its world-famous museum and the nearby site of Knossos, the heart of the ancient Minoan civilisation. The shoreline in the city, Amoudara, is a three-kilometre strip of sandy beach, with lots of cafes, bars, and hotels, and the site of Technopolis, a modern multiplex cinema and open-air theatre. The most beautiful beaches outside the city are found in Kartero and Malia.

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Day 4

zakynthos, greece

Arrival: 08:00 - Departure: 16:00

Zakynthos, also known as Zante, is the third largest island in the Ionian Sea, off the west coast of Greece. While Ios and Kos are associated with partying, and Rhodes and Crete with families, Zakynthos is something in between. The majority of all beaches, towns, etc., are along the south and east coasts, as the west and north coasts are extremely mountainous often with cliffs dropping many hundreds of feet straight into the sea. Zakynthos is not so much an island for children. Most resorts there are relatively low-key and tourist booths offers excursions to neighbouring islands or the Greek mainland. It is an island where mountainside villages and hidden coves await discovery by the discerning traveller. It is well worth hiring a car. Enjoy of: Round the Island Circuit. Due to the small size of the island, with a rental car it's perfectly possible to drive a complete lap of the island stopping at some interesting places on the way. Drive north along the coast road and visit Tsilivi. Continue past Alykes and Alykanes. The scenery gets more impressive as you climb towards the mountains. From there you traverse the north coast passing Navagio (aka shipwreck) and the viewing platform and Volimes in the mountains where local arts and crafts can be bought. To the west coast travelling south the bay of Limnionas is extremely pretty and quiet Further south from there you have Kampi with stunning clifftop views and eventually Keri lighthouse with more stunning views, especially at sunset. Scuba Diving. Although, like the rest of Greece, the area is devoid of fish due to massive overfishing, the south of the island has a few decent sites such as "The Arch" and Keri Caves. Numerous dive operators work out of Laganas, Keri, and elsewhere. Turtle Spotting. The endangered loggerhead turtle uses the beaches for its nesting and a marine reserve has been established in the south around the Laganas Bay to protect these (although it appears to be completely ignored outside tourist season) Many outfits in Laganas, Kalamaki and even Vassilikos offer short or full day trips including swim stops to look for these turtles.

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Day 5

kotor, montenegro

Arrival: 12:00 - Departure: 20:00

Kotor is a coastal town in Montenegro. It's situated in a secluded part of the Gulf of Kotor. It's located on the Bay of Kotor (Boka Kotorska), one of the most indented parts of the Adriatic Sea. Along with the nearly overhanging limestone cliffs of Orjen and Lovćen, Kotor and its surrounding area form an impressive and picturesque Mediterranean landscape. Kotor is part of the World Heritage Site known as the Natural and Culturo-Historical Region of Kotor. MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS • Old Town. The Old Town is the most famous part of Kotor, where the history, culture, and tradition of Kotor are preserved. They are complemented by a multitude of narrow streets, squares, and markets. The main and largest square is Trg od oruzja (Square of arms). The old town of Kotor today is considered to be the best preserved medieval urban entity in the Mediterranean. • Maritime Museum. The memories of those long gone sailing days and years, the successes of the famous Kotor seaman, artists, ship builders, crafts man, states man, and diplomats, intermediaries between west and east, are kept in the Maritime museum, which is housed in the baroque palace Grgurin. • The Island Gospa od Skrpjela. The Island Gospa od Skrpjela is one of two beautiful islands in Kotor Bay, which are situated in the bay across from Perast. That island is also known as "the island of the dead captains". The Island Gospa od Skrpjela is an artificial island, made by seaman from Perast and Kotor, who on their big sail boats brought in large boulders.

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Day 6

zadar, croatia

Arrival: 13:00 - Departure: 21:00

Zadar is a city in Croatia on the Adriatic Sea. It’s the fifth-largest city in the country and serves as the centre of modern Croatia’s Zadar County and the wider northern Dalmatian region. Zadar sits across from the islands of Ugljan and Pašman, separated from them by the narrow Zadar Strait. Despite all the destruction it suffered after the Second World War, Zadar has preserved a wealth of heritage of global importance, visible at every turn. The Roman Forum, dating back to the 1st century, is a popular spot where locals stroll, sit among the ruins and enjoy a fine summer’s day. The Church of St Donatus, from the 9th century, is one of the best-preserved pre-Romanesque buildings in the world and is considered the symbol of the city. The rebuilt Romanesque Church of St Grisigono, from the 12th century, is a remarkable example of how different historical structures can be combined. It was built on the remains of an older church, and later reconstructed after being bombed in the Second World War, incorporating elements of a destroyed Benedictine convent behind it. The Romanesque Cathedral of St Anastasia, from the 13th century, is particularly impressive. Visitors can climb its tower for a stunning view over the city of Zadar and the nearby islands. The Sea Organ is a favourite with both locals and visitors. This man-made organ, set into Zadar’s Riva (waterfront), uses the movement of the waves and 35 pipes to create an ever-changing musical soundscape. It was designed by Croatian architect Nikola Bašić, who also created the nearby Greeting to the Sun installation. The city has a strong reputation for its artists and galleries. There are about a dozen major galleries, along with many smaller shops tucked away in the side streets. Zadar also boasts a main street for everyday, higher-end shopping used by locals and by some tourists keen on a bit of retail therapy. It’s called Špire Brusine and runs through the heart of the old town. Zadar’s sunsets are legendary as well, making it an ideal place for romantics of all ages to relax and unwind.

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Day 7

rijeka, croatia

Arrival: 08:00 - Departure: 18:00

Rijeka, on the Kvarner Bay, an inlet of the Adriatic Sea, is Croatia’s largest port. The city still shows traces of its past, and is a charming place to visit, with fine architecture in the old quarters as well as some very interesting sights. Korzo, the old part of the city, is dominated by the City Tower. The tower was originally a gate from the sea into the old town. It bears a coat of arms with double‑headed eagles holding an urn of flowing water, the symbol of Austria. The tower features several Baroque elements added at different times. St Vitus’ Church is the main attraction of the old town in Rijeka. It is a unique Baroque rotunda of monumental size, inspired by the Venetian church Santa Maria della Salute. The most impressive feature of the church is the large crucifix on the altar. Korzo is the very heart of the town, with numerous cafés where you can enjoy a drink on shaded terraces. The views from Trsat Castle, perched on the highest hill, are magnificent, showing off both the size of the city and its fine buildings. The Trsat steps lead to the famous pilgrimage site of the Franciscan monastery. Walking west you reach Trsat Castle itself, a site with a long history that was once the original settlement of Celtic tribes. Below the castle lies the old Church of St George (Sv. Juraj), which has served as Trsat’s parish church for centuries. Rijeka has been renowned for its carnival festivities since the Middle Ages. The celebrations take place mainly along Korzo, and every year on the final Sunday of carnival season you can see a colourful parade of masks winding through the city centre.

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Day 8

marghera - italy

Arrival: 08:00

Mestre, just across the lagoon from Venice, is a handy and often overlooked base for exploring the area. Well connected by train, tram and bus, it offers quick access to Venice’s historic centre—usually in 10–15 minutes—while giving you a quieter, more residential feel. Places to stay and eat are generally better value than on the islands, making Mestre a smart choice for budget‑conscious travellers or anyone looking for a less touristy experience. The heart of Mestre is Piazza Ferretto, a lively pedestrian square lined with cafés, ice‑cream shops and boutiques. It’s where locals meet for an evening aperitivo, head out with the family for a stroll, or enjoy open‑air events in summer. Nearby, the Toniolo Theatre and modern shopping streets give the town a contemporary edge, while smaller side streets hide little bakeries, traditional trattorias and local markets where you can try regional specialities like cicchetti and freshly baked focaccia. Beyond the centre, Mestre has plenty of green areas and cycle routes. The vast San Giuliano Park, looking out over the Venice lagoon, is ideal for a run, a picnic, or taking in panoramic views of Venice’s skyline across the water. Cyclists will enjoy the network of cycle paths linking Mestre with nearby towns and the park, making it easy to explore at a relaxed pace and dodge the crowds without straying far from the city. Mestre is also a useful base for discovering more of the Veneto region. Trains and buses take you quickly to Padua, Treviso and Verona, as well as to the beaches along the Adriatic coast. With its strategic location, practical transport links and genuine local atmosphere, Mestre is more than just a gateway to Venice—it’s a destination worth getting to know in its own right.

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What you should know:

Itinerary

The order of the ports may vary depending on the date of departure.
Check your itinerary for exact departure and arrival times. The hours correspond to the local time of the port.
Itineraries can change at any time without prior notice.

Boarding and landing

For safety reasons, all passengers must board 2 hours before departure on day 1 of the cruise.
Disembarkation usually begins 2 hours after docking on the last day of the cruise.

7 nights. Greece, Montenegro, Croatia

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