21-night Mediterranean and Adriatic Sojourn Cruise

Step onboard 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.,

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, the classical birthplace of the modern-day Olympic Games on the slopes of Mt. Kronos. Walk among the ancient city's 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.,

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 World Heritage Site of the Old Town. See the fabled Esplanade, one of Europe's largest public squares, and the Liston Promenade, once exclusively reserved for the local aristocracy.,

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.,

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 Onofrio's 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.,

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.,

Welcome to Venice, where the magical city renowned for its art, architecture, and culture is the ultimate destination on your epic voyage. Watch the sunlight dapple on the water as we ease our way into the lagoon. Admire the glorious façade of the Doge's Palace and tour the ornate interior of St. Mark's Basilica. Or, take a boat to Murano to see glassmakers at work in their centuries-old tradition with a stop to visit the historic island of San Giorgio Maggiore. We remain in port overnight.,

Often referred to as "Little Venice," Chioggia is 25 miles south of Venice, on the southern side of the Lagoon of Venice. Chioggia is laced with canals and bussling main streets lined with shops, markets and rustic buildings. Visit the Piazetta Vigo and Bridge, Clock Tower, and Duomo or cathedral, complete with marble, gold and stained glass. A fishing town and port, Chioggia also features a sandy beach at Sottomarina, and many site-seeing locations, shopping opportunities, and restaurants to enjoy authentic, local cuisine.

Enjoy another full day in romantic Venice—a magical city renowned for its art, architecture, and culture. Once the city's primary form of transport, the gondola has been part of the Venetian landscape for centuries. In the 1500s, some 10,000 crafts plied the canals. The flat bottom was designed for the shallow depths of the Venice Lagoon, and its narrow width allowed the gondolier to achieve greater speed and maneuverability. Perhaps you will choose to take a romantic evening gondola ride along the Grand Canal or enjoy an evening at the opera. A second night in port affords you ample time to explore this remarkable city at your leisure.,

Often referred to as "Little Venice," Chioggia is 25 miles south of Venice, on the southern side of the Lagoon of Venice. Chioggia is laced with canals and bussling main streets lined with shops, markets and rustic buildings. Visit the Piazetta Vigo and Bridge, Clock Tower, and Duomo or cathedral, complete with marble, gold and stained glass. A fishing town and port, Chioggia also features a sandy beach at Sottomarina, and many site-seeing locations, shopping opportunities, and restaurants to enjoy authentic, local cuisine.

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. Or opt for one of the many optional tours. While your ship sets sail, enjoy a spectacular view of the lagoon as we head out to the Adriatic Sea.,

Often referred to as "Little Venice," Chioggia is 25 miles south of Venice, on the southern side of the Lagoon of Venice. Chioggia is laced with canals and bussling main streets lined with shops, markets and rustic buildings. Visit the Piazetta Vigo and Bridge, Clock Tower, and Duomo or cathedral, complete with marble, gold and stained glass. A fishing town and port, Chioggia also features a sandy beach at Sottomarina, and many site-seeing locations, shopping opportunities, and restaurants to enjoy authentic, local cuisine.

Cruise the scenic St. Anthony Channel into the oldest Croatian city on the Dalmatian Coast, Šibenik. 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 city's 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.,

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 Italy's most important opera houses, and stroll the picturesque waterfront. Or perhaps visit Alberobello and its fascinating trulli houses, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of whitewashed buildings with conical roofs.,

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 Empire's 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.,

Visitors will enjoy visitng the many medieval buildings and relaxing on the beautiful beaches. The Cathedral is a beatiful blend of neo-classical and Baroque styles. Another historic building worth visiting is the 16th century castle of Charles V, as it also houses the Town Museum. Visitors will find plentiful dining, shops, and cafe's along the beaches.

Today, you will call on the Sicilian city of Messina, celebrated as one of Europe's ten greatest cities when it fell under Spain's 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 the towering Mt. Etna and marvel at the ancient temples and arenas of Taormina.,

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, Italy's "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 world's first pizzeria opened here in 1830), or a locally made limoncello.,

From the ancient Forum—political hub of the Roman Empire—to the 18th-century Spanish Steps, Rome is a city with monuments around every turn. One could spend an entire day just visiting Vatican City—home to the Pope, and a country all its own—with the massive St. Peter's Square and Basilica and the Sistine Chapel, where the ceiling is adorned with Michelangelo's breathtaking frescos.,

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. Continue 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.,

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, Cathedral, and Baptistery.,

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 Prince's 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.,

Visit Marseille, France's 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 world's 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.,

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

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 Gràcia, a gracious boulevard renowned for its architecture, including stunning works by Gaudí.,

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.,