Itinerary
Day 1 : Athens/GREECE
Piraeus is the seaport for Athens, the capital of western civilization, which boasts a fantastic mix of classical ruins and vivacious modern life. In a single day, you can climb the hill of the Acropolis to wonder at the Parthenon, join the lively Athenians in Constitution Square, and then find a welcoming taverna for some spirited bizouki music, plenty of ouzo to drink, and with luck, energetic Greek dancing.
Day 2 : At Sea
Day 3 : Cefalonia/GREECE
Cefalonia/Kephallonia
Day 4 : Dubrovnik/CROATIA
Jewel of the Dalmatian coast, girded in ninth-century walls that rise sheerly from the water's edge, Dubrovnik is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe. Within the ancient fortifications is a labyrinth of narrow alleyways and a striking Renaissance boulevard called the "Stradun."
Day 5 : Split/CROATIA
Day 6 : Trieste/ITALY
Day 7 : At Sea
Day 8 : Sarande/ALBANIA
Sarande, Albania is a beautiful port city and resort town on the southernmost point of Albania, on the coast opposite Corfu. The landscape includes green mountains and hills. Near to Sarande is the ancient Greek city of Butrinti. Here you will find the remains of five subsequent civilizations, including a 2,500-year-old amphitheatre and Roman palace where the floor is covered by beautiful mosaics.
Day 9 : Katakolon/GREECE
Katakolon is your gateway to Olympia, where the ancient Greeks flocked every four years for more than a millennium to celebrate the sacred games dedicated to Zeus. Visit the ruins of the Sanctuary, with its athletic quadrangles, stadium-temples and treasuries; then browse in the modern Archaeological Museum, a treasure house of Archaic, Classical and Roman sculptures, including the famous Niki "Winged Victory."
Day 10 : At Sea
Day 11 : Athens/GREECE
Piraeus is the seaport for Athens, the capital of western civilization, which boasts a fantastic mix of classical ruins and vivacious modern life. In a single day, you can climb the hill of the Acropolis to wonder at the Parthenon, join the lively Athenians in Constitution Square, and then find a welcoming taverna for some spirited bizouki music, plenty of ouzo to drink, and with luck, energetic Greek dancing.
Day 12 : Katakolon/GREECE
Katakolon is your gateway to Olympia, where the ancient Greeks flocked every four years for more than a millennium to celebrate the sacred games dedicated to Zeus. Visit the ruins of the Sanctuary, with its athletic quadrangles, stadium-temples and treasuries; then browse in the modern Archaeological Museum, a treasure house of Archaic, Classical and Roman sculptures, including the famous Niki "Winged Victory."
Day 13 : Sarande/ALBANIA
Sarande, Albania is a beautiful port city and resort town on the southernmost point of Albania, on the coast opposite Corfu. The landscape includes green mountains and hills. Near to Sarande is the ancient Greek city of Butrinti. Here you will find the remains of five subsequent civilizations, including a 2,500-year-old amphitheatre and Roman palace where the floor is covered by beautiful mosaics.
Day 14 : At Sea
Day 15 : Valletta/MALTA
The Knights of St. John made this their base in the Mediterranean Sea. The castles, cathedrals and fortresses they built still are their remaining legacy. But Phoenicians, Romans, Carthaginians and Arabs preceded them and left their marks as well. Take a drive to M''dina, the former capital, and wonder at Europe''s third-largest dome in Mostra.
Day 16 : Sicily/ITALY
With the smoking cone of Mt. Etna as a backdrop, the chic resort of Taormina, is absolutely stunning. The town's ancient Greek theater is a wonder. Built in the third century B.C., with apparently perfect acoustics, it is still used today for open-air concerts. Spend some leisurely time along the Corso Umberto, where there are many interesting places to shop and dine.
Day 16 : At Sea
Day 16 : At Sea
Day 17 : Naples/ITALY
One of the most spectacular bays in the world lies in the shadow of Mt. Vesuvius. Visit the San Carlo Opera House and the cathedral of San Janarious, or tour the ancient ruins in the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum.
Day 18 : Rome/ITALY
The port of Civitavecchia is the gateway to The Eternal City, where all roads lead. Mad traffic careens past monuments of the great civilizations of the past. You will want to see it all: the soaring inspiration of St. Peter's, the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel; the flow of life along the Spanish Steps, the Coliseum, the Via Veneto and Trevi Fountain. Be sure to leave time for la dolce vita in one of the piazzas.
Day 19 : At Sea
Day 19 : Ajaccio
On the French island of Corsica, Ajaccio is famous as the birthplace of Napoleon. Visit the Bonaparte family home and the 16th century church where he was baptized. Or, take a tour into the wild and rugged outback countryside they call the maquis.
Day 20 : Nice/FRANCE
This village of 7,000 inhabitants is hidden among wooded slopes, above the crystalline waters of the Cote d'Azure. The town itself is delightful, with medieval chapels and an impressive hilltop fortress built by the Duke of Savoy in 1560. And, just up the coast are the luxuries of Nice and the extravagance of Monte Carlo.
Day 21 : At Sea
Day 22 : Barcelona/SPAIN
Barcelona is the cultural heartland of Spain, yet its first language is Catalan, the native tongue of the proudly independent Catalonia region. Stroll down the shady, tree-lined Ramblas between street musicians and elegant bistros. Then perhaps visit the venerable Gothic cathedral, Picasso Museum or enjoy the architectural genius of Antonio Gaudi's Church of the Holy Family.