Adriatic Voyage: Croatia, Montenegro & Greece

Arrive in Venice, Italy’s ever-enchanting floating city. This afternoon, board your vessel and join your fellow guests for a welcome cocktail reception as you sail away.

Come ashore to visit the vibrant Dalmatian enclave of Split. Originally founded as a Greek colony, Split also bears traces of its Roman occupation — most notably, the former palace of Roman emperor Diocletian. After a tour of Split’s Old Town featuring the remarkably preserved palace ruins, you might also opt to explore Trogir, a charming town with a majestic 15th-century castle and a rich history stretching back to the third century BC. Alternately, foodies might combine the Split excursion with a market visit and tasting of local favorites along the way. Afterward, return to the ship for your festive Captain’s welcome dinner.

After a relaxing morning at sea, arrive in Dubrovnik, lauded as one of the jewels of the Mediterranean. Its medieval buildings and imposing defensive walls rank it among Europe’s most iconic cities, and Game of Thrones fans will enjoy the added thrill of recognizing the real-life locations of many King’s Landing landmarks. With so much to see and experience, there are a variety of options for spending your day here. You might begin with a guided walk through the town’s medieval monuments, such as the Domican Monastery and Cathedral, the Sponza Palace, the Rector’s Palace and Onofriou’s Fountain. Likewise, you might opt for a full-day excursion combining a Dubrovnik tour with a journey into the countryside, complete with a winery visit and lunch at a local farm. Foodies might prefer an exploration of the region’s delicacies, including mussels, oysters and olive oil, on a culinary excursion to the village of Orasac and the city of Ston. Meanwhile, active enthusiasts might choose a kayaking tour of Dubrovnik’s city walls, including a visit to Lokrum Island to swim and explore, or a bike excursion through the Konavle Valley with a stop at a local vineyard.

Spend the morning at leisure or tour of the fortified city's impressive architecture. Return to the ship for lunch as you sail toward Kotor. The afternoon is spent enjoying lectures and the ship's amenities.

Cruise to Kotor, a historic port town secluded on a picturesque Dalmatian bay. Flanked by fjords and mountainous ridges, Kotor enjoys a rich medieval maritime and trade legacy survived by its remarkably preserved houses, palaces and churches. Here, you might explore historic Roman buildings and a local cathedral dating to 1166. Additionally, you might opt for a boat excursion to the Baroque jewel of Perast, a speedboat tour of Kotor Bay and the sapphire-like Blue Cave, or a cruise Our Lady of the Rocks Church — home to artworks by local master Tripo Kokolja, including his 33-foot masterwork, Death of the Virgin.

Even among the beautiful and scenic Greek isles, Corfu stands out for its lush greenery as well as its charmingly winding streets and whitewashed houses. Head ashore to explore prominent sites such as the Esplanade, the Town Hall and the Church of Saint Spyridon. Another option may be a visit to the Achilleion Palace, the former residence of Empress Sissi, wife of Kaiser Wilhelm II, followed by a short walking tour of the town. Culinary excursions might include a winery visit or samplings of delicacies at various shops and restaurants in town. Alternatively, active guests might choose an off-road mountain bike adventure to a secluded village, complete with a stop in a local taverna.

Like Corfu, Cephalonia is an island known for its green landscapes, scenic mountains and crystalline blue waters. Today, you might visit the monastery of St. Gerasimos and see the two-room cave where the medieval monk lived, continuing on to tour the picturesque villages of Sami and Assos, or to explore an underground lake at Melissani. Alternatively, active adventurers might set out on a sea kayak excursion along the rugged coastline, perhaps stopping for a swim at Emplisi Beach or embarking on a hike across the island, taking in a local village along the way.

Set in the arms of the Corinthian Gulf, Itea lies surrounded by olive groves and the scenic mountains of Giona and Parnassus. It’s also the gateway to mystical Delphi, revered by ancient Greeks as the center of the world. Today, you might choose to explore Delphi’s Temple of Apollo and Treasury of Athens. Alternatively, you might take a scenic drive to the monastery at Ossios Loukas, past the scenic valleys of Delphi and on to the historic boatbuilding enclave of Galaxidi. Or, you might opt to learn about Itea’s ancient beekeeping heritage at a local apiary. Back aboard your luxury vessel, transit the Corinth Canal, a narrow waterway that has joined the Ionian and Aegean seas for over a century. Tonight, gather for a farewell gala dinner and cocktails under the stars.

Bid farewell to your Expedition Team and crew as you disembark in Athens this morning. Continue on your post-tour extension to Thessaloniki or transfer to the airport for your return flight home.