Mediterranean Tapestry & Empires Cruise

Day 1 - Barcelona

Arrive: Wed 12 June 2024 / Depart: Wed 12 June 2024 at 16:00

On the northeast coast of Spain, overlooking the Mediterranean, Barcelona is a vibrant port city, packed with centuries of iconic art and architecture—Gaudí and Picasso both called it home—and lined with sunny white-sand beaches. Explore the Catalan capital's tourist attractions and historic neighborhoods, Modernisme and world-renowned art museums, galleries and local crafts shops—some of which are centuries old and stock traditional Catalan wares. After you see the sights, there are lively tapas bars around every corner where you can stop for a drink, a café amb llet (Catalan for espresso with steamed milk) or a snack, no matter the hour. Green spaces for picnics, long walks and respite from the hustle and bustle are scattered throughout Barcelona's attractions: There's Gaudí's mosaic-decorated park, a neoclassical maze at the Laberint d'Horta, as well as plenty of high places (mountains, monuments and edifices) where sightseeing visitors can take in the view. A short trip from Barcelona by car or train, luxury outlets, cava wineries, a mountaintop abbey and the sandy beaches of the Mediterranean coast await.

Day 2 - Marseille

Arrive: Thu 13 June 2024 at 10:00 / Depart: Thu 13 June 2024 at 20:00

Marseille, in the south of France, has more spice, grit and edge than the Provençal towns that surround it. A trade city since the time of ancient Greece, the port always seems to be on the brink of change, generating a certain energy that’s hard to find in the timeless and traditional countryside. In fact, sometimes it doesn't seem very French at all. Thanks to a multicultural population, the culinary scene (with seafood dishes and Michelin-starred restaurants galore) goes beyond the classic steak frites at bistros and brasseries. A 19th-century cathedral presides over the city and the working-class Le Panier district has winding streets flanked by fading facades, while Baroque edifices grace the commercial thoroughfare La Canebière, once compared to the Champs-Élysées. Marseille’s 2013 turn as the European Capital of Culture sprouted a crop of cultural venues, from striking museums to cutting-edge gallery spaces and thought-provoking concept shops that showcase local talent. The waterfront has been refurbished—and on sunny days, it’s the place for people- and boat-watching from restaurants famous for bouillabaisse or outdoor cafés serving glasses of rosé and pastis.

Day 3 - Portofino

Arrive: Fri 14 June 2024 at 10:00 / Depart: Fri 14 June 2024 at 21:00

Day 4 - Florence/Pisa

Arrive: Sat 15 June 2024 at 07:00 / Depart: Sat 15 June 2024 at 19:00

Access to the best of Tuscany: Florence, with its magnificent art and architecture and elegant shopping; Pisa's Leaning Tower; and ancient Lucca. Sample shore excursions: Tuscan Countryside & Wine Tasting; Florence & the Academia.

Day 5 - Rome

Arrive: Sun 16 June 2024 at 07:00 / Depart: Sun 16 June 2024 at 17:00

Your gateway to the Eternal City, Civitavecchia has served as Rome's seaport since the 13th century. The port has a long and venerable history. The emperor Trajan built a pleasure villa near the modern city, while Bernini and Michelangelo designed the harbor fortifications. Yet the Eternal City eternally beckons. The ancient capital of the Western World and the center of Christianity for nearly 2,000 years, Rome provides an inexhaustible feast. Visit the ruins of the Forum, view the splendors of the Sistine Chapel, or climb the Spanish Steps, once the heart of Rome's Bohemian Quarter. Rome has been a magnet luring the world's greatest artists, architects, and philosophers since the days of the Caesars.

Day 6 - Sicily

Arrive: Mon 17 June 2024 at 13:00 / Depart: Mon 17 June 2024 at 19:00

Messina's astrological clock is as much a man-made masterpiece as the road leading to Taormina, which canitlevers out of the rocky cliff face and stands on impossibly tall pylons. Leave it to the Italians to design a road that's both a thrill-ride and a feat of engineering! Once you're safely in Taormina, walk to the sublime Greco-Roman theatre that overlooks Naxos Bay and snow-capped Mt Etna, and spend some time on the Corso Umberto with a gelato firmly in hand.

Day 7 - Malta

Arrive: Tue 18 June 2024 at 08:00

Thick sandstone walls fortify Valletta, holding within its stone streets and glorious architecture. It fees like a travesty, walking over the detailed inlaid marble floors of the the cathedrals, but they are there to be seen and appreciated. The Silent City is Mdina, on the far side of the island, where no cars are permitted to disrupt the serene streets. Keep an eye out for the legendary, aged yellow buses of Malta which appear to be on their last legs, but are in fact a revered and flawlessly maintained piece of Maltese heritage.

Day 8 - Malta

Depart: Wed 19 June 2024 at 16:00

Thick sandstone walls fortify Valletta, holding within its stone streets and glorious architecture. It fees like a travesty, walking over the detailed inlaid marble floors of the the cathedrals, but they are there to be seen and appreciated. The Silent City is Mdina, on the far side of the island, where no cars are permitted to disrupt the serene streets. Keep an eye out for the legendary, aged yellow buses of Malta which appear to be on their last legs, but are in fact a revered and flawlessly maintained piece of Maltese heritage.

Day 9 - La Goulette

Arrive: Thu 20 June 2024 at 07:00 / Depart: Thu 20 June 2024 at 16:00

Stroll Tunis' spirited medina where close-packed souks offer silver, perfumes, spices, carpets and other treasures at fire sale prices. Sharpen your haggling skills here—it's anticipated! At the edge of the Sahara, the Phoenician city at Carthage now lies in windswept ruins, but once was the glorious rival of Rome.

Day 10 - At Sea

Day 11 - Nafplion

Arrive: Sat 22 June 2024 at 13:00 / Depart: Sat 22 June 2024 at 20:00

Tour Greece's most prized ruins: the Ascelpion in Epidaurus, sanctuary of the god of healing; the Grand Palace at Mycenae, once King Agamemnon's domain; Athens and its stupendous Acropolis. The four-mile-long Corinth Canal facilitates shipping between the Ionian sea and the Aegean, as it has for a hundred years.

Day 12 - Athens

Arrive: Sun 23 June 2024 at 07:00 / Depart: Sun 23 June 2024

No modern metropolis is more steeped in myth than Athens, Greece. From the gritty port of Piraeus—gateway to Greece’s fabled isles—to the Parthenon—eternal symbol of Western civilization—Athens has attracted adventurers and classicists for centuries. This heritage is still very much alive for modern visitors sightseeing in Athens: ancient stadiums and temples dwell alongside apartment blocks, modern performances are staged in the marble amphitheaters where Greek drama was born and millennia-old monuments are scattered in the archaeological park that circles the Acropolis. One of the world’s oldest maritime powers, Athens is blessed with a balmy climate and stunning coastline. The seaside suburbs of Athens are scalloped with sandy beaches, fancy yacht clubs and glamorous beach bars. While the Athenian lifestyle is known for late-night dinners and dancing until dawn, the city shines brightly by day in the bustling markets, lively cafés and fascinating museums that illuminate Greece's past and present. Contemplate the magnitude of all that culture and ancient tourist attractions while marveling at the sun setting into the Aegean or rising over the Acropolis.

Day 13 - Rhodes

Arrive: Mon 24 June 2024 at 10:00 / Depart: Mon 24 June 2024 at 18:00

Rhodes, set behind impregnable 14th-century walls, invites you to navigate through crooked streets to shop for sea sponges and visit the gorgeous Palace of the Grand Masters from where the Knights of St John set out on the Crusades. Tour to the village of Lindos and climb to the Acropolis. Look down and you'll see where St Paul landed, as well as the rocky peninsulas where many believe the Colossus of Rhodes once stood. This 110-foot-tall statue of Helios was destroyed by an earthquake, and its remains were melted down by the Arabs for scrap metal.

Day 14 - Kusadasi

Arrive: Tue 25 June 2024 at 07:00 / Depart: Tue 25 June 2024 at 19:00

Kusadasi in Turkey is the gateway to one of the most legendary cities of the ancient world: Ephesus. St. Paul preached in its Great Theater, while the facade of the Celsus Library survives as a testament to the city’s role as a center of learning and culture. Not far from Ephesus, the Temple of Artemis (also known as the Temple of Diana), one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world, once stood, drawing pilgrims from around the Mediterranean. While it no longer stands, it is possible to walk amongst its foundations and the remains of its towering columns. Other historic sites can also be found nearby: The House of Mary is believed to be the home of Jesus’s mother at the end of her life, and the Basilica of St. John, constructed in the 6th century, marks the location of his tomb. (Like Mary, he spent his final years in Ephesus.) Nearby, the Selcuk fortress reflects the period of Byzantine and Ottoman control of the region. From ancient wonders to holy sites, there are few ports in the Mediterranean as magical as Kusadasi, and a day here is a day spent in the company of some of antiquity's greatest figures.

Day 15 - Scenic cruising Dardanelles

Day 16 - Istanbul

Arrive: Thu 27 June 2024 at 07:00

Blurring the line between east and west, Istanbul stands at the crossroads of two continents. The city's architecture is rivalled only by its spectacular natural setting on the Bosphorus Strait. See the Blue Mosque, the Topkapi Palace and the Byzantine Church of St Sophia. Take time to wander through the Grand Bazaar or the Spice Market and sample baklava and shish kebabs.

Day 17 - Istanbul

Depart: Fri 28 June 2024 at 14:00

Blurring the line between east and west, Istanbul stands at the crossroads of two continents. The city's architecture is rivalled only by its spectacular natural setting on the Bosphorus Strait. See the Blue Mosque, the Topkapi Palace and the Byzantine Church of St Sophia. Take time to wander through the Grand Bazaar or the Spice Market and sample baklava and shish kebabs.

Day 18 - Mykonos

Arrive: Sat 29 June 2024 at 11:00 / Depart: Sat 29 June 2024 at 22:00

Informality rules on this sunny isle where pleasure-seekers from around the world come to play. Ramble along narrow streets past white-washed houses and blue-domed churches, bouganvillea-covered walls and thread-like, step-laden footpaths leading everywhere.

Day 19 - Chania, Crete

Arrive: Sun 30 June 2024 at 08:00 / Depart: Sun 30 June 2024 at 17:00

The port of Souda on the Aegean Sea is home to a Greek and NATO naval base and is located six kilometers (three miles) from Chania—the second-largest city on Crete, which itself is the largest of the Greek Islands. Once you’re in Chania, set your compass for the historic waterfront with its famous Venetian Harbor dating to the 14th century. Walk along the breakwater to the restored 500-year-old lighthouse for views that are particularly photogenic from late afternoon until sunset. The atmospheric tangle of streets that is Old Town is easily explored on foot, and you can stop at one of the many outdoor cafés for a bouyatsa (custard pastry) or a glass of Cretan red wine.Soúda can also be a jumping-off point for a visit to Rethymnon, located about 54 kilometers (33 miles) to the east. Shaped by centuries of invasion, namely by the Venetians and Turks, its Fortezza was built by the Venetians in the late 16th century and captured by the Ottomans in 1646. The Old Town has the same kind of architectural character as Chania, but on a smaller scale.

Day 20 - Katakolon

Arrive: Mon 01 July 2024 at 10:00 / Depart: Mon 01 July 2024 at 18:00

In the quiet of the original Olympic stadium, where the torch was first lit and the winners were crowned with a laurel wreath, let your imagination run. Step into the ruined archives of Greek mythology at the Temple of Zeus—one of the few remaining Wonders of the Ancient World.

Day 21 - Sarande

Arrive: Tue 02 July 2024 / Depart: Tue 02 July 2024

While travelers have been visiting the Albanian Riviera since antiquity, the region is, with reason, often described as up-and-coming. Long overlooked because of Albania's political isolation from the rest of Europe, this 80-kilometer (50-mile) stretch of the northern Ionian Sea has seaside towns and stunning blue waters that visitors are now rediscovering. Strange concrete pillboxes are still visible, but other vestiges of the Communist era are thankfully fading away. The southern anchor of this coast is Sarandë, whose ancient inhabitants were said to be the descendants of the ancient Greek hero Achilles. Today, the city has become a proverbial boomtown, with the population tripling in summer. Less than 10 miles from the popular Greek tourist island of Corfu, Sarandë now sees plenty of day-trippers coming over on the short ferry ride. With a smooth horseshoe curve to its waterfront, and with fine palm-lined promenades upon which young honeymooners stroll, one wonders: What took so long? Like a mini San Francisco, the city is built around a series of stairs that lead from the top of the hill, dominated by a castle, down to the seafront. Its easy access to the sea helps explain the city’s reputation for serving excellent, fresh seafood. Sarandë is also a convenient base from which to visit a plethora of ancient ruins and UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Day 22 - Dubrovnik

Arrive: Wed 03 July 2024 / Depart: Wed 03 July 2024

On the southern end of Croatia's Adriatic coast, Dubrovnik staked its claim to glory during the 450 years it existed as the independent Ragusan Republic, shoulder to shoulder with mighty forces like Venice and the Ottoman Empire. Once a renowned seafaring, shipbuilding and trading center, today it's an enchanting tourist destination. Dubrovnik seduces sightseeing visitors with its polished (and very clean!) limestone streets, theatrical architecture, charming café, welcoming restaurants and distinctive shops along scenic side streets. The natural backdrop, much of which is protected, consists of pine and cypress forests and the shimmering Adriatic, dotted with uninhabited islands. Visitors quickly discover that the wider Dubrovnik area is just as striking as its main attraction—the Old Town. A wander around the historic heart of Dubrovnik can hit the main sights, but take it a step further (or a staircase further, really), and you'll see that people do still live in the historic quarter, even though its polished streets make it look like a museum. You may catch the sound of a piano from the High School of Music and Arts, or hear the Dubrovnik Symphony Orchestra rehearsing in the Revelin Fortress, or encounter school kids on a break. Life unrolls as you stroll past.

Day 23 - Hvar

Arrive: Thu 04 July 2024 at 08:00 / Depart: Thu 04 July 2024 at 15:00

The sunniest spot in all Croatia, Hvar Town boasts elegant restaurants and hotels, posh boutiques, lively beachside cafés and Croatia’s ubiquitous red-tile roofs. Just beyond town are vineyards, fields of lavender and enchanting villages to explore

Day 24 - Venice (Trieste)

Arrive: Fri 05 July 2024 at 07:00 / Depart: Fri 05 July 2024

Trieste is the capital city of the Friuli Venezia Giulia region in northeast Italy. A port city, it occupies a thin strip of land between the Adriatic coast and Slovenia’s border on the limestone-dominated Karst Plateau. Italian, Austro-Hungarian and Slovenian influences are all evident in its layout, which encompasses a medieval old city and a neoclassical Austrian quarter.