Venice is a timeless floating city of canals, bridges and masks, where a lagoon of 100+ islands invites you to travel through history. Drift by gondola or vaporetto past the Grand Canal and the Rialto Bridge, then slip into quiet side streets away from the crowds. In Piazza San Marco, see St Mark's Basilica, the Campanile and the Doge's Palace, linked by the Bridge of Sighs. Take island trips to Murano for glass, Torcello for cathedrals, and Burano for lace and bright painted houses.

Koper, Slovenia's oldest town, blends Venetian old-town charm with a sunny Istrian port vibe. Once an island, it was linked to the mainland in 1825 and is now the country's main port. At its heart is Tito Square, the Cathedral of Assumption with its 1664 bell tower, and cobbled Čevljarska Ulica with shops, bars, and restaurants. Nearby Ljubljana offers parks, boulevards, and the Ljubljana River, while Bled Castle rises from a tiny island on an alpine lake.

Rijeka, with the Rječina river at its heart, is known as "the city that flows" and a great base for exploring Istria, the Adriatic islands, Croatia's mountain gorges, and Slovenia's Postojna Caves. Stroll Korzo, the lively pedestrian center, then climb to Trsat Castle and the old town for views over Kvarner Bay. Visit St. Vitus' Cathedral, beaches, and museums, and enjoy local seafood like cuttlefish risotto, tuna tartare, and grilled squid.

Dubrovnik, Croatia's walled "Pearl of the Adriatic," is a striking medieval fortress city rising from the sea. Its thick stone walls, old town, baroque churches, fountains and Stradun street have made it a filming location for Star Wars, Robin Hood and Game of Thrones. Once a maritime republic and still scarred by the 1991 siege, it now offers wall walks, Lovrijenac and Srđ views, beaches like Banje, great seafood, and trips to Lokrum.

Bari, Puglia's historic port and Adriatic gateway, offers a glimpse of everyday life in Italy's unpretentious south. Stroll Bari Vecchia's crooked lanes, past pasta-making doorways and old men playing cards, then see the Cattedrale di San Sabino and the seafront Lungomare. Eat focaccia, orecchiette, olive oil and ricotta. Use Bari as a base for Lecce, Alberobello's trulli, Salento's beaches, Matera's caves, and Polignano a Mare's dramatic beach.

Corfu, the "Grand Lady of the Ionian," blends Venetian, French and British influences with over 3,000 years of history. Explore UNESCO-listed Old Town, sparkling beaches, wildflower hills and hilltop fortresses. Sip coffee like a local in Spianada Square, then visit Paleokastritsa Monastery for frescoes, bells, goats and sea views. Swim in turquoise coves, including legendary Canal d'Amour, and finish with ginger tea or kumquat liqueur.

Olympia, the spiritual home of the Olympic Games, has a lasting legacy. From Katakolon, a small port on the Peloponnese, you can relax at Kourouta Beach or head inland to this legendary site in the Alfeios valley. Explore the museum and Olympia Stadium, where ancient games honored Zeus. See the Temple of Hera, where the modern Olympic flame is lit, and the ruins of the Temple of Zeus, once home to Phidias' 13-meter Statue of Zeus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

The Peloponnese's Laconian plain stretches from Sparta to the port of Gytheion, a scenic harbor town of neo-classical houses on Mount Kourmaros. Known for its ancient theater, museum, beaches, and dining, it was once Sparta's naval base and trade port. Nearby sites include Kranae/Marathonissi, Mistra, and ancient Sparta.

Enter Souda Bay to reach Crete, Greece's largest island, a land of beaches, legends, landscapes, and luxury. Its vast natural harbor opens to museums, archaeological sites, and Venetian fishing towns. Souda also has major military history, with a NATO base and the Souda Bay War Cemetery. Enjoy white-sand beaches, olive oil, and Vilana wines. Visit Rethymnon's old town and fortress, Akrotiri's Arkadi Monastery, and Chania's beautiful Venetian harbor and old town.

Athens is a majestic, ancient city where elegance meets grit: highways wrap around ruins, museums and galleries stand beside street art, and its legacy spans philosophy, drama and democracy. See the Acropolis and Parthenon, the Acropolis Museum, Mount Lycabettus views, and the Old Olympic Stadium. Beyond the center, beaches and temples line the coast. Slow down for Greek coffee and souvlaki.

Mykonos is a dazzling Greek island known for lively nightlife, superb food and wine, turquoise seas, whitewashed buildings, and iconic windmills. Explore Mykonos Town's narrow streets, artisan studios, bars, beaches, coves, and Little Venice sunsets. Rich in culture, legend, and enduring glamour, it remains a sought-after escape.

Volos, between the Pagasetic Gulf and Mount Pelion, is a Greek seaside town linked to Jason, the Argonauts, and the "Land of the Centaurs." Much of its 19th-century architecture was lost in the 1955 earthquake, but some neoclassical buildings remain. The archaeology museum is excellent, with finds from Ancient Greece and the Neolithic sites of Dimini and Sesklo. The flat city is easy to explore on foot or by bike. For views, cycle up Mount Pelion; for food, visit Palia for tsipouradika and meze.

Thessaloniki, at the crossroads of East and West, has passed through Macedonian, Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman, Jewish, and modern Greek hands. A 1917 fire destroyed much of the old city, but its colorful past remains. Rebuilt partly by Ernest Hébrard, it now has a broad, easy layout, with UNESCO-listed early Christian and Byzantine monuments, lively Ladadika, and walkable neighborhoods full of churches, squares, mansions, cafes, and views toward the White Tower and bay.

Istanbul is a vast, high-energy city straddling Europe and Asia, shaped by Byzantine and Ottoman history. Its skyline mixes minarets, palaces and bazaars, with Aya Sofya as the essential landmark: built as a 6th-century Greek Orthodox church, later an Ottoman mosque, and now a museum. See the Blue Mosque's İznik tiles, climb Galata Tower for panoramic views, and get lost in the Grand Bazaar. Finish with Turkish coffee, Turkish delight or baklava.

Istanbul is a vast, high-energy city straddling Europe and Asia, shaped by Byzantine and Ottoman history. Its skyline mixes minarets, palaces and bazaars, with Aya Sofya as the essential landmark: built as a 6th-century Greek Orthodox church, later an Ottoman mosque, and now a museum. See the Blue Mosque's İznik tiles, climb Galata Tower for panoramic views, and get lost in the Grand Bazaar. Finish with Turkish coffee, Turkish delight or baklava.

Rhodes blends sun-soaked beaches, rich history, and vibrant culture at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa. Part of the Dodecanese in the Aegean, it offers dazzling coastline, pine-covered hills, and the UNESCO-listed Old Town, where medieval walls, Ottoman minarets, and cobbled streets echo its layered past. Visit Lindos' ancient Acropolis, the Palace of the Grand Masters, and enjoy Greek cuisine, lively courtyards, and turquoise coves perfect for both relaxation and water sports.

Discover the most extraordinary island in the Aegean, Santorini! Set sail on our Cruise ship to discover the dazzling white towns of this distiguishly gorgeous city.

Athens is a majestic, ancient city where elegance meets grit: highways wrap around ruins, museums and galleries stand beside street art, and its legacy spans philosophy, drama and democracy. See the Acropolis and Parthenon, the Acropolis Museum, Mount Lycabettus views, and the Old Olympic Stadium. Beyond the center, beaches and temples line the coast. Slow down for Greek coffee and souvlaki.