Sicily with Montenegro, Croatia & Greece

Arrive in Palermo this evening where you will be met and transferred to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast tour Palermo, famous for its jumbled, picturesque streets. Drive to Monreale, situated in the hills above Palermo, and tour the fabled Cathedral, built in 1174. After enjoying a typical Sicilian lunch, drive through scenic countryside to magical Segesta, a center of the ancient Elymian civilization and home to a magnificent Doric temple.

Alternatively, travel to Erice, a charming medieval village perched high on a mountain-top with stunning views of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Founded as Eryx by the Carthaginians, the town boasts a fertility temple and a mythical association with Hercules and Aeneas, along with its Norman castle and dramatic winding streets. Both tours end in the thriving fishing town of Trapani where you embark the Odyssey in the late afternoon.

After breakfast disembark in Mazara and drive to the sprawling 7th-century B.C. site of Selinunte. Local guides lead you through these Greek ruins to the Sanctuary of Demetra Malophoros and the Acropolis. Return to the ship for lunch as you sail for Marsala. Situated on the westernmost tip of Sicily, Marsala was founded by the Carthaginians in 396 B.C.and was occupied by the Saracens who named it Marsa el Allah—Port of God. Visit the Regional Museum that houses the famous Carthaginian shipwreck found in the multi-hued Stagnone Lagoon. Your final stop is at Cantine Florio, one of Sicily’s ancient vineyards, where you will enjoy local specialties accompanied by Marsala wines.

Today disembark in the charming fishing village of Licata, where you will board coaches for a scenic drive to the Butero Winery and Villa for a lunch of delicious Sicilian fare accompanied by wines of the region.

In the afternoon tour the stunning World Heritage Site of Agrigento. Here walk through the Valley of the Temples, where the exquisite architecture dates back to the 4th and 5th centuries B.C.and showcases the Temples of Juno, Concordia, and Hercules, as well as the Temple of Zeus—the largest Doric temple from Greek antiquity. Visit the Museum of Santa Nicola, which displays an impressive collection of Greek vases, coins, and other artifacts. Return to the Odyssey in time for dinner.

Founded by the Corinthians in the 8th century B.C., Syracuse was one of the most powerful Greek cities—defending its sovereignty against such rivals as Carthage, the Etruscans, and the Romans, who later overtook the city, followed by the Arabs. Begin at the Saint John Catacombs with their maze of underground passageways then drive to the Archaeological Park, a World Heritage Site. Highlights include the Roman Amphitheater of Augustus; the Ear of Dionysius, a grotto with an extraordinary echo; and the massive 15,000-seat Greek Theater.

Return to the ship, at port in Ortygia, for lunch, before striking out on a walking tour of the old town. Highlights include the ruins of the 6th-century B.C.Apollo Temple—the oldest in Sicily and the Piazza Duomo, built around the ancient Temple of Minerva (Athena).

Enjoy a relaxing day at sea as your lecturers recap the highlights of your Sicilian adventures and prepare you for time in the Adriatic.

Your first stop in the Adriatic is Kotor where you will witness the same beautiful scenery that captivated kings for centuries. At this World Heritage Site explore luxurious palaces, towers, and Romanesque and Gothic churches. Enjoy free time to explore before re-boarding the Odyssey for lunch.

The magnificent Dalmatian Coast unfolds in scenic splendor as you cruise toward Croatia this afternoon. Historically, Dalmatia lay at the crossroads of empires—invaded by waves of conquerors from Illyrians to Austrians. Dubrovnik has been a strategic seaport since the 13th century. Its Old Town—a medieval masterpiece surrounded by fortified walls—is a World Heritage Site. Arrive in Dubrovnik this evening and enjoy independent time to dine, stroll the labyrinthine streets, and participate in the lively evening scene.

Today explore Dubrovnik further with a choice of two morning excursions. Your first option includes the main square; the lovely 14th-century Dominican Monastery; the Franciscan Monastery and its Romanesque cloister; and the Cathedral, completed in 1713. The second option includes visits to the two monasteries and Cathedral, the Maritime Museum, and a walk along the city’s southern walls with beautiful views of the fortress and old Dubrovnik’s terra cotta rooftops.

After lunch choose a drive through the surrounding countryside, highlighted by spectacular vistas of the city and the harbor dotted with yachts and sailboats from around the Mediterranean. Or spend the afternoon on your own, a perfect chance to get better acquainted with the city’s lovely medieval center. Wander the warren of streets that spill into fountain-splashed plazas lined with colorful cafés, lending a relaxed ambiance to the city that George Bernard Shaw called the “jewel of the Adriatic.”

Today begin your exploration of Albania, a land of splendid terrain and historical monuments. An inland drive brings you to Tirana, Albania’s capital city, to visit the museum and the city’s bustling quarters — a mix of Ottoman buildings, Christian cathedrals, and marketplaces. After lunch visit Kruja Fortress, a fortified citadel with nine observation towers built during the 5th and 6th centuries.

This morning visit the World Heritage Site of Butrint—a veritable chronological repository of its various inhabitants: Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, and Venetians. Among its archaeological highlights are the baptistery with its colorful floor mosaics, superb amphitheater, and medieval fortress. From the ruins we take in the splendid views of the surrounding mile-high mountains.

This morning embark on a full-day tour of Delphi, a World Heritage Site known in ancient times as the navel of the world. Pass by Castalia Spring, visit the archeological site with the Temple of Apollo, famous for its oracle, and tour the Museum of Delphi, with its spectacular finds, including the bronze Charioteer, the Naxian Sphinx, and the Statue of Antinoos. After Delphi visit the picturesque mountain village of Arachova, built on the south slopes of Parnassus, well known for its attractive hand-woven carpets, rugs, and quilts, as well as for its excellent wine and cheese. Visit the Byzantine Monastery of Osios Louca before lunch at a local restaurant. Return to the ship with an afternoon at leisure to explore on your own or dine ashore.

This morning transit the Corinth Canal, a narrow passage connecting the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf in the Aegean Sea. Arrive in Athens after lunch and depart on a tour of the city’s highlights including the Acropolis, your final World Heritage Site. Enjoy a festive farewell dinner as the Odyssey overnights pier side.

Disembark the Odyssey after breakfast and transfer to the airport for independent homeward flights.