Fusina (Venice) to Athens (Piraeus)

Built across a lagoon of more than 100 islands, Venice is a timeless masterpiece of canals and history. Explore the famous waterways aboard a traditional gondola or take in the view from the Rialto Bridge, the Grand Canal’s oldest crossing, lined with small boutiques. For a quieter experience, wander the labyrinth of side streets away from the crowds. In St. Mark’s Square, the golden Byzantine mosaics of the Basilica and the towering Campanile showcase the city’s historic wealth. Visit the opulent Doge’s Palace, the former seat of power, and walk the legendary Bridge of Sighs. Nearby, a short water taxi ride leads to the artisan islands of Murano, known for glassblowing, and Burano, famous for its lace and colorful houses.

Zadar is a vibrant city that blends ancient history with modern creativity. Founded by the Romans and shaped by Venetian, Austrian, and French influences, the Old Town features marble streets and formidable city walls. Visit the Church of St. Donatus, built using stones from the Roman Forum, and admire the Zadar Cathedral, the largest in Dalmatia. History enthusiasts can find the "Pillar of Shame" in the city center, while beach lovers can walk to Kolovare Beach nearby. Zadar also serves as a gateway to the waterfalls of Plitvice Lakes and the islands of Kornati National Park. Along the waterfront, experience two unique art installations: the Sea Organ, which plays music powered by the waves, and the Monument to the Sun, a solar-powered light display that comes alive at sunset.

One of the most popular of the island escapes sprinkled across the turquoise Adriatic, Hvar is a glorious idyll of hidden coves, electric blue waters, and quietly contented port towns. In recent years, it’s gathered something of a reputation as a party island - mainly earned from Hvar Town’s nocturnal exuberances and the transient day-tripping yachts that drop by. Soak up the energy, exuberance, and fine dining, or sidestep the hedonism to explore a richly refined, rural, and historic island – utterly spoiled with sunshine, and hidden beaches, which dazzle with colorful intensity. Bike rides along long sweeping coastal paths, boat journeys from pretty harbors, walks through fields of purple lavender - it’s all waiting for you on heavenly Hvar. Relish the sunshine and explore deserted, idyllic inlets, before sharing strong espressos in quiet harbor towns, surrounded by welcoming, sun-wrinkled locals. There’s also rich Medieval history – the sleepy town of Stari Grad is said to be Croatia’s oldest, dating back to 384 BC. Elsewhere, Jelsa is a postcard-perfect place – settle in for a bite to eat, with nothing but the sound of harbor waters lapping and sandpaper scraping boat hulls for company. You can walk to look out over glorious views across to Brac, sometimes watching on as thunderstorms rage and flash, an eternity away over the mainland’s crumpled mountains. You’re also just a short ferry ride from the incredible Golden Horn - an evocative spike of brilliant sand that juts out evocatively into the cobalt-blue sea.

Croatia's crowning glory rears up vertically from the tranquil waters of the Adriatic, and Dubrovnik's daunting fortress town is a truly imposing sight to behold. Encircled by chunky stone walls so thick and dramatic they could have been purpose-built as a film set, this city's unmatched old town is the setting for countless films and shows - from Star Wars to Robin Hood, Game of Thrones, and every production in between seeking a truly authentic medieval flavor. This fantasy fortress's walls - which are no less than 12 meters thick at places - are certainly not just for show, however. They kept Dubrovnik safe when it was a maritime republic and they were besieged as recently as 1991, when Serbian and Montenegrin forces attacked, as Yugoslavia broke apart. Fully restored now, the stone streets of the city take you through a beautiful mosaic of architectural splendor, baroque churches, and splashing fountains. Tapering alleys rocket up from the central boulevard of Stradun, offering spectacular views down, but you'll need to walk the city walls to appreciate the fortress city's full scale. Banking up sharply to the rear, you can gaze across an ocean of terracotta roofs and church spires, clamoring together before the sparkling Adriatic. Visit the neighboring fort of Lovrijenac, for another perspective, or swing up to Srd fortress's glorious panorama on a cable car. Dubrovnik's streets are crammed with eateries and candlelit tables, where couples splash wine into glasses and enjoy gnocchi mixed with creamy truffle sauces. Nearby beaches like Banje are also close by, and hidden bays reward the intrepid who venture out beyond the old town. Take sunset drinks to sit back and watch as flotillas of sea kayaks roll by, or sail on the pristine waters to explore island gems like Lokrum - where peacocks are the only permanent residents.

Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind, and catch up with what you've been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale-watching, catching up on your reading, or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring shoreside.

Holding the torch as the spiritual home of the Olympic Games, Olympia has an enduring legacy, and its values echo around the world during humanity's greatest sporting contest. Come ashore at Katakolon - a small port village on the Peloponnese peninsula facing the Ionian Sea, and relax on beautiful Kourouta Beach. Or, head inland through this legendary destination to the historic home of the Olympic Games. Located in the valley of the River Alfeios, Olympia is a staggering archaeological site of immense ruins and an enduring legacy. Visit the museum and Olympia Stadium - where the ancient games were held in honor of the Greek god Zeus. As many as 45,000 spectators fit into the mud seats to witness the ultimate contest of athleticism. See the stand where judges would sit and the white blocks where runners would line up to compete. The tradition continues stronger than ever, and the Olympic flame of the modern games is ignited by the sun here, in the ruins of the Temple of Hera. It is then taken to spread the Olympic values across the globe. The Temple of Zeus, and the Statue of Zeus - one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World - also stood here in all of their glory. Hewn from limestone, the temple contained the 13-meter-tall statue of Zeus, which was sculpted by Phidias - one of Ancient Greece's finest artists. Although the statue has been destroyed, you can walk the temple's ruins and see the guesthouse where the majestic wonder was painstakingly crafted.

One of the most beautiful parts of this region of the Peloponnese is the plain of Laconia, which extends from Sparta to the port of Gythion. The many neo-classical houses of this harbor town are built on the slopes of Mount Kourmaros. Aside from its remaining ancient theater and cultural museum, visitors can enjoy local beaches and a variety of dining opportunities. The inhabitants of Gytheion claim Hercules and Apollo as its founders. According to mythology, Paris and Helen of Troy were reputed to have spent their first night together on nearby ancient Kranae, now called Marathonissi. Enlarging the natural harbor, it was used by the Spartans as their naval base and the main port of trade. Today, Gythion is visited mostly for its scenic beauty and access to numerous historical sites. These include the cliffside city of Mistra, one of the finest surviving examples of Byzantine architecture in Greece, and ancient Sparta.

A city of legend, civilization, and enduring culture, Athens is a majestic and magical urban sprawl. Extraordinary elegance and grace combine with grit and graft in Greece's capital, where highways encase ruins from antiquity, and gleaming museums and galleries stand beside concrete sprayed with edgy street art. These contrasts enhance and elevate the wonders of this 2,500-year-old city, however, which counts extraordinary contributions to philosophy, drama, and democracy, among its global legacy. Piraeus's giant port and naval base welcome you to the edge of Athens' urban area. From there it's a simple jaunt to the center. The majestic ancient citadel of the Acropolis dominates an elevated platform and is a constant presence as you explore the city. The wonderful remains of the columned temple of the Parthenon - which date back to the 5th century BC - stand here, representing the pinnacle of classical architecture. The nearby Acropolis Museum adds context to your visit and frames the broad views from its giant glass windows. Or rise up Mount Lycabettus, to be rewarded with perhaps Athens' best panorama of the Acropolis sitting high over the city on its grand stage. See the marble horseshoe of the Old Olympic Stadium, where the first modern Olympics were held in 1896, for more of the city's enduring legacy. Elsewhere, golden beaches and temples stretch out along the coastline, should you wish to explore a little further afield. Coffee is an art form to the Greeks, and it's an unwritten rule that coffee time must never be rushed. So prepare to settle down for a couple of hours and lose yourself in a good chat. Feeling hungry - try traditional souvlaki made with sauces handed from generation to generation.