Embark on a 10-day cruise through the rich heritage and landscapes of Southern Italy and Greece, starting in Palermo, the capital of Sicily. Explore street markets and the unique Arab-Norman cathedral. Continue to Lipari, the largest Aeolian Island. Discover the town's vibrant port with cafes and the 16th-century Spanish citadel. Experience Stromboli, a small island with one of the world's most active volcanoes. In Giardini Naxos, savor beautiful beaches and explore the city's history. Next, visit Taormina for incredible views of Mount Etna and the surrounding waters. Cruise along the Calabrian coast, admiring rugged cliffs and sandy beaches. End your journey in Preveza, a charming city with a yacht-filled marina. Explore ancient Nikopolis, visit Arta's Bridge and Panayia Parigoritissa Church, and savor traditional Greek cuisine at local tavernas. Finally, arrive in Athens, Greece.
Highlights
Explore the street markets and Arab-Norman cathedral in Palermo, Sicily
Discover the port and 16th-century Spanish citadel in Lipari, Aeolian Island
Savor beautiful beaches and explore the history of Giardini Naxos
Visit Taormina for incredible views of Mount Etna and the surrounding waters
Explore Nikopolis, visit Arta's Bridge and Panayia Parigoritissa Church
Activity options vary depending on destination and operator. Activity level is determined by the range and intensity of activities you choose to participate in. Discuss with your Trip Planner which options are best for you.
A feast for the senses, Sicily’s capital is an intoxicating and chaotic melting pot. Bustling street markets, ancient buildings, opulent palaces, and millennia of history await those ready to embrace Palermo for all that it offers. Palermo’s history is complex, to say the least. Middle Eastern, Northern African, and European influences are all melded together here. The Greeks, Romans, Carthaginians, Arabs, Goths, and Vandals have come and gone through the ages, leaving countless treasures in their wake.
The largest of the Aeolian Islands, Lipari is typically Mediterranean in its landscape. The island’s lava quarries, low-lying shrubbery, and precipitous cliffs feel familiar yet unchartered. Lipari Town is a busy little port with pretty pastel-colored buildings lining the harbor and plenty of cafes and restaurants where visitors can watch the world go by. Above the harbor is the fortified citadel and castle, built by the Spaniards in the 16th century.
Excursions:
LIPARI ISLAND TOUR AND WINERY Optional
Work up an appetite with a sightseeing tour of the island’s most panoramic viewpoints
Visit the underground barrique cellar, built in the traditional style of the region
Learn about the windcatcher’s thermal labyrinth and chimney used to create a natural air-conditioning system
LIPARI ISLAND TOUR Included
Take a moment to appreciate the unique mining practice of the volcanic materials pumice and obsidian
Enjoy stunning views of the sparkling sea, red and grey volcanoes, and lush green vegetation
Stop by the Church of San Bartolomeo for pictures of its beautiful facade
Stromboli is a small island in the Aeolian archipelago in the Tyrrhenian Sea. It is one of the world's most active volcanoes and has erupted almost continuously since 1932. The island also has beautiful beaches and crystal-clear waters.
Giardini Naxos is a seaside town on the eastern coast of Sicily known for its beautiful beaches and crystal-clear waters. The city also has a rich history and culture, with many ancient ruins and historic sites to explore. Some popular attractions include the ancient Greek city of Naxos, the Church of San Pancrazio, and the Museum of Archaeology.
Excursions:
TAORMINA HIGHLIGHTS Included
Take in the incredible views of Mount Etna and the surrounding waters
Pay homage to the ancient art of performance at the Roman Theatre Corso Umberto
Visit one of the many local handicraft shops that populate the small lanes, the Viuzze
THE GODFATHER TOUR - AFTERNOON DEPARTURE Optional
Visit the Cappuccini Church, whose crypt houses the so-called catacombs with 37 mummified bodies of friars and noble people who lived there in the 18th and 19th centuries
Stop in at several remarkable churches of the 15th and 16th centuries like Chiesa Madre, Santa Lucia and San Michele
Head to the village of Forza d’Agrò, overlooking the Arab-Norman castle of Capo Sant’Alessio and the coastline
Cruise along the Calabrian coast and enjoy the scenery of rugged cliffs and sandy beaches. As we pull into the port town of Crotone, notice the 16th-century fortress, Castle of Charles V. Inside its museum is a golden tiara, found nearby in the Capo Colonna Archaeological Park named for its column that stands proud on a promontory. Crotone itself is a delightful mix of old and new, from the ancient city walls to the cathedral notable for its icon of the Black Madonna alongside Calabrese restaurants serving traditional pasta and sausage dishes.
Excursions:
SANTA SEVERINA & FARMHOUSE Included
Clinging to a tuff buttress overlooking the Neto River Valley, this charming town will instantly captivate you with its fairytale-like appearance
See the magnificent stucco decorations and Baroque paintings by Francesco Giordano at the Carafa Castle
Your excursion will also include a visit to the cathedral, the beautiful Byzantine baptistery, and the Diocesan Museum
CIRÒ WINE: THE DRINK OF THE GREEK GODS Optional
Visit the small village of Ciro, known for its wine production
At the wine estate discover the secret of this wine and taste delicious local food
HIGHLIGHTS OF MAGNA GRECIA Optional
Drive along the coast to Le Castella, to visit the fortress, built by the Aragons around an existing Anjou fortification
Discover Capo Colonna Archaeological Park, made up of roughly 7½ acres of excavation terrain
Otranto is a town in the province of Lecce in the Puglia region of Italy. It is located on the Adriatic Sea and is famous for its rich history and culture, with many ancient ruins and historic sites to explore. Some popular attractions include the Otranto Cathedral, the Aragonese Castle, and the Church of San Pietro.
Excursions:
OTRANTO CITY TOUR Included
Visit the inside of the mysterious Skull Cathedral and pay your respects to the Martyrs of Otranto
Be fascinated by the rich history of the Aragonese Castle
Enjoy a typical Italian Ice cream
OTRANTO COASTAL DRIVE & WINE TASTING Optional
Enjoy one of the most spectacular panoramic routes of Apulia
Visit the wine cellar and the underground oil mill
enjoy a wine tasting and typical Apulian products before returning to the ship
LECCE - FLORENCE OF SOUTHERN ITALY Optional
Admire the Roman Amphitheater dating back to the second century A.D. and could hold up to 20,000 spectators
Discover a remarkable architectural style known as the “Barocco Leccese”
Visit Piazza Duomo, where the Cathedral as well as the Archbishop’s Palace are located
The Albanian Riviera stretches along a beautiful section of the Ionian coastline, packed with stunning beaches and ancient history. Once overlooked as a result of Albania’s political isolation from the rest of Europe, the area is now being rediscovered. Sarandë is its unofficial capital, whose original settlers were said to be the descendants of the ancient Greek hero Achilles. Today crowds flock to Sarandë in the summer months to enjoy the beaches and bustling nightlife.
Excursions:
THE ANCIENT CITY OF BUTRINT Included
Visit the archaeological site of Butrini. Inhabited since prehistoric times
Enjoy the special atmosphere created by a combination of archaeology, monuments, and nature in the Mediterranean
Be surprised by the authenticity of the World Heritage property Butrint related to its excellent preservation on a site
JEEP SAFARI ADVENTURE Optional
Admire the blue waters of the Borsh Waterfalls
Discover the village of Piluri and the breathtaking views
Visit the ruins of Ali Pasha castle
UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE, MEDIEVAL CITY, REACH ARCHITECTURE Optional
Visit the fortress of Gjirokastra, one of the biggest in the Balkans
Discover the Medieval City, today UNESCO world heritage
Located at the mouth of Amvrakikos Gulf in Western Greece, Preveza is a charming city with bundles of character. The yacht-filled marina and carless seafront offer the perfect setting for a pleasant stroll. Sit and watch the world go by at the many restaurants and tavernas, or indulge in some retail therapy in the many interesting shops. Further afield you’ll find the ancient city of Nikopolis, founded by the Roman Emperor Octavian. During the Roman and early Byzantine periods, the city flourished as the capital of Old Epirus.
Excursions:
TRADITIONAL ARTA Optional
Visit Arta's Bridge to learn the history of its construction and myth
Admire the church of the Panayia Parigoritissa, dating back to the 13th c. is dedicated to the Annunciation
NIKOPOLIS ARCH. SITE & MUSEUM Included
Visit Nikopolis, the amazing largest ancient city in Greece, built in the 1st c. AD
Learn why the impressive theatre isn’t like the other ancient Greek ones
Take some time to listen to the stories of the different basilicas
An important historical place, the harbour town sits below Mount Parnassus, home to the mythical Muses, and is near the ancient Greek sanctuary of Delphi, where Pythia, the Oracle, prophesied the words of Apollo to those who sought divine advice for the future. Parnassus was also home to the winged horse Pegasus of Bellerophon. More recently, Itea was the site of the Battle of Agali during the Greek War of Independence where Greece defeated the Ottoman–Egyptian fleet on 29/30 September 1827.
Excursions:
MYTHICAL DELPHI Included
Visit the sanctuary of Delphi, which had the most famous oracle of ancient Greece
Discover the Archaeological Museum, one of the most important in Greece with its rich collections
OSSIOS LOUKAS MONASTERY Optional
Discover the beautiful Monastery of Ossios Loukas adorned with the mosaics and frescoes of the Great Church
Breathtaking mountain scenery passing by the village of Arachova
GALAXIDI WALKING TOUR Optional
Walking tour of the town of the Golf of Corinth
Visit the Naval Museum of Galaxidi which exhibits models of the ship
Admire a mountainous landscape and discover the impressive church of Agios Nikolaos
The Corinth Canal connects the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf in the Aegean Sea. It cuts through the narrow Isthmus of Corinth and separates the Peloponnese from the Greek mainland. The canal is 6.4 kilometers long and only 21.3 meters wide at its base, making it impassable for most modern ships.
Day 10: Piraeus | Disembark
1 Breakfast
Greece’s buzzing cosmopolitan capital is served by Piraeus port and is an exciting mix of ancient and modern. Walk the Grand Promenade that winds beneath the city’s most famous landmark, the Acropolis. This walkway, built during the 2004 Olympic Games, links the city’s main archaeological sites. No visit to Athens is complete without seeing the Acropolis itself of course. Start with the Acropolis Museum for some informative context and then walk the marble path up Filopappou Hill for majestic views of the ‘high city’ with the iconic Parthenon.
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Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$7,7142-3 travelers
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Oceanview D4
Oceanview staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom and living room and a luxurious ensuite bathroom.
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Oceanview M4
Oceanview staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom and living room and a luxurious ensuite bathroom.
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Balcony D5
Located on decks 5, these balcony staterooms feature 2 single beds or a double bed, distinct bedroom and living room areas, a luxurious bathroom and your own private 6 sq. m balcony.
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Balcony M5
Located on decks 5, these balcony staterooms feature 2 single beds or a double bed, distinct bedroom and living room areas, a luxurious bathroom and your own private 6 sq. m balcony.
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Balcony D6
Located on decks 6, these balcony staterooms feature 2 single beds or a double bed, distinct bedroom and living room areas, a luxurious bathroom and your own private 6 sq. m balcony.
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Junior Suite
SH Diana’s Junior Suites features a Super King Size bed, separate living room area with homely flame-effect fireplace, private kitchen, luxurious en-suite bathroom and a 7 sq. m private balcony.
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Suite
Our Suites features a superking bed and separate living room with and a soothing flame-effect fireplace a luxurious ensuite bathroom and a 12 sq.m. private balcony.
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Premium Suite
SH Diana’s Premium Suites feature a Super King Size bed, separate living room with homely flame-effect fireplace, luxurious en-suite bathroom, spacious walk-in wardrobe and a 12 sq. m private balcony.
Initial deposit is 20% (30% for Suite bookings), and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 130 days prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
For full cancellation policy details, please contact us for a quote.
Included
9 Breakfasts, 8 Lunches, 8 Dinners
9 Nights Accommodations
Accommodations as listed
Ground transportation as listed
Activities as listed
Meals as listed
Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
Room Service
Wifi
Coffee, tea, soft drinks and selected alcoholic beverages available 24-hours per day
Lecture programs by our experienced expedition team and guest speakers
Onboard gratuities & port taxes
Branded Swan Hellenic expedition parka and use of rubber boots in Polar Regions.
Group return transfers from the airport to the cruise port (via our included accommodation where applicable)
One night pre-cruise accommodation with breakfast in a 4/5-star hotel or onboard
Excluded
Travel Insurance
Personal Expenses
Flight costs (please request a quote)
Additional excursions during free time
Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
Passport and Applicable Visa Expenses
We recommend every traveler to take out a travel cancellation insurance, travel interruption insurance and a travel health insurance policy with an assumption of the return transport costs of repatriation
Map
When to Go
Jan
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Dec
Good to ideal period to travel, and many people choose to visit at this time.
This was our first trip to South America and we were a little nervous. But Adventure Life made things so easy! All our questions were answered before we left, and our guide, Vidal, was amazing! He gave us enough space to explore without rushing us along. He also knew where the best picture taking opportunities were, which was great.
Lindsay Gompf
TrustScore 4.8 | 176 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 176 reviews on
9 hours ago
Adventure Life is always an excellent choice when planning complicated, extreme, or exotic vacations or expeditions. They provide friendly professional services and advice and are enthusiastic and encouraging in helping us to prepare and thoroughly enjoy our trip. They handle all the details which greatly reduces the stress of planning a difficult trip. I'm very impressed with Adventure Life and definitely recommend them to friends and family.
Scott Trochim
2 days ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
4 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
5 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
