The Mediterranean Secrets of Greece & Italy

Arrive in Athens in time to embark this afternoon.

From Itea (Greece) we enter the immaculately preserved sacred site of the Delphi Valley. Clinging to the precipitous slopes of the mountain, the white ruins of Apollo’s famous sanctuary rise up out of the pines, olive trees and cypresses. In total harmony with nature, it was a symbol of the unity of the Greek world in the 6th Century BC. The stadium and theater offer a wonderful viewpoint across the Pleistos Valley.

Along the Adriatic coast, in the most easterly part of Southern Italy lies Otranto, a Greek and Roman city. Today it is a veritable artistic and architectural jewel, particularly known for its Byzantine Church of St Pietro. This peaceful city seems to slumber in the hollow of a natural bay which offers a magnificent view over the crystal waters of the Adriatic Sea. Take your lead from the calm of this little Italian town as it invites you to laze around and take a leisurely swim.

An impressive gash hewn from the rocks of the Montenegro coast, Kotor Bay stretches between two mountain ranges, capped with a dreamlike haze that, coupled with the calm, still waters and the gracious islets dotted here and there, gives the area a magical aspect. On the southernmost tip of Croatia, the walled-in city of Dubrovnik (Croatia), built on a rock battered by the waves, is the Pearl of the Adriatic with its Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque monuments. Its palaces, monuments and white stone churches are in perfect harmony. Long considered as a rival to Venice, traces of its illustrious past are to be found throughout the city which is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Charming Mljet. Join the exclusive club of those with privileged access to one of the best-kept secrets of the Adriatic islands. Legend tells that the winds blown by Poseidon pushed Ulysses towards Mljet, where he was held captive by the nymph Calypso for seven years. A veritable picture-postcard landscape, the island is above all a beach destination with its transparent waters, but its charm also comes from its vast pine forests and salt-water lakes.

The mediaval city of Trogir, a UNESCO World Heritage, is a veritable city-museum and stays a key stop. After the splendors of Roman antiquities, a visit to this little Dalmatian gem will thrust you into the heart of the 13th Century.

In days gone by Rovinj (Croatia) was a peaceful fishing port on the Istria peninsula. Today its picturesque narrow streets lead you down to a marina where fishing boats jostle comfortably alongside modern yachts. You will enjoy wandering round the old town with its sunny terraces.

Disembark this morning for your continued journey home.