The capitals of Greece and Italy rank high on the “must-see” list of most travelers. Enjoy a chance to visit both of these fabulous cultural centers—and so much in between on this exciting Mediterranean cruise. Begin with a tour of the historic Corinth Canal that separates the Peloponnesian peninsula from mainland Greece. Then, cruise on to Delphi, where the oracle once prophesied ... Ithaca, legendary home of Odysseus ... and the island of Kefalonia, where you'll call on the pretty seaside village of Fiskardo. Your ship’s rudder steers you next toward Italy. In Sicily, you’ll call on Giardini Naxos, jumping-off point for medieval Taormina, and then cruise to the breathtakingly scenic island of Lipari. You’ll also spend a day in Sorrento, on the beautiful Amalfi coast, before disembarking in Civitavecchia, where you can return home or linger on in Rome.
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Day 1: Embark the Tere Moana in Athens (Piraeus), Greece/Corinth Canal Transit
The birthplace of Western civilization and modern capital of Greece, Athens is dominated by the spectacular Acropolis, where the ruins of the magnificent Parthenon still stand. You will embark the Tere Moana in Piraeus, the port for this illustrious city, and enjoy time to settle into your stateroom before the ship sets sail this evening.
Be sure to be on deck later on, however, as the Tere Moana enters the fabled Corinth Canal. Built between 1881 and 1893, the canal cuts through the Isthmus of Corinth, effectively separating the Peloponnesian Peninsula from mainland Greece. Although not completed until the late 19th century, the canal was first attempted as early as the 7th century BC, by the Corinthian tyrant Periander, and the Roman emperors Julius Caesar (44 BC), Caligula (37 BC), and Nero (AD 67) also made the attempt. Less than four miles long and less than 70 feet wide, it is too narrow for a modern freighter to navigate. You, however, will have an up-close look during tonight’s transit of this marvel of engineering.
Day 2: Delphi (Itea), Greece
In ancient times, Delphi was considered the center of the world: the place where heaven and Earth met. Today, this town in central Greece is one of the most important archaeological sites in country: home of the Temple of Apollo, where the oracle prophesied, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Day 3: Ithaca/Fiscardo (Kefalonia), Greece
A lot of history is packed into Ithaca, a small Greek island on the Ionian sea that is the legendary home of Odysseus. The capital city, Vathay, features the world’s largest natural harbor, where you can enjoy excellent snorkeling, and hiking also lets you take in the beautiful natural surroundings.
Then, sail on to Kefalonia, the largest of the lovely Ionian islands. Here, you'll call on Fiscardo, a picturesque fishing village that becomes magical in the twilight, as you'll discover.
Day 4: At Sea
Today, you have a full day to take advantage of the luxurious amenities available aboard the Tere Moana. Attend a lecture, demonstration, or other activity arranged for you by your crew. Enjoy a massage at the spa. Pick up a souvenir at La Boutique. Take a dip in the pool. Or simply relax in a deck chair with a book from our onboard reading gallery.
Day 5: Taormina (Giardini Naxos), Italy
Your port call on Giardini Naxos, on Sicily’s east coast, offers you access to medieval Taormina, which has inspired such writers as Goethe and D.H. Lawrence with its splendid views of Mount Etna and the Ionian Sea. As a stop on the European Grand Tour of the 19th century, it became Sicily’s first resort and remains its greatest one to this day. Attractions include a charming medieval quarter and castle ruins, as well fine shopping and dining. And excellent beaches are just a cable-car ride down the hill away.
Day 6: Lipari, Italy
The largest of the Aeolian islands—a volcanic chain in the Tyrrhenian Sea, off the north coast of Sicily—this ruggedly beautiful island delights the eye with steep cliffs tumbling down to a blue sea. Along the shoreline, you’ll find numerous beaches available, or spend time exploring the main town, also called Lipari, where an archaeological park showcases the city’s ancient Greek roots.
Day 7: Sorrento, Italy
This magical town in the Campania region of southern Italy overlooks the Bay of Naples and offers easy access to Naples and Pompeii. Famous for the production of limoncello, a lemon liqueur, Sorrento features excellent dining, shopping, and nightlife, as well as beaches and hiking trails.
Day 8: Disembark in Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy
Your European idyll draws to a close in the port city of Civitavecchia, where you’ll enjoy breakfast before bidding your captain and crew a fond farewell.
Dates & Prices
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Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen
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.