Cruise from Italy to Greece along the Adriatic Coast

Venice, the capital of northern Italy’s Veneto region, is built on more than 100 small islands in a lagoon in the Adriatic Sea. It has no roads, just canals – including the Grand Canal thoroughfare – lined with Renaissance and Gothic palaces. The central square, Piazza San Marco, contains St. Mark’s Basilica, which is tiled with Byzantine mosaics, the Doge's Palace and the Campanile bell tower offering views of the city’s red roofs.

The medieval charm of Rab Town on Rab Island is evident in its winding alleys, Romanesque bell towers and churches, and 15th-century Renaissance palaces that line the palm-fringed port. This UNESCO-listed old town blends sacred and secular monuments. The island is also known for sandy beaches on the Lopar Peninsula, which along with diverse landscapes, from pine forests to windswept barren coasts, earned Rab geopark status in 2008.

Sitting on an islet within imposing city walls, Trogir Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, features medieval charm. Narrow cobblestone alleys weave among 13th to 17th-century buildings. The Duke's Palace, a 13th-century Gothic masterpiece, overlooks the main square near the Romanesque-Gothic Cathedral of St. Lawrence, adorned with intricate carvings. Beyond the walls, the lively Riva promenade boasts sea views and overlooks Ciovo Island.

Dubrovnik is renowned for its immaculate medieval city walls that encircle the Old Town, offering views of red-tiled rooftops and the sea. Stradun, the main street, runs through the UNESCO World Heritage site. With a harmonious blend of architectural styles, from baroque to Renaissance, highlights include the Franciscan Monastery featuring a Romanesque cloister and the Rector's Palace, a splendid example of 15th-century Gothic-Renaissance design.

Kotor sits at the end of Boka Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site ringed by towering limestone cliffs. Its old town walls hide medieval cobblestone alleys, Romanesque churches like St. Tryphon’s Cathedral, and Kotor’s cats, said to be descendants of ancient seafaring felines. At 260m, the towering St John's Fortress overlooks town, and is accessed via a hike up 1,350 steps. Mount Lovcen looms over, accessible via serpentine road or cable car.

Gliding through the Bay of Kotor's narrow entrance is breathtaking. Ships cruise past Yugoslav submarine tunnels then the Verige, the bay's narrowest point. The island Church of Our Lady of the Rocks appears, its dome rising from the shimmering water, one of the Adriatic's most photographed sights. Perast, a postcard-perfect baroque village, comes into view with bell towers and red-roofed houses hugging the bay's edge.

The Albanian Riviera stretches along a beautiful section of the Ionian coastline. Sarandë is its unofficial capital, whose original settlers were said to be descendants of ancient Greek hero Achilles. Today crowds flock to Sarandë to enjoy the beaches and bustling nightlife. Outside the city, a plethora of UNESCO-listed ancient ruins include the Ancient City of Butrint, considered one of the most important archaeological sites in Albania.

An important historical place, the harbour town of Itea sits below Mount Parnassus, home to the mythical Muses and the winged horse Pegagus. It's near the ancient Greek sanctuary of Delphi where Pythia, the Oracle, prophesied the words of Apollo Pegasus. In 1827, Itea witnessed the Battle of Agali during the Greek War of Independence. The mountain region hosts one of the oldest and largest olive groves.

The Corinth Canal links the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf in the Aegean Sea. Cutting through the narrow Isthmus of Corinth, it divides the Peloponnese from the Greek mainland. At 6.4 km long and 21.3 m wide at its base, it's impassable for most large ships. Commissioned by Greek tyrant Periander in the 7th century BC, it stayed incomplete until the late 19th century, when modern engineering techniques finally completed it.

Greece's cosmopolitan capital, Athens, connected by Piraeus port, is an exciting blend of ancient and modern. The Grand Promenade seamlessly links the city's main archaeological sites, and a visit isn't complete without exploring the Acropolis—a hill housing ancient ruins, including the iconic Parthenon. For deeper insights, the Acropolis Museum awaits, and a marble path ascends Filopappou Hill, offering majestic views of the 'high city.'