Mediterranean from Athens

The cradle of Greek culture, Athens welcomes us to its port of Piraeus, watching us from above the wonderful Acropolis.
Piraeus is the port of Athens, the largest in Europe, allowing you to visit the city, a place of dreams. A place of emigration, it has inspired numerous songs. Most ships will be making a stop in Athens before resuming the Mediterranean route or returning to the Atlantic. Take the time to visit the Acropolis and maybe the museum located at its base. Before flying out, enjoy the spectacle of a sunset at Capo Sunio. Try not to visit the city when it’s too hot in summer, much of the population moves out of town.

Not to be missed:

• The mythical Parthenon

• The Ancient Agora

• The Olympic Stadium

Many say this is the most beautiful city in the world. What is certain is that it’s a unique city, the gateway to the East with a portion of its heart still in the West.
The city of Istanbul is located on the border between Europe and Asia. It’s the largest city in Turkey and is included on the UNESCO World Heritage list. The port of Istanbul is located on the Bosphorus, in Karaköy. From there you can easily reach the city centre on foot or by tram. During the stop you can take a walk to visit the main historical monuments and browse through the bazaars you will encounter along the way. Let yourself be carried away by this incredible experience and fascinating culture that unites Europe and Asia.

Think of a trip to Greece and you will imagine Mykonos. The port of Mykonos, or perhaps it would be more correct to say of Chora, is located on the west coast of the island.
The Cyclades islands in the Aegean are wonderful and the beaches are no less marvellous, with the pleasant distinction of being among the most festive in the archipelago. After docking at the port of Mykonos, enjoy the numerous natural coves, beaches and cliffs of this beautiful island. You can enjoy the clean, azure sea of Paradise Beach, while in the evening let yourself be carried away by the rhythm of this cosmopolitan and youthful island. The harbour district, the Kastro, is known as the ‘little Venice’. In its alleys, the shops and restaurants alternate with white houses with blue doors and windows. On a trip to Mykonos, take advantage of the stop to go on shore excursions, stroll through the maze of streets and alleys where you can discover the beauty of the architecture and the design of the city. The small white houses with shutters as blue as the sky, the pigeon houses and the numerous small churches of Mykonos will simply enchant you.

Crete is part of the history of the Mediterranean. The myth about Theseus, the Minotaur in the labyrinth of Knossos and Ariadne’s famous thread is among the best known in the world.
The stop at Heraklion starts with a visit to the port of Crete. Situated in the centre of the island, this former British watchtower has a long history. You cannot land on the island that gave birth to the legend of the Minotaur without visiting the ancient Palace of Knossos. Its ancient Minoan ruins and its maze of corridors and rooms evoke the famous Greek myth of the labyrinth. Equally impressive is the island fortress of Spinalonga, which is well worth a visit. Heraklion embodies the charm of an era both ancient and medieval.

The history of Rhodes is built on mythology and the island is full of beautiful scenery with a fascinating cultural heritage. The largest island in the Dodecannese, it had only one rival at the height of its power – Athens.

One of the Cyclades islands, Santorini is a spectacular jewel of the Aegean. Born out of a volcanic eruption in approximately 1500BC, which formed the two islands of Aspronissi and Terrasia, Santorini is a magnificent mixture of dramatic cliffside villages, glorious black sand beaches and ancient treasures. Steep cliffs plunging into a crystalline sea distinguish the west coast, while the east coast is gentler, featuring a fertile plain and delicate bays, with the Profitis Ilias mountains in the background.

The cradle of Greek culture, Athens welcomes us to its port of Piraeus, watching us from above the wonderful Acropolis.
Piraeus is the port of Athens, the largest in Europe, allowing you to visit the city, a place of dreams. A place of emigration, it has inspired numerous songs. Most ships will be making a stop in Athens before resuming the Mediterranean route or returning to the Atlantic. Take the time to visit the Acropolis and maybe the museum located at its base. Before flying out, enjoy the spectacle of a sunset at Capo Sunio. Try not to visit the city when it’s too hot in summer, much of the population moves out of town.

Not to be missed:

• The mythical Parthenon

• The Ancient Agora

• The Olympic Stadium

Το λιμάνι της Βαλέττα είναι η καρδιά της Μάλτας. Από εδώ ξεκίνησαν οι ιππότες του Τάγματος για τις Σταυροφορίες και αφιερώθηκαν στη φροντίδα των τραυματιών. Στη Μεσόγειο, το λιμάνι της Βαλέτα έχει σημαντική ιστορία και στρατηγική θέση. Η είσοδός του, που βρίσκεται μεταξύ του Αγίου Φρουρίου και των οχυρών SantAngelo και Ricasoli, σας μεταφέρει αμέσως στο ιπποτικό παρελθόν του νησιού. Κατά τη διάρκεια της στάσης σας στη Βαλέττα θα μπορέσετε να περπατήσετε στους δρόμους με τις πολύχρωμες και διακοσμημένες προσόψεις των σπιτιών. Μην παραλείψετε να επισκεφθείτε τους υπέροχους κήπους Barrakka από τη μεγαλιθική εποχή και τον καθεδρικό ναό του Αγίου Ιωάννη του Βαπτιστή. Στη συνέχεια επισκεφθείτε το Γκόζο για να θαυμάσετε το τοπίο των φυσικών γλυπτών που έχει σμιλέψει η θάλασσα.

Strategically placed between Europe and Africa, the island of Sicily has for centuries been a focus of military and commercial activity. And the city of Palermo is still today a fascinating centre of culture and enterprise.

According to historical research, the prehistoric inhabitants of Palermo, once named Panormus because of its deep bay and anchorage, lived in caves and shelters around the 660-metre high Mount Pellegrino, which dominates the city’s skyline. The city has been ruled by all the great ancient powers of the region including Greek, Punic, Roman, Carthaginian, Byzantine, Saracen, Norman, Spanish and Bourbon.