Italy & Greece Cruise: Amalfi, Crete & Santorini

Rome has something special to offer to all visitors, no matter their interests and tastes. Whether you daydream about fighting with gladiators in the Coliseum, debating with togaed senators in the Forum, tossing a coin in a fabled fountain, or being awestruck by the magnificence of St Peter’s Basilica and Michelangelo’s masterpieces, Rome seems to live up to its sobriquet – the Eternal City. When you need sustenance, today’s Rome will provide delizioso pasta e vino. Or perhaps you draw strength from a little retail therapy – the Italians are also renowned for their sense of style.

Renowned for its sheer cliffs and striking beauty, the town of Amalfi on the Gulf of Salerno is known for its photographic splendor and its close proximity to Sorrento, Positano and Isle of Capri. This enviable area of Italy also produces the most beautiful handmade paper. For a most interesting afternoon, take a tour the Museo della Carta, the paper museum, and take home the most beautiful souvenirs. Amalfi is also the burial place of Saint Andrew; the town’s cathedral is named in his honor.

Siracusa is known for the archaeological and historical sights that define its grand past, as one of the major powers of the Mediterranean world in the 5th century BC. They include a Greek theater, still in use, where Aeschylus produced some of his plays; a dramatic necropolis with burial niches cut into the rock that include the tomb of Archimedes, famous mathematician, engineer, and inventor; and the Ear of Dionysus, a cave with amazing acoustical properties. The “modern” city was rebuilt in Sicilian Baroque style after the devastating earthquake of 1693.

The capital and “heart” of the Greek Island of Kefalonia, Argostoli is a modern town with a traditional soul. Although devastated by a major earthquake in 1953, the city has been largely rebuilt, and there are still many places of myth and legend to explore. With its stunning display of stalactites and stalagmites, the famous Drogati Cave and underground Melissani Lake routinely top must-see lists. There’s also the vibrant central square, Plateia Valianou, with its many bars, restaurants and tavernas, and the picturesque Lithostroto, a pedestrian-only cobblestoned shopping street.

Gythion is a welcome reprieve from some of the more action-packed legendary sites in Greece, since an earthquake in the 4th century destroyed much of the ancient town. But that just means that rather than digging through thousands of years of history, you can spend the day in pursuit of here-and-now happiness.

Known for having “three faces to the sea”, this port on Crete’s east coast seamlessly blends the charm of a small fishing village with the glamor of a chic resort town. With a diverse range of dining, shopping, and nightlife options, you can find your own personal paradise in Agios Nikolaos.

At the center of town sits Lake Voulismeni, the deep waters of which have inspired many a local folk tale. Here you’ll find residents and visitors chatting over coffee, sipping ouzo at authentic tarvernas, or savoring lunch at a fine dining restaurant. For a taste of the beach life, you wont have to travel far. Several beaches are just a short walk from the town center and they are popular hangouts for fashionable young Greeks.

Rhodes, the friendliest city in the Mediterranean, welcomes you with seemingly eternal sunshine thanks to more sunny days than any other place in Europe. Situated at the island’s most northern point, Rhodes’ only neighbors on the east and west are gleaming blue seas. This sunny retreat is also home to many historic sites ranging from the ruins of the Temple of Venus to the medieval Street of Knights.

Marmaris rests by the sea between two sets of mountains, against a backdrop of pine clad hills – an appealing sight, but only the beginning of a day of amazements that might include the imposing Lycian rock tombs, resting place of the kings of Caunos, elaborately carved into a cliff face; a riverboat ride through a labyrinth of tall reeds on the Dalyan Delta; or a dip in the hot springs at Pamukkale, mineral pools amidst bizarre cascades of stone, created by traces of minerals left by rich thermal streams pouring down the hillside for thousands of years.

Your daydream of a Greek island meets reality in Santorini – its whitewashed villages cling to cliff sides, and bright blue roofs reflect the sea and sky. So beautiful is it, that you can almost believe the myths that claim it as the birthplace of gods. Born itself as a volcanic cone, the island blew its top in 1450 BC, its center sank, and it assumed its current crescent shape, outlined by three main islands. The capital, Fira, a pedestrian haven with narrow, meandering cobblestone lanes, is reachable only by cable car, donkey, or for the fit and fearless, a flight of 600 steps.

You could spend a lifetime in Europe’s oldest city and still not see everything it has to offer. Settled over 3,500 years ago, Athens is like a mythological crossroads of the past and present, where modern buildings share the skyline with spectacular ruins like the Parthenon.

To see a veritable “greatest hits” line-up, make your way to Vasilissis Amalias Street for the archaeological walk. Winding through the heart of the ancient city, the route leads to landmarks like the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Ancient Agora, Arch of Hadrian, and of course, the Acropolis.