Venice and the Greek Isles

The arrival into Venice is one of the most magnificent in the world as the ship slips through the Grand Canal majestically passing Saint Mark’s Square & escorted by a flotilla of smaller craft. From the comfort on board ship you have a bird’s eye view across ancient Venice giving you a true appreciation of the size of the ship you are sailing on and the juxtaposition of modern luxury on board compared with the old world charms of the view. History, architecture, dining, , romance and pure wander lust through the cobbled streets and by the canals is what Venice is all about. Top souvenirs would be Venetian Glass (also known as Murano Glass) or the famous and flamboyant masks. Standing in the middle of the magnificent piazza San Marco is an experience in itself - once described by: Napoleon as the ‘drawing room of Europe’. St Mark’s Basilica ,Doge’s Palace and the clock tower built between 1496 and 1506 - are the city's main attractions. St. Mark's Basilica, built in the eleventh century, is the most famous and most recognizable of all the churches in the city of Venice. Its design is considered one of the best examples of Byzantine architecture in the world, known for its opulent design and gilded interior mosaics, and nicknamed "Church of Gold". The magnificent Doge's Palace is one of the most important buildings in Venice; it was the centre of power, from where the Venetian Republic was ruled. No trip to Venice would be complete without a punt down one of the city's picturesque waterways in an iconic gondola. Prices vary according to the time of day you want to go and the route you want to take. Prices below are for the hire of the gondola, for six passengers or less. Having your own personal crooner will push the fare up.

Catch the train to Ravenna, make way to cruise port to embark ship.

Well known for its stunning architecture and amazing natural setting, the small town is surrounded by well preserved walls that feature many landmarks making Kotor itself a UNESCO World heritage site.

Corfu is the birth place of Prince Philip at the Palace of Mon Repos. The Achilleon Palace is home to the statue of Achilles Heel and was where Kaiser Wilhelm declared World War I. Corfu Town is the largest “living” medieval town in Greece and an absolute pleasure to walk around, perhaps watch some cricket in the square or sample the excellent local cuisine. Try the local Kumquat liquor or simply watch the world go by with an ice cold frappe..

Athens received a make-over for the 2004 Olympics. There is a lot to see here such as the Acropolis, Parthenon, Temple of Poseidon and Athena, Odeon Herodus of Atticus and the Theatre of Dionysos.

Mykonos (part of the Cyclades chain of Islands) is also frequently visited by many cruise ships for its Greek charm and upmarket cosmopolitan atmosphere – plus there are some excellent beaches too.

Argostoli is the capital of Kefalonia and the setting of the film Captain Korelli’s Mandolin. Part of the Ioanian Island chain which includes Corfu and Zante situated at the gateway to the Adriatic and just off the coast of Albania. Visit the magnificent Blue Caves at Melissani.

Relax and make the most of the myriad of facilities available on board the ship, from fantastic entertainment to delicious and diverse dining options.

Disembark the ship in Ravenna and transfer to Bologna airport and fly to UK