Highlights

Post Cruise Stays in Venice are also available as an add-on.

U S Tours can also arrange your flights and home airport transfers.

Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrive Athens, Greece

Today arrive into Athens and transfer to your hotel.  After hotel check in, the rest of the day is on your own.

Day 2 – Athens/Pireaus

After breakfast, meet your guide and motorcoach for a tour of Athens. Upon conclusion of the tour, your guide will drop your group off at the Port of Piraeus.  Board the Norwegian Pearl.  Experience the wonders of getting there aboard Norwegian Pearl. Her 16 chic dining options, 14 bars and lounges, dazzling casino, tranquil spa, and spacious Garden Villas are just a few things that make this Jewel Class cruise ship a destination of her own.  Ship sets sail at 8:00 p.m.

Day 3 – Santorini, Greece

Santorini is one of the world’s most popular islands, known best for its dramatic scenery, whitewashed villages and fiery volcanic activity. Here adventure bubbles above the Aegean Sea in the most bold and breathtaking ways. A cable car takes you to the capital of Fira, a bustling cliff-top town awash with old cathedrals, enthralling museum collections and cozy tavernas. Venture to the coast for a swim in the deep blue waters that lap red and black pebbled beaches. And peel back layers of lava and history among excavated Akrotiri. Whether it’s by bicycle, ATV or on your own two feet, exploring this Cyclades isle never fails to impress.

Day 4 – Mykonos, Greece

Nestled in the heart of Greece’s Cyclades archipelago, Mykonos pulses with irrepressible energy. With its powder white houses, sparkling blue waters, and red-hot nightlife, The Island of the Winds is as colorful as the people who call the island home. You can walk narrow marble pathways laced with purple bougainvillea blooms, or go cycling on two wheels past off-the-path Ano Mera village. Explore Greece’s maritime history at Armenistis Lighthouse, and check out the Folklore Museum’s Mykonian ship models. Join in the raucous beach party on Super Paradise’s shimmering sands, or watch the sun burn out beyond an Aegean horizon from an open-air seaside taverna.

Day 5 – Heraklion, Greece

Whether you visit Heraklion, Crete to admire the remains of an ancient civilization or simply to soak in the rays on some of the best beaches in Europe, the city is guaranteed to delight and amaze you. Visiting the 3,000-year-old Palace of Knossos is like traveling back to the time of the Minoans, while exploring the Venetian-era Koules Fortress will allow you to learn about history while taking in sweeping coastal vistas. Crete’s coast is also magnificent. You can sun yourself on Amoudara Beach during the day, then watch the sunset from horseback as you ride down Karteros Beach.

Day 6 – Olympia, Greece

Experience ancient history and modern charm in Katakolon, a vibrant cruise port on the Greek coast. From here, you can catch a glimpse of Olympia, the birthplace of the original Olympic games and a shrine to the ancient Greek gods. Cruise to Greece and walk through the Olympia complex to get a historical tour of architectural styles, from the classical ruins to the red-tiled roofs of the traditional homes. Then, stroll through the Katakolon’s lively center to discover unique local galleries and shops, and grab a seat at an oceanfront taverna with a glass of white wine and a dish of locally caught calamari.

Day 7 – Corfu, Greece

Perched above the Adriatic Sea, Corfu, Greece is the second largest Ionian island, and its size is rivaled by its tremendous history and dynamic cultural identity. Cruise to Corfu and walk through the narrow streets of Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and marvel at the Italianate architecture left from centuries of Venetian rule. A number of scenes from the James Bond film “For Your Eyes Only” were filmed in the capital city of Corfu, and you’ll understand why when you see the epic coastal roads and immense fortresses buttressing the town. With its rich combination of old fishing villages and immaculate beaches, Corfu is the perfect place to get lost in time during your vacation.

Day 8 – Kotor, Montenegro

Looking at a map of Europe, you might be forgiven for missing Kotor — a tiny port in the already-tiny country of Montenegro. But from the moment your Kotor cruise docks, you’ll enter a larger-than-life world of mighty forts and towering sea cliffs, the air filled with the refreshing smell of the ocean. With a Montenegro cruise, you can explore the attractions inside Kotor’s fortified Old City, one of the Mediterranean’s best-preserved medieval towns. Don’t miss the Cathedral of St. Tryphon, an ornate church first consecrated in 1166. Then, scale St. John’s Fortress — the hilltop fortifications, dating back to the 6th century, offer the best views of the city, the harbor and the surrounding mountains.

Day 9 – Dubrovnik, Croatia

Thick 16th-century stone walls encase the entire Old Town of Dubrovnik. But there are no boundaries on the endless adventures you’ll discover among its orange-roofed ramparts. With a made-for-TV appeal— Game of Thrones was actually filmed here— the city commands your attention with the perfectly preserved Rector’s Palace, elaborate Onofrio’s Fountain, and baroque St. Blaise’s Church, named after the city’s patron saint. You can browse museum collections showcasing Croatian artwork, period furniture and shipbuilding traditions. Stand in awe of the Franciscan Monastery library’s 30,000 volumes. Or to get your heart pumping, go cliff diving into the sea and kayak crystal blue waters, with the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’ shimmering in the distance.

Day 10 – Split, Croatia

Lying on the Adriatic Sea’s eastern shore, Split is known for its terracotta roofs, whitewash buildings, palm tree-lined promenade and azure waters. Split has a long history, as it’s home to Diocletian’s Palace and the Cathedral of Saint Domnius, which were built for the Roman emperor in the 4th century. Always buzzing with tourists, Split balances its historic setting with a plethora of modern restaurants, bars and shops. Thanks to its Mediterranean climate, Split receives over 2,600 hours of sunshine every year. Jump onboard a Croatia cruise and take advantage of its sunny weather by exploring its beautiful beaches — most namely Bacvice and Kastelet Beaches — year-round.

Day 11 – Venice, Italy

A floating jewel among Italy’s dynamo cities, Venice captivates in unexpected ways. Spanning over 100 islands, its maze of canals winds around world-renowned sights like San Marco Campanile— and tucked-away adventures loom beyond every backstreet corner. With no roads, the City of Bridges is best explored by gondola or on foot. Admire Palazzo Ducale’s pink marble colonnades and explore the city’s political life in Doge’s Palace. View Venetian masterworks in Gallerie dell’Accademia or relish Italian opera in Teatro La Fenice. From sunning along the Adriatic to shopping in waterfront markets to engaging in a Venetian Carnevale mask-making workshop, Venice’s serene waterscape overflows with adventure.

Day 12 – Koper, Slovenia

Tiny Slovenia may only have about 29 miles of coastline but the Slovenian Riviera — and particularly its jewel, the historic city of Koper — packs a big punch. Whether you explore 700 years of architecture, delve into the Slovenian wine scene or simply sun yourself on the pristine Adriatic, Koper is sure to be one of the most memorable stops on your next cruise. That’s even before you consider the delicious fresh-caught seafood rizota (Slovenian risotto) and shopping for Slovenian handicrafts like handmade Idrija lace.

Day 13 – Venice – Depart for Home

This morning arrive into Venice. Transfer to the airport for your flight home.