Welcome to Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance. This romantic city is compact in size and relatively easy to explore on foot. Climb the steps of the Duomo, admire the panoramic views from Piazzale Michelangelo, worship the art at Uffizi Gallery and shop for gold along Ponte Vecchio. Finish the day with an Aperol Spritz and a cone of gelato.

Welcome to Rome, the Eternal City. No visit is complete without taking a trip back to ancient history at the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. Other must-dos include climbing the Spanish Steps, tossing a coin in the Trevi Fountain, and visiting Vatican City. Finish your stay with a plate of pasta – for the best restaurants, we suggest exploring the Trastevere neighbourhood.

Welcome to Naples, the city of the sun. History lovers can’t miss a visit to Pompeii, the home of Europe’s most compelling archaeological site. For those looking for a taste of the Amalfi Coast, the beautiful blue waters of Capri are just a short ferry away. Naples is also the birthplace of pizza, so make sure you savour a slice during your stay.

Welcome to Syracuse! Founded by the ancient Greeks some 3000 years ago, a visit to this Sicilian city is like stepping back in time. Discover pre-Roman history at the Greek Theatre and Necropolis Burial Caves, shop for local produce at the Old Street Market or bask in the crystalline waters of the surrounding beaches. And don’t leave without trying some of Sicily’s world-famous cannoli!

Your day at sea will allow you to take full advantage of everything the ship has to offer. Seek out hidden treasures and make the most of the facilities onboard. All of the ships activities can be found on the vessels daily newsletter. If relaxation is on your mind then your sea day will allow you to sit back, soak in ship life and watch the world as it floats by.

Welcome to Santorini! This postcard-perfect island is possibly Greece’s most iconic island, famed for its steep cliffs, blue-roofed houses, and breathtaking sunsets. Hike from Fira to Oia, explore the red and black sanded beaches and visit the Santorini volcano. After a day of exploring, you’ll want to enjoy a glass of wine as the sun sets over this mesmerising island.

Welcome to Kusadasi! This scenic seaside town is your gateway to Ephesus, one of the best preserved ancient Greco-Roman ruins in the world. When you’ve finished soaking in the history, spend some time relaxing on the beach, sampling some Turkish cuisine or treating yourself to a spot of shopping.

Welcome to Mykonos, famed for its beautiful beaches and whitewashed houses. Explore Mykonos Town, hop from beach to beach, wander Little Venice and visit the Delos ruins. Finish your day soaking in the sunset with fresh Greek seafood and a glass of wine in hand.

Athens: where myths are born and legends live on. Once you disembark your cruise, make your way to your Athens hotel and welcome to the start of our Grecian adventure! This evening, we’ll learn more about our like-minded travel companions over our first included dinner.

Accommodation: Elia Ermou Athens Hotel (or similar)

MEALS: Dinner

Time travel back over 3,000 years: the iconic Acropolis awaits! This astounding temple complex stands guard over the city – an enduring symbol of Greece’s classical spirit and the blueprint for Western civilisations to come. We’ll uncover its secrets with a local guide, including the extraordinary Parthenon – dedicated to Athena, the goddess of war and reason. Wisdom topped up, the rest of the day will be ours for exploring! Discover more remarkable feats of the ancient world at the National Archaeological Museum, or settle into a traditional taverna for a hearty serving of moussaka.

Accommodation: Elia Ermou Athens Hotel (or similar)

MEALS: Breakfast

The piercing blue waters of the Aegean are calling! Following breakfast, our path will lead us towards Naxos – a lesser-explored and unspoilt gem of the Cyclades islands. We’ll slow the pace with a scenic ferry journey, soaking up seafaring views as we go, before docking at the namesake island capital. This green, verdant island, hugged by mist-topped mountains, oozes authentic Greek charm. Take a stroll around the maze of lantern-lit cobbled streets before we dine together this evening.

Accommodation: Hotel Xenia (or similar)

MEALS: Breakfast & Dinner

There’s an exclusive local experience in store today as we make tracks towards a working family farm. Here we’ll sample a selection of flavourful local cheeses and homemade marmalades. Then: roll up your sleeves and dive in! We’ll prepare our own traditional Greek lunches under the guidance of the experts, before touring the farm and digging into our creations. Appetites satisfied, when we return to the city the evening is ours to spend as we please. Why not round off a day of local discoveries with a tangy glass of kitron – Naxos’ trademark spirit, made from the fruit and leaves of the citron tree. Yiamas!

Accommodation: Hotel Xenia (or similar)

MEALS: Breakfast & Lunch

Winding lanes blushing with crimson flowers. Neat sugar cube houses snuggling grand Venetian mansions. Twisted vines smothering cosy cafes. The treasures of Naxos are yours for the taking today! Meander up to the Kastro – a medieval citadel housing an archaeology museum. Or amble along the coast and indulge in a spot of people watching. As the sky transforms to pink, stroll along the causeway to Portara – or the ‘Temple of Apollo’ – a vast sixth-century marble doorway that stands proudly on a neighbouring islet. Behold as the sun sinks into the sea! And when darkness descends? Legend has it that Dionysus, the Greek god of wine, blessed Naxos with fertile land; so dine like gods and feast on the island’s bounty of rich cheeses and local meats!

Accommodation: Hotel Xenia (or similar)

MEALS: Breakfast

Westwards! Today we’ve got the handsome coastal city of Nafplio in our sights. Once back on the mainland, we’ll wind our way through mountainous, vineyard-speckled landscapes – stopping at the striking Corinth Canal as we go. Wedged between sharp cliff faces, this distinctive canal is the narrowest in the world; a streak of blue connecting the two bordering gulfs. Though most modern ships would find it tricky to navigate its 25-metre width! Upon our arrival in Nafplio, take a moment to admire Bourtzi Castle – an atmospheric Venetian fortress floating in the middle of the harbour – before sampling the local fare in a homely tavern.

Accommodation: Hotel Grande Bretagne Nafplio (or similar)

MEALS: Breakfast

875. That’s how many steps it takes to reach the top of Palamidi Castle (or a short taxi ride!). Snaking up a hillside, this formidable fortress looms over the city and offers spectacular 360-degree vistas of the sea and valley. The perfect way to spend your free morning, if you so choose! After enjoying a spot of lunch at our leisure, we’ll regroup and make our way to mysterious Mystras. This fortified medieval city – once the Byzantine capital – perches along a steep mountainside, and harbours plenty of nooks and crannies to explore! Later the road will lead us to the peaceful port town of Gytheio, where we’ll share stories of the adventure so far over our included dinner.

Accommodation: Stavros Tou Notou Hotel (or similar)

MEALS: Breakfast & Dinner

Beware of beasts! Today’s journey takes us deeper into the remote Peloponnese peninsula: the heartland of Greek legend. It’s here that the monsters and gods of mythology were born – and where the drum of traditional rural life beats slowly among neat rows of vineyards and snow-capped mountains. Kardamyli is our first port of call: a picturesque fishing town with a sleepy pace. After free time for lunch in nearby Kalamata, a traditional tasting awaits at a long-standing olive farm in Olympia – where we’ll receive a masterclass in the art of olive oil production. When our day of exploring comes to an end, we’ll reflect on the highlights so far over our group dinner.

Accommodation: Amalia Hotel Olympia (or similar)

MEALS: Breakfast & Dinner

Limber up! Our day begins with a locally guided tour of legendary Olympia – the birthplace of sporting glory. This landmark archaeological site sparked off the Olympic Games in 776 BC – the world’s greatest athletic event founded on values of peace and healthy competition. As you wander the shaded ruins imagine the roar of the crowd ringing as the athletes entered the arena. Leaving Olympia behind us, our next stop is the lovely seaside town of Nafpaktos. Brimming with history, Nafpaktos is one of the locals’ best-kept secrets – sporting a dramatic Venetian castle and delightful, historic port. Finally, Delphi – considered the centre of the world by ancient Greeks – is a fitting end to an evocative day.

Accommodation: Kastalia Boutique Hotel (or similar)

MEALS: Breakfast

Start the day with sacred stories as a knowledgeable local guide shares Delphi’s secrets with us. This ancient mountainside site was the epicentre of religion and culture, as well as home to Pythia – the oracle or ‘high priestess’. Pythia made prophecies and was consulted about all major decisions taken in the classical world. Be sure to embrace the view of the stunning surrounding valley before we depart for our next destination – where a sweet treat’s in store! We’ll live out Winnie-the-Pooh’s fantasy with a delicious local honey-tasting experience in Itea. Later, upon our return to Delphi we’ll dine as a group for the final time and cheers to one extraordinary adventure. Opa!

Accommodation: Kastalia Boutique Hotel (or similar)

MEALS: Breakfast & Dinner