Day to day itinerary
Day 1. Venice
Venice is considered the city of art, romance and prestige. The extraordinary architecture was built on an archipelago of small islands separated by a network of canals crossed by approximately 400 bridges, once wooden and then replaced by stone. The Grand Canal is the main city artery. It is crossed by three bridges and has the shape of an upside down "S" dividing the city in two parts and in their turn divided into six "sestieri" (districts): Cannaregio, San Marco and Castello on the left side; Santa Croce, San Polo and Dorsoduro on the right side of the canal. Water transport undoubtedly prevails over land travel, with gondolas, ships, ferries, and yachts serving as taxis to transport people and goods. There are few main roads and several small "calli" (narrow streets) developed along canals, "campi" (squares adjacent to churches), bell towers and "fondamenta" (streets along the canals) where motor vehicles are not allowed. The square is the heart of Venice and its symbol. It is an architectural jewel and one of the most beautiful squares in Italy; a miracle built in trachyte and Istrian stone. In the past, religious and civil ceremonies took place in this square and also the famous Carnival. At its end there is the Basilica and the Clock Tower. The coffee bars and restaurants surrounding it are pleasant meeting places.
Depart at 18H00 for Ancona
Day 2. Ancona (Italy)
Ancona sits on the hills that surround the port like an amphitheatre, rising up in the bay formed by Monte Conero to the west. The port is the largest on the Adriatic Coast. The city is today divided into two distinct areas: the old historical and monumental part, with its maze of medieval streets and the Guasco hill behind it where the Greek acropolis once sat, and where today the Romanesque church of St Cyriacus can be found, and a modern part with straight roads that was begun in the 18th century. The name Ankon (meaning "elbow" in Greek) comes from the first Greek speaking sailors who made use of the natural harbour beneath Monte Guasco. The city was founded in the 4th century B.C. by the Dorian Syracusans, who gave it sandstone block walls and monuments. It was an ally with Rome in the battle of Sentino (295 B.C.) against the Samnites, Etruscans and Gauls, after which it came under the influence of Rome, while maintaining its Greek character. The city was destroyed by the Saracens in 839, and in the 11th century it became a "free commune" developing sea trade with the East and competing with Venice. From ceramics to fabrics, from pipes to hats: the Marche region jealously guards its craft traditions, which also include wickerwork, accordions, and wrought copper and iron. Ancona has 20 km of varied coastline. The city beach, the Passetto, with its distinctive grottoes and beach facilities is famous for its white
rock and its typical Ancona feel.
Arriving at 07.00 set sail at 13.00 for Komodo
Day 3.Day at Sea
Sea day
Day 4. Santorini and Mykonos
Santorini
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. 69 kilometres of coastline of Santorini was probably inhabited in prehistoric times, while the first chronicled civilisation to live on the island were the Phoenicians. the pink sand beach at Akrotiri have revealed the ruins of ancient Thera, the centre of population on the island before it was destroyed by the volcanic eruption. Some researchers believe it is the site of the mythical lost city of Atlantis.One of the prettiest spots on the island is the village of Oia, a network of narrow marble-paved alleys, lined with yellow and blue domed houses, and extraordinary views out to sea.
Arriving at 08.00 set sail at 13.00 for Mykonos
Mykonos
The island of Mykonos is one of the most picturesque - and popular - of the Cyclades archipelago, situated between Tinos and Naxos. The picture-postcard main town of Mykonos is a maze of narrow streets lined with pretty white-washed houses and shops. Nearby are several splendid beaches. The architectural highlight of the capital town is Panaghia Paraportiani church, a magnificent combination of Byzantine and western features. The church, with seven chapels around a square, is located in the picturesque hillside Kastro area, originally fortified by the Venetians. At another square, according to tradition, any woman who drinks from each of three fountains will marry within a year. Grilled fish is a highly recommended Mykonos speciality.
Arriving at 18.00 set sail at 23.00 for Athens
Day 5. Piraeus / Athens
The cradle of Greek civilisation, Athens today is a bustling, frenetic, modern city with six million inhabitants, one third of the total population of Greece. The port of Athens, Piraeus, is very much an integral part of the city. According to Greek mythology, the establishment of Athens was the result of a dispute between the goddess of wisdom Athena and her fellow gods, under which the city was given as a peace offering. As the leading cultural influence in the Mediterranean region for centuries, Athens attracted considerable opposition as well as admiration. The historical attractions of Athens are world-renowned. The Acropolis, overlooking the city of Athens from the top of a rocky hillside, is the dominant monument of ancient Greece, the site of the first temple dedicated to the goddess Athena and the stunning Parthenon. Among the magnificent ruins of the Acropolis, and the fascinating artefacts of the Acropolis Museum, the ancient civilisation surrounding the Parthenon, Herod Atticaus Odeon, Dionysus Theatre, Muses Hill, the Agora, Hephaestus Temple and the Apostles Church come to life. Athens has much to offer the visitor, including colourful street markets and shops. Plus, of course, delicious Greek food such as the speciality meze and desserts including baklava.
Arriving at 08.00 set sail at 14.00 for Corfu
Day 6. Corfu
Corfu is the northernmost of the Ionian Islands, located in the heart of the Mediterranean. The Greek place name Kerkira was renamed Corfu by the Venetians, who paraphrased the word "Korifi" which was used to indicate the towers of St. Mark's fortress. Corfu is covered in lush vegetation, thriving in a climate that is tempered by the wind without being too dry. Its coastline is very long, seemingly never-ending: over 200 kilometres. The terrain is quite varied, at times sandy and at others rocky and broken up by Mediterranean bush, olive, cypress and citrus trees. The Venetians began the cultivation of olives and to this day, Corfu is one of the main olive oil producing centres in the region. The city has a splendid city centre with numerous Venetian fortresses and the English Royal Palace. The rest of the island is made up of small settlements, roads that stretch out high above the sea and splendid views of small bays and magnificent cliffs.
Arriving at 12.00 set sail at 19.00 for Dubrovnik
Day 7. Dubrovnik
A charming port by the Dalmatian coast, set in front of a picturesque hillside, Dubrovnik is one of the most attractive destinations on the Adriatic Riviera. The city's style and architecture is strongly rooted in its historical Venetian and, to a lesser extent, Turkish influence. This part of the Dalmatian coast played a vital role in the success of the Venetian Republic. The most attractive section of Dubrovnik is the old city, Stari Grad, lined with cobbled streets, fountains, museums and churches. The largely intact city wall, some of which was built 700 years ago, is one of the finest examples of its kind in the world. The importance of religion in the city's past and present culture is reflected in a number of impressive Franciscan and Dominican convents and churches.
Arriving at 08.00 set sail at 13.00 for Venice
Day 8. Venice
Venice is considered the city of art, romance and prestige. The extraordinary architecture was built on an archipelago of small islands separated by a network of canals crossed by approximately 400 bridges, once wooden and then replaced by stone. The Grand Canal is the main city artery. It is crossed by three bridges and has the shape of an upside down "S" dividing the city in two parts and in their turn divided into six "sestieri" (districts): Cannaregio, San Marco and Castello on the left side; Santa Croce, San Polo and Dorsoduro on the right side of the canal. Water transport undoubtedly prevails over land travel, with gondolas, ships, ferries, and yachts serving as taxis to transport people and goods. There are few main roads and several small "calli" (narrow streets) developed along canals, "campi" (squares adjacent to churches), bell towers and "fondamenta" (streets along the canals) where motor vehicles are not allowed. The square is the heart of Venice and its symbol. It is an architectural jewel and one of the most beautiful squares in Italy; a miracle built in trachyte and Istrian stone. In the past, religious and civil ceremonies took place in this square and also the famous Carnival. At its end there is the Basilica and the Clock Tower. The coffee bars and restaurants surrounding it are pleasant meeting places.