| | | | | Arrive | Depart |
| 28th28 | JulJul | 202525 | Athens, Greece, embark on the MS Caledonian Sky | | |
| Fly from the UK and arrive in Athens, transfer to your ship. This evening, get to know your Cruise Director and fellow travellers at a Welcome Reception. |
| 29th29 | JulJul | 202525 | Corinth, Greece | | |
| Early this morning, your ship will traverse the famous Corinth Canal, which is just 21.3 metres wide. Later, arrive in the Greek port of Itea and set off on an excursion to the sacred site of Delphi. In ancient times, Delphi was considered the centre of the known world. Explore the Sanctuary of Apollo and visit the partially reconstructed Treasury of the Athenians. You’ll also visit the impressive museum, which houses one of the greatest collections of archaeological treasures. This evening, join your fellow travellers for a Gala Welcome Dinner. |
| 30th30 | JulJul | 202525 | Otranto, Italy | | |
| Located right in the heel of the Italian boot, Otranto’s scenic landscape often plays the protagonist in displaying the beauty of Puglia, Italy’s easternmost region. Facing the Adriatic sea, the seducing weather and pristine waters have made it a popular destination where on a clear day, wanderers can see the coast of Albania. Like much of Italy, the city boasts a rich and mixed history. Once a Greek and Roman port, it was later occupied by the Byzantines, the Normans and the Spanish before the Ottoman invaded in during their Jihad to conquer Europe. Remains of forts are still visible and are a living testimonial of the town’s rich history along with Otranto’s cathedral, which still encloses today the relics of martyrs who refused to convert to Islam. This morning, relax on board with fellow passengers as your vessel sails towards Italy. After lunch, disembark in the picturesque port town of Otranto, located in Italy’s Puglia region. The afternoon is at your leisure to explore. Perhaps enjoy an optional guided city tour of Otranto or an optional tour to the historic town of Lecce. |
| 31st31 | JulJul | 202525 | Kotor, Montenegro | | |
| Backed by imposing mountains, tiny Kotor lies hidden from the open sea, tucked into the deepest channel of the Bokor Kotorska (Kotor Bay), which is Europe's most southerly fjord. To many, this town is more charming than its sister UNESCO World Heritage Site, Dubrovnik, retaining more authenticity, but with fewer tourists and spared the war damage and subsequent rebuilding which has given Dubrovnik something of a Disney feel.Kotor's medieval Stari Grad (Old Town) is enclosed within well-preserved defensive walls built between the 9th and 18th centuries and is presided over by a proud hilltop fortress. Within the walls, a labyrinth of winding cobbled streets leads through a series of splendid paved piazzas, rimmed by centuries-old stone buildings. The squares are now haunted by strains from buskers but although many now house trendy cafés and chic boutiques, directions are still given medieval-style by reference to the town’s landmark churches.In the Middle Ages, as Serbia's chief port, Kotor was an important economic and cultural center with its own highly regarded schools of stonemasonry and iconography. From 1391 to 1420 it was an independent city-republic and later, it spent periods under Venetian, Austrian, and French rule, though it was undoubtedly the Venetians who left the strongest impression on the city's architecture. Since the breakup of Yugoslavia, some 70% of the stone buildings in the romantic Old Town have been snapped up by foreigners, mostly Brits and Russians. Porto Montenegro, a new marina designed to accommodate some of the world’s largest super yachts, opened in nearby Tivat in 2011, and along the bay are other charming seaside villages, all with better views of the bay than the vista from Kotor itself where the waterside is congested with cruise ships and yachts. Try sleepy Muo or the settlement of Prčanj in one direction around the bay, or Perast and the Roman mosaics of Risan in the other direction. Cruise the stunning fjord of Kotor Bay in Montenegro. Upon arrival in Kotor, enjoy time at leisure to explore. Those feeling energetic may like to climb the 1,350 steps to the top of the town’s fortifications, or alternatively, join an optional walking tour of the beautiful Old Town. |
| 1st01 | AugAug | 202525 | Dubrovnik, Croatia | | |
| Nothing can prepare you for your first sight of Dubrovnik. Lying 216 km (135 miles) southeast of Split and commanding a jaw-dropping coastal location, it is one of the world's most beautiful fortified cities. Its massive stone ramparts and fortress towers curve around a tiny harbor, enclosing graduated ridges of sun-bleached orange-tiled roofs, copper domes, and elegant bell towers. Your imagination will run wild picturing what it looked like seven centuries ago when the walls were built, without any suburbs or highways around it, just this magnificent stone city rising out of the sea.In the 7th century AD, residents of the Roman city Epidaurum (now Cavtat) fled the Avars and Slavs of the north and founded a new settlement on a small rocky island, which they named Laus, and later Ragusa. On the mainland hillside opposite the island, the Slav settlement called Dubrovnik grew up. In the 12th century the narrow channel separating the two settlements was filled in (now the main street through the Old Town, called Stradun), and Ragusa and Dubrovnik became one. The city was surrounded by defensive walls during the 13th century, and these were reinforced with towers and bastions in the late 15th century.From 1358 to 1808 the city thrived as a powerful and remarkably sophisticated independent republic, reaching its golden age during the 16th century. In 1667 many of its splendid Gothic and Renaissance buildings were destroyed by an earthquake. The defensive walls survived the disaster, and the city was rebuilt in baroque style.Dubrovnik lost its independence to Napoléon in 1808, and in 1815 passed to Austria-Hungary. During the 20th century, as part of Yugoslavia, the city became a popular tourist destination, and in 1979 it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. During the war for independence, it came under heavy siege. Thanks to careful restoration, few traces of damage remain; however, there are maps inside the Pile and Ploče Gates illustrating the points around the city where damage was done. It’s only when you experience Dubrovnik yourself that you can understand what a treasure the world nearly lost This morning your ship will arrive in Dubrovnik. Learn about the city’s walls on a guided tour, then enjoy a free afternoon to explore at your leisure. Your ship will stay docked in port until late evening, so you may wish to disembark and enjoy dinner at your leisure at a local restaurant. |
| 2nd02 | AugAug | 202525 | Mljet Island, Croatia | | |
| Enjoy the morning at leisure in Mljet, then set sail for Korcula, the birthplace of Marco Polo. Enjoy time at leisure to explore, or perhaps join an optional guided walking tour. |
| 3rd03 | AugAug | 202525 | Krka National Park, Croatia | | |
| Today your ship will dock in the town of Sibenik, where you’ll disembark for a special experience. This evening, join your fellow travellers for a Captain’s Farewell Dinner. |
| 4th04 | AugAug | 202525 | Venice, Italy, disembark the MS Caledonian Sky | | |
| Venice is a city unlike any other. No matter how often you've seen it in photos and films, the real thing is more dreamlike than you could imagine. With canals where streets should be, water shimmers everywhere. The fabulous palaces and churches reflect centuries of history in what was a wealthy trading center between Europe and the Orient. Getting lost in the narrow alleyways is a quintessential part of exploring Venice, but at some point you'll almost surely end up in Piazza San Marco, where tourists and locals congregate for a coffee or an aperitif. After breakfast, disembark and transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK. |
