An Extended Journey of Sunlit Shores & Quiet Seas

Fusina is on the mainland just across the Venetian Lagoon from Venice and is a common embarkation and disembarkation port for those ships who can no longer call into the heart of the city. Convenient for the airport but offering little else in the immediate vicinity, it is in striking distance of Venice by water taxi and the treasures of Venice are well worth the journey, with highlights including the architectural marvels of St. Marks Basilica and Doge's Palace, the bustling Rialto Market or the quieter local neighbourhoods of Giudecca or Cannaregio. If you're extending your stay it is best to do so on one of Venice's islands to be close to the sights rather than in Fusina for the convenience of the port.

Rovinj is undoubtedly the highlight of the Istrian coast, a picturesque medieval fishing port with a strong Italian influence discernible in everything from the elegant architecture to the bilingual street signs. A day trip to one of the nearby islands also makes for an enjoyable excursion.

We never fail to be moved when we see the terracotta roofs and honey-golden walls of Dubrovnik, and a stroll around the perfectly preserved old town is a highlight of any visit to the Dalmatian coast. Make sure you take the time to walk around the walls and soak up the marvellous sea views.

The port of Brindisi sits at the end of the old Via Appia, and was once an important transit point for pilgrims and crusading knights heading east to the Holy Land. Brindisi's compact old town is pleasant enough, but you may prefer to head inland to visit the stunning baroque city of Lecce.

Kotor sits at the head of a beautiful, fjord-like bay, hemmed in by glowering mountains. The compact, walled old town is Montenegro’s star attraction, a warren of little alleyways and shady squares that is often described as a ‘mini Dubrovnik’.

The volcanic island of Milos is ringed by pretty beaches and scattered with charming villages, famous as the place where the Venus de Milo was discovered by a local peasant in 1820. Milos is also known as the ‘island of colours’ thanks to its many-hued, mineral-rich cliffs and beaches.

Athens is a city awash with historical and cultural significance, but it's much more than an open air museum; this is a dynamic, bustling metropolis, and a place where history is still very much unfolding.

Bari is the second biggest city in southern Italy, situated at the heart of sunny Puglia. The delightful old town brims over with pretty churches and balconied houses, and the striking Basilica is said to house the bones of Saint Nicholas. Easy day-trips include the trulli houses of Alberobello and the stunning hilltop city of Matera.

The port of Nydri, a favourite with the yachting crowd, is situated on the east coast of Lefkada, a beautiful and unspoilt island connected to the Greek mainland by a narrow causeway. Here you’ll find amazing beaches, peaceful olive groves and the refreshing Dimosari Waterfalls.

The Peloponnesian town of Pylos has a rich history, mentioned in antiquity by Homer and home to the ruins of the Mycenaean Palace of Nestor. In 1827 the Ottomans were defeated here at the Battle of Navarino, a pivotal moment in the Greek War of Independence, and you can still see shipwrecks in the bay.

Glamorous Mykonos is the most popular of the Cyclades islands, well known as a haunt of the rich and the famous. It’s also the gateway to the nearby island of Delos, home to one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece.

Athens is a city awash with historical and cultural significance, but it's much more than an open air museum; this is a dynamic, bustling metropolis, and a place where history is still very much unfolding.