From Athens (Piraeus) to Venice · Mediterranean · 9 nights
Azamara Journey, Quest, Pursuit and Onward are excellent small ships that offer a welcoming and relaxed club-like atmosphere.
Azamara’s fleet of small ships are focused on providing
destination immersion by spending as much time in port as possible
with itineraries designed to include overnight stays and late
evening departures. Enjoy more time to discover the local culture
and when back on board relax and enjoy a vibrant array of
inclusions.
Athens is a city awash with historical and cultural significance. Towering over the city are the gleaming columns of the Parthenon, surely one of the most iconic sights in the whole of Europe. And yet Athens is much more than an open air museum; this is a dynamic, bustling metropolis, and a place where history is still very much unfolding. For all its faults, the Greek capital possesses an energy and an optimism that are manifest in everything from the burgeoning art scene to the restaurants and bars that continue to pop up on a regular basis.
The Turkish port of Kusadasi is the gateway to Ephesus, one of the most spectacular archaeological sites in the Eastern Mediterranean. This was the Roman capital of Asia Minor, and the remains constitute the most complete classical city in Europe.
Sun-kissed Rhodes, the largest of the Dodecanese islands, is steeped in history; the medieval heart of Rhodes Town was once home to the crusading Knights of St John, and later fell to the Ottoman sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. The hillside village of Lindos, with its pretty whitewashed houses, is another highlight.
The mountainous island of Amorgos is one of the lesser known gems of the Cyclades group, with impressive scenery, superb hiking trails and some fascinating historic buildings. Most spectacular of all is the bright white Hozoviotissis monastery, which hugs a cliffside high above the crashing waves.
Crete’s bustling capital is a modern and cosmopolitan city, where the island’s rich history isn’t immediately apparent. Take a closer look, however, and you’ll find a fantastic archaeological museum, along with remnants of Venetian fortifications and a lively seafront promenade, with plenty of nice outdoor cafés.
The beautiful Byzantine town of Monemvasia is dramatically located on a steep chunk of rock, originally a coastal headland until an earthquake in AD 375 turned it into an island. Nowadays access is via a narrow causeway, and the pretty streets of the medieval citadel are home to more churches than people.
Rugged Kefalonia is the largest of the Ionian islands, and remains unspoilt by tourism despite earning fame as the setting for ‘Captain Corelli’s Mandolin’. The island rewards exploration, with some splendid beaches and lovely little villages, and the vineyards here produce some excellent wines.
Corfu, known as Kerkyra in Greek, is a beautiful island of verdant hills and rocky coves, and away from the more crowded resorts it remains a sleepy and idyllic place. Don’t miss the picturesque Venetian architecture of Corfu Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Venice is a city like no other, a marble maze of turquoise canals criss-crossed by beautiful bridges, overflowing with palaces, churches and charming little piazzas. No matter how many times you’ve seen it in photographs, that first glimpse of the Grand Canal will simply take your breath away.
