From the grand limestone palazzos of Dubrovnik to the Michelin-starred hotspots of Greece’s capital, this 10-night sailing with Celebrity Cruises delivers history, cuisine and adventure in equal measure. The Adriatic, Ionian and Aegean seas each have their own traits, yet all three have the Mediterranean’s irresistible climate, vistas and alfresco lifestyle in common. Follow along as we travel through the Mediterranean on board the Celebrity Eclipse.
The old National Library of Greece in Athens
ATHENS
A two-night pre-cruise package provides plenty of time to get to know and settle into the multifaceted Greek capital. Its classical past calls to the culture lovers; wander along pristine marble boulevards under the Acropolis, with the majestic fifth-century B.C.E. Parthenon on one side and the olive-covered Pnyx hill on the other. Though ancient relics can be found on almost every street — and beneath homes, museums and office buildings — the newer side of Athens should command equal attention. Come to the city’s main piazza, Syntagma Square, to witness kilted Greek soldiers changing the guard every hour (with a grand parade on Sundays at 11am), accompanied by the hum of coffee shops, street musicians and animated chatter.
Before boarding, take some time to discover Piraeus, the port of Athens. Stroll the shell-shaped harbor in Mikrolimano and stop for refined seafood at Varoulko Seaside — where sea bass carpaccio with zesty bergamot and sweet kumquat is a must-try starter — or visit Piraeus’ burgeoning gallery district. Within its cluster of former industrial buildings, you’ll find pieces ranging from Levantine ceramics to neon lights. As you sail into the Saronic Gulf at sundown, grab a drink in the Sunset Bar to witness the spectacle. The next day is spent at sea, giving passengers the chance to discover all the things the ship has to offer at their own pace.
Shrimp and scallop kebabs at Lawn Club Grill restaurant on board Celebrity Eclipse
SANTORINI
This island’s steep cliffs, covered in sugarcube houses and blue-domed churches, are truly iconic — but the reason for its color scheme is entirely practical. Whitewashing reflects the sun’s rays, while blue paint was left over by fishermen painting their boats. It soon came to symbolize the colors of the Greek sea and sky. Should you want to capture these scenes
for yourself, the villages of Fira and Oia are the places to be — and as you’ll arrive early in the morning, you can beat the crowds at famous photo spots like the Agios Spyridon church.
On the historical side, the Bronze Age archaeological site of Akrotiri parallels the story of Pompeii. This Cycladic settlement once thrived on fishing and farming, but a volcanic eruption around 1600 B.C.E. buried the town deep in volcanic ash. Santorini’s explosive past has blessed it with a mineral-rich terroir. Wine tastings reveal the island’s signature grape, the powerful Assyrtiko, while youthful microbreweries are helping it make a name for itself in craft beer. Its best-loved product, though, is cherry tomatoes — and staying late means you can pick a taverna with beautiful views to try local tomato fritters.
Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes
RHODES
Rhodes’ main town is defined by an imposing set of battlements: a two-mile wall constructed by the crusading Knights Hospitaller. Successive powers have tried (and often failed) to conquer this island; see if you can spot the marks they left, from stone reliefs bearing the cross of St. John to bullet holes from Second World War battles.
To learn more about Rhodes’ checkered past, discover the Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes, a turreted fortress that underwent heavy restoration in the 1930s, when Italy ruled the island. It soon became a vacation home for dictator Benito Mussolini — look out for his name on a huge, black plaque by the entrance. The satisfyingly symmetrical Street of the Knights leads down into Rhodes Old Town, which offers a charming mix of gothic ruins, Ottoman clock towers and souvenir boutiques selling items ranging from Greek coffee sets to colorful figurines.
As well as urban charm, Rhodes offers the archetypal Greek island experience. The breathtaking Acropolis of Lindos is an hour’s drive south, sandwiched between two turquoise bays. Climb the hill to the Doric temple at the top, and you’ll be rewarded with astonishing Rhodes panoramas.
Library of Celsus in Ephesus
EPHESUS
This morning marks your entrance to Türkiye. As you sail in, you’ll glide past a 16th-century castle built on the orders of Ottoman corsair Hayreddin Barbarossa. Just before you set off for the day, listen for the sunrise call to prayer from Kusadasi’s mosques.
Most visitors come to this resort town to get to Ephesus, an awe-inspiring Greek and Roman city. You’ll begin your exploration at the top end of the UNESCO World Heritage site, peering into the remains of baths, banks, shops and temples. Don’t miss the Terrace Houses — these impressive villas once housed Ephesus’s great and good. Decadent mosaics depicting life’s luxuries hint at their charmed existence.
The walk culminates at the grand Library of Celsus (built in 110 C.E.) — which was the third-largest library in the ancient world — while the adjacent theater provided Ephesus’ residents with entertainment. En route back to Kusadasi, stop into the Archaeological Museum, which features intricate statues of the hunting goddess Artemis. Hungry after all that learning? Some shore excursions feature lunch at a family home, where you’ll be treated to Turkish hospitality at its most generous.
Little Venice in Mykonos
MYKONOS
This legendary island is so much more than DJs and dance clubs. Tenders take you directly into Mykonos’s old fishing harbor. Start by walking across the town’s crescent-shaped beach to Little Venice, a neighborhood known for its rainbow of balconies jutting over the Aegean, Cycladicchic boutiques filled with crocheted clothing and, naturally, glamorous cocktail bars.
Uphill stands a trio of whitewashed windmills, which provided Mykonians with flour. Take a food tour with a local guide to try some crowd-pleasers: Mykonian cheese and onion pies, juicy souvlaki and fries enveloped in pita bread, all washed down with aromatic ouzo.
For a history fix, visit Delos — the mythical birthplace of Apollo and, according to ancient poet Callimachus, “the most sacred of all islands.” Highlights of this low-lying isle include a sixth century B.C.E. holy spring, a terrace filled with lion statues (one is missing — look for it on top of the Venice Arsenal after your cruise), and the mosaic-filled House of Dionysus. Upon your return to Mykonos, take part in a mosaic-making class, where you can design your own Dionysus inspired decoration.
Harbor of Perast, Kotor Bay, Montenegro
KOTOR
The verdant Bay of Kotor is Europe’s southernmost fjord. See if you can spy the villages on its denim-blue waters: Herceg Novi guards the entrance with the Forte Mare fortress, while peaceful Perast is dominated by caves and bell towers. Kotor, at the end of the bay, offers a blend of impenetrable Venetian walls on the outside and elaborate churches within, from the tiny Orthodox chapel of Saint Luke’s to the Romanesque arches of Saint Tryphon’s Cathedral.
The parquet slabs of Stari Grad (Old Town) are prime territory for getting deliberately lost. Use your time to dip into baroque palazzos, stop to greet the city’s many cats and sit under vine-shaded konoba (tavern) terraces. The Montenegrin national dish is kacamak, a rich maize porridge served with a tangy topping of white cheese; pair it with a cool glass of Krstac wine.
Want to get some steps in? Take on the challenging Ladder of Kotor — a steep mountain path with over 70 switchbacks. A round-trip hike to the first viewpoint, offering jaw-dropping panoramas over Kotor and the bay below, takes a couple of hours, plenty of determination and perhaps a fig-flavored gelato to cool off.
Typical lunch with grilled eggplant
DUBROVNIK
After a restful day at sea, hopping between sea-facing spas and bars for every mood, you’ll arrive in Dubrovnik — a city on a coast contested between Venetians and Ottomans, which became an independent maritime republic called Ragusa. Get your bearings by walking a complete circuit of the city’s 13th-century walls.
Eagle-eyed Game of Thrones fans will spot locations from the series, including the Rector’s Palace, seen in season two. This gothic palazzo now houses the city’s Cultural History Museum — the perfect place to discover artifacts from Ragusa’s illustrious past. Then, unwind on the baroque Stradun boulevard with a strong coffee, and watch the world go by.
Curious about what life was like in the former Yugoslavia? The Red History Museum — less than 10 minutes’ walk from the ship — is designed to look like a 1970s apartment, with bulky TV sets, avocado colored furniture and Yugo hatchback.
Dubrovnik also serves as a gateway to Adriatic adventures. Swim in the crystal waters of nearby beaches, kayak past the Konavle cliffs and cycle through orange and olive groves, stopping in a village for a lunch of black squid-ink risotto and fruit brandy.
Krka National Park in Croatia
SPLIT
Many travelers come to Split, Croatia’s second-largest city, in search of Diocletian’s Palace — the seven-acre retirement home of a local-born Roman emperor, completed in 305 C.E. — but they don’t need to look far. When you disembark, you’ll be greeted by a crumbling Roman wall that supports the awnings and palm trees on the seafront — the palace is woven into Split’s DNA.
Directly below your feet is the cool, dark underbelly of the palace. Explore the depth of Roman ingenuity, with rooms that mirror the original layout of the palace, ventilation systems ahead of their time and living quarters for the hundreds of workers who kept the palace ship-shape.
Above ground, the colonnaded Peristyle courtyard commands all attention with its opulence. Adjoining it is an octagonal mausoleum Diocletian intended as his tomb — now St. Domnius’ Cathedral, dressed in resplendent reds and golds.
Ancient history isn’t Split’s only appeal. Within walking distance of the dock is the Marjan Nature Reserve, where fragrant pine-shaded trails lead to a 600-foot summit, passing medieval chapels, pebble beaches with aquarium-clear waters, and even cliff jumping hotspots. An hour’s drive northwest from Split’s city center is Krka National Park, home to waterfalls tumbling gracefully over giant boulders.
Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna
RAVENNA
At the itinerary’s final stop, you have the luxury of time to decide your next move: stay and explore Ravenna’s marvelous maze of mosaics, immerse yourself in the university towns of Padua and Bologna, or continue to nearby Venice.
Ravenna was an important Byzantine port in the fifth and sixth centuries C.E., boasting some of the empire’s finest artworks. These are spread across eight UNESCO-listed sites. First, explore the Basilica of San Vitale and its lively, colorful depictions of Christ and the disciples. The unassuming Mausoleum of Galla Placidia belies its brick exterior with a star-studded royal blue cupola inside.
Ravenna also offers an opportunity to try authentic Italian cuisine: grab a piadina flatbread on the go, sit down to piles of cappelletti pasta topped with local Parmesan, or accompany your fruity, fragrant Albana white wine with Adriatic-fresh seafood. Wherever you choose to go next, your journey across these three seas is sure to enrich your palate as well as your mind.
Writer: Emily Brown
