Crossroads of Empires - 13 Days through the Adriatic & Aegean

Fly by scheduled flight. On arrival transfer to the MS Monet and embark. Enjoy welcome drinks and dinner as we moor overnight.

This morning is free to explore Venice at your own pace. After lunch we embark on a walking tour to discover the hidden corners of the city. An off the beaten track itinerary takes us to the Arsenale, a colossal shipyard of the Serenissima Republic; the San Giorgio dei Greci Church and its secret courtyard; Campo Santa Maria Formosa, one of the city’s largest squares and Marco Polo’s House. We end at the Chiesa della Pieta, a former convent and orphanage and an authentic masterpiece of the 18th century by Giorgio Massari. The young orphans that stayed here were encouraged to study music and their most famous teacher was Antonio Vivaldi. It was here that he composed the Four Seasons and we have arranged for an exclusive private concert of Vivaldi themed music performed by a Venetian orchestra. It will be a thrilling experience to hear the music performed where it was created.

This morning we drive to Piran, one of the most photogenic cities in the Mediterranean. Influenced by the Venetian Republic, which left its mark on most Istrian towns, Piran has maintained the clustered Medieval structure of narrow winding streets, houses huddled close together and numerous squares and churches. Tartini Square is the gem found in the very centre of the city and named after the violinist and composer Giuseppe Tartini. After lunch on board, maybe take some time at leisure in Koper or cross the border to the nearby Italian city of Trieste. Once the major port for the Austro-Hungarian Empire, it is now a bustling city with a mixed identity. See the historical palaces, Piazza Unita and the wonderful waterfront. Continue to the Castle of Miramare, located on the northern point of the Adriatic Sea. Formerly the home of Emperor Maximillian, its interior is unique as each room resembles a different passion and its gardens are rich and lush, decorated by an amazing array of plants.

Overnight we sail to the tip of Croatia’s Istrian Peninsula and the former Roman settlement of Polensium, now known as Pula. On our morning tour we will discover one of the best preserved Roman amphitheatres left in the world. The Arena, built in the 1st century AD, was designed to host gladiatorial contests with seating for up to 20,000 spectators. Exploring the town further we will see the varied architecture from Baroque palaces, Christian churches and Austrian villas. Return to the ship for lunch and spend a relaxing afternoon at sea.

After breakfast we will take a guided walk through the town including the Palace of Diocletian which was built by the emperor in 295-305 AD as his retirement villa. Much of this large building is well preserved and the palace contains Split’s Old Town within its walls, making it the only Roman palace that has been continuously inhabited since Roman times. It is a wonderful spot to wander the maze of streets. Return to the ship for lunch and enjoy an afternoon at leisure to explore further at your own pace. Alternatively, join us as we drive the short distance to the ancient site of Salona, the Roman capital of Dalmatia and a city that was once home to over 40,000 people. Archaeologists have excavated remains of temples, amphitheatres, early Christian churches, burial grounds, and baths which we will explore with our local guides.

Our final day in Croatia will be spent on the island of Korcula, the reputed birthplace of the explorer Marco Polo. A morning guided tour will include a walk along Korcula’s crooked Medieval streets revealing elegant squares flanked with palaces of the old nobility. After lunch on board we drive to the interior of the island, past olive groves and vineyards offering views down to the coast below. On our visit to a winery we will learn more about the, mainly white, wines that have been cultivated on the island for centuries before enjoying a tasting.

Be on deck this morning as we enter the Gulf of Kotor and sail up the fjord-like entrance to the Medieval town and UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kotor. This really is an extraordinary place full of marvellous architecture and pretty town squares. Our walk will include the 12th century Cathedral of St Tryphon, the ancient town gates, the Maritime Museum and Romanesque churches including St Luke’s. Return to the ship for lunch and enjoy the afternoon to explore at your own pace. Those feeling active may wish to take the strenuous climb to the Castle of San Giovanni which offers wonderful views over the bay and town below.

Arrive in Albania at the coastal city of Durres which was colonised by the Greeks in 627 BC and still has the remains of a 15,000 seat amphitheatre, the second largest in the Balkans. This morning we will head inland to Tirana where we will see the fascinating nuclear bunker built by the dictator Enver Hoxha in the 1970s and only recently opened to the public. This underground building is packed with original artefacts from the communist period. Afterwards continue walking through the city centre to see the mosque, Clock Tower and the “Bloku” area of the city. After lunch at a local farm we return to Durres to visit the Medieval city and the Archaeological Museum before sailing late this evening.

Spend a relaxing morning at sea before arriving into Sarande which is our base to discover the ancient city of Butrint, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On a guided tour explore the ruins that feature the remains of many eras and cultures. From the Hellenistic period there are temples, the promenade and the 4th century BC theatre. From the Roman era are the public baths, gymnasium and fountains. From the Byzantine era we see chapels and the large Basilica of St Peter and St Paul, whilst the Venetians are represented by a watchtower and a small castle with commanding views over the Straits of Corfu. Return to the ship and this evening we sail the short distance to Corfu where we moor overnight.

Today we explore the island of Corfu, one of the most richly endowed of all the Greek Isles. Praised by Homer in ‘The Odyssey’ and selected by Shakespeare as the setting for ‘The Tempest’, the island retains evidence of cultural heritage from each of its past rulers - Byzantium, Venice, France, Russia and Great Britain. Our guided tour will include the famous Byzantine Monastery of the Virgin at Paleokastritsa which is still inhabited by a community of monks. The small museum houses some priceless Byzantine icons. Spend some time in the serene monastery gardens that afford a splendid view over the turquoise waters of the bay. Continue to Mon Repos Palace, the summer residence of the British Governors of Corfu which now houses a museum including many Ionian treasures and is surrounded by a large park. Return to the ship for lunch and this afternoon is free to explore Corfu Town at your own pace.

Sail to the Greek mainland and the port of Preveza from where we head for the little known ancient city of Nikopolis, one of the largest and most important sites in the whole of Greece. Built by the Roman Emperor Octavianus Augustus following his victory at Aktiun in 31 BC over Antony and Cleopatra, inside its extensive walls are the Odeum, the Theatre, the Nymphaeum and the monument to Augustus. Later, the city flourished in the early Christian period as the seat of the archbishop of old Epiros, but earthquakes and invading Goths and Vandals led to its demise. After lunch on board there will be a few hours to explore this pretty yacht lined, harbour town before we sail in the late afternoon.

From our berth in Itea we visit the sacred site of Delphi, one of Greece’s most important sites of antiquity. The hillside ruins here are exceptional and we will explore the Sanctuary of Apollo, the site of the sacred Delphic Oracle and walk along Delphi’s Sacred Way, visiting the Treasury of the Athenians and the 5000 seat theatre dating from the 4th century BC. Be on deck this afternoon as we transit the Corinth Canal. Completed in 1893 and only 6.4 kilometres long and 21.5 metres wide, it is only small ships like ours which can now make this journey. Later we arrive into the port of Piraeus and moor overnight.

Disembark after breakfast and transfer to the airport for our return scheduled flight to London. 

Itineraries are subject to change.