The origins of Messina are uncertain, as is the case with other cities on the island of Sicily. The first evidence of the city concerns Zancle, its first name, as baptised by Zanclon, a character of mystery and legend. The historical centre of the city was constructed by the Phoenicians who made Messina a flourishing commercial centre, followed by Greek colonists from Cumae and Euboea.

Crete is part of the history of the Mediterranean. The myth about Theseus, the Minotaur in the labyrinth of Knossos and Ariadne‘s famous thread is among the best known in the world. The stop at Heraklion starts with a visit to the port of Crete. Situated in the centre of the island, this former British watchtower has a long history. You cannot land on the island that gave birth to the legend of the Minotaur without visiting the ancient Palace of Knossos. Its ancient Minoan ruins and its maze of corridors and rooms evoke the famous Greek myth of the labyrinth. Equally impressive is the island fortress of Spinalonga, which is well worth a visit. Heraklion embodies the charm of an era both ancient and medieval.

The cradle of Greek culture, Athens welcomes us to its port of Piraeus, watching us from above the wonderful Acropolis. Piraeus is the port of Athens, the largest in Europe, allowing you to visit the city, a place of dreams. A place of emigration, it has inspired numerous songs. Most ships will be making a stop in Athens before resuming the Mediterranean route or returning to the Atlantic. Take the time to visit the Acropolis and maybe the museum located at its base. Before flying out, enjoy the spectacle of a sunset at Capo Sunio. Try not to visit the city when it‘s too hot in summer, much of the population moves out of town. Not to be missed: • The mythical Parthenon • The Ancient Agora • The Olympic Stadium

Many say this is the most beautiful city in the world. What is certain is that it’s a unique city, the gateway to the East with a portion of its heart still in the West. The city of Istanbul is located on the border between Europe and Asia. It’s the largest city in Turkey and is included on the UNESCO World Heritage list. The port of Istanbul is located on the Bosphorus, in Karaköy. From there you can easily reach the city centre on foot or by tram. During the stop you can take a walk to visit the main historical monuments and browse through the bazaars you will encounter along the way. Let yourself be carried away by this incredible experience and fascinating culture that unites Europe and Asia.

Capital of a province, with nearly three million inhabitants, Smirne (Izmir in Turkish) is Turkey‘s second city, after Istanbul, thanks to its busy port and to the intense industrial activity which, from traditional fields tied to agriculture, has expanded to include shipbuilding, mechanical and chemical plants for oil refinery. Located within a beautiful bay, surrounded by lovely hills, the town has changed in the course of recent years, into a modern metropolis with an established urbanistic structure and new residencial areas.

One of the Cyclades islands, Santorini is a spectacular jewel of the Aegean. Born out of a volcanic eruption in approximately 1500BC, which formed the two islands of Aspronissi and Terrasia, Santorini is a magnificent mixture of dramatic cliffside villages, glorious black sand beaches and ancient treasures. Steep cliffs plunging into a crystalline sea distinguish the west coast, while the east coast is gentler, featuring a fertile plain and delicate bays, with the Profitis Ilias mountains in the background.

The cradle of Greek culture, Athens welcomes us to its port of Piraeus, watching us from above the wonderful Acropolis. Piraeus is the port of Athens, the largest in Europe, allowing you to visit the city, a place of dreams. A place of emigration, it has inspired numerous songs. Most ships will be making a stop in Athens before resuming the Mediterranean route or returning to the Atlantic. Take the time to visit the Acropolis and maybe the museum located at its base. Before flying out, enjoy the spectacle of a sunset at Capo Sunio. Try not to visit the city when it‘s too hot in summer, much of the population moves out of town. Not to be missed: • The mythical Parthenon • The Ancient Agora • The Olympic Stadium