On the border between Italy and Istria, Trieste awaits you with that “surly grace” as sung by Umberto Saba: a mysterious charm of sullen beauty and Central European allure. At the foot of the karst plateau, where the two peninsulas span the Adriatic, outlining a vast secluded Gulf, Trieste is a natural port and one of the most important in the Mediterranean. Its particular geographical position, which made it the setting for some major historical events, is today a tourist destination of endless fascination. Among the splendours of the landscape and traces of an imperial past, the visit to Trieste is a tour of historical and architectural wonders. A short way from the port, after passing the Grand Canal built by Trieste’s Venetian neighbours, Piazza Unità d’Italia invites you to admire the ancient Habsburg heart of the city and enjoy a glass of Prosecco. And if you love hiking and photography, a walk on the Rilke path overlooking the sea and the “Napoleonic road” with a view of the Gulf from the edge of the karst plateau is a real treat.

Visiting Bari during a cruise holiday means exploring the old town for a journey through time. Bari is the wonderful capital of Puglia and is built around the port, and the Borgo Antico is its mediaeval district characterised by narrow and winding streets. It is definitely one of the most beautiful cities in the Mediterranean. During the stopover in Bari visit the historic city rich in history, one of the most beautiful in Italy, and its surroundings, especially Matera, designated by UNESCO as the 2019 European Capital of Culture. “Bari Vecchia” is the old part of the city that, with its partly Norman and partly Swabian fortress, the Romanesque Basilica of Saint Nicholas built on the ruins of the Byzantine Palace, the 12th century cathedral of San Sabino and a dozen little churches of the same period, still bears the traces of conquerors who succeeded over the centuries.

Among the fjords of Montenegro, we arrive at the Bay of Kotor, a port with a strategic location and fortified walls, named a World Heritage site by UNESCO. The port of Kotor lies at the base of a bay with the same name and is one of Europe’s most southerly Mediterranean fjords. This is a Venetian Harbour strategically located and fortified by strong walls. Here you can discover the fascinating landscape, the fortifications built from the early middle ages and now included among the UNESCO World Heritage sites, and the old town with Venetian influences and its religious architecture, where the Catholic Cathedral of Saint Tryphon coexists with the orthodox churches of the 12th and 13th centuries. Perast is worth a visit with its islands and Byzantine architecture.

Treat yourself to a trip to Corfu and you will experience the unforgettable thrill of cruising to one of Greece‘s most beautiful islands. The city of Corfu owes much of its charm to the wonderful old town, an ancient district made of narrow, cobbled alleys, with cafés and artisan shops. A labyrinth to lose yourself in and where every sight will be an indelible memory of your cruise to Corfu. In the old city, studded with Venetian architectural influences but best represented in the Campiello district, don’t miss a shore excursion to the 16th century fortress that stands on a spur of rock overlooking the sea. At the foot of the old town is the beautiful Spianada, once a Venetian parade ground, now a green city square overlooking the Museum of Asian Art. During a Mediterranean cruise you will arrive at the port of Corfu, Neo Limani, which is a few minutes’ walk from the city centre, and therefore a quick hop from the quay. Entrance to the town lies at the foot of the New Fortress. At this point, stopping at Corfu lets you roam the narrow streets lined with tourist shops. Complete your tour of the island with total immersion in the lush greenery: olive trees, orange trees, cypresses as well as cultural events in the heart of the walled city are the norm!

The spirit of the Olympics still lingers in their hometown of Olympia. From the port of Katakolon you can easily reach the site of the legendary ancient athletes. During the stopover in Katakolon, treat yourself to a visit to the port located on the Bay of Agios Andreas; despite having undergone several changes, it has managed to retain its historic soul. Do not miss the chance to visit the archaeological site of Olympia, one of the largest in Greece, which hosted the first Panhellenic Olympic Games. Katakolon is a small tourist town: have fun and discover the ways of its inhabitants, stroll among flowering streets and sit in one of the many cafés.

Facing the Adriatic Sea, the city is famous for its walls, built in stages from ancient times to the present, surrounding it, along with the port. Its splendid historical centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, exudes charm at every corner: the pearl of the Adriatic, as Lord Byron called it. Dubrovnik is located in the south of Croatia, on the Dalmatian coast, and is protected from the bora and scirocco. This means that its climate is pleasant, even in the summer months. Its sea is among the cleanest and bluest in the world and, breathing deeply on the coast, you cannot help but feel the scent of pine trees, which surround the beaches and cool the hottest hours of the day. The beaches, amongst the most beautiful of the whole of Croatia, are uncrowded and perfect for romantic evenings by the sea.

The antiquity of Split harbour, located in Croatia, is testified by the presence of a palace built by Emperor Diocletian 295 BC. Split harbour is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful, but also one of the oldest in the Adriatic: it is over 1,700 years old, and is surrounded by an extraordinary historical heritage. You can easily reach the nearby islands from here. With its 16 towers and three temples, the Palace of Diocletian, built in around 295 BC, still enjoys an extraordinary state of preservation that makes this an unmissable stage during our stop-off.

On the border between Italy and Istria, Trieste awaits you with that “surly grace” as sung by Umberto Saba: a mysterious charm of sullen beauty and Central European allure. At the foot of the karst plateau, where the two peninsulas span the Adriatic, outlining a vast secluded Gulf, Trieste is a natural port and one of the most important in the Mediterranean. Its particular geographical position, which made it the setting for some major historical events, is today a tourist destination of endless fascination. Among the splendours of the landscape and traces of an imperial past, the visit to Trieste is a tour of historical and architectural wonders. A short way from the port, after passing the Grand Canal built by Trieste’s Venetian neighbours, Piazza Unità d’Italia invites you to admire the ancient Habsburg heart of the city and enjoy a glass of Prosecco. And if you love hiking and photography, a walk on the Rilke path overlooking the sea and the “Napoleonic road” with a view of the Gulf from the edge of the karst plateau is a real treat.