Day 1

Flights from UK to Malta

Day 1

Valletta

Gazing upon the majestic walls of Valetta Cruise Port, travelers are transported through the annals of maritime history. This strategic harbor, once a bastion of defense for the Knights of St. John, stands as a testament to Malta's enduring resilience. Blessed with a Mediterranean climate, Valetta offers serene azure skies and gentle sea breezes, providing the perfect backdrop for exploration. Away from the tourist throngs, cruisegoers can immerse themselves in authentic Maltese culture, from savoring local delicacies in family-run tavernas to discovering hidden gems in the city's labyrinthine streets. As dusk descends, the port becomes a beacon of twinkling lights, casting a magical spell over all who visit.

Day 2

Valletta

Gazing upon the majestic walls of Valetta Cruise Port, travelers are transported through the annals of maritime history. This strategic harbor, once a bastion of defense for the Knights of St. John, stands as a testament to Malta's enduring resilience. Blessed with a Mediterranean climate, Valetta offers serene azure skies and gentle sea breezes, providing the perfect backdrop for exploration. Away from the tourist throngs, cruisegoers can immerse themselves in authentic Maltese culture, from savoring local delicacies in family-run tavernas to discovering hidden gems in the city's labyrinthine streets. As dusk descends, the port becomes a beacon of twinkling lights, casting a magical spell over all who visit.

Day 4

Piraeus

<p>It's no wonder that all roads lead to the fascinating and maddening metropolis of Athens. Lift your eyes 200 feet above the city to the Parthenon, its honey-color marble columns rising from a massive limestone base, and you behold architectural perfection that has not been surpassed in 2,500 years. But, today, this shrine of classical form dominates a 21st-century boomtown. To experience Athens—Athína in Greek—fully is to understand the essence of Greece: ancient monuments surviving in a sea of cement, startling beauty amid the squalor, tradition juxtaposed with modernity. Locals depend on humor and flexibility to deal with the chaos; you should do the same. The rewards are immense. Although Athens covers a huge area, the major landmarks of the ancient Greek, Roman, and Byzantine periods are close to the modern city center. You can easily walk from the Acropolis to many other key sites, taking time to browse in shops and relax in cafés and tavernas along the way. From many quarters of the city you can glimpse "the glory that was Greece" in the form of the Acropolis looming above the horizon, but only by actually climbing that rocky precipice can you feel the impact of the ancient settlement. The Acropolis and Filopappou, two craggy hills sitting side by side; the ancient Agora (marketplace); and Kerameikos, the first cemetery, form the core of ancient and Roman Athens. Along the Unification of Archaeological Sites promenade, you can follow stone-paved, tree-lined walkways from site to site, undisturbed by traffic. Cars have also been banned or reduced in other streets in the historical center. In the National Archaeological Museum, vast numbers of artifacts illustrate the many millennia of Greek civilization; smaller museums such as the Goulandris Museum of Cycladic Art Museum and the Byzantine and Christian Museum illuminate the history of particular regions or periods. Athens may seem like one huge city, but it is really a conglomeration of neighborhoods with distinctive characters. The Eastern influences that prevailed during the 400-year rule of the Ottoman Empire are still evident in Monastiraki, the bazaar area near the foot of the Acropolis. On the northern slope of the Acropolis, stroll through Plaka (if possible by moonlight), an area of tranquil streets lined with renovated mansions, to get the flavor of the 19th-century's gracious lifestyle. The narrow lanes of Anafiotika, a section of Plaka, thread past tiny churches and small, color-washed houses with wooden upper stories, recalling a Cycladic island village. In this maze of winding streets, vestiges of the older city are everywhere: crumbling stairways lined with festive tavernas; dank cellars filled with wine vats; occasionally a court or diminutive garden, enclosed within high walls and filled with magnolia trees and the flaming trumpet-shaped flowers of hibiscus bushes. Formerly run-down old quarters, such as Thission, Gazi and Psirri, popular nightlife areas filled with bars and mezedopoleia (similar to tapas bars), are now in the process of gentrification, although they still retain much of their original charm, as does the colorful produce and meat market on Athinas. The area around Syntagma Square, the tourist hub, and Omonia Square, the commercial heart of the city about 1 km (½ mi) northwest, is distinctly European, having been designed by the court architects of King Otho, a Bavarian, in the 19th century. The chic shops and bistros of ritzy Kolonaki nestle at the foot of Mt. Lycabettus, Athens's highest hill (909 feet). Each of Athens's outlying suburbs has a distinctive character: in the north is wealthy, tree-lined Kifissia, once a summer resort for aristocratic Athenians, and in the south and southeast lie Glyfada, Voula, and Vouliagmeni, with their sandy beaches, seaside bars, and lively summer nightlife. Just beyond the city's southern fringes is Piraeus, a bustling port city of waterside fish tavernas and Saronic Gulf views.</p>

Day 5

Heraklion (Iraklion), Crete

Bustling with vibrant energy, Heraklion beckons with tales of ancient glory. Once the heart of the Minoan civilization, this coastal city echoes with the whispers of its storied past. The Mediterranean climate offers a balmy embrace, ideal for leisurely strolls through its labyrinthine streets. Far from the trodden paths, Heraklion reveals the soul of Greece, where locals gather in tavernas to share stories over meze and ouzo. Amidst the sun-drenched landscapes, the Palace of Knossos stands as a testament to Minoan ingenuity, inviting travelers to unravel its mysteries and bask in the glory of antiquity.

Day 6

Suda Bay, Crete

<p>A call at Souda Bay promises sparkling beaches, engrossing history and no shortage of proud Maritime tradition. You'll drift past the fortified walls of Leon and Souda islands as you enter this natural harbour, which gives you access to all of Crete’s wonders, including Chania’s collection of fascinating museums, uncovered archaeological sites, and glorious Venetian architecture. Souda Bay's strategic positioning means it’s long been an important naval base – and Greek and UN bases still operate here today, on the northern rim of the bay. So it’s well worth travelling a little further out, to find heavenly beaches like the famous Elafonissi Beach - where pink sand and fizzing waves of crystal clear water, converge. The port here dates back to antiquity, when it was used to access the ancient city of Aptera. Visit the extraordinary archaeological site, to see the ruins of mighty empires – from the Romans to the Minoans – gradually emerging from the dusty ground, as excavations continue.</p>

Day 8

Valletta

Gazing upon the majestic walls of Valetta Cruise Port, travelers are transported through the annals of maritime history. This strategic harbor, once a bastion of defense for the Knights of St. John, stands as a testament to Malta's enduring resilience. Blessed with a Mediterranean climate, Valetta offers serene azure skies and gentle sea breezes, providing the perfect backdrop for exploration. Away from the tourist throngs, cruisegoers can immerse themselves in authentic Maltese culture, from savoring local delicacies in family-run tavernas to discovering hidden gems in the city's labyrinthine streets. As dusk descends, the port becomes a beacon of twinkling lights, casting a magical spell over all who visit.

Day 9

Valletta

Gazing upon the majestic walls of Valetta Cruise Port, travelers are transported through the annals of maritime history. This strategic harbor, once a bastion of defense for the Knights of St. John, stands as a testament to Malta's enduring resilience. Blessed with a Mediterranean climate, Valetta offers serene azure skies and gentle sea breezes, providing the perfect backdrop for exploration. Away from the tourist throngs, cruisegoers can immerse themselves in authentic Maltese culture, from savoring local delicacies in family-run tavernas to discovering hidden gems in the city's labyrinthine streets. As dusk descends, the port becomes a beacon of twinkling lights, casting a magical spell over all who visit.

Day 11

Civitavecchia

Perched on the shores of the Tyrrhenian Sea, Civitavecchia boasts a storied past intertwined with maritime adventures. As the gateway to Rome, its harbor has welcomed seafarers for centuries, echoing with tales of ancient civilizations and grand conquests. The Mediterranean climate blesses visitors with balmy breezes and sun-drenched days, creating an idyllic atmosphere for exploration. Away from the bustling metropolis, Civitavecchia offers an authentic Italian experience, where cobblestone streets wind through charming piazzas and trattorias serve up delectable seafood caught fresh from the sea. Don't miss the chance to stroll along the historic harbor walls, built to protect against marauding pirates centuries ago.

Day 12

Livorno

Nestled along the picturesque Tuscan coast, Livorno beckons with a maritime legacy steeped in seafaring lore. Its storied past as a bustling port city evokes a sense of adventure and discovery. Bask in the Mediterranean climate, where gentle sea breezes mingle with the aroma of freshly caught seafood. Unlike bustling tourist hubs, Livorno offers an authentic glimpse into Italian coastal life, away from the crowds. Explore the vibrant Mercato Centrale, a bustling market brimming with local flavors and treasures. As the gateway to Tuscany's timeless wonders, Livorno serves as the perfect launchpad for exploring the region's captivating landscapes and culinary delights.

Day 13

Ajaccio, Corsica

Ajaccio, cradled by the cerulean Mediterranean, boasts a vibrant legacy as the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte. Its sun-kissed shores and temperate climate make it a haven for those seeking an authentic Mediterranean experience. Away from crowded tourist hubs, Ajaccio invites travelers to savor the essence of France with its charming cobblestone streets and bustling markets, where local artisans showcase Corsican craftsmanship. Beyond its historical allure, Ajaccio captivates visitors with its culinary delights, from succulent seafood to aromatic cheeses. As dusk falls, the city's promenades come alive with the melodic strains of Corsican polyphonic singing, a testament to the island's rich cultural tapestry.

Day 15

Valletta

Gazing upon the majestic walls of Valetta Cruise Port, travelers are transported through the annals of maritime history. This strategic harbor, once a bastion of defense for the Knights of St. John, stands as a testament to Malta's enduring resilience. Blessed with a Mediterranean climate, Valetta offers serene azure skies and gentle sea breezes, providing the perfect backdrop for exploration. Away from the tourist throngs, cruisegoers can immerse themselves in authentic Maltese culture, from savoring local delicacies in family-run tavernas to discovering hidden gems in the city's labyrinthine streets. As dusk descends, the port becomes a beacon of twinkling lights, casting a magical spell over all who visit.

Day 15

Flights from Malta to UK