Barcelona to Athens (Piraeus) Cruise on Celebrity Infinity from Barcelona

Barcelona

The port of Barcelona was born about the same time as the city was. It is one of themost important ports in the Mediterranean, cruise ships leave the city to call on some of themost desirable cities in the Western Mediterranean. The port has modern facilities and allthe services needed to accommodate the many passengers who have Barcelona as anembarkation and a disembarkation port. Barcelona is one of the most cosmopolitan andmulticultural capitals of Europe. Among many attractions that include the Sagrada Familia,Montjuic, Gaudi's Güell Park and the famous Ramblas. It’s a hub of activity and the city isalways bustling.

Messina (Sicily)

Messina is the capital of the Italian province of Messina. It is situated near the Northeast corner of Sicily and is the 3rd largest city on the island. The campanile holds the largest astronomical clock in the world and is full of animated mechanical statues that put on quite the show at noon. The city has been a Roman Catholic Archdiocese and Archimandrite seat since 1548 and is home to a locally important international fair. Things to see and do include the Archaeological Museum of Reggio di Calabria, Torre Faro observation tower over Messina Strait, Lungomare promenade at Reggio, The Fountain of Orion, The Four Fountains and The Senatory Fountain. Sicily has long been a key feature on Mediterranean cruise itineraries and for good reason. This wonderful little island is a true gem and there’s so much to keep all the family occupied.

Valletta (Malta)

Valletta is the capital of Malta, situated in the east central portion of Malta. It is the second southernmost capital of Europe. The city was officially recognised as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1980. The city is essentially Baroque in character, with elements of Mannerist, Neo Classical and Modern architecture in selected areas. The city consists of buildings from the 16th century onwards, built during the rule of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, also known as Knights Hospitaller. The official name given by the Order of Saint John was Humilissima Civitas - Valletta the Most Humble City of Valletta. The bastions, curtains along with the beauty of its Baroque palaces, gardens, and churches, led the ruling houses of Europe to give the city its nickname Superbissima - Most Proud. Valletta cruise port is stunning and the views from your ship of the harbour will blow you away. There’s lots to see and do in the immediate port area, and shuttle buses are sometimes provided to take you further into the city. A day of exploring here will not disappoint.

Heraklion (Crete)

Heraklion, or Heraclion is the largest city and capital of the island of Crete, Greece. It is one of the largest cities in Greece. The ruins of Knossos, which were excavated and restored by Arthur Evans, are nearby. Top places to visit include the Minoan Palaces of Knossos and Phaistos and the Venetian structures in Heraklion Town, like the Koules Fortress and the Morosini Lions Fountain. Heraklion is a beautiful island and is loved by cruise passengers. There are pristine beaches to enjoy, including Matala, Agia Pelagia, and Malia. Delicious local cuisines also await, and you can’t visit Greece without trying some delicacies such as Dakos, Dolma and Kalitsounia. In short, Heraklion is an island that offers it all and we’re sure one visit won’t be enough.

Rhodes

Rhodes is an island in Greece, located in the eastern Aegean Sea. It is located northeast of Crete, southeast of Athens and just off the Anatolian coast of Turkey. Historically, Rhodes was famous worldwide for the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The medieval Old Town of the City of Rhodes has been declared a World Heritage Site. Today, it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. From there you can access Lindos and its famous Acropolis which can be accessed on foot or by donkey.

Kusadasi (Turkey)

With a mix of modern beach resorts alongside traditional bazaars, Kusadasi is a popular tourist destination on the Aegean coast in the Aydin Province of Turkey. Aside from its golden sandy beaches and warm clear waters, Kusadasi boasts a variety of attractions most famous of which is Ephesus, the Mediterranean’s best-preserved classical city. Marble pillars of the Library of Celsus support intricate friezes and sculptures, while the enormous theatre delivers superb views over the city. Visitors can also discover Kusadasi on horseback, swim with the horses at Pamucak Beach or take time to visit array of stalls and shops that comprise the local bazaar.

Thessaloniki (Greece)

Thessaloniki is the second largest city in Greece and the capital of the region of Central Macedonia, as well as the capital of the Decentralised Administration of Macedonia and Thrace. The city is renowned for its festivals, events, and vibrant cultural life in general, it is also considered to be Greece´s cultural capital. Events such as the Thessaloniki International Trade Fair and the Thessaloniki International Film Festival are held annually, while the city also hosts the largest bi-annual meeting of the Greek diaspora. Thessaloniki is home to numerous notable Byzantine monuments, including the Paleochristian and Byzantine monuments of Thessaloniki, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as several Roman, Ottoman and Sephardic Jewish structures. The city´s main university, Aristotle University, is the largest in Greece and the Balkans. The earliest known letter by Paul the Apostle was written to the early Christian church in Thessaloniki and is identified as First Thessalonians; it is among the books in the New Testament whose authorship by Paul is generally regarded by scholars as being undisputed. A later letter to the same church follows in the Christian Bible as Second Thessalonians. In addition to its historic roots, Thessaloniki is also a very popular tourist destination in Greece. In 2010, Lonely Planet ranked Thessaloniki as the world´s fifth-best party city worldwide, comparable to other cities such as Dubai and Montreal. For 2013, National Geographic Magazine included Thessaloniki in its top tourist destinations worldwide. If that’s not enough to tempt you, it was the second largest and wealthiest city of the Byzantine Empire.

Thessaloniki (Greece)

Thessaloniki is the second largest city in Greece and the capital of the region of Central Macedonia, as well as the capital of the Decentralised Administration of Macedonia and Thrace. The city is renowned for its festivals, events, and vibrant cultural life in general, it is also considered to be Greece´s cultural capital. Events such as the Thessaloniki International Trade Fair and the Thessaloniki International Film Festival are held annually, while the city also hosts the largest bi-annual meeting of the Greek diaspora. Thessaloniki is home to numerous notable Byzantine monuments, including the Paleochristian and Byzantine monuments of Thessaloniki, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as several Roman, Ottoman and Sephardic Jewish structures. The city´s main university, Aristotle University, is the largest in Greece and the Balkans. The earliest known letter by Paul the Apostle was written to the early Christian church in Thessaloniki and is identified as First Thessalonians; it is among the books in the New Testament whose authorship by Paul is generally regarded by scholars as being undisputed. A later letter to the same church follows in the Christian Bible as Second Thessalonians. In addition to its historic roots, Thessaloniki is also a very popular tourist destination in Greece. In 2010, Lonely Planet ranked Thessaloniki as the world´s fifth-best party city worldwide, comparable to other cities such as Dubai and Montreal. For 2013, National Geographic Magazine included Thessaloniki in its top tourist destinations worldwide. If that’s not enough to tempt you, it was the second largest and wealthiest city of the Byzantine Empire.

Nafplio (Greece)

Nauplia a seaport town in the Peloponnese in Greece that has expanded up the hillsides near the north end of the Argolic Gulf. Nafplio (Greek Name) is a port, with fishing and transport ongoing, although the primary source of local employment currently is tourism, with two beaches on the other side of the peninsula from the main body of the town and a large amount of local accommodation. There are frequent bus services from/to Athens

Athens (Piraeus)

Athens, the capital city of Greece is an active cosmopolitan mix of different cultures and people, passionate about their art and history. The climate is one of the best in Europe, with mild winters and very hot summers, ideal for tourism. It is located just a few miles from the port of Piraeus, the central commercial port of the capital, and the shores of southern Attica. The main attractions of Athens are The Ancient Agora, Anafiotika, The Acropolis, Mount Lycabettus, Thiseion Cinema, Gazi, Monastiraki Flea Market, Pireaus seaside, Pireaus open air market, Kastella Hill, Veakio open air theatre and Piraeus Archaeological.

Athens (Piraeus)

Athens, the capital city of Greece is an active cosmopolitan mix of different cultures and people, passionate about their art and history. The climate is one of the best in Europe, with mild winters and very hot summers, ideal for tourism. It is located just a few miles from the port of Piraeus, the central commercial port of the capital, and the shores of southern Attica. The main attractions of Athens are The Ancient Agora, Anafiotika, The Acropolis, Mount Lycabettus, Thiseion Cinema, Gazi, Monastiraki Flea Market, Pireaus seaside, Pireaus open air market, Kastella Hill, Veakio open air theatre and Piraeus Archaeological.