Trieste (Italy) to Athens (Piraeus) Cruise on Oosterdam from Trieste (Italy)

Trieste (Italy)

Trieste is a city and seaport in northeastern Italy. It is situated towards the end of a narrow strip of Italian territory lying between the Adriatic Sea and Slovenia, which lies almost immediately south and east of the city. Once a very influential and powerful centre of politics, literature, music, art and culture under Austrian-Hungarian dominion, its importance fell into decline towards the end of the 20th century, and today, Trieste is often forgotten as tourists head off to the big Italian cities like Rome and Milan. It is, however, a very charming underestimated city, with a quiet and lovely almost Eastern European atmosphere, several pubs and cafes, some stunning architecture and a beautiful sea view. It was also, for a while, the residence of famous Irish writer James Joyce.

Rijeka (Croatia)

This cosmopolitan coastal city is famous for its annual carnival, Rijeka’s theatres, museums and abundant history make cruises to Rijeka an intriguing destination at any time of the year. The unique Baroque rotunda of St Vitus Cathedral, dedicated to the port’s Patron Saint and protector, is in the old town. He appears again in a relief on the early 16th century city flagpole outside the Municipal Palace close to the Church of St Jerome, once part of an Augustinian monastery complex. Further stone decorations, this time of fish and molluscs, are found in the city’s Great Market. Energetic visitors on Rijeka cruises can climb the 500 steps to reach the ancient district of Trsat and the Church of Our Lady of Trsat, the oldest Croatian sanctuary dedicated to the Virgin Mary

Split (Croatia)

Split is a popular destination located in the Mediterranean Basin on the eastern shores of the Adriatic Sea, on the ancient Roman Palace of the Emperor Diocletian and its bay and port. Split is the largest Dalmatian city, and the second largest city of Croatia. Spread over a central peninsula and its surroundings, Split's greater area includes the neighboring seaside towns as well. The historic center of Split was included into the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites (1979). Split is said to be one of the centre of Croatian culture. This city of history, culture, and tradition it is also a city of fun parties and great night life. It is also known for the summer season festivals, dramas, operas, and concerts. There is also a variety of restaurants and wine cellars, where you can taste the local specials.

Santorini

Santorini is an island in the southern Aegean Sea, about 200 km (120 mi) southeast from Greece´s mainland The island remains the home of a small, but flourishing, wine industry, based on the indigenous grape variety, Assyrtiko, with auxiliary cultivations of two other Aegean varietals, Athiri and Aidani. Wine Industry The vines are extremely old and resistant to phylloxera (attributed by local winemakers to the well-drained volcanic soil and its chemistry), so the vines needed no replacement during the great phylloxera epidemic of the late 19th century. In their adaptation to their habitat, such vines are planted far apart, as their principal source of moisture is dew, and they often are trained in the shape of low-spiralling baskets, with the grapes hanging inside to protect them from the winds. Architecture The traditional architecture of Santorini is similar to that of the other Cyclades, with low-lying cubical houses, made of local stone and whitewashed or limewashed with various volcanic ashes used as colours. The unique characteristic is the common utilisation of the hypóskapha: extensions of houses dug sideways or downwards into the surrounding pumice

Mykonos

Probably the most famous of the Greek Islands, Queen of the Cyclades, and the most cosmopolitan. Mykonos, owes its fame to the beauty of its capital, its white houses narrow passages, and their numerous high quality beaches. Tourism is a major industry, and Mykonos is particularly renowned for its cosmopolitan nightlife; many international celebrities visit the island every summer and and its proximity to the island of Delos, rich in archaeological treasures.

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.

Istanbul

Istanbul is Turkey's most populous city, and its cultural and financial center. It is also one of the largest cities in Europe and the world. Located on both sides of the Bosphorus, the narrow strait between the Black Sea and the Marmara Sea, Istanbul bridges Asia and Europe both physically and culturally. Istanbul attracts visitors not only for its history and its monuments, but also for their way of life and its lovely people. It is the city of churches, synagogues and thousands of mosques Istanbul is the city of the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and Suleymaniye, Grand Bazaar and Topkapi and Dolmabahce palaces.

Istanbul

Istanbul is Turkey's most populous city, and its cultural and financial center. It is also one of the largest cities in Europe and the world. Located on both sides of the Bosphorus, the narrow strait between the Black Sea and the Marmara Sea, Istanbul bridges Asia and Europe both physically and culturally. Istanbul attracts visitors not only for its history and its monuments, but also for their way of life and its lovely people. It is the city of churches, synagogues and thousands of mosques Istanbul is the city of the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and Suleymaniye, Grand Bazaar and Topkapi and Dolmabahce palaces.

Dardanelles (cruising)

Dardanelles is a straight that separates Europe and Asia. It joins the Aegean Sea with the interior of the Marmara Sea and it's archipelago. The main city that limits with the straight is the Canakkle where we can visit the archaeological site of Troy.

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.

Alexandria (Egypt)

Alexandria is the second largest city in Egypt, the largest lying directly on the Mediterranean coast and Egypt´s largest seaport. It is also an important tourist resort. Hellenistic Alexandria was best known for the Lighthouse (Pharos), one of the Seven Wonders of Ancient World; its Great Library (the largest in the ancient world now replaced by a modern one); and the Necropolis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Middle Ages. Alexandria became a major center of the international shipping industry and one of the most important trading centers in the world, both because it profited from the easy overland connection between the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea, and the lucrative trade in Egyptian cotton.

Haifa (Israel)

the city of Haifa is famous for beeing the world center of the Bahai faith, an indpendent religion with administrative headquarters in Mount Carmel, near the principal sanctuary. Between the points of interest, we can name de German Colony, constructed with stones and a recommended tour, Wadi Nisnas, a walk through the Haifa Museum, the mall in St. John´s Street and an outdoor market, the Pascha, a tour that will take you through de residential district of Hadar to the Old City.

Haifa (Israel)

the city of Haifa is famous for beeing the world center of the Bahai faith, an indpendent religion with administrative headquarters in Mount Carmel, near the principal sanctuary. Between the points of interest, we can name de German Colony, constructed with stones and a recommended tour, Wadi Nisnas, a walk through the Haifa Museum, the mall in St. John´s Street and an outdoor market, the Pascha, a tour that will take you through de residential district of Hadar to the Old City.

Limassol (Cyprus)

The city of Limassol is the second largest in importance after Nicosia, it is located on the south coast of the country, known by many as a seaside resort, as it offers a great variety of services of that kind. It is also known for the animated night life and for the wine festival that the celebrate every year.

Antalya (Turkey)

Antalya is a city on the Mediterranean coast of southwestern Turkey. It is Turkey's biggest international sea resort, located on the Turkish Riviera. Antalya is in south-west Anatolia, on the Mediterranean Gulf of Antalya, approximately 339 mi from Ankara, 349 mi from Adana, 290 mi from Izmir, and 452 mi from Istambul. The Taurus mountains of southern Anatolia runs parallel to the Mediterranean in an east-west direction, resulting in the formation of narrow coastal plains surrounded by mountains on three sides and the sea on the fourth. Some parts of the coast feature mountains plunging sharply into the sea, forming small natural bays and peninsulas. Antalya is situated on one such plain where the mountains recede from the shore, consisting of two flat areas formed of travertine rock at a mean height of 115 ft; the citycenter is on the rocky plain closest the coast, with urban sprawl extending to the Kepezüstü Plain further inland.

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.

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.