Greece, Italy, France, Spain Cruise on Celebrity Eclipse from Athens (Piraeus)

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.

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.

Naples (Italy)

Naples is the capital of Campania, one of the largest metropolises on the Mediterranean Sea. The Port of Naples is one of the largest Italian seaport and one of the largest seaport in the Mediterranean Sea. Naples' historic city centre is the largest in Europe and is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Naples has long been a major cultural centre with a global sphere of influence, particularly during the Renaissance and Enlightenment eras. In the immediate vicinity of Naples are numerous culturally and historically significant sites, including the Palace of Caserta and the Roman ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Culinary Naples is synonymous with pizza, which originated in the city. Neapolitan music has furthermore been highly influential, credited with the invention of the romantic guitar and the mandolin, as well as notable contributions to opera and folk standards.

Civitavecchia (Rome)

 Civitavecchia is the city of Rome´s port on the Tyrrhenian Sea. The harbour is formed by two piers and a breakwater, on which is a lighthouse. The name Civitavecchia means Ancient Town. There, the Eternal City lies before us in large format architectural and artistic sculptures such as the Colosseum, the most important monument of ancient Rome and used for public entertainment. Do not miss the Trevi Fountain and make a wish while you throw a coin over your shoulder and then continue to the Pantheon, one of the best-preserved monuments of antiquity, Piazza Navona, and the Vatican City. Take a walk through the Plaza of Spain and rest on the steps of Trinita dei Monti before heading to Via Condotti, a wide avenue lined with shops. Civitavecchia is always popular with cruise passengers because, as noted earlier, it is the gateway to Rome. All cruise lines tend to offer shore excursions here to the Eternal City and we highly recommend that you book one. 

La Spezia (Florence)

La Spezia sits at the head of the Gulf of La Spezia, in the Liguria region of northern Italy. It is the capital city of the province of La Spezia. For shopping, there are craft and antique shops in the lanes of the Cinque Terre villages, but the best thing to buy here is wine or local produce (such as the salted anchovies of Monterosso). The main attractions of La Spezia are: Public Gardens, Churches, Museums, Castle of San Giorgio, and Art Nouveau style villas. It’s a picturesque place to enjoy as part of your cruise holiday and we’re sure you won’t be disappointed. Heading out of La Spezia will take you to other parts of Italy for the day, including Pisa and Cinque Terre - the iconic coast of five colourful villages that tops most “must see'' travel lists.

La Spezia (Florence)

La Spezia sits at the head of the Gulf of La Spezia, in the Liguria region of northern Italy. It is the capital city of the province of La Spezia. For shopping, there are craft and antique shops in the lanes of the Cinque Terre villages, but the best thing to buy here is wine or local produce (such as the salted anchovies of Monterosso). The main attractions of La Spezia are: Public Gardens, Churches, Museums, Castle of San Giorgio, and Art Nouveau style villas. It’s a picturesque place to enjoy as part of your cruise holiday and we’re sure you won’t be disappointed. Heading out of La Spezia will take you to other parts of Italy for the day, including Pisa and Cinque Terre - the iconic coast of five colourful villages that tops most “must see'' travel lists.

Nice (France)

Nice is a large city in France on the French Riviera. It´s a popular destination for vacationers, with something to offer for everyone. It is well known for the beautiful view on the Promenade des Anglais, its famous waterfront, and is an ethnically diverse port city. The Colline du Chateau overlooking the Baie des Anges and harbour offers a spectacular vantage point overlooking the city. Among its many attractions are its beautiful beaches, lovely seaside promenade, interesting museums, famous city landmarks and other tourist attractions. Nice on the Mediterranean Cote d´Azur is a wonderful place, with its flower market, beautiful coastline, terrace restaurants and outdoor bars, great shopping and wonderful cultural experiences.

Palma (Majorca)

The capital of the island of Mallorca, Palma welcomes you through a magnificent view: the marina, the promenade, the Cathedral that is dominated by the Bellver Castle, situated on a hill which overlooks the harbour. Majorca is a favourite European destination for many cruise passengers. Great shopping centres and tourist services, beautiful and pristine beaches, the cuisine, and traditional products, not to mention the wonderful caves of Drach, all await you on your visit. Inland, you’ll find typical Mallorcan villages and mountain ranges reaching heights of 1,500 metres. 

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.