Itinerary
Intro Map
DEPARTS:
Piraneus (Athens), Greece
ARRIVES:
Fusina (Venice), Italy.
All Veranda Suites feature a full-length window and glass door to a private veranda, a comfortable living area, a queen-size bed or two twin beds, a dining table for two, a walk-in closet, an interactive flat-screen television with music and movies, a fully stocked bar and refrigerator, a makeup vanity, and a spacious bathroom with a separate tub and shower.
Your Ship: Seabourn Encore
The Seabourn Encore is a stunning addition to Seabourn's fleet, celebrated for its beauty and innovation. This ultra-luxury cruise ship, one of the newest and most modern in the industry, offers an unparalleled experience. Accommodating 300 guests, the ship is 690 feet long and 92 feet wide, ensuring spacious and comfortable travel.
Day 1 Piraneus (Athens)
DEPARTS 05:00 PM
Piraeus has been the port for Athens since 482 BC. The busy harbor is filled with ferries and cruise ships making their way to the Greek Islands and other Mediterranean cities. The busy metropolis of Athens and its treasure trove of antiquities lie just a few miles from the port. Even as the reality of the modern city took hold, with its high-rise apartments, crowded sidewalks and bustling traffic, the beauty of the Acropolis, the outstanding museums, charming cafés, sidewalk markets and startling views come together in a cultural mosaic for all to enjoy.
Overnight stay onboard Seabourn Encore in a Verandah Suite.
Day 2 Cruise: Monemvasia
ARRIVES 08:00 AM
DEPARTS 05:00 PM
Although connected to the mainland by a causeway, the great hump of Monemvasia looming from the sea is an island. The medieval city seems to tumble down the sheer rock to the sea, crowned by the Byzantine church of Ayia Sophia nearly 900 feet above. In the Middle Ages, the famous Malmsey wine was made here.
Overnight stay onboard Seabourn Encore in a Verandah Suite.
Day 3 Cruise: Monemvasia Katakolon
ARRIVES 08:00 AM
DEPARTS 06:00 PM
The small commercial port of Katakolon serves the inland town of Pyrgos as chief export center for grapes, raisins, regional fruits and vegetables that grow in the fertile hinterland. Fifteen miles in the distance lies Olympia, the sacred ancient site where the Olympic Games had their beginnings.
Overnight stay onboard Seabourn Encore in a Verandah Suite.
Day 4 Cruise: Katakolon Dubrovnik
ARRIVES 12:00 AM
DEPARTS 11:59 PM
Enjoy a day at sea and take advantage of the many activities availale on board.
Overnight stay onboard Seabourn Encore in a Verandah Suite.
Day 5 Cruise: Dubrovnik
ARRIVES 08:00 AM
DEPARTS 06:00 PM
Founded in the 7th century, Dubrovnik rose to greatness as a merchant state, independent republic and cultural crossroads. The traffic-free Old Town has been called a Croatian Athens. This UNESCO designated World Heritage Site is a living museum of the ages with fortifications, chapels, monastic cloisters and Europe's second-oldest synagogue crowded into its ancient walls. Relax at a sidewalk café, listen to the chimes of the 14th-century bell tower or join the promenade down the palace-lined avenue known as the Stradun.
Overnight stay onboard Seabourn Encore in a Verandah Suite.
Day 6 Cruise: Dubrovnik Hvar
ARRIVES 08:00 AM
DEPARTS 05:00 PM
Known as the Queen of the Dalmatian Islands, Hvar is an intriguing medieval town on an island with the same name, and is where celebrities and royalty come to indulge in summer pleasures. It’s considered the sunniest place in Croatia, making it ideal for relaxing days on stunning beaches surrounded by lush forest. The island is also famous for growing the highest quality lavender in the world due to its unique climate, and you’ll be amazed at the intoxicating scent that greets you from the gorgeous fields at the height of blooming season. Hvar is the UNESCO Island, boasting more UNESCO World Heritage sites than any other island in the world. Visit the first public theatre built in all Europe, constructed in 1612 and still standing in the main square of Hvar Town. The Stari Grad Plain, established by the ancient Greeks in 384 BC, features ancient stone walls and shelters bearing testimony to the ancient geometrical system of land division. Hvar today is a quiet spot reminiscent of the French Riviera at the turn-of-the-last-century.
Overnight stay onboard Seabourn Encore in a Verandah Suite.
Day 7 Cruise: Hvar Rovinj
ARRIVES 08:00 AM
DEPARTS 05:00 PM
On the Istrian peninsula of Croatia’s northern Adriatic coast, tiny, red-tiled Rovinj is perched on a domed headland now attached to the mainland. The town’s narrow, cobbled streets spiral up to the Church of St. Euphemia, whose Venetian-style campanile crowns the community. The outer, sea-level rim is lined with high-quality restaurants, and the warren of alleys open into unexpectedly to pleasant plazas with open-air cafes. Virtually the whole town is constructed of skillfully carved regional stone, and 14th Century houses have been converted to galleries and boutiques. A thriving, colorful farmers market fronts the harbor, and the marina bristles with the masts of yachts. Nearby are medieval hill-towns as enchanting as any in Tuscany, surrounded by prosperous-looking farms and vineyards. The achingly blue Adriatic beckons at nearby beaches and rocky swimming coves. Istria is distinctly Italian in character.
Overnight stay onboard Seabourn Encore in a Verandah Suite.
Day 8 Cruise: Rovinj Fusina (Venice)
ARRIVES 07:00 AM
Nestled along the breathtaking Venetian Lagoon, Fusina, Italy, offers a serene escape for discerning travelers seeking a blend of opulence and cultural exploration. This picturesque port town serves as a gateway to the timeless allure of Venice while embodying its own charm and sophistication.
You will be transferred to your hotel in Venice city. Check-in and enjoy the rest of the day in the city of Venice.
Overnight stay in Venice in a 5* hotel.
Day 9 Venice
We'll start our day with breakfast at the hotel. Today, we're in for an incredible adventure as we embark on a guided tour that will transport us through the captivating history of Venice over its 1600-year existence. We'll traverse the charming calli, open fields, and opulent palaces, delving into the intriguing tales of Casanova, uncovering treasures pilfered from Constantinople, exploring Venetian connections with the Orient, and unraveling the legendary stories surrounding St. Mark.
Our journey will also unravel the enigmatic aspects of Marco Polo and his travels along the Silk Road, among many other revelations. You'll be astounded by how profoundly the Venetians have shaped our everyday lives.
You have the rest of the day to enjoy as you please. There are additional activities available at an extra charge, such as a gondola ride or a trip to the islands of Murano and Burano.
Overnight stay in Venice in a 5* hotel.
Day 10 Venice Verona
Start your day with breakfast at the hotel.
Enjoy a private transfer from your hotel to Santa Lucia Train Station to catch your train to Verona, the city of Romeo and Juliet. This is in fact where one of the poet William Shakespeare's most famous works is set, and as we approach by train we begin to savour the timeless charm of this city, located near Lake Garda and nestled between the Italian Alps and the Po Valley.
Arrival and accommodation in the hotel and free afternoon to stroll around the city. We can see the main monuments, such as Juliet's balcony, Piazza delle Erbe, Castelvecchio, the Lamberti Tower or visit the famous Arena di Verona. Return to the hotel in Verona in the evening.
Overnight stay in Verona in a 5* hotel.
Day 11 Desenzano Lake Garda Verona
Breakfast at the hotel. Today we will dedicate our day to discovering the largest lake in Italy, Lake Garda. We will reach the town of Desenzano by train and embark on a public boat that connects the various towns on the southern shore of Lake Garda.
Our advice is not to miss the opportunity to visit Sirmione, a small town in the province of Brescia that enchants its visitors with the beauty of its breathtaking scenery and architecture full of history, so much that it has fully deserved the title 'Pearl of Lake Garda'. But also Lazise, Garda, Bardolino on the eastern side of Salò and Gardone on the western side are no less impressive. Our ticket will allow us to navigate between these villages, getting off and on as we please, within the boats' sailing hours of course. Return to Desenzano in the late afternoon and train to Verona.
Overnight stay in Verona in a 5* hotel.
Day 12 Verona Cinque Terre
Breakfast at the hotel.
Independently reach Verona train station and depart for the next destination of our trip: the Cinque Terre. La Spezia is the starting city to explore the famous Cinque Terre, the stretch of coast with 5 fishing villages perched over the sea: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore.
The two-day Cinque Terre Train Card is included, which allows access to the National Park area and the use of regional trains that connect the villages and local buses.
Overnight stay in Cinque Terre in a 4* hotel.
Day 13 Cinque Terre
Breakfast at the hotel, then free day to continue the visit to the Cinque Terre.
Alternatively, we recommend a wine tasting in Manarola or Monterosso to taste local wines or a Pesto experience to discover the secrets of authentic Italian cuisine with this homemade pesto (extra cost).
Overnight stay in Cinque Terre in a 4* hotel.
Day 14 Cinque Terre Milan
After breakfast, check-out of your hotel.
Make your way to La Spezia station and take the train to Milan, the 'capital of the North'.
Upon arrival in Milan and check-in at the hotel. Rest of the day free to explore the beauty of the fashion city: the Duomo with its terraces, the Sforzesco Castle, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, and the famous fashion and shopping streets. Return to the hotel in the evening.
Overnight stay in Milan in a 5* hotel.
Day 15 Milan Lake Como Milan
Start your day with breakfast at the hotel. Today we will dedicate the day to discovering the beauty of Lake Como, in the stretch of the lake that leads from Como to Bellagio. We reach Como by train and board one of the public boats that navigate the lake. Our ticket allows us to get off at each stop and visit the various villages on the western shore.
Arriving at Bellagio, we could devote some time to visiting this romantic village, situated exactly between the two arms of Lake Como. Bellagio is known for its cobbled streets, elegant buildings and the Villa Serbelloni Park, an 18th-century terraced garden overlooking the lake. Be careful not to be distracted by such beauty and be sure to check the ferry return times to Como! On the way back to Como, you can admire the changing colours of the lake in the late afternoon light. Return to Como and return to Milan by train.
Overnight stay in Milan in a 5* hotel.
Day 16 Milan
Breakfast at the hotel and end of our services.
