Trieste to Athens cruise onboard Seven Seas Voyager with Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Trieste is a fascinating port city in northeastern Italy, located on the Adriatic Sea right near the borders of Slovenia and Austria, giving it a unique blend of Italian, Central European, and Balkan influence. The scenery is elegant and atmospheric, with grand Austro-Hungarian architecture, lively waterfront promenades, and sweeping sea views backed by the rocky hills of the Karst Plateau. Top things to do include strolling through the beautiful Piazza Unità d’Italia, visiting the historic Miramare Castle perched above the sea, exploring the Roman Theatre of Trieste, enjoying a coffee in one of the city’s famous old-style cafés, discovering local history at the Revoltella Museum, walking along the Canal Grande, and taking a short trip to the stunning Grotta Gigante cave just outside the city.

Split is not only an urban, cultural and traffic centre of Dalmatia with road and sea connections to Dalmatia's numerous summer resorts, but it is itself often a popular tourist destination. A city with a 1700-year old tradition, there is a variety of archaeological, historical and cultural monuments, among which is the well-known Palace of Diocletian . Split has a variety of restaurants and wine cellars, offering domestic specialties. There are many beaches and public beaches in the city and its surroundings, the most popular of them being Bacvice, a sand beach almost in the very heart of the town. The cultural and entertainment offer of Split is extremely rich, particularly in the summer, when the city squares, yards and other areas turn into a large open-air stage. The Split Summer, a traditional festival in the middle of the summer season, includes dramas, operas and concerts. Split has several theatres, among which the Croatian National Theatre, established in 1893, deserves a special mention as a house hosting theatrical festivals, the Split Summer and the Days of Marulic. There is also the Youth Theatre, and the Split Puppet Theatre. If you visit city Split remember it is a city of history, culture, and tradition but it is also a city of fun parties and great night life.

Dubrovnik is a breathtaking coastal city in southern Croatia, set along the sparkling Adriatic Sea and famously known as the “Pearl of the Adriatic.” The scenery is spectacular, with medieval stone walls, terracotta rooftops, limestone streets, and crystal-clear waters framed by rugged cliffs and nearby islands. Top things to do include walking the iconic Dubrovnik City Walls, exploring the charming Old Town and Stradun promenade, visiting the historic Rector’s Palace, taking the cable car up Mount Srđ for panoramic views, relaxing at Banje Beach, taking a boat trip to Lokrum Island, and enjoying fresh seafood and local Dalmatian cuisine in waterfront restaurants.

Kotor is a coastal town in Montenegro. It is located in a most secluded part of Gulf of Kotor. Kotor is an old Mediterranean port and major tourist destination. It has one of the best preserved medieval old towns in the Adriatic, listed with UNESCO world heritage sites. This small medieval town on the beautiful Kotor Bay is both charming and seductive. Narrow streets, contiguous houses, bulwarks, churches, cathedrals, squares, carnivals and feasts, create an environment that one cannot resist. Kotor has numerous other sights, such as Cathedral of Saint Tryphon in the old town (built in 1166), and ancient walls which stretch 4,5 km directly above the city. Sveti Đorđe and Gospa od Škrpijela islets off the coast of Perast are also among more popular destinations in Kotor vicinity.

Cruising the Ionian Sea

Katakolon is a charming seaside port on Greece’s western Peloponnese coast, overlooking the Ionian Sea and best known as the gateway to the legendary ruins of Ancient Olympia. The scenery is relaxed and inviting, with a pretty harbour lined with cafés, small beaches, fishing boats, and green hills stretching inland through olive groves and countryside. Top things to do include visiting the UNESCO-listed site of Olympia, exploring the Archaeological Museum of Olympia, walking through the original Olympic stadium, browsing local shops and markets along the waterfront, tasting regional wines and olive products, relaxing on nearby beaches like Agios Andreas, and enjoying traditional Greek food at a seaside taverna while watching the sunset over the harbour.

Mykonos is the most famous tourist island in the Eastern Mediterranean and certainly the most cosmopolitan among the Cyclades. Mykonos easily captures the visitors interest, thanks to the great variety of choices on offer here. There is something for everyone; “holidays” here can mean anything from the most peaceful relaxation to the wildest partying. Located on the islands’ western harbor, the “Chora” of Mykonos is a very beautiful old island town, which in the past had its own merchant fleet. Today it maintains a balance between tourism-related development and the preservation of its very picturesque features. There are whitewashed houses, proud windmills, a multitude of chapels, busy back streets with balconies full of flowers and a multicolored fleet of fishing boats in the port. In the background is the Paraportiani Church; alongside it, sea-washed “Little Venice”. After sunset everything changes: crowds throng this luxurious marketplace and the restaurants, bars and discos consign the tiny town to the pleasures and the different rhythm of the night. Ano Mera one of the most eastern side of the island, a tranquil village in the midst of farms, is a lovely locale, known for its excellent taverns. It is ideal for bicycling and hiking, and there are beaches nearby for swimming and water-sports. Tourists may also visit the two monasteries in the area, “Tourliani” and ”Paleokastro”. As long as the sun is shining, the island’s greatest attractions are the many beautiful beaches and the clean blue-green sea. Most of the beaches are on the south side of the island. Among these are the much frequented Platy Gialos, Psarou, Ornos, Paranga “Paradise” (Kalamopodi), “Super Paradise” (Blintri), Elia, Kalafati, Kalo Livadi, and Lia. On Mykonos western shore are Agios Stefanos, Houlakia, Tourlos, Megali-Ammos and Agios Yannis (opposite Delos). A day devoted to exploring Delos is a must before returning home. This ancient ruined city dedicated to Apolo, was also a major center in the Mediterranean. There are a number of small museums in Mykonos town and, during the summer, there is an outdoor cinema, the Cine Mando, and various art exhibitions, theatrical performances and concerts.

The port of Piraeus is one of the last old-style Mediterranean ports from where you can catch ferries to all of the Greek islands and travel a short distance to Greece's capital city Athens. In the heart of the city lies the ancient Plaka district, with its honeycomb of streets, little shops - and tavernas that come alive at night. Situated on the north and east slopes of the Acropolis, it is rich with historic sites, such as ancient monuments and churches. Within Athens there are eight large hills, including the Acropolis, and on the outskirts, Mount Parnitha, Mount Pendeli and Mount Hymettos surround the city. A trip to Athens' most famous tourist attraction, the impressive Parthenon built on the Acropolis around 2,500 years ago, will be memorable to say the least. There are an extraordinary number of historic tourist sights in Athens and many of these are known world-wide. Some of the top Athens attractions include the Agora - a grand, ruined Roman building, Hadrian's Arch - originally the city gate linking the Roman quarters with original town of Athens and the stunning Dionysos Theatre - the world's oldest theatre where many great plays have been performed over the years.