Star Legend, Mediterranean Memoirs ex Athens to Lisbon

18 Night Cruise sailing from Athens to Lisbon onboard Star Legend.

Highlights of this cruise:

Athens
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.

Corfu
Corfu is the second largest Greek island on the north side of the Ionian Sea, in the entrance of the Adriatic Sea, 6 km’s from the coast of Albania. The principal town of the island is also named Corfu, or Kerkyra in Greek. The island is steeped in history and it is directly connected to the history of Greece starting from Greek mythology.

Corfu is a popular tourist destination, offering something for everyone. It boasts many beachside resorts, leisure and entertainment facilities, unspoiled countryside, secluded coves, traditional villages and scenic mountain walks.

There are two excellent beaches close (about 25 km) to Corfu Town at Benitses Glyfada and Paeleokastritsa.

Argostoli
Argostoli is the capital of the island of Kefalonia, the largest of the Greek Ionian Islands. On Kefalonia tourists are drawn to the beautiful blue sea, the golden sandy beaches, the unique caves, the rocky mountains and the traditional settlements. Kefalonia also boasts archeological areas and impressive historical monuments.

Argostoli itself has an attractive main square, the Platia, which has plenty of bars and tavernas in which to sit and watch the world go by. Other attractions in Argostoli include the bridge of Drapano, the Koutavos lagoon, the Lighthouse of Agii Theodori and the Cave of Agios Gerasimos.

Cartagena
Cartagena is located in the Murcia region of Spain. It has a rich archeological and naval history which can be seen in its museums and in its historic walled old quarter. It is a wonderful place for strolling, with the old town stretching down to the waterfront that is dotted with sun-splashed squares and inviting cafes offering the regional variation of paella.

The entrance to the town centre is dominated by the Palacio Consistorial or City Hall, a gem of modernist architecture from the early 20th century. On the way to the Torres Park (behind the Sea Wall) is the Old Cathedral. It is the oldest church in Cartagena (13th century), whose remains stand on the steps of a Roman Theatre discovered in 1987. Also linked to the history of Cartagena, you can visit the Naval Museum, on the edge of the modern city.

Lisbon
Lisbon is the capital city of Portugal. a lively and multicultural place. Pre World War I wooden trams clank up steep gradients, past mosaic pavements and Art Nouveau cafés, and the medieval, village-like quarter of Alfama hangs below the city's castle.

Modern Lisbon has kept an easy-going pace and boasts a vibrant, cosmopolitan identity from large communities of Africans and Asians. In 1994, Lisbon was European City of Culture, while in 1998 the city hosted the last great Expo of the millennium.

There are few monuments and little art in Lisbon, largely due to the 1755 earthquake. There is one building from Portugal's golden age – the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos at Belém – that is the equal of any monument in the country. More modern developments include the Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian museum complex and the Tómas Taveira's amazing postmodernist shopping centre at Amoreiras.