Wind Spirit, Adriatic Old Towns & Aegean Islands ex Athens to Venice

17 Night Cruise sailing from Athens to Venice aboard Wind Spirit.

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.

Santorini
Santorini is a small, circular archipelago of volcanic islands located in the southern Aegean Sea, about 200 km south-east from Greece's mainland. It is one of the best-known of the Cyclades where towering cliffs crowned by tiny white houses plunge straight into the depths of the sea. The steep coastline of the west is countered by the vast beaches of the east side, some of them sandy and others with pebbles.

Santorini is famous for dramatic views, stunning sunsets from Oia town, the strange white aubergine, the town of Thira and naturally its very own active volcano. There are also fantastic beaches such as the Perissa and Kamari.

Nafplion
Navplion (Nafplion, Nauplia etc) When in Greece, do as the Grecians do: Go to the Peloponnese. Connected by a narrow isthmus (it's less than four miles across at its narrowest) off the southern end of central Greece, the Peloponnese is a large peninsula with many things going for it. Not only are there fewer crowds than on the Aegean islands, it has just as many—if not more—ancient sites, including the temples at Nemea and Olympia. On the sunny east coast of the Peloponnese, tucked away in a deep bay, is the city of Navplion.

As Greece's first capital after the Greek War of Independence in the 1820s, Navplion has its share of history, including two Venetian fortresses and many neoclassical buildings. But in fact, Navplion is the more modern side of Greece—a relaxed and appealing place with leafy parks, small museums, picturesque streets and lively outdoor cafes.

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.

Venice
The city of Venice sits at the top of the Adriatic Sea in the north east corner of Italy. It is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The city sits on 118 small islands in the Venetian Lagoon – a salt marsh. In the 12th century Venice became a city state and its location at the top of the Adriatic made it a key naval and commercial centre as well as a flourishing art centre.

Modern Venice is stunning and retains the wonderful history of this unique city. It is a city of museums, galleries, piazzas, palaces, churches and more. One visit isn’t enough to see all that Venice has to offer but visitors should try and see the Basilica San Marco and San Marco Square, the Doges Palace and the Gallerie dell'Accademia which houses some of Italy’s finest art treasures.