Journey, Greece Intensive ex Venice to Athens

7 Night Cruise sailing from Athens to Istanbul aboard Azamara Journey.

Live the Mediterranean life at summer’s peak with five late or overnight stays. You’ll fall in love with the cliffside villages and colorful beaches of volcanic Santorini, and want to miss the sunset from Oia town on the caldera’s edge. From Mykonos, you can visit the treasures of Delos, enjoy lunch at a seaside taverna, and later join the nightlife for which this island is well-known. Patmos is quite different, with beautiful beaches, an aura of peace and some say a spiritual presence. Here you can walk in the footsteps of St. John in the winding streets of old Chora town and see the 12th century frescoes and rare icons at St. John Monastery. Ephesus paints a picture of ancient life in a once powerful city, a story that continues to unfold as excavations continue.

Highlights of this cruise:

Venice, Italy
Experience Venice, one of the most captivating—and romantic—cities in the world. Tour the city’s cobblestone streets and overarching bridges, or take to the water and explore the canals on a water taxi or gondola. As you make your way through the city, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to shop, sample delicious Veneto wines, or people watch in Piazza San Marco.

Kotor, Montenegro
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kotor is filled with churches, shops, bars, restaurants, and hidden piazzas. (The latter are perfect for enjoying Montenegrin wines like the red Vranac or dry white Krstač.) The entire city is surrounded by stone, both in the form of imposing Mount Saint John and by towering ancient walls, creating a cozy feeling of protection when you walk the cobblestone streets.

Corfu, Greece
It's one of the most popular Greek Isles for good reason. Explore the cobblestoned streets of Old Town in search of handcrafted treasures or while away they day on a sandy beach in town, or head out to the charming countryside. Here you'll find olive groves, lemon trees, and and rugged cliffs that are more than postcard-worthy.

Zakynthos, Greece
You'll find this small island packs a punch—from its sheer cliffs to its pristine beaches. In the capital—also named Zakynthos—you'll see traces of the island’s time as an overseas colony of Venice. The best preserved example from this period is the Venetian castle atop Bochali Hill where a bird’s-eye view of the town and panoramic sea views will have you feeling on top of the world.

Kalamata, Greece
Mention the word “Kalamata” and visions of large, plump olives start Greek dancing around your head. But when we’re talking Kalamata, the capital city of Messenia in the Greek Isles, there are even more tasty treats to sink your teeth into. It’s a veritable buffet of beauty, with numerous historic sites, great attractions, spectacular beaches, and even better food (including olives).

Monemvasia, Greece
Hidden away from the rest of the world, Monemvasia is a perfect escape for explorers and history buffs looking for a town seemingly unaffected by the passage of time.

Chania, Crete, Greece
Venetian splendor gives Crete's second largest city a distinctly Italian air. Greek and Ottoman influences add to the city's unique history and culture—each era certainly worth exploring. Framed by a dramatic mountain backdrop, Chania is an exceptional destination for history buffs, with plenty of tavernas and cafés to recharge after a day of discovery.

Santorini, Greece
The capital, Fira, clings to the rim of the caldera 900 feet above the sea. Take the cable car, or giddy up on a donkey to climb the 588 steps to the top. Hike to nearby Oia, a quintessential Greek village. Head south to the 3,500-year-old Minoan town Akrotiri. Often called Greece’s answer to Pompeii, the well-preserved ruins provide a glimpse into Santorini’s storied (and explosive) past.

Patmos, Greece
The tiny island of Patmos is where the last book of the New Testament was allegedly written. Visit the Cave of the Apocalypse where John the Apostle stayed in AD 95. Fast-forward 993 in the Monastery of Saint John the Theologian which still stands guard over Patmos town. Then, make the pilgrimage back to Skala for a picnic of local delicacies like fresh octopus and savory cheese pie.

Mykonos, Greece
Picture perfect is the best way to describe Mykonos. Idyllic in every way, from the brilliant blue water in its harbor to the rows of 16th-century Venetian windmills, Mykonos is a postcard come to life! Spend your days strolling delightful cobblestone streets and visiting artisan craft shops. And when the sun goes down, discover why locals refer to this hedonistic city as the Ibiza of Greece!

Piraeus, (Athens), Greece
Start your journey in Piraeus with an archaeological walk past landmarks like the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Ancient Agora, and of course, the Acropolis. Afterwards, head to the Central Market for a feast of fresh fruit and veggies, nuts, olives, and Grecian cheese. Finally, check out a local taverna where you can rub elbows with the locals well into the wee hours of the night.