Discover the Mediterranean from Venice to Athens: 15 days Venice to Athens (Piraeus)

Your Croatian cruise begins in the romantic city of Venice, founded in the fifth century and stretching across 118 small islands of the marshy Venetian Lagoon. The grandeur of this city needs no introduction, from its legendary canals to the magnificent St Mark’s Basilica. Here, you’ll be transferred to your Emerald luxury yacht to embark on a compelling journey of history, art and natural wonders. 

Please book your flight to arrive into Venice prior to 04:00 PM.

Located on Croatia’s Istrian Peninsula, the lovely town of Rovinj is interwoven with Italian influences. A rabbit warren of narrow, winding cobbled streets and small squares, Rovinj is a delight to explore on foot, strolling among the many colourful buildings and art galleries. On a hilltop, the belltower of the Baroque-style St Euphemia’s Church pierces the sky, while down below, the picturesque harbour is filled with fishing boats, a nod to the town’s seafaring and fishing traditions.  

First mentioned in written records in 1066, Šibenik is one of Croatia’s oldest towns. Nestled on the coast between Zadar and Split, it has been conquered by Venetians, Byzantines, Hungarians and Habsburgs, meaning there is a plethora of architectural styles to admire. This tiny city is home to two World Heritage-listed sites: the white-stone Saint James’ Cathedral, an architectural fusion of Gothic and Renaissance, and the 16th- and 17th-century fortress of St Nicholas. 

Located on a small island between the Croatian mainland and Ciovo Island, World Heritage-listed Trogir is an ancient settlement with roots in the Hellenistic period, later shaped by Roman, Venetian and Croatian influences. It’s filled with Romanesque churches and Renaissance and Baroque buildings, with St Lawrence Cathedral dominating the old town square. Climb to the top of the bell tower for spectacular views over the town. Spend time people-watching on the wide seaside promenade, which is packed with bars and cafes.  

The island of Vis served as a Yugoslav military base from the 1950s until 1989, during which it was cut off to visitors and left vastly unpopulated. This has preserved the island’s authenticity and life here is laidback and unhurried, with a rocky coastline and azure waters. The town of Komiža, significantly developed during Venetian rule, is made up of narrow passageways and historic stone buildings. The island was used as a filming location for the sequel to the film Mamma Mia!, depicting the fictional Greek island of Kalokairi. 

Hvar is a photogenic jumble of whitewashed buildings topped with terracotta roofs, and beyond, picturesque rolling hills peppered with lavender fields, olive groves, and grapevines. The heart of Hvar is its Old Town, which reveals multiple layers of history and architectural wonders. These include the vast St Stephen’s Square, which is home to a cathedral built in the 16th and 17th centuries, and the restored Arsenal, which was used to repair and refit war galleons from the 17th century. Hvar is said to be the sunniest place in all of Croatia, so soak up the rays as you wander the yacht-lined harbour or make your way up to Fortica, the island’s medieval fortress that has sweeping views over Hvar and its neighbouring islands. 

A gem of the Adriatic, Korcula is among the most beloved islands in Croatia. It boasts a landscape of olive groves and vineyards, and a striking coast of white pebble beaches and azure waters. While there’s evidence the island has been inhabited since prehistoric times, the fortified old town is on UNESCO’s tentative list for its late medieval planning and has been referred to by the locals as ‘Little Dubrovnik’. It’s a delightful mix of medieval churches, elegant palaces and squares. See the impressive St Mark’s Cathedral, built in Gothic-Renaissance style, and the captivating Marco Polo Center, where you can understand the legacy of the explorer who is said to have been born here. The villages of Cara and Smokvica are renowned for producing the country’s signature dry white wine. 

Dubrovnik, known as the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’, is a compelling city on Croatia's Dalmatian coast. With its medieval city walls and breathtaking views of terracotta rooftops and the Adriatic Sea, it offers the perfect blend of cultural exploration and a beach holiday. 

Enveloped by medieval walls, the fortified city of Kotor is a place of ancient stories and modern culture. Nestled between imposing mountains and the Adriatic Sea, this World Heritage-listed setting is brimming with Venetian palaces, cobblestone lanes and café-hemmed squares. Climb the 1,350 steps up to St John’s Fortress, where you’ll have spectacular views over the Bay of Kotor. 

Sarandë is a popular coastal town on a crescent-shaped bay in Albania. The once-sleepy fishing village has a bustling seaside promenade, pebbled beaches and ancient ruins, including the ruins of an ancient synagogue thought to date from the fifth or sixth century, adorned with intricate mosaics and historical artefacts. From Sarandë, you’ll journey across the strait to Corfu, a large island with sandy coves and hills studded with olive, cypress and citrus trees. 

One of Greece’s most beloved and beautiful islands, Corfu is in the Ionian Sea and has a rich history and magnificent architecture displaying Renaissance and Baroque influences. Its UNESCO-listed Old Town has roots dating back to the 8th century BC and features architecture shaped by later Venetian and European influences. It is a labyrinthine maze of alleyways, home to the largest square in Greece, the impressive Spianada, a leafy green space with gardens and historical monuments. The island is also dotted with authentic Greek villages and beaches lapped by aquamarine waters. 

Parga, on mainland Greece, has a carefree holiday atmosphere. Enjoy the sunshine on one of the many beaches, explore traditional Greek villages, and marvel at the 11th-century Castle of Parga, which offers an incredible bird’s-eye view of the resort town and coastline. 

Known as the ’Caribbean of Greece’, Lefkada is connected to the mainland by a narrow bridge, making it one of the few Greek islands accessible directly by road. One of the most fascinating places in Lefkada is the Castle of Agia Mavra, dating to the 14th century and built to protect the island from invasions. The island’s modern marina has a thriving drinking and dining scene, while the town centre has many churches and museums. 

Sail to the small port of Itea, then embark on a journey to the archaeological site of Delphi, regarded by the Ancient Greeks as the centre of the world. After your visit, it’s time to pass through the 19th-century Corinth Canal. A feat of engineering, this narrow waterway was cut through solid rock and is more than six kilometres long, with walls that rise to about 79 metres (260 feet) at their highest point. It crosses the isthmus of Corinth in Greece, linking the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf and shortening the sea route between the Ionian and Aegean Seas.

Your Emerald Cruises voyage concludes in the bustling capital of Greece, Athens. This cosmopolitan city was at the heart of Ancient Greece and named after the goddess of wisdom and warfare, Athena. From the yacht, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your journey home or to continue your holiday.

Please book your flight to depart out of Athens after 01:00 PM.

The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Emerald Cruises cannot guarantee the cruise will be operated unaltered from the itinerary states above.