ITINERARY
ITINERARY
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at sea...
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Kora La
You’ll feel like you’ve switched continents when you dine at this restaurant. It offers a pan-Asian selection of curries and noodle dishes, a separate sushi menu, plus bespoke dishes created by master chef Ian Pengelley exclusively for Marella Cruises. This is one of the ship's speciality restaurants, so there's a charge to dine here – plus, we recommend you make a reservation in advance.
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Latitude 53
The main waiter service restaurant is a good-looking place, with a gold-and-grey colour scheme and floor-to-ceiling windows.
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Surf & Turf Steakhouse
This place does what it says on the tin, specialising in all things meat and fish. The menu stars various cuts of steak, including the Porterhouse for two – and you can watch the chef cook yours on the open grill. Or you can create your own surf and turf with a selection of meats and seafood. This is one of the ship's speciality restaurants, so there's a charge to dine here – plus, we recommend you make a reservation in advance.
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Athens & The Acropolis
Leave the port of Piraeus behind and head for the captivating city of Athens. You’ll pass by the main sights, like Constitution Square, or ‘Syntagma Square’ as it’s also known, the Houses of Parliament, the Neoclassical-style university buildings, the Royal Palace and the Old Olympic Stadium of Athens. The stadium’s built entirely of marble and offers up a great view of the Acropolis in the distance. The real highlight of this tour comes next, when you arrive at the foot of the magnificent Acropolis, one of the most famous and photographed ancient monuments in the world. Set off on a walking tour, split into several stages, and let your guide explain its history to you. Once you get to the top, you’ll get some free time to wander round, admiring the ancient temples of Athena Nike and the towering Parthenon. Don’t forget your cameras for the breathtaking views of the city below.
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Panoramic Athens & Plaka
Leave the port of Piraeus behind and head for the captivating city of Athens. You’ll pass by the main sights, like Constitution Square, or ‘Syntagma Square’ as it’s also known, the Houses of Parliament, the Neoclassical-style university buildings, the Presidential Palace and the Old Olympic Stadium of Athens. The stadium’s built entirely of marble and offers up a great view of the Acropolis in the distance. Afterwards, carry on to the traditional part of the city at the foot of the Acropolis, known as Plaka, where you’ll get some free time to explore. Soak up the atmosphere as you wander through the tangled maze of streets or pull up a chair in one of the pretty open-air cafes. It’s a great place to pick up some souvenirs as the shops in Plaka stay open all day.
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The Corinth Canal
Get ready to be impressed. The Corinth Canal marries up the Gulf of Corinth in the northwest with the Saronic Gulf in the southeast. It’s 3.9 miles long and its width varies from 69 feet at the bottom to 82 feet at the water's surface. Before it was built, ships sailing between the Aegean and the Adriatic Sea had to circumnavigate the Peloponnese, adding another 185 miles to their journey. On this fascinating tour you’ll drive to Isthmia, around 1 hr's drive, where a boat will be waiting to whisk you off. Sit back, relax and enjoy the views as you sail through this famous canal. Along the way, your guide will tell you interesting facts about the way it was built. Afterwards, you’ll take the bus to the bridge of the canal for a photo-stop, before heading back to your ship.
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Archaeological Site of Messini
This one takes you back in time. The tour begins with a short drive to the Arcadian Gate, an impressive structure that once acted as an entrance to the ancient city of Messini. There’ll be a short stop, so you can take some photos before getting back on the coach. From here, you’ll head for the archaeological site of Messini, which dates all the way back to 146 BC. You’ll find plenty in the way of treasures here, including an almost-intact theatre, the ruins of a 3rd-century temple, a time-worn sanctuary and a Byzantine monastery. You’ll have an hour to explore, before moving on to the pretty village of Messini, about ten minutes away. Making our stop at Messini quaint village, you’ll have some time to wander around its square with just enough time to grab a traditional coffee, before making your way back to the ship.
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Kalamata Bike Tour
For a different way of exploring a port of call, try one of our bike tours. This way, you can really get to know a destination and see the places that bus tours can't reach. You'll be led around by a guide, who'll give you the lowdown on all the sights.
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Bella Vista
Visit some of the most spectacular places in the north of the island. First of all, you’ll head to the island’s Greek Byzantine Monastery which is still in use, set in fragrant gardens where you’ll enjoy a guided tour, before heading to Paleokastritsa, a quiet resort nestled in a beautiful bay. There’ll be time to take a coffee break or enjoy an optional boat ride to the caves around the bay at an extra local charge, before heading to Bella Vista, the most famous viewpoint in Corfu. Here, you’ll get some time to capture the magical views overlooking Paleokastritsa and the island’s west coast. Then the tour continues via the village of Makrades, the Troumbeta mountain passage and a string of traditional Greek villages before returning to the ship.
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Achilleion Palace & Corfu Town
Achilleion Palace and Corfu Town’s old quarter are two of the most talked-about attractions on the island, and on this trip, you can give them your full attention. The sightseeing starts on the drive out to Achilleion Palace. As you pass through the Corfiot countryside, you’ll get a real feel for just how green this Greek island is – look out for orange, lemon and olive groves. The Achilleion Palace is in the village of Gastouri and it was built at the end of the 19th century as a summer retreat for Empress Elizabeth of Austria. As you explore this royal residence, you’ll discover that Elizabeth had a taste for the finer things in life. Inside, grand halls are decorated with frescos. Outside, the gardens are dotted with statues of Greek gods. When you’ve finished wandering around the palace, you’ll make your way back to Corfu Town for a walking tour of the old quarter. This part of the city was built by the Venetians more than 400 years ago, so there’s a strong spectre of Italy in the architecture here. Expect narrow streets and Baroque building facades. Take note of the location of St Spyridon’s church – you might want to come back here during the free time that follows the guided tour.
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Transfer to Glyfada Beach
Glyfada Beach is a Blue Flag strip of sand on Corfu’s west coast. You’ll have three hours to enjoy it during this trip. The soft, golden sand unravels into a crystal-clear lagoon. While behind it, dramatic, tree-peppered cliffs tower over a smattering of shops and restaurants. You can be as relaxed or active as you like – top up your tan as you lie on a sunlounger*, or get stuck in with watersports*. There’s windsurfing, waterskiing and pedal boats up for grabs.
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Highlights of Montenegro
The port of Kotor finds a home on the world’s southernmost fjord - or the ‘Bride of the Adriatic’, as it’s also known. As places go, it’s beautiful. Think blue seas. A stony shore. Green mountains. All drenched in the heavenly scent of lemons, oranges, mimosas and camellias. And here’s your chance to explore this gorgeous part of the world. First you’ll stop at the mountain village of Njegusi to taste the region’s delicious smoked ham and cheese. Stomach full, you’re ready for Cetinje. Known as the ‘Valley of Gods’, it was once the smallest European capital and it’s filled to bursting with beautiful buildings. Here you'll visit the King Nikola's palace before having some free time to stroll around. Next you’re off to Budva - the most popular tourist destination on Montenegro’s map. And quite rightly so. Beautiful architecture meets seductive sandy beaches in this spot. Perhaps that’s why lots of millionaires decide to live here. Want to join them?
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Kotor by Land and Sea
Sit back & relax as we transport you around the stunning bay of Kotor to Perast. This Baroque town packs plenty of charm and has a really interesting past. Due to its position nestled on the water front the town used to be known as the ‘defender of the bay’. Take a quick look round the maritime museum before heading out on a boat to one of the two magical islands found in the bay. One island is all natural, while the other is man-made. According to legend the island, the Lady of the Rock, was made over the centuries by seamen who kept an ancient oath. After each successful voyage they placed a rock in the bay until the island was formed. After a look around the Lady of the Rock, you’re off to Budva with a hop, skip and a jump across the bay on a ferry! Budva is the most popular tourist destination on Montenegro’s map. Split your stop here between free time or join your guide on a walking tour. Your day doesn’t end there - last stop is the historical town of Kotor for a guided tour. Prepare to fall in love with Montenegro!
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Walking Tour of Kotor
When a town is two thousand years old like Kotor there are plenty of stories to tell. Its ancient Roman beginnings. Its Middle Ages struggle of ownership between Goths, Saracens and Serbians. Its Venetian past. With a history like this, it’s no surprise Kotor has got itself a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List. And what better way to explore it than with a guided walking tour? In every stone of its timeworn walls, on every fresco painting and every hidden alley, you’ll relive its glorious past. The old town centre is still really well preserved and the criss-crossed narrow streets and squares have monuments at every corner. From Prince’s Palace and Napoleon’s Theatre to the most recognisable symbol of the city - the Romanesque Cathedral of Saint Tryphon – you’ll be mesmerised from the word go. And how many towns in this part of the world have preserved their fortifications from the Middle Ages? Not many. But Kotor is one of the few. The chunky walls surrounding the old town are impressive to say the least - at some places they reach 20 metres in height and 16 metres in thickness. If you don’t believe us, you’ll have plenty of time to measure them in the free time you’ll get here. Have we given you enough reasons to join our guided visit to Kotor? We think so.
