Mediterranean Connection – Venice to Barcelona - MNA231011B Marina departing 11 Oct 2023

Savor the majestic beauty of this amazing city as you glide along its canals and under its bridges, opulent palazzi and elegant churches lining the route. Discover Venice’s secret quarters down narrow alleys opening into spacious campos. Admire the Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica. Visit lovely Burano and the glass factories on Murano. Or enjoy the scenic countryside with its stunning Palladian villas.

Sometime around 300 A.D., Roman Emperor Diocletian built his retirement palace on one of the loveliest spots on the Adriatic Sea. Today his palace has become a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the heart of Split, the city that grew up around it. Split is now Croatia’s second largest city, and much of it sits on a beautiful peninsula on the island of Ciovo, a jewel on the Dalmatian Coast. Many intriguing relics from the Roman, Greek colonial and Medieval periods can be found in Split’s archaeological museum, which was founded in 1820, making it Croatia’s oldest museum. One of the top outdoor attractions is the green oasis of Marjan Forest Park with its Split Zoo. There are also plenty of fine beaches nearby.

Kotor is a beautiful walled medieval city of twisting, pink-paved streets, markets and architecture reflecting Byzantine to Venetian influences. Stroll through the compact old town, admire the impressive walls and tour the imposing St. Tryphon Cathedral, consecrated in 1166.

Immerse yourself in this island of glorious scenery and beaches, serene monasteries, beautiful palaces, traditional mountain towns and Corfu’s lovely old Venetian quarter. Or visit the ornate Achilleion Palace, built by Empress Sissi of Austria and filled with dramatic sculptures of the Greek hero Achilles.

Visit ancient Olympia where the Olympic Games began in 776 B.C. and stroll around this deserted sanctuary, admiring the temples, altars and treasuries, and stand on the ground where ancient athletes practiced before competing. Or enjoy a pleasant drive through the countryside past quaint villages to a local vineyard and sample the wines, local cheeses and other foods.

Chania wears its past on its sleeve. Spend the day in museums, from those uncovering the ancient history buried beneath the rocky soil to those celebrating Greece’s magnificent maritime history and the region’s unique folklore. Visit the ruins of the city-state of Aptera, a powerhouse in Minoan and Hellenistic times and eventually a Roman stronghold.

Visit the beautiful whitewashed hilltop towns of Oia and Fira and their breathtaking views of the caldera below. See the stunning artifacts in Fira’s museum, including recent finds from the excavation of Akrotiri, thought by many to be the legendary city of Atlantis, or visit a winery. Stroll through the winding streets with fantastic views around every corner.

Visit beautiful Taormina and marvel at its famous Greek theater and the stunning view of Mount Etna. Explore lovely medieval Messina with its historic churches and the cathedral where it is rumored Richard the Lionheart worshipped in 1190. Or discover ancient Tyndaris, founded in 396 B.C., with its fine mosaics, Roman baths and impressive theater overlooking the sea.

Salerno is a port city southeast of Naples, in Italy. Atop Monte Bonadies, the centuries-old Arechi Castle has sea views, plus Museo Medievale del Castello, exhibiting medieval ceramics and coins. In town, built on the ruins of a Roman temple, is Salerno Cathedral. It has Byzantine bronze doors, a baroque crypt and a marble altar. The terraced Minerva’s Garden has been growing medicinal plants since the 14th century.

Travel to Rome and revel in the magnificent monuments, from the ancient Roman Forum and Coliseum to the splendor of St. Peter’s Basilica with Michelangelo’s Pietà and his breathtaking frescoes in the Sistine Chapel. Or enjoy a drive through the lush farmlands of the Roman countryside to lovely medieval Castelgandolfo.

Spend a day exploring the fabulous ruins of ancient Pompeii or Herculaneum with their stunning temples, frescoes and mosaics. Explore fascinating Naples and its famed museums, visit charming Sorrento or take a boat trip to the beautiful Isle of Capri.

Destroyed by an earthquake in the 17th century, Catania has been beautifully restored and offers ancient churches, castles and amphitheaters, lush gardens and lovely palazzos to explore. Tour the 13th century Ursino Castle, which was situated along the coast until earthquakes and volcanic eruptions transformed the landscape. Drive inland through picturesque villages and explore Villa Romana del Casale, a 4th century villa and UNESCO World Heritage Site containing a complex collection of Roman mosaics considered one of the finest in the Roman world.

A playground for yachters, tourists and jet setters, modern Bodrum stands on the site of the ancient city of Halicarnassus. You can still see the foundations of the mausoleum, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, which was destroyed by earthquakes. The Knights of St. John used its stones to build Bodrum Castle, fascinating not only as a medieval monument but also for the Museum of Underwater Archaeology within its walls, which includes a display of the oldest known shipwreck.

Meander through the ruins of ancient Ephesus and marvel at the famed Library of Celsus, the huge amphitheater, the marble roads with their chariot marks, the amazing mosaic sidewalks and the superb, rarely opened Terrace Houses. Or journey to three monumental cities of antiquity – Priene, Miletus and Didyma – renowned for their majestic temples and impressive, beautifully preserved stadiums.

Climb up the magnificent Acropolis and stand in awe of the Parthenon, the beautiful temples and the view over Athens stretched out before you. See city highlights including the new and old Olympic stadiums. Journey to Cape Sounion and the temple of Poseidon overlooking the sea, or visit ancient Corinth and the narrow Corinth Canal cut through miles of solid rock.

Enjoy wandering through the narrow, winding streets of this delightful seaside village with its whitewashed houses, flowers and brightly painted shutters and doors. Stand beneath the windmills on the hill. Visit the archaeological museum and an old bakery still using a 15th century wood-burning stove.

With a history spanning more than two millennia, Thessaloniki reigned alongside Constantinople as a capital of the Byzantine Empire. So numerous are the outstanding Paleochristian and Byzantine monuments that as a group they have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Don’t miss the ornate church and sacred crypt of St. Demetrius, the city’s martyred patron saint, or the palace complex of Galerius and the mosaics in the Rotunda. The Archaeological Museum holds even more ancient treasures.

Built on a promontory on the site of ancient Neapolis, Kavala offers fine beaches and numerous historic sites. A Byzantine castle lords over Kavala, and its 16th century aqueduct is still intact. The ruins of nearby Philippi include a Roman forum and a 5th century cathedral.

Indulge your eyes and senses in this magnificent city astride two continents. Visit beautiful Topkapi Palace, the awesome Hagia Sophia and the impressive Blue Mosque. Cruise the Bosphorus to see the city and its surroundings from another perspective. Visit one of the many museums or stroll through the spice market and the famous Grand Bazaar.

Indulge your eyes and senses in this magnificent city astride two continents. Visit beautiful Topkapi Palace, the awesome Hagia Sophia and the impressive Blue Mosque. Cruise the Bosphorus to see the city and its surroundings from another perspective. Visit one of the many museums or stroll through the spice market and the famous Grand Bazaar.

Discover this delightful ancient town and its many treasures, from the superb artifacts in the museum to Ottoman mansions, Byzantine churches and mosques, Hadrian’s Gate, and the ancient Roman harbor now restored and alive with cafés and pleasure boats. Or head for the magnificent ruins of Perge and Aspendos and imagine the history of these cities, from Alexander to St. Paul and from the Romans to the Arabs. Stand in awe of the huge Roman theater and the crumbling aqueduct.

Limassol is the jumping off point to explore the ancient riches of Cyprus. See ruins, majestic mountains and scenery, stunning beaches, and vast groves of lemons, oranges and olives. Visit Lemesos Castle, where Richard the Lionheart married Berengaria of Navarre, and its fascinating museum. Or stroll through ancient Curium and admire its stunning mosaics, theater, basilica and panoramic views over the sea. Venture inland to Nicosia and its wonders like the Cathedral of St. John, the Venetian fortifications, a restored old town and mosque, and the Cyprus Museum.

Visit the land of miracles – Galilee, the Jordan River, the Mount of the Beautitudes and Tabgha. Venture to Nazareth, home of the young Jesus. See the largest hanging gardens in the world at the Bahai Gardens of Haifa. Or visit the Nahalal Moshav, a commune established in 1921 by Jewish immigrants.

For Christians, Jews and Muslims, Jerusalem is one of the holiest cities on earth, and it is also one of the oldest. Early Bronze Age tools and writings show that Jerusalem has been settled since the 4th millennium B.C. Marvel at the beauty of the Dome of the Rock and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the walled Old City of Jerusalem, as you stroll through winding streets where people have lived for centuries.

Travel to Cairo and marvel at the Giza pyramids and Sphinx standing at the edge of the vast Sahara. Visit the fabulous Egyptian Museum and see its awesome collection of artifacts.

One of the greatest cities of antiquity, Alexandria boasts the magnificent new Library of Alexandria as well as the Alexandria National Museum. With an atmosphere that is decidedly more Mediterranean than Egyptian, it is a city of wonderful contrasts. Explore the sights ranging from the beautiful beaches along the bustling waterfront to serene gardens and palaces.

Discover the myriad of cultural layers of Malta, from its amazing prehistoric temples at Tarxien to beautiful walled medieval Mdina, nearby Rabat, and Marsaxlokk, a colorful fishing village. Admire the stunning scenery and wander through imposing churches and down the streets of fortified towns where the Knights of St. John once held sway.

Meander through Tunis’ opulent, historic medina with its winding alleys and souks. Visit the superb Bardo Museum with its spectacular Roman mosaics or the lovely whitewashed village of Sidi Bou Saïd, perched on a cliff above the sea, a charming spot of cobbled streets, flower-filled courtyards and ornate window grills painted deep blue.

Visit the magnificent Gothic cathedral and the amazing La Sagrada Familia, Antoni Gaudí’s unfinished masterpiece. Enjoy the lovely Montjuic Gardens, Gaudí’s other fabulous structures, the charming squares of the old Gothic Quarter and the Ramblas, Barcelona’s famed downtown promenade. Or visit beautiful Montserrat and its monastery in a breathtaking setting high in the mountains.