Piraeus

It's no wonder that all roads lead to the fascinating and maddening metropolis of Athens. Lift your eyes 200 feet above the city to the Parthenon, its honey-color marble columns rising from a massive limestone base, and you behold architectural perfection that has not been surpassed i... It's no wonder that all roads lead to the fascinating and maddening metropolis of Athens. Lift your eyes 200 feet above the city to the Parthenon, its honey-color marble columns rising from a massive limestone base, and you behold architectural perfection that has not been surpassed in 2,500 years. But, today, this shrine of classical form dominates a 21st-century boomtown. To experience Athens—Athína in Greek—fully is to understand the essence of Greece: ancient monuments surviving in a sea of cement, startling beauty amid the squalor, tradition juxtaposed with modernity. Locals depend on humor and flexibility to deal with the chaos; you should do the same. The rewards are immense. Although Athens covers a huge area, the major landmarks of the ancient Greek, Roman, and Byzantine periods are close to the modern city center. You can easily walk from the Acropolis to many other key sites, taking time to browse in shops and relax in cafés and tavernas along the way. From many quarters of the city you can glimpse "the glory that was Greece" in the form of the Acropolis looming above the horizon, but only by actually climbing that rocky precipice can you feel the impact of the ancient settlement. The Acropolis and Filopappou, two craggy hills sitting side by side; the ancient Agora (marketplace); and Kerameikos, the first cemetery, form the core of ancient and Roman Athens. Along the Unification of Archaeological Sites promenade, you can follow stone-paved, tree-lined walkways from site to site, undisturbed by traffic. Cars have also been banned or reduced in other streets in the historical center. In the National Archaeological Museum, vast numbers of artifacts illustrate the many millennia of Greek civilization; smaller museums such as the Goulandris Museum of Cycladic Art Museum and the Byzantine and Christian Museum illuminate the history of particular regions or periods. Athens may seem like one huge city, but it is really a conglomeration of neighborhoods with distinctive characters. The Eastern influences that prevailed during the 400-year rule of the Ottoman Empire are still evident in Monastiraki, the bazaar area near the foot of the Acropolis. On the northern slope of the Acropolis, stroll through Plaka (if possible by moonlight), an area of tranquil streets lined with renovated mansions, to get the flavor of the 19th-century's gracious lifestyle. The narrow lanes of Anafiotika, a section of Plaka, thread past tiny churches and small, color-washed houses with wooden upper stories, recalling a Cycladic island village. In this maze of winding streets, vestiges of the older city are everywhere: crumbling stairways lined with festive tavernas; dank cellars filled with wine vats; occasionally a court or diminutive garden, enclosed within high walls and filled with magnolia trees and the flaming trumpet-shaped flowers of hibiscus bushes. Formerly run-down old quarters, such as Thission, Gazi and Psirri, popular nightlife areas filled with bars and mezedopoleia (similar to tapas bars), are now in the process of gentrification, although they still retain much of their original charm, as does the colorful produce and meat market on Athinas. The area around Syntagma Square, the tourist hub, and Omonia Square, the commercial heart of the city about 1 km (½ mi) northwest, is distinctly European, having been designed by the court architects of King Otho, a Bavarian, in the 19th century. The chic shops and bistros of ritzy Kolonaki nestle at the foot of Mt. Lycabettus, Athens's highest hill (909 feet). Each of Athens's outlying suburbs has a distinctive character: in the north is wealthy, tree-lined Kifissia, once a summer resort for aristocratic Athenians, and in the south and southeast lie Glyfada, Voula, and Vouliagmeni, with their sandy beaches, seaside bars, and lively summer nightlife. Just beyond the city's southern fringes is Piraeus, a bustling port city of waterside fish tavernas and Saronic Gulf views. Read More

Fly from the UK to Athens

Transfer from the airport to the port

Náfplion

Oraia (beautiful) is the word Greeks use to describe Nafplion. The town's old section, on a peninsula jutting into the gulf of Argos, mixes Greek, Venetian, and Turkish architecture; narrow streets, often just broad flights of stone stairs, climb the slopes beneath the walls of Acrona... Oraia (beautiful) is the word Greeks use to describe Nafplion. The town's old section, on a peninsula jutting into the gulf of Argos, mixes Greek, Venetian, and Turkish architecture; narrow streets, often just broad flights of stone stairs, climb the slopes beneath the walls of Acronafplia. Tree-shaded plazas surround neoclassic buildings. The Palamidi fortress—an elegant display of Venetian might from the early 1700s—guards the town. Nafplion deserves at least a leisurely day of your undivided attention, and you may want to spend several days or a week here and use the city as the base from which to explore the many surrounding ancient sights. Read More

At Sea

Kotor

Backed by imposing mountains, tiny Kotor lies hidden from the open sea, tucked into the deepest channel of the Bokor Kotorska (Kotor Bay), which is Europe's most southerly fjord. To many, this town is more charming than its sister UNESCO World Heritage Site, Dubrovnik, retaining more... Backed by imposing mountains, tiny Kotor lies hidden from the open sea, tucked into the deepest channel of the Bokor Kotorska (Kotor Bay), which is Europe's most southerly fjord. To many, this town is more charming than its sister UNESCO World Heritage Site, Dubrovnik, retaining more authenticity, but with fewer tourists and spared the war damage and subsequent rebuilding which has given Dubrovnik something of a Disney feel.Kotor's medieval Stari Grad (Old Town) is enclosed within well-preserved defensive walls built between the 9th and 18th centuries and is presided over by a proud hilltop fortress. Within the walls, a labyrinth of winding cobbled streets leads through a series of splendid paved piazzas, rimmed by centuries-old stone buildings. The squares are now haunted by strains from buskers but although many now house trendy cafés and chic boutiques, directions are still given medieval-style by reference to the town’s landmark churches.In the Middle Ages, as Serbia's chief port, Kotor was an important economic and cultural center with its own highly regarded schools of stonemasonry and iconography. From 1391 to 1420 it was an independent city-republic and later, it spent periods under Venetian, Austrian, and French rule, though it was undoubtedly the Venetians who left the strongest impression on the city's architecture. Since the breakup of Yugoslavia, some 70% of the stone buildings in the romantic Old Town have been snapped up by foreigners, mostly Brits and Russians. Porto Montenegro, a new marina designed to accommodate some of the world’s largest super yachts, opened in nearby Tivat in 2011, and along the bay are other charming seaside villages, all with better views of the bay than the vista from Kotor itself where the waterside is congested with cruise ships and yachts. Try sleepy Muo or the settlement of Prčanj in one direction around the bay, or Perast and the Roman mosaics of Risan in the other direction. Read More

Korčula

Off the coast of Croatia in the southern Adriatic Sea lie some thousand islands and the largest of them, Korçula, is considered the most beautiful. With an average of 3,000 hours of sunshine per annum, which guarantees a wide assortment of Mediterranean vegetation, it is not difficult... Off the coast of Croatia in the southern Adriatic Sea lie some thousand islands and the largest of them, Korçula, is considered the most beautiful. With an average of 3,000 hours of sunshine per annum, which guarantees a wide assortment of Mediterranean vegetation, it is not difficult to understand why seasoned travelers compare Korçula to a latter-day Eden. Separated from the mainland by a channel of only one mile, Korçula's main town, named the same as the island, ranks among the best preserved medieval towns in the Mediterranean. It is the island's main tourist, economic and cultural center. Thanks to its strategic location along the sea trade routes, Korçula has always attracted travelers and settlers. Korcula was founded by Greek colonists, who were followed by Illyrians, Romans and finally the Croats. The Korçula Statute of 1214 is one of the oldest legal documents to have been adopted in this part of Europe. The same century saw the birth of the famous world traveler, Marco Polo. The house said to be his birthplace can be seen in town. Korçulans have always been known as keen seafarers, excellent shipbuilders, stonemasons and artists. From their many voyages, sailors brought back new ideas, which eventually mixed with local customs. To this day, Korçula has maintained the tradition of performing knightly games such as the chivalrous Moreska dance, which has been in existence for more than 400 years. Visitors to Korçula enjoy its stunning location, natural beauty and medieval ambiance. And if that's not enough, the town offers numerous attractions that are within walking distance from the pier, including the City Museum and the Bishop's Treasury. Read More

Hvar Island

The Croatian island of Hvar bills itself as the "sunniest island in the Adriatic." Not only does it have the figures to back up this claim—an annual average of 2,724 hours of sunshine—but it also makes visitors a sporting proposition, offering them a money-back guarantee if there are... The Croatian island of Hvar bills itself as the "sunniest island in the Adriatic." Not only does it have the figures to back up this claim—an annual average of 2,724 hours of sunshine—but it also makes visitors a sporting proposition, offering them a money-back guarantee if there are seven consecutive days of snow (snow has been known to fall here; the last time being February 2012). Read More

Vodice

Piran

Venice

Venice is a city unlike any other. No matter how often you've seen it in photos and films, the real thing is more dreamlike than you could imagine. With canals where streets should be, water shimmers everywhere. The fabulous palaces and churches reflect centuries of history in what wa... Venice is a city unlike any other. No matter how often you've seen it in photos and films, the real thing is more dreamlike than you could imagine. With canals where streets should be, water shimmers everywhere. The fabulous palaces and churches reflect centuries of history in what was a wealthy trading center between Europe and the Orient. Getting lost in the narrow alleyways is a quintessential part of exploring Venice, but at some point you'll almost surely end up in Piazza San Marco, where tourists and locals congregate for a coffee or an aperitif. Read More

Venice

As you arrive into the port Fusina, your luxurious ocean sailing aboard Seabourn Ovation draws to a close. You’ll embark on a short drive into the heart of Venice to board the second leg of your luxurious journey, aboard S.S. La Venezia. Your journey continues with a luxurious seven-n... As you arrive into the port Fusina, your luxurious ocean sailing aboard Seabourn Ovation draws to a close. You’ll embark on a short drive into the heart of Venice to board the second leg of your luxurious journey, aboard S.S. La Venezia. Your journey continues with a luxurious seven-night sailing through the Venetian Lagoon, exploring the best of Venice and its enchanting surrounding islands. Read More

Venice

Explore the highlights of Venice today with an early-morning VIP access to Doge’s Palace and a private after-hours visit to St Mark’s Basilica without the usual crowds. Your day begins with a truly bucket-list moment this morning as the doors of Doge’s Palace open exclusively for our... Explore the highlights of Venice today with an early-morning VIP access to Doge’s Palace and a private after-hours visit to St Mark’s Basilica without the usual crowds. Your day begins with a truly bucket-list moment this morning as the doors of Doge’s Palace open exclusively for our guests. Without the usual tourist crowds, With your early morning arrival at Doge’s Palace, you’ll be able to marvel at the estate in total peace. You’ll then be guided through the Venetian residential quarter on a slowpaced walk as you head back to the ship to enjoy a beautiful lunch onboard. Later in the evening, cap the day off with a private once-in-a-lifetime experience at an afterhours lighting ceremony inside St. Mark’s Basilica without the crowds. This a truly money-can’t-buy experience reserved solely for Uniworld guests, offering an intimate exploration of one of Venice’s most popular landmarks. Read More

Venice

Start your morning in one of two of the Veneto region’s UNESCO World Heritage cities, Vicenza or Padua. In the afternoon, you’ll reboard the ship for scenic sailing across the lagoon as we head towards Mazzorbo and Burano. In the evening, you may wish to take your free time to stroll... Start your morning in one of two of the Veneto region’s UNESCO World Heritage cities, Vicenza or Padua. In the afternoon, you’ll reboard the ship for scenic sailing across the lagoon as we head towards Mazzorbo and Burano. In the evening, you may wish to take your free time to stroll into town to appreciate this charming island when most of the tourists have left for the evening. Burano’s brightly painted fishermen’s cottages are an artist’s dream - hot pink, chartreuse, orange, lemon yellow, and more. Read More

Chioggia

Spend the day exploring the northern lagoon of Venice and its captivating islands. Start with a visit to Torcello’s famous basilica with an art historian, then stroll through the agricultural island of Mazzorbo and the rainbow-hued island of Burano during your free time after lunch. A... Spend the day exploring the northern lagoon of Venice and its captivating islands. Start with a visit to Torcello’s famous basilica with an art historian, then stroll through the agricultural island of Mazzorbo and the rainbow-hued island of Burano during your free time after lunch. Alternatively, you can take the afternoon to see the renowned glassblowing artisans of Murano at work. Read More

Chioggia

Today you’ll discover the highlights of coastal Chioggia, beginning with a visit to its lively local market, a true window into daily life in this charming fishing town. You’ll then have a choice of included excursions, each offering its own flavour of the region. You may board an aut... Today you’ll discover the highlights of coastal Chioggia, beginning with a visit to its lively local market, a true window into daily life in this charming fishing town. You’ll then have a choice of included excursions, each offering its own flavour of the region. You may board an authentic Bragozzo boat and visit a local villa for a tasting of organic olive oil, wines, honey and cheeses, experiencing the rich produce of the Venetian countryside. Alternatively, you may choose to explore a noble villa at Dominio di Bagnoli, one of the oldest wine-producing estates in Europe, where a private tasting awaits. Another option takes you to Palazzo Goldoni, a historic palace on the island of Chioggia, where the elegance of the setting is complemented by the soothing sounds of local musicians. No matter how you choose to explore, you’ll savour some of the very best that northern Italy has to offer. Read More

Venice

This morning, you’ll have a choice of excursions. You may set sail on the waters of Italy’s largest nature reserve, the UNESCO-protected Po Delta. Enjoy refreshments onboard as your boat meanders leisurely for two hours through serene wetlands, where the meeting of the Po River and th... This morning, you’ll have a choice of excursions. You may set sail on the waters of Italy’s largest nature reserve, the UNESCO-protected Po Delta. Enjoy refreshments onboard as your boat meanders leisurely for two hours through serene wetlands, where the meeting of the Po River and the Adriatic Sea creates a peaceful haven for wildlife. Nature-lovers and birdwatchers will especially appreciate the chance to spot a multitude of rare and beautiful species. Storks, purple heron and a remarkable colony of more than 10,000 pink flamingos are among the easier residents to admire as you glide through this extraordinary landscape. Alternatively, you may opt for a guided tour of Castello del Catajo, an impressive historic estate filled with grand halls, elaborate frescoes and centuries of Venetian history Read More

Venice

As your water taxi glides through Venice’s narrow canals and along the Canal Grande, you’ll arrive in style at the Rialto Bridge. One of today’s excursions takes you to the iconic bridge and its bustling food markets, often accompanied by the Uniworld chef, who will introduce you to t... As your water taxi glides through Venice’s narrow canals and along the Canal Grande, you’ll arrive in style at the Rialto Bridge. One of today’s excursions takes you to the iconic bridge and its bustling food markets, often accompanied by the Uniworld chef, who will introduce you to the region’s vibrant produce. This experience concludes with a relaxed tasting in a traditional Venetian wine bar. Another option invites you to discover Ca’ Macana, one of the city’s most celebrated mask ateliers, where skilled artisans craft the elaborate masks synonymous with the Carnival of Venice. For something more hands-on, you can opt to learn how to row a gondola along one of Venice’s peaceful side canals – a memorable way to experience the city from the water. Read More

Venice

Disembark the ship and be transferred to the airport to begin your journey home.

Fly from Venice back to the UK