Eastern Mediterranean Cruise - from Venice - 123202

With 160 canals, Venice is the city of gondolas and boats. It lies in a lagoon comprises a total of 116 islands. All of the buildings, bridges and squares are built on wooden stilts. The most famous canal is 'Canale Grande', on which you can explore the old town in a gondola. You could of course take a stroll through the city centre and have a look at the elegant shops or enjoy a well-deserved break at one of the typical Italian cafés. The special attraction in the lagoon city are the one hundred churches, the museums and art collections, as well as the Rialto bridge, which dates from the 16th century. Venice hosts the international festival for contemporary art, music and film, the 'Biennale'. The city was designated a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in 1987 . Other sights include: St. Mark's Square and St. Mark's Basilica, the Doge's Palace and the 'Bridge of Sighs'.

The old town of the Mediterranean port of Split on the eastern Adriatic coast in Dalmatia has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. The heart of Croatia's second-largest city beats in the walls of the 1,500-year-old Diocletian palace. Even upon entering the port, Split presents itself at its best: the palm-lined waterside promenade in front of the Emperor's palace and the rooftops of the old town create a truly unique panorama. Sights include: the medieval old town, Diocletian Palace, the waterside promenade Riva, the Archaeological Museum, the Municipal Art Gallery, the Goldern Gate, the cathedral and the old town hall.

The Croatian port of Dubrovnik is known as an important spa resort. It was founded by the Slavs at around the beginning of the 7th century. Today, the city by the Adriatic Sea is known for its excellent shopping, many shops and cultural facilities. The main street of the old town is the "Stradun" (also called "Placa"). From here, all of the important sights in the city are just a short walk away. The entire old town has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1980. Sights include: the city walls dating from the 13th century, a Franciscan monastery with its own apothecary, the 15th century Duke's palace, "Sponza Palace", the Museum of Popular Art, the Cathedral and St. Blasius' church.

Kotor is a picturesque little town in the bay of the same name which was founded by Greek settlers. It now belongs to the Republic of Montenegro. Despite the severe earthquake in 1979, all of the old buildings stayed standing. These buildings are also the most important sights: the 12th century Romanesque cathedral of St. Tripun with its opulent interior, St. Luka church, built in the Greek-Byzantine style, a clock tower dating from the 17th century and the fortress St. Ivan with its triple defensive wall. The maritime museum is also worth a visit. The Bay of Kotor, "Boka Kotorska", has some of the most beautiful scenery in Europe. It cuts deep into the land in the shape of a fjord and is surrounded by high mountains. Several small bays are perfect for swimming. The asymmetric fronts of the narrow streets and squares feature many precious monuments in the medieval architectural style, which helped Kotor gain its status as a World Heritage Site.

The former resort of Saranda at the Ionian Sea has become a popular meeting place, primarily for visitors from Greece. From here, one can visit the town of Butrint, where there has been a settlement since the first century B.C. and which has city walls from various epochs. The extensive excavations from ancient times include theatres, an altar to Dionysos, the Asklepius temple, nymphaeum, Roman houses and baths, early Christian basilica and an early Christian baptistry with one of the most beautiful mosaics ever found. The Lion's Gate and the Venetian fort on the former acropolis are must-sees. A ferry leaves Saranda twice daily for the island of Corfu, which is just 10 km away. But the small harbour town has wonderful beaches of its own and welcomes tourists.

Itéa is at the edge of the holy valley of Delphi and boasts beautiful beaches, like those at Trocadero and Miami, with their inviting azure blue Mediterranean waters. Discover the old harbour of Delphi and visit the temple of Apollo, the Treasury of the Athenians and the museum.

The shortest route between the northern Ionian Sea and the Saronic Gulf runs through the Gulf of Patras, the Corinthian Gulf and finally through the Corinthian canal, which stretches over 3.2 miles from the most south-eastern point of the Corinthian Gulf (Posidonia) to the north-western corner of the Saronic Gulf (Isthmia). The canal is 25 metres wide and the maximum draught for ships passing through it is 7 metres. The bluffs into which the canal was carved rise up to 75 metres high.