Eastern Mediterranean Cruise - from Venice - 129901

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.

The former pirate's stronghold Kusadasi has developed into a well-known holiday destination in Turkey. The many fish restaurants by the harbour, the tempting boutiques, oriental antiques shops, bars and pavement cafés at the beach promenade are characteristic of this town. Sights include: the old "Mehmet Pascha Karawanserei" which dates from the 17th century, the beautiful marina, one of the most modern yacht marinas in Turkey and the fort on the little island known as 'bird island'.

Patmos is a small island measuring around 12 kilometres in length in the Dodecanese Islands not far from Turkey and is called the "Jerusalem of the Aegean". This is because the island is home to many beautiful monasteries as well as the cave where St. John the Apostle wrote his "Apocalypse". The port of Skala, the capital of the island, can be reached by sea via a long, narrow inlet. The city lies in the shadow of the medieval castle-convent of St. John. It can be seen from all directions from sea and many pilgrims travel here each year. A visit to the village of Chora with its narrow streets is also a must. Some of the taverns provide a breathtaking view right down to Skala. Other sights include: the monastery of St. Christodoulos, the holy cave of the revelation and Agia Anni chapel.

Piraeus, today a modern port town, has been Athens' port since ancient times and used to be connected with the capital by means of city walls. Only remnants of these wall remain. Piraeus has made a name for itself primarily on account of its appealing nightlife and the romantic fish restaruants by the sea. Sights include: the ancient harbour Zea Marina, the remnants of the long walls (5th century B.C.), the Archaeological Museum with ancient shipwrecks, statues of Apollo and Athena, the Hellenic Marine Museum and the Veakio Theatre.