Discover Greece, Corinth Canal & the Adriatic

Your cruise begins in the dynamic capital of Greece, Athens, where you will be transferred to your Emerald Cruises luxury yacht to embark on a memorable voyage exploring fascinating towns and extraordinary coastlines. 

Please book your flight to arrive into Athens prior to 02:00 PM.

A small rocky island in the heart of the Cyclades archipelago, Delos is one of the most important mythological and archaeological sites in Greece. In the afternoon, you will venture to the world-famous island of Mykonos, alluring visitors with its intoxicating blend of traditional Greek culture and cosmopolitan flair.  Take a stroll through the winding narrow streets of atmospheric Mykonos Town, where you can admire the trademark whitewashed dwellings adorned with vibrant blue doors and visit the island’s historic windmills.  

Although the fishing boats still go out in good weather, Mykonos largely makes its living from tourism these days. The summer crowds have turned one of the poorest islands in Greece into one of the richest. Old Mykonians complain that their young, who have inherited stores where their grandfathers once sold eggs or wine, get so much rent that they have lost ambition, and in summer sit around pool bars at night with their friends, and hang out in Athens in winter when island life is less scintillating. Put firmly on the map by Jackie O in the 1960s, Mykonos town—called Hora by the locals—remains the Saint-Tropez of the Greek islands. The scenery is memorable, with its whitewashed streets, Little Venice, the Kato Myli ridge of windmills, and Kastro, the town's medieval quarter. Its cubical two- or three-story houses and churches, with their red or blue doors and domes and wooden balconies, have been long celebrated as some of the best examples of classic Cycladic architecture. Luckily, the Greek Archaeological Service decided to preserve the town, even when the Mykonians would have preferred to rebuild, and so the Old Town has been impressively preserved. Pink oleander, scarlet hibiscus, and trailing green pepper trees form a contrast amid the dazzling whiteness, whose frequent renewal with whitewash is required by law. Any visitor who has the pleasure of getting lost in its narrow streets (made all the narrower by the many outdoor stone staircases, which maximize housing space in the crowded village) will appreciate how its confusing layout was designed to foil pirates—if it was designed at all. After Mykonos fell under Turkish rule in 1537, the Ottomans allowed the islanders to arm their vessels against pirates, which had a contradictory effect: many of them found that raiding other islands was more profitable than tilling arid land. At the height of Aegean piracy, Mykonos was the principal headquarters of the corsair fleets—the place where pirates met their fellows, found willing women, and filled out their crews. Eventually the illicit activity evolved into a legitimate and thriving trade network. Morning on Mykonos town's main quay is busy with deliveries, visitors for the Delos boats, lazy breakfasters, and street cleaners dealing with the previous night's mess. In late morning the cruise-boat people arrive, and the shops are all open. In early afternoon, shaded outdoor tavernas are full of diners eating salads (Mykonos's produce is mostly imported); music is absent or kept low. In mid- and late afternoon, the town feels sleepy, since so many people are at the beach, on excursions, or sleeping in their air-conditioned rooms; even some tourist shops close for siesta. By sunset, people have come back from the beach, having taken their showers and rested. At night, the atmosphere in Mykonos ramps up. The cruise-boat people are mostly gone, coughing three-wheelers make no deliveries in the narrow streets, and everyone is dressed sexy for summer and starting to shimmy with the scene. Many shops stay open past midnight, the restaurants fill up, and the bars and discos make ice cubes as fast as they can. Ready to dive in? Begin your tour of Mykonos town (Hora) by starting out at its heart: Mando Mavrogenous Square.

Today, you will pass through the 19th century Corinth Canal, a slender waterway and feat of engineering that crosses the Isthmus of Corinth in Greece. Sail on to the small port of Itea, then embark on a journey to Delphi, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed archaeological site regarded by the Ancient Greeks as the centre of the world. 

Known as the ‘Caribbean of Greece’, Lefkada is connected to the mainland by a narrow bridge, making it one of the few islands accessible by car. One of the most fascinating places on this beautiful island, is the Castle of Agia Mavra, dating back to the 14th century and built to protect Lefkada from invaders.  

On mainland Greece, Parga radiates a carefree holiday atmosphere. Enjoy the sunshine on one of the many lovely beaches, explore traditional Greek villages and marvel at the 11th century Venetian Castle, which offers an incredible bird’s eye view of the resort town and coastline. 

One of Greece’s largest islands, Corfu is alluring with sandy coves and beaches and rugged, verdant hills studded with olive, cypress, and citrus trees. While on this stunning island, explore authentic Greek villages, take a dip at in the lovely clear waters and visit the picturesque Old Town of Corfu, which harbours a rich history and magnificent architecture displaying Renaissance and Baroque influences. Here, stroll through the largest square in Greece, the impressive Spianada.  

It is time to rise early in the morning and leave Corfu for Sarandë, a popular coastal town perched on a crescent-shaped bay in Albania. This once sleepy fishing village has a bustling seaside promenade, pebbled beaches and ancient ruins which reveal intricate mosaics and historical artefacts. 

Encircled by medieval walls, the fortified city of Kotor in Montenegro presents a fascinating destination of ancient history and modern culture. Nestled between imposing mountains and the Adriatic Sea, this UNESCO World Heritage-listed setting reveals elegant Venetian palaces, cobblestone lanes and café-hemmed squares.  

Set off the Croatian mainland, the island of Vis was closed to visitors until 1989. Today, this history has given Vis a rare sense of tranquillity and authenticity. Its rocky coastline, azure waters and well-preserved Venetian architecture made Vis the ideal backdrop for the popular film, ‘Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.’ (2018).  

Dubrovnik is a compelling city nestled along Croatia's beautiful Dalmatian Coast. Dubrovnik’s magnificent walled Old Town presents one of the finest examples of a medieval citadel in Europe. With its storied history and breathtaking views of iconic terracotta rooftops and the sparkling Adriatic Sea, Dubrovnik offers the perfect blend of cultural exploration and a relaxing beach holiday.  

With its medieval city walls and breathtaking views of terracotta rooftops and the Adriatic Sea, it offers the perfect blend of cultural exploration and a beach holiday.  

Known as the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic,’ Dubrovnik presents a compelling historic city along Croatia's Dalmatian Coast; its walled Old Town presents one of the finest examples of a medieval citadel in Europe.  With its storied history and breathtaking views of iconic terracotta rooftops and the alluring Adriatic Sea, Dubrovnik offers the perfect blend of cultural exploration and a relaxing beach holiday.  

Croatia’s second-largest city, Split, is visually stunning and laden with culture, history, and striking architecture. Take a stroll along the Riva, past beautiful terraces, palm trees and bustling eateries to enjoy gorgeous harbour views. Diocletian's Palace, built in the 4th century AD and today, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site, dominates the city centre and houses a myriad of buzzing bars and cafés. 

In the morning, get ready to set sail from Split to Zadar. A historic city set on a peninsula; Zadar boasts relics from a variety of eras. Explore the old churches, Roman ruins, and unique modern attractions, including the Sun Salutation and Sea Organ, which are innovative sound and sun-activated art pieces. 

Dalmatia's capital for more than 1,000 years, Zadar is all too often passed over by travelers on their way to Split or Dubrovnik. What they miss out on is a city of more than 73,000 that is remarkably lovely and lively despite—and, in some measure, because of—its tumultuous history. The Old Town, separated from the rest of the city on a peninsula some 4 km (2½ miles) long and just 1,640 feet wide, is bustling and beautiful: the marble pedestrian streets are replete with Roman ruins, medieval churches, palaces, museums, archives, and libraries. Parts of the new town are comparatively dreary, a testament to what a world war followed by decades of communism, not to mention a civil war, can do to the architecture of a city that is 3,000 years old. A settlement had already existed on the site of the present-day city for some 2,000 years when Rome finally conquered Zadar in the 1st century BC; the foundations of the forum can be seen today. Before the Romans came the Liburnians had made it a key center for trade with the Greeks and Romans for 800 years. In the 3rd century BC the Romans began to seriously pester the Liburnians, but required two centuries to bring the area under their control. During the Byzantine era, Zadar became the capital of Dalmatia, and this period saw the construction of its most famous church, the 9th-century St. Donat's Basilica. It remained the region's foremost city through the ensuing centuries. The city then experienced successive onslaughts and occupations—both long and short—by the Osogoths, the Croatian-Hungarian kings, the Venetians, the Turks, the Habsburgs, the French, the Habsburgs again, and finally the Italians before becoming part of Yugoslavia and, in 1991, the independent republic of Croatia. Zadar was for centuries an Italian-speaking city, and Italian is still spoken widely, especially by older people. Indeed, it was ceded to Italy in 1921 under the Treaty of Rapallo (and reverted to its Italian name of Zara). Its occupation by the Germans from 1943 led to intense bombing by the Allies during World War II, which left most of the city in ruins. Zadar became part of Tito's Yugoslavia in 1947, prompting many Italian residents to leave. Zadar's most recent ravages occurred during a three-month siege by Serb forces and months more of bombardment during the Croatian-Serbian war between 1991 and 1995. But you'd be hard-pressed to find outward signs of this today in what is a city to behold. There are helpful interpretive signs in English all around the Old Town, so you certainly won't feel lost when trying to make sense of the wide variety of architectural sites you might otherwise pass by with only a cursory look.

On the western peninsula of Croatia, southwest of the city of Rijeka, Opatija provides alluring views across the Adriatic towards the Kvarner Islands and the distant Istrian mountains. Known as the ‘Nice of Croatia’, Opatija reveals lovely seaside promenades and fairy-tale villas. While here, be sure to sample one of the famous local dishes, mussels with  pršut or fish stew. 

Piran is a pretty town of red-tiled, whitewashed buildings clustered on the tip of the Slovenia’s Piran peninsula. Part of the Venetian empire from the late 13th century to the end of the 18th century, Piran is esteemed for its gothic-style Venetian architecture. 

Today, you will arrive in Venice, truly an enchanting city that exudes an evocative atmosphere not found anywhere else in the world. Established in the 5th century, this romantic Italian city spans 118 small islands in the marshy Venetian Lagoon along the Adriatic Coast. Admire the grandeur of the iconic canals and magnificent St. Mark’s Basilica. 

Your Emerald Cruises voyage concludes here. From your luxury yacht, you will be transferred to the airport for your journey home or to continue your holiday. 

Please book your flight to depart out of Venice after 11:00 AM.

The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Emerald Cruises cannot guarantee the cruise will operated unaltered from the itinerary states above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information.