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View of Hvar, Croatia

Artemis- Croatia, Montenegro, Albania & the Ionian Shores of Italy & Greece

Example 13 Day Cruise
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Join the crew of the m/v Artemis on an incredible Mediterranean journey on the Ionian and Adriatic Seas. This itinerary includes stunningly beautiful islands and port towns as well as magnificent ancient sites in Croatia, Montenegro, Albania, Italy’s Basilicata and Puglia regions, and Greece’s western shores. What is also notable about our itinerary is that it includes mostly places that are beyond the reach of big cruise ships and mass tourism. These two voyages, operating in both directions between Athens and Dubrovnik, are accompanied by scholars and teachers from leading universities and colleges.
DodoniKotorButrintDubrovnikIthacaSplitView of Hvar, Croatia
Places Visited
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Athens

  • 1 Dinner
Arrive in Athens and check into the Athens Plaza Hotel, located on Constitution Square, in the city's center.

Day 2: Athens/Piraeus/Embark

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Start the day off with a tour of the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum. In the afternoon, transfer to Piraeus and board the m/v Artemis. The set sail to the scenic Corinth Canal.

Day 3: Ithaca

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Spend today on the stunning island of Ithaca, covered in pristine beaches and verdant forest. Visit the bay of Dexia, believed to be Homer's harbor of Phorkys. Admire the Cyclopean Walls, a ruined site known as Odysseus's Castle, and stand atop the Plateau of Marathia, where Odysseus's loyal servant Eumaeus kept his swine.

Day 4: Igoumenitsa/Dodoni/Ioannina

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Begin the day at Igoumenitsa, located on Greece's west coast, and head to Dodoni, the oldest site in Greece. Beautifully situated in a valley below Mt. Tomaros, the site includes a stunning theater, built during the reign of King Pyrrhus. Afterwards, continue to the charming old market town on Ioannina, built on the shores of a beautiful lake.

Day 5: Saranda, Albania/Butrint/Saranda

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Today, drive to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Butrint. Inhabited since prehistoric times, the city was founded by the Trojans, or so claimed the poet Virgil. A gem of an archeological site, its ruins span 2,500 years and include the remains of a Greek acropolis, Roman theater, 6th century baptistery, and 19th century fortress.

Day 6: Taranto/Metapontum/Matera, Italy

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Located on a gulf that bears its name, Taranto was founded by Spartan settlers in 708 b.c. and became one of the most powerful cities in Magna Graecia. Drive to Metapontum, the remains of the ancient Greek city. After exploring the site, continue to Matera, a breathtaking hilltop town designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. Alternately, visit the National Museum in Taranto, which houses one of the largest archaeological collections in Italy.

Day 7: Otranto/Lecce

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Built around an spectacular bay in Italy's Puglia region, Otranto was the embarkation port of the Crusades and a leading trading center. Spend the day in the Baroque town of Lecce. Tour the Piazza del Duomo and Cathedral, Basilica di Santa Croce, and the Roman amphitheater in Piazza Oronzo.

Day 8: Kotor, Montenegro

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Spend today sailing the deep, fjord-like bay of Kotor to reach the port town of the same name, located at the head of the bay beneath towering mountains. One of the most striking and best-preserved towns along the Adriatic coast, Kotor is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site. A tour of this beautiful town reveals its magnificent walls, palaces, and churches, including the 12th century St. Tryphon Cathedral and the Maritime Museum.

Day 9: Korcula Island, Croatia

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
This day, explore the medieval city of Korcula with its walls and guard towers still intact. Notes the medieval town's unique layout: western streets run straight to funnel refreshing maestral breezes;eastern streets slightly curve to minimize bura winds. Visit St. Mark's Cathedral, the Bishop's Palace and its Treasury, the Church of All Saints, and the Icon Museum. Continue by bus to a local winery for a tasting.

Day 10: Split

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Originally a Greco-Illyrian settlement, Split is an ancient city centered around the formidable Palace of Diocletian, built in A.D. 295-305. Today it is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site. An extensive structure, much of which is well preserved, the palace contains within its walls Split's medieval town, making it the only palace that has been continuously inhabited since Roman times. Tour the town's underground cellars, the Mausoleum, Jupiter's Temple, the Peristyle, the Northern Gate, and the gallery of the famous Croatian sculptor, Ivan Mestrovic.

Day 11: Hvar

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Enjoy today's excursion to the gorgeous Hvar, a fertile island of pale stone houses surrounded by rosemary, lavender, and laurel. The architecture is unmistakably Venetian, and there are fine fortifications. Visit the 17th century Municipal Theater, the Franciscan Monastery and its small gallery, the city's Loggia, and St. Stephen's Square. Then continue by bus to the 16th century fortress, which is at the top of a hill and offers spectacular views of Hvar's red-tiled rooftops and harbor.

Day 12: Dubrovnik

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Set on a rocky peninsula jutting into the Adriatic Sea, Dubrovnik is one of Europe's best-preserved medieval cities and a designated UNESCO World Heritage site. Its ancient walls enclose narrow cobble stoned streets and alleyways, palaces, and mansions. They city contains within its ramparts the Rector's Palace; the Franciscan Monastery, which houses a 13th century pharmacy (the oldest in Europe); and the baroque Cathedral, with works by Renaissance painters Titian and Andrea del Sarto. Then enjoy a guided tour of Dubrovnik and overnights aboard the ship.

Day 13: Dubrovnik/Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Disembark and either transfer to the airport or independently extend your stay in Dubrovnik.

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  • 12 Breakfasts, 12 Lunches, 13 Dinners

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