The romantic “City of Canals” and capital of the Veneto region of northeast Italy, Venice was also once the capital of the Republic of Venice, a major power during the medieval and Renaissance eras. Embark the Tere Moana here, and be sure to behold the beauty of Venice from the perspective of the sea as your ship sets sail this evening.

The former capital of Dalmatia, Zadar showcases centuries of history in its charming city streets. An important educational and literary center, it is best known for its Romanesque churches and the pre-Romanesque Church of St. Donat.

Nicknamed the “Pearl of the Adriatic” by George Bernard Shaw, Dubrovnik is Europe’s best-preserved walled city. The heart of the city is the Stradun (also known as the Plaka), the gleaming, wide, marble-paved thoroughfare that dates to the 13th century, and the Stari Grad—the extraordinarily well-preserved old city—has been named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, which is helping to restore the city’s beautiful Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque churches, monasteries, palaces, and fountains.

Situated on the only natural fjord of its kind in the world—one of the most beautiful bays in the world—spectacular Kotor captures the spirit of Montenegro with its blend of exuberant youth and ancient traditions. Explore the Old Town, which was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its amazingly well-preserved medieval architecture.

One of the most popular Greek islands, Corfu is revered for its lush mountainous landscape, golden beaches, traditional villages, Venetian fortresses, and some of the most beautiful beaches on the Ionian Sea. In Corfu Town, admire a charming mix of architectural styles, as well as welcoming French-designed city squares.

In ancient times, Delphi was considered the center of the world: the place where heaven and Earth met. Today, this town in the valley of Phocis in central Greece, built on terraces in the foothills of Mount Parnassus, is one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece: home of the Temple of Apollo, where the oracle prophesied, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Other magnificent ruins here include a 4th-century amphitheater, the Treasury of Athens, the stadium, the Tholos (a circular building), and the Sacred Way leading to the temple.

Founded by Nafplieus, the son of Poseidon, according to legend, Navplion boasts a storied history. Two ancient fortresses overlook the town: the Akronafplia Fortress, dating to the Byzantine era, and Palamidi Fortress, the last overseas stronghold built by the Venetian Empire. Just 30 years after the arrival of the Venetians, the city was conquered by the Ottomans. In 1829, it became the first capital city of the newly independent Greece.

Visit one of the city’s many museums, which include the Archaeological Museum, Folklore Museum, War Museum, Children’s Museum, and Komboloia Museum, whose collections of rare traditional Greek beads (komboloi) are unique in the world. Or simply take advantage of the many food shops, cafés, and tavernas.

Your European idyll draws to a close in the port city of Piraeus, where you’ll enjoy breakfast before bidding your captain and crew a fond farewell. If you choose to stay on in Greece after your cruise, it’s only a short distance to one of the world’s great cultural centers: mighty Athens, heart of the ancient Greek civilization and capital of modern Greece.