Itinerary
- Day 1
Venice
You'll land at Venice Marco Polo International Airport and get transferred directly to your ship. Once onboard, you can unpack and settle in. The evening is yours to relax as the ship sits in the Venetian Lagoon, giving you a chance to get your bearings before the real adventure begins.
- Day 2
Venice
Head out early in the morning to Doge's Palace while it's still quiet and peaceful. From there, you'll wander through the smaller streets and neighborhoods that feel like the real Venice, away from the crowds. Later in the day, there's a private after-hours ceremony at St. Mark's Basilica where you'll experience the lighting display in a more intimate setting.
Included Activities
- A Walk in Venice with Doge's Palace Visit
- Private After-Hours Visit to Saint Mark's Basilica
Landmarks/POIs Doge's Palace St. Mark's Basilica - Day 3
Burano
Your morning takes you to either Vicenza or Padua, both UNESCO World Heritage cities in the Veneto region. You'll return to the ship and sail through scenic lagoon waters heading toward Burano and Mazzorbo. By evening, you have free time to walk around Burano and check out those famous colorful fishermen's houses that line the waterfront.
Included Activities
- Evening Stroll in Burano
Optional Activities
- Padua Walking Tour
- Vicenza with Teatro Olimpico
Landmarks/POIs Burano - Day 4
Mazzorbo - Burano - Murano
You'll explore the northern lagoon islands starting with a guided tour of Torcello's basilica. After that, you can walk through agricultural Mazzorbo and colorful Burano at your own pace. If you prefer something different, there's the option to spend the afternoon watching glass artisans on Murano doing their craft.
Included Activities
- Torcello: Hidden Treasure of the Lagoon
- Murano Glass Blowing Demonstration
Landmarks/POIs Torcello Mazzorbo Burano Murano - Day 5
Chioggia
This morning, you'll check out the coastal town of Chioggia and its lively market. Several optional activities are available for the afternoon and evening, including a bragozzo boat ride with tastings, a market visit, a bike tour, a wine estate visit, or you can explore Palazzo Goldoni instead.
Optional Activities
- Bragozzo Ride with Tastings at Ca' Zen
- Chioggia Market Visit
- Let's Go: Biking Chioggia
- A Noble Country Villa and Its Wines
- Palazzo Goldoni
Landmarks/POIs Chioggia - Day 6
Po Delta
You'll take a sailing excursion out to the Po Delta where the Po River meets the Adriatic Sea. Lunch happens onboard during the sailing, and then you'll head back toward Venice, returning to the ship by late afternoon or early evening.
- Meals
- Lunch
Optional Activities
- Po Delta Sailing
- Castello del Catajo Visit
Landmarks/POIs Po Delta - Day 7
Venice
A water taxi brings you to the Rialto Bridge, and you'll glide past narrow canals and the Grand Canal to get there. Once you arrive, you can explore the iconic stone arch bridge with its shops and restaurants. Optional activities include visiting gondola artisans, taking a local walking tour, checking out mask ateliers, or trying a rowing experience.
Optional Activities
- Venice Walk with Gondola Artisans Visit
- Do as the Locals Do: Venice Walking Tour
- Ca' Macana Mask Atelier
- Rowing Venice
Landmarks/POIs Rialto Bridge - Day 8
Venice to Trieste
You'll disembark the cruise ship and board the Golden Eagle Danube Express at Venice Santa Lucia Station. As the train pulls out, you'll travel across the causeway that connects Venice to the mainland. Your first stop is the ancient port of Trieste, where you'll get a city tour.
Landmarks/POIs Trieste - Day 9
Ljubljana
An underground train takes you deep into Postojna Cave to explore massive halls and strange rock formations. Later, you'll head to Ljubljana, Slovenia's capital, for an afternoon walking tour covering Preseren Square, Three Bridges, Dragon Bridge, and Plecnik Market in the Old Town.
Landmarks/POIs Postojna Cave Preseren Square Three Bridges Dragon Bridge Plecnik Market - Day 10
Ljubljana to Sarajevo to Mostar
You'll arrive early in Sarajevo and take a tour exploring the city's unique mix of Eastern and Western culture and its complex modern history. The Tunnel Museum is on the agenda, and you'll hear stories from a local guide who actually lived through the siege. In the afternoon, you'll travel to Mostar to see the rebuilt Ottoman stone bridge, Turkish House, mosque, and wander through the narrow bazaar streets.
- Meals
- Lunch
Landmarks/POIs Tunnel Museum Mostar Stone Arch Bridge - Day 11
Mostar to Belgrade
The train pulls into Belgrade, positioned where the Danube and Sava Rivers meet. You'll spend the full day exploring this cosmopolitan city, visiting the House of Flowers (Tito's mausoleum), Town Hall, Republic Square, Knez Mihajlova Street, Varos Gate, and the impressive Kalemegdan Fortress.
Landmarks/POIs House of Flowers Republic Square Kalemegdan Fortress - Day 12
Belgrade to Podgorica
You'll cross into Montenegro and stop in the coastal town of Bar for sightseeing. Then it's back on the train heading to Podgorica, Montenegro's capital. Lunch is served onboard while you travel through spectacular mountain scenery, and you'll arrive in Podgorica by afternoon, a city that blends Ottoman, Austrian, communist, and modern influences.
- Meals
- Lunch
Landmarks/POIs Bar - Day 13
Podgorica to Skopje
The train arrives in Skopje this afternoon. You'll walk through the Old Town's narrow streets with their small shops and mosques decorated with ornate ceramic tiles. After that, you can explore the Old Bazaar area filled with traditional items and cross the 15th-century stone bridge that connects the bazaar to the modern side of town.
Landmarks/POIs Old Town Skopje Old Bazaar - Day 14
Skopje to Sofia to Plovdiv
After breakfast, you'll arrive in Sofia, Bulgaria's capital at the foot of Mt Vitosha. The morning tour covers Roman wall sections, the ancient St George church, the golden-domed Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, and the Turkish Bashi Mosque. You'll travel by train to Plovdiv for lunch, exploring its charming Old Town with medieval walls and Ottoman baths. Your final dinner happens onboard as the train heads toward Turkey.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Landmarks/POIs St George Alexander Nevsky Cathedral Bashi Mosque Plovdiv Old Town - Day 15
Plovdiv to Istanbul
You'll arrive in Istanbul and check into the Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet. Your day includes a visit to Topkapi Palace, the largest and oldest palace in the world and home to Ottoman Sultans from 1465 to 1853. You'll explore its buildings and treasures overlooking the Golden Horn. Later, you'll head to the Grand Bazaar, one of the world's largest covered markets with 58 streets and over 4,000 shops selling jewelry, leather, pottery, spices, and carpets.
Landmarks/POIs Topkapi Palace Grand Bazaar - Day 16
Istanbul
This morning starts at Hagia Sophia, the massive 6th-century basilica built by Emperor Justinian and now one of the world's most magnificent Grand Mosques. You'll also visit the Sultan Ahmet Mosque with its six minarets and 260 illuminated windows. The afternoon brings a Bosphorus cruise, and you'll have another chance to explore the Grand Bazaar. Your final evening concludes with a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
- Meals
- Dinner (Farewell Dinner in a local restaurant)
Landmarks/POIs Hagia Sophia Sultan Ahmet Mosque (Blue Mosque) - Day 17
Istanbul Departure
You'll check out of the hotel and get transferred to Istanbul Airport for your flight home.
