Itinerary
- Day 1
Athens
You'll arrive in Athens and transfer directly to your Emerald Cruises yacht. Before settling into your floating home, take time to walk around this ancient city and see the Acropolis and Parthenon. Both landmarks sit at the heart of Athens and give you a real sense of the history here, so it's worth checking them out even if you're arriving later in the day.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome Reception & Dinner)
Optional Activities
- Explore the Acropolis and Parthenon
- Wander the historic neighborhoods and attractions of Athens
Landmarks/POIs Acropolis Parthenon 
- Day 2
Delos and Mykonos
This morning you'll sail to Delos, a UNESCO site with well-preserved ruins including temples, dwellings, marketplaces, and theatres scattered across the island. After exploring the ruins (plan for a few hours), you'll head to Mykonos in the afternoon. There you can walk through the town's white streets, see the iconic windmills, and find white-sand beaches if you want to swim before dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Delos archaeological site
Optional Activities
- Explore Mykonos beaches and town
Landmarks/POIs Delos Mykonos Windmills 
- Day 3
Patmos
You'll arrive at Patmos, called the Island of the Apocalypse and a significant pilgrimage destination. Spend time in Chora, the UNESCO heritage village with whitewashed buildings and narrow cobblestone streets winding between roughly 40 chapels. The volcanic landscape and pebbled beaches create a different feel from the other islands, and the whole place has a quiet, spiritual quality to it.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Explore Chora's historic center and chapels
- Visit the island's pebbled beaches and Aegean Sea
Landmarks/POIs Chora - Day 4
Kusadasi and Ephesus
Kusadasi is next on your route, a lively beach town where you can wander through traditional Turkish markets. The main draw here is Ephesus, the nearby UNESCO site just inland. You'll see Hellenistic and Roman ruins there, including what remains of the Temple of Artemis, which was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It's substantial and worth the time.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Explore Kusadasi's traditional markets and beach resort
- Visit the ancient city of Ephesus and Temple of Artemis ruins
Landmarks/POIs Ephesus Temple of Artemis - Day 5
Kos
You'll reach Kos in the Dodecanese Islands. The Asklepion healing center and the medieval Castle of the Knights are the main historical sites, and the castle offers great views over the area. The main town has a real mix of architectural styles, and the beaches here have crystal-clear waters if you want to spend time in the water instead of sightseeing.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Visit the Asklepion archaeological site
- Explore the Castle of the Knights
- Wander Kos Town with its diverse architecture
- Relax on the island's beaches
Landmarks/POIs Asklepion Castle of the Knights Neratzia Castle - Day 6
Santorini
Santorini arrives and the views here are genuinely striking, especially during sunset. You can wander through villages built dramatically into the caldera cliffs, walk whitewashed streets where blue-domed churches stand among bougainvillea flowers, and browse tavernas and boutique shops. Most spots offer Aegean Sea views, so pick a good taverna for dinner and settle in for the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Explore Fira and Oia towns
- Walk the caldera-side alleyways and viewpoints
- Visit blue-domed churches and local establishments
Landmarks/POIs Fira Oia 
- Day 7
Paros
Paros has been known since the 6th century BC for its high-quality marble that ancient temples used. You'll find ancient ruins and Venetian castles scattered around the island. The main town of Parikia has cobbled lanes packed with shops and tavernas, while the harbor town of Naoussa has seafood restaurants right on the water. Either makes a good base for your evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Explore Parikia's cobbled lanes and historic Frankish castle
- Visit the picturesque harbor town of Naoussa
- Discover ancient ruins and Venetian castles
- Relax on the island's beaches
Landmarks/POIs Parikia Naoussa - Day 8
Athens
You're back in Athens, the city's capital and birthplace of democracy. Walk around the Acropolis and Parthenon again if you didn't see them fully on arrival day. The Plaka neighborhood has museums and galleries worth poking around, and Syntagma Square has the changing of the guard. If you're into markets, the Monastiraki Flea Market is huge and chaotic in the best way.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Visit the Acropolis and Parthenon
- Explore the Plaka neighborhood
- Watch the changing of the guard at Hellenic Parliament on Syntagma Square
- Browse the Monastiraki Flea Market
Landmarks/POIs Acropolis Parthenon Plaka Syntagma Square Monastiraki Flea Market - Day 9
Corinth Canal and Delphi
Your yacht will sail through the Corinth Canal, a 19th-century engineering feat carved from solid rock with walls reaching up to 90 metres high. It's remarkable to see in person. After disembarking at Itea, you'll travel to Delphi, a UNESCO site that ancient Greeks considered the center of the world. It's a sacred destination and the ruins are substantial and spread across the hillside.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Sail through the Corinth Canal
- Visit the archaeological site of Delphi
Landmarks/POIs Corinth Canal Delphi 
- Day 10
Lefkada
Lefkada comes next, often called the Caribbean of Greece because of its lush landscape and crystal-clear waters. The narrow bridge connects it to the mainland. You can see the 14th-century Castle of Agia Mavra, and the marina area has good dining and drinking options. There are churches and museums if you want cultural activities, or beaches if you want to relax instead.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Visit the 14th-century Castle of Agia Mavra
- Explore Lefkada's modern marina and town center
- Visit churches and museums
Landmarks/POIs Castle of Agia Mavra - Day 11
Parga
Parga sits on mainland Greece's north-west coast, built amphitheatre-style around a quiet bay with pastel-colored buildings and waterfront tavernas. The 11th-century Parga Castle was built by Venetians and offers views over the resort and Ionian Sea. The beaches here are photogenic, and you can take day trips to nearby islands if that interests you.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Visit the 11th-century Parga Castle
- Explore Parga's beaches
- Take boat excursions to nearby Ionian islands
Landmarks/POIs Parga Castle - Day 12
Corfu
You'll arrive in Corfu in the Ionian Sea, an island with rich history and Renaissance and Baroque architecture throughout. The UNESCO-listed Old Town dates to the 8th century and has labyrinthine alleyways that are fun to get a bit lost in. Spianada is Greece's largest square with leafy gardens, and it's worth wandering the atmospheric Old Town after dark when it feels different.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Explore Corfu's UNESCO Old Town
- Visit the Spianada square and surrounding sites
- Evening stroll through the atmospheric Old Town
Landmarks/POIs Corfu Old Town Spianada 
- Day 13
Sarande
Early morning departure takes you to Sarande, a coastal Albanian town built on a crescent-shaped bay. The seaside promenade bustles with activity, and the pebbled beaches are good for swimming. There are ancient ruins including a 5th-century synagogue with intricate mosaics and historical artifacts worth checking out if history interests you.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Explore Sarande's seaside promenade
- Visit the 5th-century synagogue with intricate mosaics
- Relax on pebbled beaches
Landmarks/POIs Sarande 5th Century Synagogue - Day 14
Kotor
Kotor is a UNESCO-listed fortified city between imposing mountains and the Adriatic Sea. You can walk through ancient streets with Venetian palaces and see the 12th-century cathedral. The real challenge is climbing the 1350 steps to St John's Fortress, but the panoramic views over the Bay of Kotor from up there make it worth the effort.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Explore Kotor's Old Town and medieval walls
- Visit the 12th-century cathedral
- Climb to St John's Fortress for bay views
Landmarks/POIs Kotor Old Town St John's Fortress - Day 15
Dubrovnik
You're arriving in Dubrovnik on Croatia's Dalmatian Coast, often called the Pearl of the Adriatic. It's a UNESCO World Heritage city with red terracotta tiled roofs and whitewashed walls that contrast sharply with the turquoise water. The architecture alone makes it worth spending time walking around and getting oriented to the old town layout.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Explore Dubrovnik's Old Town and architecture
Landmarks/POIs Dubrovnik Old Town - Day 16
Dubrovnik
This second day in Dubrovnik lets you go deeper. The 15th-century Rector's Palace is a Gothic Renaissance structure that once served as the administrative center, and it's worth touring inside. The Stradun main thoroughfare has bars and cafes where you can grab drinks and watch people pass by. Walking the ancient city walls takes a few hours but gives you panoramic views over rooftops and the sea.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Visit the 15th-century Rector's Palace
- Enjoy drinks on the Stradun
- Walk the ancient city walls for panoramic views
Landmarks/POIs Rector's Palace Stradun - Day 17
Split
You'll sail to Split, a city loaded with culture and history. The Riva is a palm-lined promenade with terraces and restaurants packed with people. Diocletian's Palace is the main draw, a UNESCO site built from the 4th century AD with imperial ruins that now house bars and cafes, so you can grab coffee while walking through history.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Walk the Riva promenade and waterfront
- Explore Diocletian's Palace UNESCO Site
- Enjoy harbor-view dining and entertainment
Landmarks/POIs Diocletian's Palace Riva 
- Day 18
Zadar
From Split, you'll cruise toward Zadar, passing near Pasman and Biograd islands along the way. Zadar blends ancient history with modern energy. Roman ruins from the 1st through 3rd centuries are scattered around, and St. Donatus Church is majestic. The Sea Organ creates wave-melodies when water passes through it, and the Sun Salutation is a solar-powered installation that lights up at night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Visit the Roman Forum
- Explore St. Donatus Church
- Experience the Sea Organ's wave-created melodies
- View the Sun Salutation solar-powered installation
Landmarks/POIs Roman Forum St. Donatus Church Sea Organ Sun Salutation 
- Day 19
Opatija
Opatija sits on Croatia's western peninsula and earned the nickname the Nice of Croatia because of its Adriatic views toward the Kvarner Islands and Istrian Mountains. This former Austro-Hungarian seaside resort still has lovely promenades, handsome villas, and manicured parks and gardens. It feels more relaxed than some of the busier stops on this route.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Stroll the seaside promenades
- Admire the handsome villas and manicured gardens
- Enjoy Adriatic views towards Kvarner Islands
- Day 20
Piran
You'll arrive in Piran, a Slovenian town with red-tiled and whitewashed buildings on the Piran Peninsula. Venetian Gothic architecture from the late 13th century is still visible throughout. The town has salt-panning heritage if you're into that sort of history. Waterfront restaurants serve fresh Adriatic seafood, and gelaterias and pizzerias reflect Italian influences that are strong here.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Explore Piran's Venetian Gothic architecture
- Enjoy waterfront seafood dining
- Visit gelaterias and pizzerias
Landmarks/POIs Piran - Day 21
Venice
Venice appears next, stretching across 118 small islands in the Venetian Lagoon and founded back in the 5th century. You can walk the legendary canals (by foot and bridge, not all by water), see St Mark's Basilica, and wander maze-like alleyways and vibrant squares. By evening, settle into a quaint bar or take a gondola cruise and watch the city lights reflecting on the water.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Farewell Reception & Dinner)
Optional Activities
- Explore Venice's canals and alleyways
- Visit St Mark's Basilica and surrounding areas
- Take an evening gondola cruise
- Enjoy quaint bars and squares after dark
Landmarks/POIs St Mark's Basilica Grand Canal - Day 22
Venice to Departure
Your Emerald Cruises voyage ends here. You'll transfer from the yacht to Venice airport for your flight home or to continue traveling elsewhere. Pack the night before so you're ready early, and allow enough time for the transfer to the airport depending on your flight time.
