Italy Cruise from Trieste to Piraeus — 11 Days

10 nights · Italy · Departs Trieste (Italy) · Visiting Rijeka, Split, Santorini Island, Bodrum, Kusadasi, Istanbul, Piraeus-Athens · Aboard Holland America on the ms Oosterdam

Holland America logo
Cruise lineHolland America
Shipms Oosterdam
Duration10 nights
Port calls8
From fare$1,449 per person
Year built2003
Guests2429
Cabins1012
Crew817
Length285 m
Beam32 m
Cruising speed22.0 kn
  1. Day 1

    Trieste, Italy

    Trieste rewards travellers who look beyond the waterfront. At the head of the Adriatic, this Italian city carries the marks of centuries under Habsburg rule. Start in Piazza Unità d’Italia, one of Europe’s largest seafront squares, opening directly onto the sea. Visit Miramare Castle, built for Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian, then order espresso in a city shaped by its coffee trade. Trieste is compact and cosmopolitan, with a Roman theatre and grand cafés recalling its Central European past.

  2. Day 2

    Rijeka, Croatia

    Rijeka is Croatia’s working seaport, set at the head of the Kvarner Gulf beneath steep green hills. From the quays, Austro-Hungarian façades and lively Korzo make a compelling first encounter. Visit the Central Market for local produce, then head to hilltop Trsat Castle for views across the harbor and islands. Beyond the waterfront, Roman remains, grand civic buildings, and everyday cafés reveal a city shaped by many eras.

  3. Day 3

    Split, Croatia

    Split is Croatia’s second-largest city, but its heart feels remarkably intimate. Inside Diocletian’s Palace, Roman walls frame cafés, shops and homes. The cathedral and Peristyle recall the emperor’s former residence. Walk the Riva for views across the harbor and its working waterfront. Then climb Marjan Hill for a broad panorama of red roofs and Adriatic islands. Few ports make history so easy to enter on foot.

  4. Day 5

    Santorini Island, Greece

    Few Greek islands make an entrance like Santorini, where whitewashed villages crown a volcanic caldera above the Aegean. Most cruise ships anchor offshore, and tenders land at the old port below Fira. Ride the cable car, or climb the steps, to reach the island’s capital and its celebrated views. Beyond Fira, Oia’s blue domes, the archaeological site of Akrotiri, and volcanic wines reward a longer day ashore.

  5. Day 6

    Bodrum, Turkey

    Bodrum brings the Aegean within reach: a handsome harbor, whitewashed houses and the Crusader-built Castle of St Peter. Its Museum of Underwater Archaeology displays finds recovered from ancient shipwrecks. Explore ancient Halicarnassus, whose Mausoleum was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Then settle at a waterfront table for grilled fish and a view across the bay.

  6. Day 7

    Kusadasi, Turkey

    Kuşadası puts the Aegean within reach, with a lively waterfront and one of Turkey’s most celebrated ancient cities nearby. Ephesus lies about 20 kilometres inland, where marble avenues lead to the Library of Celsus and Great Theatre. Back in town, browse the bazaar, then follow the causeway to Pigeon Island and its historic fortress. The harbour-facing promenade offers an easy place to linger over the Aegean light.

  7. Day 8

    Istanbul, Turkey

    Istanbul makes a compelling first impression: minarets rise above the Bosphorus, while ferries cross between Europe and Asia. On the historic peninsula, Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace place centuries of empire within walking distance. Istanbul rewards curiosity beyond its landmarks. Browse the Grand Bazaar, linger over Turkish coffee, then take a ferry to the Asian shore. Allow time for traffic and queues; the city’s scale is part of the experience.

  8. Day 11

    Piraeus-Athens, Greece

    Piraeus is Athens’ working harbour, not a resort port—and that is its appeal. From here, the capital’s ancient landmarks are within reach, while the waterfront keeps its own busy, distinctly Greek character. Visit the Archaeological Museum of Piraeus, then linger over grilled fish in Mikrolimano, a small harbour lined with tavernas. Metro connections make central Athens straightforward. Or stay near the water and watch ferries depart for the islands.

ms Oosterdam Cruises

Published September 21, 2026
Last updated October 11, 2026
Author: J. Richard


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