Italy Cruise from Trieste — 10 Days

9 nights · Italy · Departs Trieste (Italy) · Visiting Katakolon, Piraeus-Athens, Izmir, Istanbul, Corfu Island, Bari · Aboard MSC Cruises on the MSC Fantasia

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MSC Fantasia
Trieste Cruise Port Guide: Expert Shore Excursion Advice Katakolon Cruise Port Piraeus Cruise Port Izmir Cruise Port: Shore Excursions & Expert Expert Guide
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Cruise lineMSC Cruises
ShipMSC Fantasia
Duration9 nights
Port calls7
Departures1 sailings
From fare$921 per person
Year built2008
Guests3929
Cabins1637
Crew1637
Length333 m
Beam37 m
Cruising speed23.0 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 3

    Katakolon, Greece

    Katakolon is a compact seaside port on the western Peloponnese, with cafés and shops lining its waterfront. Most visitors come for ancient Olympia, about 35 kilometres inland and readily reached by road. There, the sanctuary, archaeological museum and ancient stadium bring the story of the Olympic Games into focus. Back in Katakolon, allow time for a stroll along the harbour before returning to your ship.

  3. Day 4

    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.

  4. Day 5

    Izmir, Turkey

    İzmir brings the Aegean within easy reach of a lively, modern Turkish city. Kordon’s waterfront promenade, cafés and ferries set an easy pace. Nearby, Kemeraltı Bazaar’s lanes reveal mosques, courtyards and centuries of trade. At the Agora of ancient Smyrna, Roman columns rise amid the city’s everyday bustle. İzmir also makes a practical gateway to Ephesus, one of the eastern Mediterranean’s most remarkable archaeological sites.

  5. Day 6

    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.

  6. Day 8

    Corfu Island, Greece

    Corfu rewards visitors who look beyond the beach resorts. Its Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, bears the marks of centuries of Venetian rule. Walk the arcaded Liston, then climb to the Old Fortress for views across the rooftops and Ionian Sea. Beyond town, cypress-lined roads lead to Paleokastritsa’s coves, while the Achilleion palace recalls an imperial past. Allow time for lunch; Corfiot cooking pairs Ionian seafood with Italian and Greek influences.

  7. Day 9

    Bari, Italy

    Bari is Puglia’s lively capital, with a working port and a historic center close by. Enter Bari Vecchia on foot and follow its lanes toward the Basilica of Saint Nicholas. This Romanesque church draws pilgrims and visitors to the saint’s revered relics. On Arco Basso, local women have traditionally shaped orecchiette by hand. Then cross to the seafront or browse Via Sparano’s shops and cafés. Order seafood or a plate of Puglia’s distinctive pasta before returning to port.

  8. Day 10

    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.

MSC Fantasia Cruises

Published August 5, 2026
Last updated October 31, 2026
Author: J. Richard

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