11 nights · Italy · Departs Bari (Italy) · Visiting Trieste, Split, Piraeus-Athens, Kusadasi, Heraklion, Katakolon, Naples, Genoa, Civitavecchia-Rome · Aboard MSC Cruises on the MSC Splendida
Image courtesy of MSC Cruises ©
| Cruise line | MSC Cruises |
|---|---|
| Ship | MSC Splendida |
| Duration | 11 nights |
| Port calls | 10 |
| Departures | 1 sailings |
| From fare | $1,049 per person |
| Year built | 2009 |
| Guests | 4363 |
| Cabins | 1637 |
| Crew | 1370 |
| Length | 333 m |
| Beam | 37 m |
| Cruising speed | 23.0 kn |
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Heraklion is Crete’s capital, with treasures beyond its city walls. At Knossos, about five kilometres south, palace ruins reveal the scale of Minoan life. The Heraklion Archaeological Museum brings that world into focus through frescoes, jewellery and its celebrated Snake Goddess figurines. In town, Venetian walls and the harbour’s Koules fortress frame cafés, markets and a lively waterfront. Crete’s olive oil, local cheeses and generous island cooking reward a pause between visits.
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.
Naples puts its history within reach: the port opens onto a compact city framed by Mount Vesuvius and the bay. UNESCO-listed streets lead to churches, palaces and the everyday theatre of southern Italian life. At the National Archaeological Museum, mosaics and objects from Pompeii and Herculaneum bring the Roman world sharply into focus. Stay close for Neapolitan pizza, or use Naples as a springboard to Pompeii, Herculaneum and Capri.
Genoa is a city shaped by the sea, with a busy port framed by hills and centuries of trade. In the old town, narrow caruggi lead to grand squares and Romanesque churches. The Palazzi dei Rolli, a UNESCO-listed group of aristocratic residences, reveal the city’s former wealth. Walk the restored Porto Antico, then sit down to basil-scented pesto or freshly caught seafood. Genoa rewards those who explore on foot.
Your ship docks at Civitavecchia, Rome’s seaport, about 50 miles northwest of the capital. Rome’s great monuments are within reach, but the port town rewards a closer look. Walk the waterfront to Forte Michelangelo, a 16th-century fortress begun under Pope Julius II; explore the old streets and market. Prefer a quieter day? The town’s seafront and nearby beaches offer an easy change of pace. Choose Rome for art and antiquity, or Civitavecchia for coastal life beyond the terminal.
Published September 6, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard
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