9 nights · Italy · Departs Bari (Italy) · Visiting Trieste, Split, Piraeus-Athens, Izmir, Istanbul, Corfu Island · Aboard MSC Cruises on the MSC Splendida
Image courtesy of MSC Cruises ©
| Cruise line | MSC Cruises |
|---|---|
| Ship | MSC Splendida |
| Duration | 9 nights |
| Port calls | 7 |
| Departures | 22 sailings |
| From fare | $1,474 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Published September 22, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard
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