24 nights · Greece · Departs Piraeus-Athens (Greece) · Visiting Nafplio, Kotor, Korcula Island Croatia, Hvar Island Croatia, Sibenik, Piran, Venice, Rovinj, Vis Island Croatia, Valletta, Giardini Naxos-Taormina, Lipari Island, Sorrento, Civitavecchia-Rome, Bastia, Calvi, Olbia, La Goulette-Tunis, Palermo, Amalfi · Aboard Seabourn Cruises on the Seabourn Ovation
Image courtesy of Seabourn Cruises ©
| Cruise line | Seabourn Cruises |
|---|---|
| Ship | Seabourn Ovation |
| Duration | 24 nights |
| Port calls | 21 |
| Departures | 1 sailings |
| From fare | $27,688 per person |
| Year built | 2018 |
| Guests | 638 |
| Cabins | 266 |
| Crew | 330 |
| Length | 210 m |
| Beam | 28 m |
| Cruising speed | 19.0 kn |
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.
Nafplion is the Peloponnese at its most inviting: a seafront town shaped by Venetian, Ottoman and Greek histories. In the old quarter, cobbled lanes lead to Syntagma Square, lined with historic façades and cafés. Above the rooftops, Palamidi Fortress commands the view; offshore, Bourtzi guards the harbor. Come ashore for a compact, walkable city, then linger over lunch beside the water.
At the head of Montenegro’s Bay of Kotor, the old town sits beneath steep mountains. Enter through the Sea Gate and follow stone lanes to St Tryphon’s Cathedral. Venetian-era walls frame squares, churches, and cafés within a compact UNESCO-listed center. For a broader view, climb toward San Giovanni Fortress; the steps are demanding. Take water and allow time for the ascent, especially in summer heat. From the harbor, the bay’s changing light makes a memorable arrival and departure.
Korčula rises from the Adriatic on an island famed for vineyards, clear coves and stone villages. Inside the old walls, narrow streets fan out in a fishbone pattern. Follow them past Venetian Gothic façades to St Mark’s Cathedral and the town’s small squares. Beyond the harbor, island wineries pour local Grk and Pošip, while swimming coves reward a longer stay.
Hvar Town combines a handsome harbor with stone lanes and a lively island setting. From the waterfront, climb to St Stephen’s Square and its Renaissance cathedral. Continue uphill to the Spanish Fortress for a commanding view over town and Pakleni Islands. Water taxis link the harbor with the nearby islands, weather and schedules permitting. Choose a table along the port, or find a quieter lane above the square. In summer, book ahead; Hvar’s waterfront is among Croatia’s busiest.
Šibenik pairs a working waterfront with a medieval centre climbing the hillside. The Cathedral of St James, a UNESCO World Heritage site, was built entirely from stone. From St Michael’s Fortress, take in broad views across the islands, then explore the cafés and narrow lanes below. Four historic fortresses speak to the city’s strategic past. Krka National Park is a rewarding excursion inland.
Piran’s Venetian façades, red roofs and church towers rise above a compact Adriatic peninsula. In Tartini Square, cafés and historic buildings frame the statue of violinist Giuseppe Tartini, born here in 1692. Climb the bell tower of St George’s Church for views across the rooftops and Gulf of Trieste. Beyond town, Sečovlje Salina Nature Park preserves centuries-old salt-making traditions and offers a quieter look at Slovenia’s coast.
Arrive in Venice by water, where the lagoon’s canals replace ordinary streets. St Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace anchor the celebrated Piazza San Marco. Take a vaporetto along the Grand Canal, then explore a quieter neighborhood on foot. Confirm your ship’s terminal and transfer arrangements before setting out; cruise access varies. Near Rialto, the market and bridge offer a lively glimpse of the city’s trade. Give yourself time to leave the main routes and follow smaller canals.
Rovinj rises above Istria’s western shore, its old town gathered on a peninsula. Follow narrow lanes uphill to St Euphemia’s Church and its landmark bell tower. From the summit, look across red roofs, harbor boats, and the Adriatic. Along the waterfront, restaurants serve Istrian seafood and local wines. Allow time for the marina and nearby coves; the center is best explored on foot. Rovinj rewards a slow walk, particularly in the quieter morning hours.
Vis offers a slower pace than Croatia’s better-known island ports, with two main towns. Vis Town curves around a sheltered harbor lined with stone buildings and cafés. Explore its waterfront and discover reminders of the island’s long military importance. Vis remained a Yugoslav military base and was closed to foreign visitors until 1989. Boats to Biševo’s Blue Cave depend on sea conditions and local access rules. Allow extra time for boat trips, and keep a flexible plan if seas turn rough.
Valletta makes a powerful first impression, its honey-coloured walls rising above Grand Harbour. Founded by the Knights of St John in 1566, Malta’s compact capital rewards exploration on foot. Enter St John’s Co-Cathedral for Caravaggio’s monumental paintings, then follow Republic Street to cafés, palaces and the Upper Barrakka Gardens. From the terraces, watch ferries cross the harbour and look towards the Three Cities. Allow time for steep lanes and quiet side streets.
Giardini Naxos sits on Sicily’s Ionian coast, beneath Mount Etna and a short drive from Taormina. Its waterfront pairs pebble beaches with cafés, gelaterie and views across the bay. Sicily’s first Greek colony was founded here in 734 BC. A nearby archaeological park preserves traces of its ancient streets and walls. Come for a seaside day, or use the port as a gateway to Taormina. There, the Greek Theatre commands sweeping views of Etna and the coast.
Lipari is the largest of the Aeolian Islands, a volcanic chain off Sicily’s northern coast. The town rises around a citadel, home to the Aeolian Archaeological Museum and its collection of island finds. Walk the old lanes to Marina Corta, then choose a waterfront table for fresh seafood. Beyond town, pumice quarries and coastal viewpoints reveal a landscape shaped by fire and sea.
Sorrento rises above the Bay of Naples, facing Mount Vesuvius across water busy with ferries. From here, ferries connect with Capri, while the town rewards a slower day among old lanes, churches, and sea-view terraces. Follow the scent of citrus to shops selling Sorrento lemons, locally made limoncello, and finely crafted marquetry. Then pause over lunch: the region’s seafood and Campanian produce are best enjoyed without hurry.
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.
Bastia is Corsica’s northern gateway, where ferries, fishing boats and café terraces meet beneath a steeply rising old town. Begin around the old port in Terra Vecchia, then climb into Terra Nova’s citadel. Pause at Saint-Jean-Baptiste, whose twin bell towers define Bastia’s skyline. From Place Saint-Nicolas, one of France’s largest squares, watch local life unfold over a coffee. For a change of pace, drive north toward Cap Corse, where fishing villages and rugged headlands frame the coast.
Calvi rewards a day ashore with a rare pairing: a fortified Genoese citadel and a broad, pale-sand beach. Climb its steep lanes to the ramparts, where the harbor and crescent-shaped bay open beneath the Corsican hills. Below, cafés and shops line the old town, while the waterfront leads towards several kilometres of sand. Come for the views, then linger over local seafood or explore Balagne’s villages and vineyards beyond town.
Olbia brings Sardinia’s northeast within easy reach, from its old centre to the Costa Smeralda. Corso Umberto passes cafés and shops; nearby stands the granite Romanesque Basilica of San Simplicio. The harbour and beaches at Pittulongu offer a change of pace, while the Costa Smeralda lies north by road. For a glimpse of the island’s ancient past, visit the Nuragic site of Riu Mulinu above the city.
La Goulette is Tunisia’s principal cruise gateway, set on the Mediterranean just northeast of Tunis. The capital’s old medina, Carthage’s ruins and Sidi Bou Said’s white-and-blue lanes are all within reach. Choose Roman history, Ottoman-era streets or cafés overlooking the sea. Plan around traffic: these sights lie in different directions, and each merits an unhurried visit.
Palermo rewards curious travellers with a vivid mix of Arab-Norman architecture, lively markets and Sicilian cooking. Start at the cathedral, where Norman, Gothic and Baroque details reflect the city’s layered past. Then walk through the Capo market or visit the Palatine Chapel, famed for its Byzantine mosaics. Leave time for pasta con le sarde or arancini; Palermo’s strongest impressions often arrive at the table.
Amalfi brings the coast’s drama within easy reach: cliffs, lemon terraces and a harbor backed by steep streets. Start in the old center, where the striped façade of the Cathedral of Saint Andrew rises above Piazza Duomo. Then choose your pace: browse lanes and cafés, visit the Paper Museum, or take the winding road to Ravello. Sea views come with history here, and the pleasure of seeing one of Italy’s celebrated shorelines at close range.
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 August 9, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard
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