9 nights · Italy · Departs Civitavecchia-Rome (Italy) · Visiting Salerno, Messina, Valletta, Kefalonia Island, Gythion, Heraklion, Mykonos Island, Piraeus-Athens · Aboard Regent Seven Seas Cruises on the Seven Seas Explorer
Image courtesy of Regent Seven Seas Cruises ©
| Cruise line | Regent Seven Seas Cruises |
|---|---|
| Ship | Seven Seas Explorer |
| Duration | 9 nights |
| Port calls | 9 |
| Departures | 1 sailings |
| From fare | $21,198 per person |
| Year built | 2016 |
| Guests | 829 |
| Cabins | 375 |
| Crew | 552 |
| Length | 224 m |
| Beam | 31 m |
| Cruising speed | 22.0 kn |
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.
Salerno puts southern Italy within easy reach, with ferries and roads leading toward the Amalfi Coast. Yet the city rewards a closer look: its old lanes gather around the handsome Duomo di San Matteo. Inside, bronze doors and a richly decorated crypt recall Salerno’s medieval importance as a center of learning. Climb to Arechi Castle for broad views across the Gulf, or venture inland to the Greek temples at Paestum.
Messina faces Calabria across the narrow Strait of Messina, with mainland Italy visible from its waterfront. At noon, figures move across the cathedral’s clock tower, a daily spectacle best seen from the square. Nearby, Montorsoli’s 16th-century Fountain of Orion rewards a closer look. Excursions reach Taormina and Mount Etna, but Messina’s compact center also merits an unhurried walk.
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.
Your first view of Kefalonia may be Argostoli, a working harbor framed by hills and the Ionian Sea. From here, roads lead to traditional villages, the underground lake at Melissani, and the sweeping shore of Myrtos Beach. Argostoli merits a pause for its palm-lined waterfront, lively market, and loggerhead turtles that forage in the harbor. Choose one excursion rather than rushing the island; winding roads make distances longer than the map suggests.
Gythion gives you a gentler gateway to the southern Peloponnese, where the Mani begins in stone and sea. Once Sparta’s seaport, this harbor town faces the water with neoclassical houses, fishing boats, and café-lined quays. Walk to Marathonisi, the islet linked by a causeway, or follow the coast to Mavrovouni’s long beach. From here, the Mani’s tower villages and the caves of Diros make rewarding excursions. Choose Gythion for an unhurried introduction to a rugged, less-traveled corner of Greece.
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.
Mykonos rewards an early start: whitewashed lanes, blue-domed churches and waterfront cafés are quieter before the cruise crowds arrive. In Little Venice, old captains’ houses lean over the Aegean, while the island’s windmills stand above the harbor. Beyond town, beaches range from lively Psarou to the broad sands of Elia. Take a short boat ride to Delos, where ancient sanctuaries and marble streets mark one of Greece’s great archaeological sites.
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.
Published August 12, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard
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