20 nights · Italy · Departs Civitavecchia-Rome (Italy) · Visiting Livorno, Sorrento, Giardini Naxos-Taormina, Brindisi, Split, Rovinj, Venice, Koper, Pula, Sibenik, Dubrovnik, Kotor, Gallipoli, Sarande, Syros Island, Paros Island, Piraeus-Athens · Aboard Silversea Cruises on the Silver Dawn
Image courtesy of Silversea Cruises ©
| Cruise line | Silversea Cruises |
|---|---|
| Ship | Silver Dawn |
| Duration | 20 nights |
| Port calls | 18 |
| Departures | 1 sailings |
| From fare | $10,800 per person |
| Year built | 2021 |
| Guests | 691 |
| Cabins | 288 |
| Crew | 408 |
| Length | 213 m |
| Beam | 26 m |
| Cruising speed | 20.0 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.
Livorno rewards those who look beyond the cruise terminal. Its canals, built in the style of Venice, wind through historic Venezia Nuova. The seafront promenade leads to Terrazza Mascagni, where black-and-white paving frames the sea. At Mercato Centrale, locals shop beneath a vast iron-and-glass roof. Try cacciucco, the city’s rich fish stew. Florence and Pisa are within reach, but Livorno merits time of its own.
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.
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.
Brindisi faces the Adriatic from Italy’s heel, a working port with an intimate old town. A Roman column marks the traditional end of the Appian Way, the great road linking Rome with the south. From the harbour, stroll the waterfront to the cathedral square, then pause for coffee in the nearby lanes. Brindisi rewards curiosity more than haste and opens the way to Salento’s olive groves, beaches and baroque towns.
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.
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.
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.
Koper rewards travellers who step ashore ready to explore on foot. Slovenia’s principal seaport opens onto a compact old town shaped by centuries of Venetian rule. At Tito Square, the Praetorian Palace and the cathedral’s bell tower frame a handsome introduction to the city. Beyond its stone lanes, the Istrian hinterland offers vineyards, olive groves and Karst landscapes. Stay awhile: Koper’s quiet confidence is part of its appeal.
Pula rewards visitors who look beyond its waterfront. At the city’s heart, the Roman Arena stands among antiquity’s best-preserved amphitheatres, still hosting performances today. Nearby, the Arch of the Sergii and Temple of Augustus reveal a city shaped by Rome, Venice and Austria-Hungary. Walk the old centre, then seek clear water, pine shade and seafood paired with local Malvasia along the Istrian coast.
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.
Spend a day inside Dubrovnik’s UNESCO-listed Old Town, best explored on foot. Walk the city walls for close views of fortifications, roofs, and harbor. Then follow Stradun to Rector’s Palace and the Franciscan monastery. Book wall access in advance during busy months, and start early in summer. Mount Srđ offers a higher view, reached by cable car or road. Leave time for side lanes; their quieter corners reveal the city’s daily rhythm.
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.
Gallipoli lies on Salento’s Ionian coast. Its old town fills an island joined to the mainland by a seventeenth-century bridge. The harbor still serves fishing boats. Narrow lanes lead to the Baroque Cathedral of Sant’Agata and palazzi that recall centuries of trade. Beyond the walls, clear water and sandy beaches offer an easy change of pace. Stay for sunset, when the Ionian Sea turns the waterfront gold.
At Sarandë, the Ionian Sea glitters; Corfu lies across the water, and Albania’s southern coast begins here. Palm-lined promenades, small beaches and seafood restaurants make the waterfront an easy place to settle. Then head south to Butrint, a UNESCO-listed archaeological site amid lagoons and woodland. Inland, the Blue Eye spring rewards a longer excursion with strikingly clear water. Look up to Lëkurësi Castle for broad views over town, sea and island.
Above Ermoupoli’s busy harbor, Áno Sýros keeps the quieter face of Syros. Its medieval lanes climb toward the Catholic Cathedral of Saint George, past whitewashed houses and small tavernas. Go on foot in shoes with grip, pausing for views across the Aegean and down to the neoclassical capital. This is a place for unhurried exploring, not a beach day.
Your first glimpse of Paros is its whitewashed capital, Parikia, gathered around a sheltered harbour in the Cyclades. Walk to Panagia Ekatontapiliani, one of Greece’s most important early Christian monuments. Then choose your pleasure: Naoussa’s fishing harbour and lanes, or a swim at an island beach. Paros is also known for the fine marble prized by sculptors across the ancient world.
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 28, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard
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