Cruise Line |
Seabourn |
Ship |
Seabourn Encore |
Destination |
EU Mediterranean |
Nights |
21 |
Departure Date |
17 Jul 2022 |
Description |
21 Night Cruise sailing from Venice to Athens aboard Seabourn Encore.
Seabourn Encore is as strikingly beautiful and as excitingly innovative as any Seabourn has ever debuted. It will crown a fleet that is already the newest, most modern and most acclaimed in the ultra-luxury segment. Modeled on the award-winning trio of ships introduced with Seabourn Odyssey in 2009, Seabourn Encore represents another welcome stage in the evolution of small-ship cruising, which Seabourn pioneered and has consistently expanded and enriched.
Highlights of this cruise:
Venice, Italy
The first settlement of the marshy islands in the lagoon was for protection from barbarian tribes that terrorized mainland farms and villages. Island living quickly led to the development of skills in handling boats, then ships. Maritime trade conducted by shrewd merchants brought great wealth, which permitted the building of palaces, churches and monuments. The city became the center of the vast Venetian empire, its name forever summoning visions of grandeur, magnificence, richness, graciousness and beauty. Although later linked to the mainland, first by a railway bridge built in 1848 and then by a motor causeway in 1930, this island city will always be considered the "Queen of the Sea." There are no cars in Venice; all transportation is by boat or on foot along the time-worn, cobblestone streets and across some 400 bridges that span the city's 177 canals. Enchanting Venice truly offers an atmosphere that exists nowhere else.
Kotor, Montenegro
One of the best preserved medieval towns of the Adriatic, Kotor is protected by UNESCO. Between 1420 and 1797, the area was under the rule of the Republic of Venice and the Venetian influence can be seen in its architecture. The Gulf of Kotor is sometimes called the southernmost fjord in Europe, although it is actually a submerged river canyon. The overhanging limestone cliffs of Orjen and Lovcen complete one of the Mediterranean's most beautiful landscapes.
Pylos, Greece
Pylos occupies a superb and dominant position on one of the best natural harbors in Greece. Your gaze is inevitably drawn to the bay that is almost landlocked due to the position of the offshore island of Sfaktira. The Battle of Navarino, which took place here one night in 1827, effectively sealed Greek independence. An unusually stylish town with a pair of medieval castles, Pylos is an excellent base for exploring the Peloponnese.Enjoy time at leisure to explore this town, which spreads across the slopes of the hill, its picturesque cobbled lanes lined with two-story houses. Opposite the harbor, in the Square of the Three Admirals, a three-sided column rises between two canons - one Turkish and the other Venetian. The figures of the admirals of the three fleets, English, French and Russian that defeated the Turko-Egyptian navy in the Battle of Navarino are represented. A visit to Niokastro, one of the two castles guarding the harbor, affords wonderful views out over the bay.
Agios Nikolaos, Crete, Greece
This charming village of white houses climbing up the slopes is beautifully situated on the sparkling Gulf of Mirabello. The attractive Venetian harbor is surrounded by restaurants, outdoor cafes and clusters of shops selling everything from necessities to souvenirs. The ship docks in the center of town, and you are able to wander at will and enjoy the atmosphere of Crete's foremost resort.
Bozcaada, Bozcaada (Tenedos), Turkey
This tiny island 12 miles off the Turkish coast embodies the ideal of the “hidden gem.†Its harbor is dominated by a sprawling crenelated fortress with Byzantine, Venetian, Genoese and Ottoman provenance. Its compact town invites visitors to explore winding cobblestone streets with no other objective than to immerse themselves in the antique atmosphere. There is no compelling attraction here other than the picturesque, but unpretentious charm of a quiet, unspoiled haven. Its small museum is the creation of a loving amateur, Hakan Guruney, who often personally leads visitors through his collection of objects and memorabilia recollecting his island’s, and in many ways his nation’s history. Much of the island’s fifteen square miles is dedicated to vineyards producing both red and white varietals. Ayazma beach offers clear water, although freshwater springs keep the water chilly even in the summer heat. At the peninsular Polente Feneri, a white lighthouse is guarded by a picket of modern, three-bladed windmills. Local flavors worth tasting are red poppy syrup and a luscious tomato jam you won’t find anywhere else.
Istanbul, Turkey
Spanning Europe and Asia, exotic Istanbul is one of the world's most fascinating cities. Domes and minarets enhance the skyline. In the old Stamboul area, traces remain of every city built since the community was established over 600 years before Christ. Once Rome's eastern capital, Istanbul was also the center of the huge Ottoman Empire. Landmarks include Hagia Sophia, once Christendom's greatest church; the Blue Mosque with its striking Iznik tiles; Topkapi Palace, containing a sultan's ransom of treasures; Chora Church with its Byzantine mosaics; and the Grand Bazaar, the ultimate shopping experience.
Cesme, Turkey
A popular holiday and resort destination, Cesme is located on a promontory on the tip of a peninsula that carries the same name. The town itself is dominated by the medieval Cesme Castle, while the back streets invite a casual stroll with their old Ottoman and Greek houses that charm passers-by. South of the castle there is an Ottoman caravanserai built in 1528 that has since been transformed into a lovely boutique hotel, and check the Greek Orthodox church of Ayios Haralambos to see the current art exhibition. Along with the historical attractions, visitors will enjoy local pleasures, such as a dip in the thermal baths followed by the culinary delights of native fruits, artisan cheeses and local wines.
Thira (Santorini), Greece
"Thira, the Wild Island" and "Kalliste, the Fairest One" - all terms of endearment for this seductive, volcanic Greek island in the Sea of Crete. Extraordinary for its black sand beaches and sheer limestone cliffs, Santorini also showcases remnants of the Phoenician, Spartan and Minoan cultures, which fell under the island's spell - an unvarying, irresistible lure that continues to this day. Fira, the picturesque, pedestrian-only capital, is reached from the seaport via a short cable car ride that offers thrilling views as you ascend.
Athens, Greece
The port of Piraeus is one of the last old-style Mediterranean ports from where you can catch ferries to all of the Greek islands and travel a short distance to Greece's capital city Athens. In the heart of the city lies the ancient Plaka district, with its honeycomb of streets, little shops - and tavernas that come alive at night. Situated on the north and east slopes of the Acropolis, it is rich with historic sites, such as ancient monuments and churches. Within Athens there are eight large hills, including the Acropolis, and on the outskirts, Mount Parnitha, Mount Pendeli and Mount Hymettos surround the city. A trip to Athens' most famous tourist attraction, the impressive Parthenon built on the Acropolis around 2,500 years ago, will be memorable to say the least. There are an extraordinary number of historic tourist sights in Athens and many of these are known world-wide. Some of the top Athens attractions include the Agora - a grand, ruined Roman building, Hadrian's Arch - originally the city gate linking the Roman quarters with original town of Athens and the stunning Dionysos Theatre - the world's oldest theatre where many great plays have been performed over the years.
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Itinerary |
Cruise Itinerary
Day | Date | Activity | Arrive | Depart |
1 |
17/07 |
Venice, Italy |
|
05:00 PM |
2 |
18/07 |
Sibenik, Croatia |
02:00 PM |
07:00 PM |
3 |
19/07 |
Kotor, Montenegro |
08:00 AM |
03:00 PM |
4 |
20/07 |
Corfu, Greece |
08:00 AM |
11:00 PM |
5 |
21/07 |
Cephalonia, Greece |
08:00 AM |
05:00 PM |
6 |
22/07 |
Pylos, Greece |
08:00 AM |
05:00 PM |
7 |
23/07 |
Nafplion, Greece |
08:00 AM |
05:00 PM |
8 |
24/07 |
Athens (Piraeus) Greece |
07:00 AM |
07:00 PM |
9 |
25/07 |
Patmos, Greece |
08:00 AM |
06:00 PM |
10 |
26/07 |
Aghios Nikolaos, Greece |
07:00 AM |
05:00 PM |
11 |
27/07 |
Kusadasi, Turkey |
07:00 AM |
11:00 PM |
12 |
28/07 |
Mykonos, Greece |
08:00 AM |
06:00 PM |
13 |
29/07 |
Skiathos, Greece |
08:00 AM |
05:00 PM |
14 |
30/07 |
Bozcaada (Tenedos), Turkey |
08:00 AM |
05:00 PM |
15 |
31/07 |
Istanbul, Turkey |
07:00 AM |
05:00 PM |
16 |
01/08 |
Limnos (Myrina), Greece |
09:00 AM |
05:00 PM |
17 |
02/08 |
Cesme, Turkey |
08:00 AM |
06:00 PM |
18 |
03/08 |
Bodrum, Turkey |
08:00 AM |
11:00 PM |
19 |
04/08 |
Rhodes, Greece |
08:00 AM |
06:00 PM |
20 |
05/08 |
Santorini, Greece |
08:00 AM |
09:00 PM |
21 |
06/08 |
Spetses, Greece |
08:00 AM |
05:00 PM |
22 |
07/08 |
Athens (Piraeus) Greece |
07:00 AM |
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All itineraries and ports of call at the discretion of the cruise line subject to local weather conditions and may change without notice.
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