x
From Magna Graecia to Greece
D2524082808
Dates
08/28/24 - 09/05/24
Ship
SH Diana
Duration
8 Nights
Guests
2 Guest
Price From
$ 7,401
Per Person
BOOK NOW
Trip Details
Imagine sailing through the sparkling waters of the Mediterranean, discovering ancient cities, charming islands, and stunning landscapes. Imagine witnessing the awe-inspiring spectacle of a volcanic eruption, exploring the ruins of a legendary oracle, and cruising through a narrow canal carved into the rock. Imagine experiencing the rich history, culture, and cuisine of Sicily, Italy, Albania, and Greece while enjoying the comfort and service of a first-class crew. This is not a dream. This is your cruise. Join us on this adventure that will take you from Palermo to Piraeus, and let us show you the wonders of the Mediterranean. This is a cruise you will never forget.
READ MORE
Itinerary Map
Itinerary
Palermo, Sicily Day 1

A feast for the senses, Sicily’s capital is an intoxicating and chaotic melting pot. Bustling street markets, ancient buildings, opulent palaces, and millennia of history await those ready to embrace Palermo for all that it offers. Palermo’s history is complex, to say the least. Middle Eastern, Northern African, and European influences are all melded together here. The Greeks, Romans, Carthaginians, Arabs, Goths, and Vandals have come and gone through the ages, leaving countless treasures in their wake. The 12th-century Arab-Norman cathedral, built over a 9th-century mosque, houses the tombs of the Norman rulers and is a fitting manifestation of the city’s convoluted past. The opulent Palazzo de Normanni, once the seat of power for the kings of Sicily during Norman rule, is a dazzling display of the opulence that the city’s rulers once enjoyed.

Lipari, Sicily Day 2

The largest of the Aeolian Islands, Lipari is typically Mediterranean in its landscape. The island’s lava quarries, low-lying shrubbery and precipitous cliffs feel familiar yet unchartered. Lipari Town is a busy little port with pretty pastel-coloured buildings lining the harbour and plenty of cafes and restaurants where visitors can watch the world go by. Above the harbour is the fortified citadel and castle, built by the Spaniards in the 16th century. The fascinating citadel houses archaeological findings that span aeons and empires, some thought to be as much as 6,000 years old.

Shore Excursion
view
Lipari Island Tour And Winery
  • Duration: 03 h 45 m
  • Optional
  • Work up an appetite with a sightseeing tour of of the island’s most panoramic viewpoints
  • Visit the underground barrique cellar, built in the traditional style of the region
  • Learn about the windcatcher’s thermal labyrinth and chimney used to create a natural air-conditioning system
Lipari Island Tour
  • Duration: 04 h 00 m
  • Included
  • Take a moment to appreciate the unique mining practice of the volcanic materials pumice and obsidian
  • Enjoy stunning views of the sparkling sea, red and grey volcanoes and lush green vegetation
  • Stop by the Church of San Bartolomeo for pictures of its beautiful facade
Cruising Stromboli Day 2

Stromboli is a small island in the Aeolian archipelago in the Tyrrhenian Sea. It is one of the world's most active volcanoes and has erupted almost continuously since 1932. The island also has beautiful beaches and crystal-clear waters.

Giardini Naxos(Taormina), Sicily Day 3

Giardini Naxos is a seaside town on the eastern coast of Sicily known for its beautiful beaches and crystal-clear waters. The city also has a rich history and culture, with many ancient ruins and historic sites to explore. Some popular attractions include the ancient Greek city of Naxos, the Church of San Pancrazio, and the Museum of Archaeology.

Shore Excursion
view
The Godfather Tour - Afternoon departure
  • Duration: 04 h 30 m
  • Optional
  • Visit the Cappuccini Church, whose crypt houses the so-called catacombs with 37 mummified bodies of friars and noble people who lived there in the 18th and 19th centuries
  • Stop in at several remarkable churches of the 15th and 16th centuries like Chiesa Madre, Santa Lucia and San Michele
  • Head to the village of Forza d’Agrò, overlooking the Arab-Norman castle of Capo Sant’Alessio and the coastline towards Messina
Taormina Highlights
  • Duration: 04 h 15 m
  • Included
  • Take in the incredible views of Mount Etna and the surrounding waters
  • Pay homage to the ancient art of performance at the Roman Theatre Corso Umberto
  • Visit one of the many local handicraft shops that populate the small lanes, the Viuzze
Crotone Day 4

Cruise along the Calabrian coast and enjoy the scenery of rugged cliffs and sandy beaches. As we pull into the port town of Crotone, notice the 16th-century fortress, Castle of Charles V. Inside its museum is a golden tiara, found nearby in the Capo Colonna Archaeological Park named for its column that stands proud on a promontory. Crotone itself is a delightful mix of old and new, from the ancient city walls to the cathedral notable for its icon of the Black Madonna alongside Calabrese restaurants serving traditional pasta and sausage dishes.

Shore Excursion
view
Santa Severina & Farmhouse
  • Duration: 04 h 25 m
  • Included
  • Clinging to a tuff buttress overlooking the Neto River Valley, this charming town will instantly captivate you with its fairytale-like appearance
  • See the magnificent stucco decorations and Baroque paintings by Francesco Giordano at the Carafa Castle
  • Your excursion will also include a visit to the cathedral, the beautiful Byzantine baptistery and the Diocesan Museum
Cirò Wine: The Drink of the Greek Gods
  • Duration: 04 h 30 m
  • Optional
  • Visit the small village of Ciro, know for the wine production
  • At the wine estate discover the secret of this wine and taste delicious local food
Highlights of Magna Grecia
  • Duration: 04 h 20 m
  • Optional
  • Drive along the coast to Le Castella, to visit the fortress, built by the Aragons around an existing Anjou fortification
  • Discover Capo Colonna Archaeological Park, made up of roughly 7½ acres of excavation terrain
Otranto Day 5

Otranto is a town in the province of Lecce in the Puglia region of Italy. It is located on the Adriatic Sea and is famous for its rich history and culture, with many ancient ruins and historic sites to explore. Some popular attractions include the Otranto Cathedral, the Aragonese Castle, and the Church of San Pietro.

Shore Excursion
view
Otranto Coastal Drive & Wine Tasting
  • Duration: 04 h 00 m
  • Optional
  • Enjoy one of the most spectacular panoramic routes of Apulia
  • Visit the wine-cellar and the underground-oil mill
  • enjoy a wine tasting and typical Apulian products before returning to the ship
Lecce - Florence Of Southern Italy
  • Duration: 05 h 00 m
  • Optional
  • Admire the Roman Amphitheater dating back to the second century A.D. and could hold up to 20,000 spectators
  • Discover a remarkable architectural style known as the “Barocco Leccese”
  • Visit Piazza Duomo, where the Cathedral as well as the Archbishop’s Palace are located
Otranto City Tour
  • Duration: 04 h 00 m
  • Included
  • Visit the inside of the mysterious Skull Cathedral and pay your respects to the Martyrs of Otranto
  • Be fascinated by the rich history of the Aragonese Castle
  • Enjoy a typical Italian Ice cream
Sarande Day 6

The Albanian Riviera stretches along a beautiful section of the Ionian coastline, packed with stunning beaches and ancient history. Once overlooked as a result of Albania’s political isolation from the rest of Europe, the area is now being rediscovered. Sarandë is its unofficial capital, whose original settlers were said to be the descendants of the ancient Greek hero Achilles. Today crowds flock to Sarandë in the summer months to enjoy the beaches and bustling nightlife. Just outside the city a plethora of ancient ruins, including several UNESCO World Heritage Sites await. This includes the Ancient City of Butrint, which is considered one of the most important archaeological sites in Albania.

Shore Excursion
view
The Ancient City Of Butrint
  • Duration: 04 h 00 m
  • Included
  • Visit the archaeological site of Butrini. Inhabited since prehistoric times
  • Enjoy the special atmosphere created by a combination of archaeology, monuments and nature in the Mediterranean
  • Be surprised by the authenticity of the World Heritage property Butrint related to its excellent preservation on a site
Unesco World Heritage, Medieval City, Reach architecture
  • Duration: 06 h 00 m
  • Optional
  • Visit the fortress of Gjirokastra, one of the biggest in the Balkans
  • Discover the Medieval City, today UNESCO world heritage
  • Admire the architecture while walking arround
Jeep Safari Adventure
  • Duration: 07 h 30 m
  • Optional
  • Admire the blue waters of the Borsh waterfalls
  • Discover the village of Piluri and the breathtaking views
  • Visit the ruins of Ali Pasha castle
Preveza Day 7

Located at the mouth of Amvrakikos Gulf in Western Greece, Preveza is a charming city with bundles of character. The yacht-filled marina and carless seafront offer the perfect setting for a pleasant stroll. Sit and watch the world go by at the many restaurants and tavernas, or indulge in some retail therapy in the many interesting shops. Further afield you’ll find the ancient city of Nikopolis, founded by the Roman Emperor Octavian. During the Roman and early Byzantine periods, the city flourished as the capital of Old Epirus. Today visitors can explore the ruins of the Roman city walls, odeum, theatre and many other preserved archaeological features.

Shore Excursion
view
Traditional Arta
  • Duration: 04 h 00 m
  • Optional
  • Visit Arta's Bridge learn the history of its construction and myth
  • Admire the church of the Panayia Parigoritissa,dating back to the 13th c. is dedicated to the Annunciation
Nikopolis Arch. Site & Museum
  • Duration: 03 h 00 m
  • Included
  • Visit Nikopolis, the amazing largest ancient city in Greece, built in the 1st c. AD
  • Learn why the impressive theatre isn’t like the others ancient Greek ones
  • Take some time to listen to the stories of the different basilicas
Itea Day 8

An important historical place, the harbour town sits below Mount Parnassus, home to the mythical Muses, and is near the ancient Greek sanctuary of Delphi, where Pythia, the Oracle, prophesied the words of Apollo to those who sought divine advice for the future. Parnassus was also home to the winged horse Pegasus of Bellerophon. More recently, Itea was the site of the Battle of Agali during the Greek War of Independence where Greece defeated the Ottoman–Egyptian fleet on 29/30 September 1827. The mountain area is also home to Greece’s largest olive grove and one of the oldest in the world.

Shore Excursion
view
Mythical Delphi
  • Duration: 03 h 50 m
  • Included
  • Visit the sanctuary of Delphi, which had the most famous oracle of ancient Greece
  • Discover the Archaeological Museum, one of the most important in Greece with its rich collections
Ossios Loukas Monastery
  • Duration: 04 h 00 m
  • Optional
  • Discover the beautiful Monastery of Ossios Loukas adorned with these mosaics and frescoes of the Great Church
  • Breathtaking mountain scenery passing by the village of Arachova
Galaxidi Walking tour
  • Duration: 03 h 00 m
  • Optional
  • Walking tour of town of the Golf of Corinth
  • Visit the Naval Museum of Galaxidi which exhibits models of the ship
  • Admire a mountainous landscape and discover the impressive church of Agios Nikolaos
Cruising Corinth Canal Day 8

The Corinth Canal connects the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf in the Aegean Sea. It cuts through the narrow Isthmus of Corinth and separates the Peloponnese from the Greek mainland. The canal is 6.4 kilometers long and only 21.3 meters wide at its base, making it impassable for most modern ships.

Piraeus Day 9

Greece’s buzzing cosmopolitan capital is served by Piraeus port and is an exciting mix of ancient and modern. Walk the Grand Promenade that winds beneath the city’s most famous landmark, the Acropolis. This walkway, built during the 2004 Olympic Games, links the city’s main archaeological sites. No visit to Athens is complete without seeing the Acropolis itself of course. Start with the Acropolis Museum for some informative context and then walk the marble path up Filopappou Hill for majestic views of the ‘high city’ with the iconic Parthenon perched on top (a temple dedicated to the goddess Athena, patron of the city).

SHOW MORE
Rates Include
Regional flights to the port of embarkation and/or disembarkation (ONLY available for Antarctica cruises starting or ending in Ushuaia, Arctic cruises starting and ending in Longyearbyen and Kangerlussuaq)
Group return transfers from the airport to the cruise port (via our included accommodation where applicable)
One night pre-cruise accommodation with breakfast in a 4/5-star hotel or onboard
All meals onboard
Onboard accommodation in a stateroom selected category
24-hour room service
Coffee, tea, soft drinks and selected alcoholic beverages available 24-hours per day
Lecture programmes by our experienced expedition team and guest speakers
One selected shore excursion/expedition activities per port of call (Kayak not included, bookable for a fee on board)
Branded Swan Hellenic expedition parka and use of rubber boots in Polar Regions
Standard WiFi
Onboard gratuities & port taxes
SHOW MORE
Itinerary Map

We are providing a list of sample excursions that Swan Hellenic may offer on this itinerary, which are subject to change. We constantly update our shore excursion program with exclusive and genuine experiences, so please do not hesitate to review your excursion program choice closer to your departure date.

We invite all guests to visit swanhellenic.com for the most updated information.

09:00 AM – 05:30 PM (EST)

+1 (800) 537 6777
ARRANGE A CALLBACK
Stateroom
Number of Guests
Oceanview D4
20 m2 Sleeps 2
Oceanview staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom and living room and a luxurious ensuite bathroom.
Price From
$ 0
Oceanview M4
20 m2 Sleeps 2
Oceanview staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom and living room and a luxurious ensuite bathroom.
Price From
$ 0
Balcony D5
28 m2 Sleeps 2
Located on decks 5, these balcony staterooms feature 2 single beds or a double bed, distinct bedroom and living room areas, a luxurious bathroom and your own private 6 sq. m balcony.
Price From
$ 0
Balcony M5
28 m2 Sleeps 2
Located on decks 5, these balcony staterooms feature 2 single beds or a double bed, distinct bedroom and living room areas, a luxurious bathroom and your own private 6 sq. m balcony.
Price From
$ 0
Balcony D6
28 m2 Sleeps 2
Located on decks 6, these balcony staterooms feature 2 single beds or a double bed, distinct bedroom and living room areas, a luxurious bathroom and your own private 6 sq. m balcony.
Price From
$ 0
Junior Suite
35 m2 Sleeps 2
SH Diana’s Junior Suite features a Super King Size bed, separate living room area, walk-in closet, luxurious ensuite bathroom, and a 7 sq. m private balcony.
Price From
$ 0
Suite
44 m2 Sleeps 2
Our Suites feature a Super King Size bed and separate living room with a soothing flame-effect fireplace, a luxurious ensuite bathroom, a walk-in closet, and a 6 sq. m. private balcony.
Price From
$ 0
Premium Suite
47 m2 Sleeps 2
SH Diana’s Premium Suites feature a Super King Size bed, separate living room with homely flame-effect fireplace, luxurious ensuite bathroom, spacious walk-in wardrobe and a 12 sq. m private balcony.
Price From
$ 0

We are providing a list of sample excursions that Swan Hellenic may offer on this itinerary, which are subject to change. We constantly update our shore excursion program with exclusive and genuine experiences, so please do not hesitate to review your excursion program choice closer to your departure date.

We invite all guests to visit swanhellenic.com for the most updated information.

09:00 AM – 05:30 PM (EST)

+1 (800) 537 6777
ARRANGE A CALLBACK