12 June
Setting sail from Athens (Piraeus)
Athens is a city awash with historical and cultural significance. Towering over the city are the gleaming columns of the Parthenon, surely one of the most iconic sights in the whole of Europe. And yet Athens is much more than an open air museum; this is a dynamic, bustling metropolis, and a place where history is still very much unfolding. For all its faults, the Greek capital possesses an energy and an optimism that are manifest in everything from the burgeoning art scene to the restaurants and bars that continue to pop up on a regular basis.
Our tip
Once you have seen the essentials, explore further afield and you will immediately escape the tourist crowds. Visit Kerameikos cemetery, for example, or Mount Lycabettus.
13 June
Greece: Santorini
The volcanic island of Santorini (known officially as Thira) is one of the most spectacularly beautiful in the Mediterranean. The pretty village of Oia, with its whitewashed houses and windmills tumbling down the hillside, is particularly photogenic.
14 June
Greece: Rhodes
Sun-kissed Rhodes, the largest of the Dodecanese islands, is steeped in history; the medieval heart of Rhodes Town was once home to the crusading Knights of St John, and later fell to the Ottoman sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. The hillside village of Lindos, with its pretty whitewashed houses, is another highlight.
15 June
Turkey: Antalya
Antalya is the biggest and busiest city on the Turkish Riviera, though there’s more to this place than just roasting on a beach. The historic Kaleiçi district is full of lovingly restored Ottoman mansions, and top attractions include the superb collection of classical treasures at the Antalya Museum, with pieces from the nearby archaeological sites of Perge and Aspendos.
16 June
Turkey: Bodrum
Bodrum is one of the trendiest destinations on Turkey’s Aegean coast, with plenty of private yachts bobbing alongside the traditional gulet boats in the harbour. Whitewashed buildings draped in bougainvillea give the town a Greek feel, overlooked by the imposing 15th century crusader castle.
17 June
Turkey: Kusadasi
The Turkish port of Kusadasi is the gateway to Ephesus, one of the most spectacular archaeological sites in the Eastern Mediterranean. This was the Roman capital of Asia Minor, and the remains constitute the most complete classical city in Europe.
18-20 June
Turkey: Istanbul
Istanbul is the place where East meets West, where Asia Minor reaches out across the Bosphorus and almost touches Europe, and the city remains a bristling, bustling cultural melting pot, the skyline dotted with magnificent minarets and domes.
21 June
Turkey: Izmir
The Turkish port of Izmir, formerly the Greek city of Smyrna, is a liberal and progressive place where the secularism of Ataturk remains strong. During the Ottoman era this was a melting pot of ethnic groups including Armenians, Jews and Italians, and a cosmopolitan atmosphere persists to this day.
22 June
Greece: Santorini
The volcanic island of Santorini (known officially as Thira) is one of the most spectacularly beautiful in the Mediterranean. The pretty village of Oia, with its whitewashed houses and windmills tumbling down the hillside, is particularly photogenic.
23 June
Greece: Argostoli (Kefalonia)
Rugged Kefalonia is the largest of the Ionian islands, and remains unspoilt by tourism despite earning fame as the setting for ‘Captain Corelli’s Mandolin’. The island rewards exploration, with some splendid beaches and lovely little villages, and the vineyards here produce some excellent wines.
24 June
Greece: Corfu
Corfu, known as Kerkyra in Greek, is a beautiful island of verdant hills and rocky coves, and away from the more crowded resorts it remains a sleepy and idyllic place. Don’t miss the picturesque Venetian architecture of Corfu Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
25 June
Croatia: Dubrovnik
We never fail to be moved when we see the terracotta roofs and honey-golden walls of Dubrovnik, and a stroll around the perfectly preserved old town is a highlight of any visit to the Dalmatian coast. Make sure you take the time to walk around the walls and soak up the marvellous sea views.
26 June
Montenegro: Kotor
Kotor sits at the head of a beautiful, fjord-like bay, hemmed in by glowering mountains. The compact, walled old town is Montenegro’s star attraction, a warren of little alleyways and shady squares that is often described as a ‘mini Dubrovnik’.
27 June
Croatia: Hvar
Hvar is the most popular of Croatia’s islands, a ruggedly beautiful place carpeted with lavender fields and dotted with little villages. The island’s capital, Hvar Town, is a charming collection of marble streets arranged around a harbour, and it gets very busy in the summer months.
28 June
Slovenia: Koper
The largest town on Slovenia’s sliver of Adriatic coastline, Koper has an attractive medieval centre and some impressive Venetian architecture. There is also a sizeable Italian community here, reflected in the bilingual road signs, and it's a short drive across the border to the former Habsburg city of Trieste.
29 June
Arriving in Trieste
Almost encircled by the territory of neighbouring Slovenia, the Adriatic port of Trieste has always stood slightly apart from the rest of Italy, and the city's former status as a free port under Austrian rule is reflected in the handsome Habsburg architecture.
Your home from home
The first ship in Oceania's Allura Class, Vista joined the fleet in 2023, with sister ship Allura setting sail in 2025. These ships represent an exciting evolution and offer elevated dining options, accommodation and guest experience.
What we love
The Allura Class ships promise to enhance and redefine the Oceania onboard experience, with chic residential-style accommodation, all ocean facing with either French or full private balcony, and a plethora of eye-catching public spaces that combine dramatic architectural flourishes with the relaxed intimacy for which Oceania is known. These are also the first Oceania ships to include dedicated staterooms for solo travellers, and you can expect innovative dining venues, a serene spa and a stunning pool deck.
capacity | 1,200 guests |
---|---|
crew | 800 international crew |
style | Easy going and unpretentious, and at the same time stylish and oozing quality, Oceania's ships are a great choice for inquisitive and engaged travellers who enjoy good food. |
inclusions |
|
year built | Vista 2023 / Allura 2025 |
tonnage | 67,000 grt |
Tailor-make your trip
Extend your stay in Athens
At Mundy, we have long been hunting for the perfect Athenian hotel - our favourite so far is the Electra Palace in Plaka.
Excursions from Athens
Delphi is an absolute must – you’ll need a full day though, it’s quite a drive.