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From Barcelona to Istanbul

Visions Of Byzantium

Dates:
17 Aug - 27 Aug 2026
Duration:
10 Nights
Journey type:
Cruise only (please call for flight options)
No. of ports:
10
Ship:
Sirena
Cruise Line:
Oceania Cruises
Fares:

From £2,005 pp

Ancient theatre at the Acropolis, Athens

From Barcelona to Istanbul

Visions Of Byzantium

Dates:
17 Aug - 27 Aug 2026
Duration:
10 Nights
Journey type:
Cruise only (please call for flight options)
No. of ports:
10
Ship:
Sirena
Cruise Line:
Oceania Cruises
Fares:

From £2,005 pp

Voyage Itinerary

17 August

Setting sail from Barcelona

Barcelona, the cosmopolitan capital of Catalonia, is one of our favourite ports of call. From the warren-like medieval streets of the Barri Gòtic to the fantastical modernist architecture of Antoni Gaudí, from the dizzy heights of Mount Tibidabo to the golden sands of Barceloneta, there's never a dull moment in this most beguiling of cities. Take a stroll along the Ramblas, soak up the wonderful art of Picasso and Miró, or experience the electrifying atmosphere of a match at the Camp Nou. Barcelona is truly a city with something for everyone.

View from Park Guell, Barcelona
View of the Sagrada Familia, Barcelona

Don't miss

Gaudí’s crowning masterpiece, the church of La Sagrada Familia, is an utterly unique building, a soaring structure that’s rich in bizarre little details. It’s also still not finished; despite the fact that construction began in 1882, the current completion date is scheduled for 2026!

18 August - At sea

19 August

Italy: Palermo

Palermo is an acquired taste; noisy, chaotic and rather grimey in places. But there’s something quite intoxicating about the crumbling facades and the bustling markets, and the Arabesque style of many of the buildings hints at Sicily’s historical role as a stepping stone between Europe and North Africa.
Spring flowers in Palermo, Sicily

20 August

Italy: Siracusa

Founded by Greek colonists in 734 BC, Siracusa was once the largest city in the ancient world, surpassing even Athens in its splendour. Highlights include the island of Ortigia, where narrow streets are lined by beautiful Baroque architecture, and the impressive ruins at the Parco Archeologico della Neapolis on the Sicilian mainland.
Ortigia Island, Siracusa, Sicily

21 August

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.
St Theodore Lantern, Argostoli, Kefalonia, Greece

22 August

Greece: Gythion

The little fishing town of Gythion was once the seaport for ancient Sparta, though these days it’s a pretty sleepy place. Take a stroll around the picturesque streets and soak up the atmosphere, with pastel-hued houses, balconies draped in bougainvillea and some great little seafood restaurants.
Gythion, Greece

23 August

Greece: Paros

Paros gleams with a classic Cycladic colour palette of whitewashed houses and blue-domed churches, and is famous for its ancient marble quarries, which provided the raw material for the Venus de Milo. The island is also home to some great restaurants, peaceful inland villages and lovely beaches.
Streets of Paros, Greece

24 August

Greece: Athens (Piraeus)

Athens is a city awash with historical and cultural significance, but it's much more than an open air museum; this is a dynamic, bustling metropolis, and a place where history is still very much unfolding.
Acropolis of Athens, Greece

25 August

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.
Ephesus Shrine

26 August

Turkey: Bozcaada

The Aegean island of Bozcaada, also known as Tenedos, is a popular weekend and summer escape for residents of Istanbul. The main settlement, Bozcaada Merkez, has an atmospheric Greek quarter full of colourful houses, while elsewhere on the island you'll find vineyards, beaches and an impressive castle.
Colourful house in Bozcaada, Turkey

27 August

Arriving in 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.
Sunset over the Blue Mosque, Istanbul
Cagaloglu Hamami, Istanbul

Our tip

Try and go for an authentic Turkish experience with a bath in a hamam. Discuss your options with the receptionist. Cagaloglu Hamami is the most spectacular.

The ship

Sirena

Capacity:
670 Guests
Crew:
400 Staff
Style:
On Oceania it's all about the time spent ashore, so back onboard it's relaxed and unpretentious, with no dressing up. Openseating throughout creates an atmosphere which is friendly and sociable, and from 2026 they operate as adults-only

Small enough to operate fascinating port-intensive itineraries, but with the space for dining options, comfortable accommodation and more, sister ships Insignia, Nautica, Regatta and Sirena are for many the perfect size.

What we love

These four boutique style sister ships carry just 684 guests apiece, with a comfortable, relaxed country house style and plenty of intimate corners. We love the alternative restaurants - Oceania is rightly renowned for great food - and the pretty little library up on deck 10.

Learn more about Sirena
Oceania Insignia - Pool deck

inclusions

  • All meals including speciality dining
  • Speciality coffees & teas, soft drinks, juices, water
  • Unlimited WiFi
  • Onboard gratuities
  • Group fitness classes

Tailor-make your trip

Ways to make it better
    • Hotel Arts, Barcelona

      Where to stay in Barcelona

      The lovely Hotel Arts on the sea front is perfectly located for a pre- or post-cruise stay, and has great restaurants too.

    • Girona, Spain

      Explore Catalonia

      Take a day trip to the attractive city of Girona, with its fascinating mix of Gothic, Moorish and Modernist architecture, as well as an exceptionally well preserved Jewish Quarter.

    • Four Seasons Sultanahmet, Istanbul

      Our recommended hotel in Istanbul

      We love the intimate Four Seasons at Sultanahmet, but – top Mundy tip! - it is so small that it’s often fully booked, so don’t hang about.

    • Hot air balloons over Cappadocia, Turkey

      See more of Turkey

      Take a few extra days and travel to Cappadocia for the extraordinary Star Wars scenery, rock caves and churches.

    How can we help?

    Our frequently asked questions

    From cruise tips to travel protection, here are some of our most-asked questions

    visit our faqs

    Will I save by booking with Mundy Cruising?

    Absolutely. You'll save money and time by booking with us rather than directly with the cruise line and enjoy more flexibility in your travel arrangements. We have access to preferential rates and exclusive offers, and we offer expert advice on how to get the best value.

    Can you help with pre and post-cruise arrangements?

    From flights and transfers to hotels and tours, we can help with all your travel needs to make sure your trip is exceptional. What's more, we are members of ABTA and also offer full ATOL protection, not to mention a 24hr emergency contact, so we offer complete peace of mind.

    What are the benefits of a small luxury ship?

    Because small ships are able to reach smaller ports of call and provide a higher level of service than their big ship counterparts, we believe that small ship cruising is the very best way to travel. Usually they offer more space per person, and an attentive team to make sure you have the very best experience. Small ship cruising offers the very best of the best.

    Why Mundy?

    Who we are

    Founded in 1970, we have sold more luxury cruises for more years than anyone else in the UK.

    Mundy Cruising was the very first cruise specialist in the UK. We have been making the best cruise holidays even better since 1970.

    How? Simply by offering our clients more expertise, more personal service, more unique ideas, more fascinating add-ons, more fabulous freebies and more peace of mind.

    More about Mundy

    We're happy to do all of that over the phone. But if you prefer to chat face to face, why not visit us at our comfortable offices on London's High Holborn - we'd be delighted to see you.