Greek Isles: Malta & Naples With History Channel Cruise

Day 1 - Barcelona

Arrive: Sat 26 June 2027 / Depart: Sat 26 June 2027 at 17:00

On the northeast coast of Spain, overlooking the Mediterranean, Barcelona is a vibrant port city, packed with centuries of iconic art and architecture—Gaudí and Picasso both called it home—and lined with sunny white-sand beaches. Explore the Catalan capital's tourist attractions and historic neighborhoods, Modernisme and world-renowned art museums, galleries and local crafts shops—some of which are centuries old and stock traditional Catalan wares. After you see the sights, there are lively tapas bars around every corner where you can stop for a drink, a café amb llet (Catalan for espresso with steamed milk) or a snack, no matter the hour. Green spaces for picnics, long walks and respite from the hustle and bustle are scattered throughout Barcelona's attractions: There's Gaudí's mosaic-decorated park, a neoclassical maze at the Laberint d'Horta, as well as plenty of high places (mountains, monuments and edifices) where sightseeing visitors can take in the view. A short trip from Barcelona by car or train, luxury outlets, cava wineries, a mountaintop abbey and the sandy beaches of the Mediterranean coast await.

Day 2 - At Sea

Day 3 - Malta

Arrive: Mon 28 June 2027 at 08:00 / Depart: Mon 28 June 2027 at 17:00

Thick sandstone walls fortify Valletta, holding within its stone streets and glorious architecture. It fees like a travesty, walking over the detailed inlaid marble floors of the the cathedrals, but they are there to be seen and appreciated. The Silent City is Mdina, on the far side of the island, where no cars are permitted to disrupt the serene streets. Keep an eye out for the legendary, aged yellow buses of Malta which appear to be on their last legs, but are in fact a revered and flawlessly maintained piece of Maltese heritage.

Day 4 - At Sea

Day 5 - Chania, Crete

Arrive: Wed 30 June 2027 at 08:00 / Depart: Wed 30 June 2027 at 17:00

The port of Souda on the Aegean Sea is home to a Greek and NATO naval base and is located six kilometers (three miles) from Chania—the second-largest city on Crete, which itself is the largest of the Greek Islands. Once you’re in Chania, set your compass for the historic waterfront with its famous Venetian Harbor dating to the 14th century. Walk along the breakwater to the restored 500-year-old lighthouse for views that are particularly photogenic from late afternoon until sunset. The atmospheric tangle of streets that is Old Town is easily explored on foot, and you can stop at one of the many outdoor cafés for a bouyatsa (custard pastry) or a glass of Cretan red wine.Soúda can also be a jumping-off point for a visit to Rethymnon, located about 54 kilometers (33 miles) to the east. Shaped by centuries of invasion, namely by the Venetians and Turks, its Fortezza was built by the Venetians in the late 16th century and captured by the Ottomans in 1646. The Old Town has the same kind of architectural character as Chania, but on a smaller scale.

Day 6 - Santorini

Arrive: Thu 01 July 2027 at 08:00 / Depart: Thu 01 July 2027 at 17:00

Your harbor on this island was created by a volcano in 1500 BC., and the effect is still explosive: steep cliffs rise from sea level, cubist white houses glow in the Aegean sun. Sample shore excursion: Panoramic Santor ni.

Day 7 - Kusadasi

Arrive: Fri 02 July 2027 at 07:00 / Depart: Fri 02 July 2027 at 18:00

Kusadasi in Turkey is the gateway to one of the most legendary cities of the ancient world: Ephesus. St. Paul preached in its Great Theater, while the facade of the Celsus Library survives as a testament to the city’s role as a center of learning and culture. Not far from Ephesus, the Temple of Artemis (also known as the Temple of Diana), one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world, once stood, drawing pilgrims from around the Mediterranean. While it no longer stands, it is possible to walk amongst its foundations and the remains of its towering columns. Other historic sites can also be found nearby: The House of Mary is believed to be the home of Jesus’s mother at the end of her life, and the Basilica of St. John, constructed in the 6th century, marks the location of his tomb. (Like Mary, he spent his final years in Ephesus.) Nearby, the Selcuk fortress reflects the period of Byzantine and Ottoman control of the region. From ancient wonders to holy sites, there are few ports in the Mediterranean as magical as Kusadasi, and a day here is a day spent in the company of some of antiquity's greatest figures.

Day 8 - Athens

Arrive: Sat 03 July 2027 at 07:00 / Depart: Sat 03 July 2027 at 17:00

No modern metropolis is more steeped in myth than Athens, Greece. From the gritty port of Piraeus—gateway to Greece’s fabled isles—to the Parthenon—eternal symbol of Western civilization—Athens has attracted adventurers and classicists for centuries. This heritage is still very much alive for modern visitors sightseeing in Athens: ancient stadiums and temples dwell alongside apartment blocks, modern performances are staged in the marble amphitheaters where Greek drama was born and millennia-old monuments are scattered in the archaeological park that circles the Acropolis. One of the world’s oldest maritime powers, Athens is blessed with a balmy climate and stunning coastline. The seaside suburbs of Athens are scalloped with sandy beaches, fancy yacht clubs and glamorous beach bars. While the Athenian lifestyle is known for late-night dinners and dancing until dawn, the city shines brightly by day in the bustling markets, lively cafés and fascinating museums that illuminate Greece's past and present. Contemplate the magnitude of all that culture and ancient tourist attractions while marveling at the sun setting into the Aegean or rising over the Acropolis.

Day 9 - At Sea

Day 10 - Kotor

Arrive: Mon 05 July 2027 at 08:00

Kotor is located along one of Montenegro's most beautiful bays. First settled during the days of ancient Rome, the city today has a well preserved urban centre with a vibrant community. Medieval architecture and numerous monuments of cultural heritage have made Kotor a UNESCO listed “World Natural and Historical Heritage Site."

Day 10 - Kotor

Depart: Mon 05 July 2027

Kotor is located along one of Montenegro's most beautiful bays. First settled during the days of ancient Rome, the city today has a well preserved urban centre with a vibrant community. Medieval architecture and numerous monuments of cultural heritage have made Kotor a UNESCO listed “World Natural and Historical Heritage Site."

Day 11 - Corfu

Arrive: Tue 06 July 2027 at 08:00 / Depart: Tue 06 July 2027 at 17:00

Fortresses flank your entrance to this most beautiful of the Ionians. Lose yourself in the Venetian old town or head north for dramatic seascapes. Sample shore excursion: Achillion Palace & Private Villa.

Day 12 - Sicily

Arrive: Wed 07 July 2027 at 11:00 / Depart: Wed 07 July 2027 at 18:00

Messina's astrological clock is as much a man-made masterpiece as the road leading to Taormina, which canitlevers out of the rocky cliff face and stands on impossibly tall pylons. Leave it to the Italians to design a road that's both a thrill-ride and a feat of engineering! Once you're safely in Taormina, walk to the sublime Greco-Roman theatre that overlooks Naxos Bay and snow-capped Mt Etna, and spend some time on the Corso Umberto with a gelato firmly in hand.

Day 12 - Cruising Strait Of Messina

Day 12 - Evening passing Stromboli Volcano

Day 13 - Naples, Italy

Arrive: Thu 08 July 2027 at 08:00

Rising behind the wide curve of its bay with brooding Mount Vesuvius and the deep blue sea as a backdrop, Naples, Italy enjoys a magnificent natural setting. It is the third-largest city in Italy after Rome and Milan, and arguably the most colorful and seductive of them all: Splendor and squalor live side by side in 21st-century Naples, and the mix is intoxicating. Cruise to Naples, home to world-class museums and attractions. Naples has something for everyone - superb restaurants, eclectic shopping, a thriving contemporary art scene and an edgy and vibrant street life. But once you’ve had enough of the pounding traffic and jostling crowds while sightseeing in Naples, there are endless opportunities for exploration further afield. The celebrated Roman ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum, both victims of Vesuvius’ devastating 79 C.E. eruption, lie just south of the city. Explore Naples' history or take a short ride over to the island of Capri on a Naples shore excursion. The delightful town of Sorrento and the magnificent scenery of the Amalfi Coast are also within easy reach, and the dolce vita glamour of Capri—not to mention the healing thermal waters of Ischia—are a short hydrofoil hop from the mainland. Naples cruises offer a perfect mix of cultural and natural attractions.

Day 14 - Naples, Italy

Depart: Fri 09 July 2027 at 17:00

Rising behind the wide curve of its bay with brooding Mount Vesuvius and the deep blue sea as a backdrop, Naples, Italy enjoys a magnificent natural setting. It is the third-largest city in Italy after Rome and Milan, and arguably the most colorful and seductive of them all: Splendor and squalor live side by side in 21st-century Naples, and the mix is intoxicating. Cruise to Naples, home to world-class museums and attractions. Naples has something for everyone - superb restaurants, eclectic shopping, a thriving contemporary art scene and an edgy and vibrant street life. But once you’ve had enough of the pounding traffic and jostling crowds while sightseeing in Naples, there are endless opportunities for exploration further afield. The celebrated Roman ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum, both victims of Vesuvius’ devastating 79 C.E. eruption, lie just south of the city. Explore Naples' history or take a short ride over to the island of Capri on a Naples shore excursion. The delightful town of Sorrento and the magnificent scenery of the Amalfi Coast are also within easy reach, and the dolce vita glamour of Capri—not to mention the healing thermal waters of Ischia—are a short hydrofoil hop from the mainland. Naples cruises offer a perfect mix of cultural and natural attractions.

Day 15 - Rome

Arrive: Sat 10 July 2027 at 07:00 / Depart: Sat 10 July 2027 at 17:00

Your gateway to the Eternal City, Civitavecchia has served as Rome's seaport since the 13th century. The port has a long and venerable history. The emperor Trajan built a pleasure villa near the modern city, while Bernini and Michelangelo designed the harbor fortifications. Yet the Eternal City eternally beckons. The ancient capital of the Western World and the center of Christianity for nearly 2,000 years, Rome provides an inexhaustible feast. Visit the ruins of the Forum, view the splendors of the Sistine Chapel, or climb the Spanish Steps, once the heart of Rome's Bohemian Quarter. Rome has been a magnet luring the world's greatest artists, architects, and philosophers since the days of the Caesars.