EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN CRUISES

The Eastern Mediterranean’s most charming old town, sailing into Dubrovnik is a magical experience – whether it’s your first, or fifteenth, time.

The city’s status as a popular tourist hub has escalated over the past several years, and once you step onshore, you’ll easily see why. Baroque buildings line the pristine streets, twisting stone steps lead to hidden restaurants and bars and the azure waters tempt swimmers even in the colder months.

Food lovers will delight at the wide variety of cuisine on offer, but it’s in the seafood restaurants where Dubrovnik’s unique tastes truly shine. After dinner, head for the city’s cliffside bar or take the scenic cable car to the heights of Mount Srd for one of the finest sunsets views in the Mediterranean.

One of the world’s most ancient cities, the appeal of heritage-listed historic sites, mythical gods and laid-back, Mediterranean lifestyle has kept travellers returning to Athens for hundreds of years.

Today, the sprawling city is a perfect blend of old and new: ruins sit next to chic new restaurants, centuries-old artefacts hang side-by-side with modern masterpieces and boutique hotels provide a fresh take on city-dwelling.

No Athens stop on a Mediterranean cruise would be complete without a visit to the Acropolis and the Parthenon, whilst those who want to indulge in some retail therapy should make for the Plaka – the city’s oldest neighbourhood, lined with pretty boutiques and jewellery stores.

Romance, mystery and intrigue combine in one of the world’s most visited cities. The floating maze of streets and winding canals that cover the 100 small islands of Venice are easy to lose yourself amongst, but a short gondola ride will soon see you back at Venezia’s main attractions.

Unmissable sights include the hidden rooms and passages of the Dodge’s Palace in St. Mark’s Square, the tragically beautiful Bridge of Sighs and the incredible artwork of the Basilica.

Venice is also one of the finest cities in the world for food and drink. Avoid the tourist-traps and sky-high prices around the most famous sights and instead dive down a side street, where bars and restaurants are filled with local alfresco diners, sipping elegantly on Aperol Spritzes canal-side.

An ancient city that was once the capital of the Eastern Christian Empire, Istanbul has been home to a number of fascinating cultures - including the Romans, Greeks, and Ottomans. This has had a powerful impact on the city today - and Istanbul continues to be a cultural capital for art, religion, and traditional Islamic architecture. And what makes Istanbul even better? It is the ideal starting point to begin your cruise to the Eastern Mediterranean - within close travelling distance to a number of beautiful destinations, like Ephesus and Halicarnassus.