Viking Oceans Cruises – Ancient Mediterranean Shores (Spain, Malta, Greece, Turkey, Italy) 12 Days

Barcelona, Spain
Embark your ship and settle into your stateroom. The vibrant city of Barcelona, with its lively culture and inviting outdoor spaces, preserves a rich history. Picturesque medieval lanes wind through the oldest part of the city, the Gothic Quarter, where remnants of the city’s Roman wall were uncovered. Its treasures include the neo-Gothic Barcelona Cathedral, the medieval Jewish district of El Call and the Romanesque Church of Santa Maria del Pi. In the evenings, diners relax in the Royal Plaza at restaurants along the elegant square’s perimeter.

Sail the Mediterranean Sea
Sail the ocean stage on which civilizations have risen and fallen, where empires ventured forth in their great armadas to control these strategic waters. Enjoy the amenities of your ship as you sail. Perhaps take a breath of fresh air on a brisk walk around the Promenade or begin your day with a workout in the well-equipped Fitness Center.

Valletta, Malta
The Island of Malta has been shaped by countless civilizations. But it was the Knights of St. John who built Valletta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This baroque wonder is one of Europe’s first cities planned and constructed from scratch, cut from local honey-colored limestone. The humble facades of its churches and palaces hide extravagant interiors of marble, tapestries and paintings. A stroll around the massive walls and bastions affords a striking bird’s-eye view of the cityscape and the spectacular Grand Harbor.

Shore Excursions – Malta Scenic Drive
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Witness the natural and cultural beauty of Malta, from sweeping bays to fishing villages, on a panoramic excursion. You will meet your guide drive by motor coach to Birgu, also known as Vittoriosa, for views of the Grand Harbour; this historic site withstood the Turks during the Great Siege of Malta. Continue to the quaint fishing village of Marsaxlokk, where colorful traditional Maltese luzzu fishing boats bob with the currents in the small harbor. Next, head to Żurrieq, one of Malta’s oldest towns for a view of the Blue Grotto, a series of yawning sea caverns, and the tiny, flat-top rocky island of Filfla; a rest stop for many migrating birds as they journey between Africa and Europe. Cap your excursion with a photo stop to view the medieval fortified city of Mdina, Malta’s former capital, and its impressive bastions. After, return to your ship.

Shore Excursions – Malta’s Harbor by Boat
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Enjoy a cruise along Malta’s coastline, viewing natural harbors and historic battle sites. Board your motor coach and transfer to Sliema, where you will meet your skipper and take your seat for a leisurely cruise. As you sail, learn more about the island’s history. In Marsamxett Harbour, view Manoel Island, famous for the ruins of the Lazzaretto, a former quarantine hospital used to isolate seafarers entering the island during the 16th century. Continue to the Grand Harbour, sailing past the breakwater, built under British rule during the 20th century. You will cruise into small creeks, allowing you to take full advantage of the photo opportunities along the coast. Discover the legacies of the Knights of Malta as you view Fort Ricasoli, and see Fort Angelo, which withstood the Turks during the Great Siege of Malta. After your cruise, return to your awaiting ship.

Sail the Ionian Sea
Sail the gateway to the Adriatic, marked by the sole of Italy’s boot and the western coasts of Albania and Greece. As you sail today, savor a range of international cuisine on board. Choose from a variety of international flavors at the World Café, enjoy al fresco dining on the Aquavit Terrace, or regional specialties in The Restaurant.

Athens (Piraeus), Greece
Athens has been called the “birthplace of democracy.” Its legacy looms large from atop Acropolis Hill, the pinnacle of ancient Greece. This open air museum is an astonishing repository of once-mighty structures. From its colonnaded Parthenon—built more than 2,600 years ago—revered Greek philosophers like Plato and Aristotle formulated new ideas of government and debated its role in civic life to captivated audiences. Remnants of spiritual life are also here in the several temples to Athena and Zeus.

Shore Excursions – Panoramic Athens & Archaeological Museum
Duration: 4 hours
See the highlights of Athens by motor coach and visit the National Archaeological Museum. From the port of Piraeus, journey with your guide into ancient Athens. You will pass the small harbor of Zea, whose 5th-century BC dock still survives, and the elegant promenade at Mikrolimano. In the center of historic Athens, you will see the Hellenic Parliament and Syntagma (Constitution) Square, as well as the distinctively uniformed Presidential Guard, or “Evzones,” at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Your scenic drive also includes views of Panathenaic Stadium and the Temple of Olympian Zeus. Following the panoramic tour, you will visit the National Archaeological Museum, one of the world’s great museums. Its vast array of exhibits provides a panorama of Greek civilization from the beginnings of prehistory to Late Antiquity.

Athens (Piraeus), Greece
For a more intimate experience of Athens, the charming Plaka District invites guests with its labyrinth of cobblestone lanes. Neoclassical architecture lines the narrow streets of the “Neighborhood of the Gods,” so named for its location. Browsing its shops or simply perusing its nooks and crannies are pastimes favored by visitors and locals alike. This historic area is the ideal setting in which to enjoy traditional small plates of meze and a sip of ouzo.

Shore Excursions – Panoramic Athens & Archaeological Museum
Duration: 4 hours
See the highlights of Athens by motor coach and visit the National Archaeological Museum. From the port of Piraeus, journey with your guide into ancient Athens. You will pass the small harbor of Zea, whose 5th-century BC dock still survives, and the elegant promenade at Mikrolimano. In the center of historic Athens, you will see the Hellenic Parliament and Syntagma (Constitution) Square, as well as the distinctively uniformed Presidential Guard, or “Evzones,” at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Your scenic drive also includes views of Panathenaic Stadium and the Temple of Olympian Zeus. Following the panoramic tour, you will visit the National Archaeological Museum, one of the world’s great museums. Its vast array of exhibits provides a panorama of Greek civilization from the beginnings of prehistory to Late Antiquity.

Ephesus (Kuşadasi), Turkey
One of antiquity’s best-preserved cities, Ephesus offers an unparalleled look into the lives of the ancients. Many of its ruins have endured from the time Ephesus was one of the largest metropolises of the ancient world. Excavations reach back to the 10th century BC, when this city hosted one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World—the Temple of Artemis. Today, Ephesus is still full of wonders: the towering facade of the Library of Celsus, the massive amphitheater that once sat 25,000 spectators and residences adorned with frescoes.

Shore Excursions – Ancient Ephesus
Duration: 3 hours
Explore one of the best-preserved cities of antiquity in the world as you walk the length of ancient Kuretes Street. Stroll from Ephesus’s upper gate to its lower gate. Join your guide on a scenic drive through the stunning countryside of Selçuk to the Magnesian Gate, the ancient city entrance at the top of Kuretes Street. Then follow a gently descending route through one of the Roman Empire’s most powerful outposts. Navigate some steps along the way, passing the finely crafted 2nd-century Temple of Hadrian and the spectacular Great Theater, able to host 25,000 spectators. Marvel at the most recognizable building in the city, the Library of Celsus, built to house 12,000 scrolls. Its colonnaded facade is an outstanding example of a typical Roman public building. You will have free time to browse the craft stalls at the lower gate before returning to your ship.

Crete (Souda Bay), Greece
Souda Bay enjoys a picturesque setting between Crete’s Akrotiri Peninsula and Cape Drapano. Historic fortifications, vestiges from the island’s days under the Venetian Empire, greet ships at the mouth of the long bay, one of the deepest natural harbors in the Mediterranean. Beyond, the island of Crete is blessed with generous beaches, soaring mountains and coursing rivers. It is also where the distinct mantinades—couplets of love accompanied by Cretan instruments—could break out at any number of cafés where patrons sip tsikoudia, a grape-based brandy distilled in the hills.

Shore Excursions – Scenic Chania by Foot
Duration: 3 hours
Explore vibrant Chania, one of the oldest cities in Europe, during a guided walk through its Old Town. Meet your guide and set out on foot through the winding streets of Chania’s Old Town. Once a major city-state of the mysterious Minoan Kingdom, modern Chania was built upon the foundations of the Greek city of Kydonia. Its importance led to several waves of occupation over the centuries, remnants of which can be seen in the mix of eastern and western influences that permeate the city today—as you explore, you will see Ottoman mosques, Minoan ruins and Byzantine churches, reflecting this vibrant cultural and architectural blend. Continue your stroll, passing by old dockyards and viewing a 15th-century lighthouse. At the end of your excursion, you will have free time to explore further on your own, before returning to your awaiting ship.

Sail the Ionian Sea
Discover stories of the mystical Ionian Sea; entire cities and shipwrecks lie beneath its waves that harbor insight into ancient civilizations that once thrived along its coast. Renew your body, mind and spirit in our Scandinavian-inspired Spa, a Nordic sanctuary of holistic wellness, today while at sea. Whether you unwind in the Sauna, refresh in the Snow Grotto or take a dip in the Thermal Pool, you will feel recharged and revitalized.

Sicily (Messina), Italy
Sicily has been shaped by countless civilizations, from Greek to Byzantine to Roman. When it fell under Spain’s purview in the 17th century, it was celebrated as one of Europe’s ten great cities. Surrounded by undulating mountains, orange and olive groves and vineyards are plentiful. During World War II, Messina was the destination of the unofficial “Race to Messina” between US General Patton and British Field Marshall Montgomery. In the end, Patton arrived just hours before his British comrade, receiving credit for securing Sicily.

Shore Excursions – Messina & Its Treasures
Duration: 3 hours 15 minutes
Marvel at the architectural and artistic treasures held dear by the Sicilians of Messina. Meet your local guide for a short drive to the heart of Messina’s historic center. See the expansive Piazza Municipio, the Via Garibaldi and the Piazza Cairoli, the heart of Old Town. Drive along the Via Cannizzaro to view the university, court of law, and picturesque Corso Cavour. Continue along the north coast of Messina, which offers stunning vistas over Ganzirri Lake and the Capo Peloro. The saltwater lakes are used by fishermen to breed clams and mussels, which feature heavily in the local cuisine. Next, return to the pier to begin your guided walk. You will stroll to Cathedral Square and view the astronomical clock; it features one of the most extraordinary mechanical marvels in the world. After you will walk back to your ship.

Naples, Italy
Naples boasts a long history in a stunning seaside setting and has long been a major center of Italian culture. The city was the seat of a powerful independent kingdom for 500 years. So great was its sway that it lured the region’s finest architects and artists. In the grand Piazza del Plebiscito, the grand and sweeping public square, the San Francesco di Paola Church flaunts a colonnaded facade reminiscent of the Pantheon in Rome, and the Royal Palace overlooks Neapolitans with statues of all the kings of Naples peering out from alcoves.

Shore Excursions – Scenic Naples
Duration: 3 hours
Discover the highlights of Naples, a major center of Italian culture, during a scenic drive. Naples was the location of a powerful independent kingdom for 500 years, luring the region’s finest architects and artists, yet its history stretches back thousands of years. See evidence of its rich past, from Greek and Roman monuments to Renaissance splendors. Embark on a coastal drive to Mergellina, a residential area that has long offered Neapolitans a respite from city life. Admire the many beautiful villas and enjoy photo stops that offer stunning views of the gulf and the city. Return to the city center to explore Piazza del Plebiscito on your own, perhaps the grandest public square in the city with the former Royal Palace of Naples overlooking its bustling square. You will also see the imposing medieval fortresses of Egg Castle and New Castle, before returning to your ship.

Shore Excursions – Naples on Foot
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Discover the history of one of the world’s oldest cities during a guided walk. Set off on foot, passing historic monuments and through bustling squares. View Castel Nuovo, an imposing fortress that served as a residence for the kings of Anjou and Aragon, and the Spanish Viceroys of Naples. Step inside the 19th-century Galleria Umberto, a popular stop for Neapolitans to while away an afternoon as they linger over coffee. Head toward the Piazza Trieste and Trento and see the San Carlo Theater. Stroll through the pedestrian Piazza del Plebiscito, flanked by the Royal Palace of Naples and the Church of St. Francis. Along the way, pause for refreshments at a sidewalk café, so you can enjoy a Neapolitan pastry and espresso while soaking up the atmosphere of this vibrant city. Cap your tour with free time to explore on your own, before returning to your ship.

Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy
Bid farewell to your fellow guests and journey home. Or spend more time exploring, perhaps joining one of our extensions.