Viking Oceans Cruises – Empires of the Mediterranean (Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro, Greece) 10 Days

Venice (Chioggia), Italy
Embark your ship and settle into your stateroom. Chioggia is a charming fishing community located at the southern end of the Venetian Lagoon and steeped in age-old seafaring traditions. Its combination of canals, bridges and fishing boats have lent it the nickname “Little Venice.” Lined with shops, bars and restaurants, the main pedestrian street of Corso del Popolo exudes a lively atmosphere amid the aroma of delicious fresh seafood dishes. Chioggia shares a long history of cultural and economic ties with Venice, dating back to the Middle Ages, and is a scenic journey by water taxi from the capital of the Veneto region.

Koper, Slovenia
Koper boasts a rich architectural legacy that dates back to its days as a capital city under the mighty Venetian Republic. Even today, the Italian influence is strong; as this historic city is near the Italian border, Slovene and Italian are equally likely to be heard here. In Tito Square, the Venetian-Gothic Praetorian Palace stands as evidence of the city’s once great power. The 12th-century Cathedral of the Assumption is home to a bell cast in 1333, one of the country’s oldest. A climb up its tower is rewarded with splendid views of the city and the Gulf of Trieste.

Shore Excursions – Old Koper Walking Tour
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Uncover the rich architectural legacy of Slovenia’s only port city, once Capodistria, the grand capital of Istria. Greeks, Romans, Byzantines and Venetians all left an imprint on this former Venetian Republic stronghold. Meet your guide and head to Tito Square, where you can admire the 15th-century Venetian-Gothic Praetorian Palace. Its crenellated roof and exterior stair paint a graceful picture, and its Bocca del Leone, or Lion’s Mouth, carved into the building’s side tells a fascinating story about how the local citizenry were kept honest. Opposite the square, the Loggia is another architectural treasure, home today to an art gallery. Admire the 12th-century Cathedral of the Assumption with its tower that houses a bell cast in 1333, one of Slovenia’s oldest. View the monument honoring the Battle of Lepanto of 1571, a naval conflict.

Zadar, Croatia
Zadar, once an island separated from the mainland by a deep moat, boasts one of the region’s richest histories. For over a millennium, it was the capital of independent Dalmatia and so held great sway with Rome, Venice and other empires. Its impressive city walls attest to its might, and the bold Romanesque architecture of its three churches embodies its religious influence. A maze of cobblestone streets winds through its magnificent Old Town, a remarkable repository of red-roofed, medieval stone houses.

Shore Excursions – Walking Tour of Zadar
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Discover the former capital of Dalmatia by foot, visiting two of its most revered churches. Meet your host at the pier and set out on a walk into the magnificent Old Town. Narrow lanes and old red-roofed stone buildings lead you to the Cathedral of St. Anastasia, completed in the 13th century and Zadar’s finest example of Romanesque architecture. Admire the rose window adorning its symmetrical facade and step inside to view St. Anastasia’s stone sarcophagus. Continue to the Church of St. Donatus, built on Roman foundations in the 9th century. The most monumental church in the eastern Adriatic and Croatia’s largest pre-Romanesque building, it is uniquely circular in its design. Next, visit the 16th-century St. Mary’s Church with its Romanesque campanile from 1105. After your tour, return to your awaiting ship.

Dubrovnik, Croatia
Dubrovnik is a historic jewel, with its spectacular Adriatic setting, 12th-century medieval streets and incredibly preserved structures. So stunning is its Old Town, the playwright George Bernard Shaw famously called it “paradise on Earth.” It is all spectacularly surrounded by a towering medieval wall. Inside, the ancient city’s Stradun is lined with authentic stone houses. The peaceful 14th-century Franciscan Monastery and Apothecary, housing the world’s oldest working pharmacy and a fine collection of Renaissance paintings, provide insight into the ages.

Shore Excursions – Dubrovnik on Foot
Duration: 3 hours
Explore one of the world’s most beautifully preserved medieval cities during a guided walk through Dubrovnik. Founded in the 7th century, Dubrovnik was once a major maritime republic and trading power. Meet your guide and transfer by motor coach to the heart of the city to begin your exploration; see its beauty up close as you enter the cobblestoned Old Town on foot through the historic Pile Gate. Follow the Stradun—the marbled main pedestrian way that gleams from centuries of footsteps—to the Dominican Monastery, where you can view a fine collection of Renaissance paintings. You will also pass the Sponza Palace, the Baroque Church of St. Blaise and the 15th-century Onofrio’s Fountain, a marvel of medieval engineering that transports water from the Rijeka Dubrovačka spring to the city. After, enjoy free time to explore more on your own before returning to your awaiting ship.

Kotor, Montenegro
Kotor is Montenegro’s picturesque capital set amid glorious mountains and dramatic scenery. Towering cliffs soar above the narrow Kotor ria—a submerged river canyon often called Europe’s southernmost fjord. Kotor is also home to one of the Adriatic’s best-preserved medieval Old Towns. The charms of this red-roofed city are endless, from the mismatched towers of its Romanesque cathedral to its narrow streets. Its stunning Venetian walls were built in 1420, remnants from Kotor’s nearly 300 years as a province of the Venetian Republic.

Shore Excursions – Kotor on Foot
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Discover the charms of this medieval city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site nestled between limestone cliffs and a bay. From your ship, take the short walk with your guide to Kotor’s network of cobblestone streets. In the main square, you will see the Venetian walls that surround the city. Constructed in 1420, they have been reinforced through the centuries and stand well-preserved today. You will also visit the 12th-century Romanesque Cathedral of St. Tryphon, a remarkable repository of 14th-century frescoes and valuable artifacts. Over the centuries, the building has suffered earthquake damage—as evidenced by its mismatched towers, one of which was rebuilt with meager funds after a tremor. At the maritime museum, set in a historic building, browse an engaging exhibit depicting the seafaring heritage of Kotor. After, return to your awaiting ship.

Olympia (Katakolon), Greece
Katakolon is huddled around a pretty little harbor dotted with colorful fishing boats. Nearby, the fertile valleys of the western Peloponnese are a bounty of olive groves, vineyards and orchards, and lead to the legendary city of Olympia. The well-kept ruins here transport visitors back to the days of the earliest athletes who competed for nothing less than the favor of the gods. The remains evoke the glory of the Games, and the Olympia Archaeological Museum features statues that once overlooked the site.

Shore Excursions – Ancient Olympia
Duration: 4 hours
Step back in time to the first Olympic Games on an excursion to the magnificent setting in which they began. Drive with your guide into the breathtaking fertile valleys of the western Peloponnese, passing olive groves, vineyards and orchards. On a spectacular mountain plain in the shadow of Mt. Kronos, walk among the remains of the first Olympic Park, established in 776 BC. See the Temple of Zeus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and once home to a gold-and-ivory statue of the Greek god. Admire the Temple of Hera and circular Philippeion temple. Marvel at the stadium, the largest of its day with a capacity of 45,000 spectators. Afterward, enjoy free time to explore more. You may choose to visit the Olympia Archaeological Museum and its remarkable collection, including the stone head of Hera; or explore Modern Olympia on your own before returning to your ship.

Santorini (Thíra), Greece
Santorini is one of the most visually arresting islands in the Aegean. Its whitewashed capital of Thíra perches on a cliff 1,300 feet above the sea, offering spectacular views of this magnificent city and surrounding turquoise waters. Thíra’s winding streets are a delight to explore and its charming cafés invite lingering respites in the Cyclades sun. Not to be upstaged, the island and its surrounding islets also offer opportunities to experience fully the natural volcanic splendor, from thermal spring soaks to caldera hikes.

Shore Excursions – Summits & Countryside
Duration: 3 hours
Journey to Santorini’s northernmost peak to explore one of its prettiest towns. From our anchorage, you will tender to the island’s main port at Athinios. Meet your local guide here for a scenic drive to the cliffside village of Oia, where you will have an opportunity to stroll its narrow, cobblestone streets. Renowned for its whitewashed houses hugging the hills, azure-blue domes and triple bell towers, Oia is a remarkable sight. On a clear day, you may see spectacular views of the volcano of Palea and the islands of Nea Kameni and Thirasía. Following your tour, enjoy free time to further explore the village on your own, perhaps browsing the small shops and boutiques for the perfect memento. Later, return to Thíra, where you will descend via cable car down to the tender pier for the transfer to your awaiting ship.

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