Venetian tourists wander past the mosaic artistry of Saint Mark’s Basilica, footsteps and conversations punctuated by the pulsating flutter of ascending pigeons. Agile house martins dive and swoop between weathered city walls pockmarked by time or dissent, alighting on centuries-old griffins that once proclaimed fealty to the maritime Republic of Venice. Discover the Adriatic and Greece from new perspectives during this 8-day cruise that touches on storied landmarks and intimate, little-known ports on the Adriatic Sea and in Greece. Admire Zadar’s Medieval city walls and charming boutiques. Learn about the global success of Croatian organic vineyards as you sample varietal wines in a farming village. Take in Dubrovnik’s Old Town charms from the heights of a cable car. Savor local smoked hams, sausages and homemade cheeses on a Montenegro olive farm tour outside Kotor. Then transit the tapered, sheer-walled Corinth Canal, a time-saving dream of the rulers of antiquity for 2,000 years, but only reality in 1893. This Adriatic-to-Greece odyssey ends in Athens, among the shadows of the Parthenon, silent monuments to ancient athletic competitions and the savory aroma of souvlaki, seasoned and skewered grilled meats wrapped in pita bread and sold in countless cafés and sidewalk restaurants.

No other sea approach in the Adriatic raises goose bumps like Venice, a small ship exclusive where the entire city and its lagoon are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On your luxurious home-away-from home, you arrive already equipped with a sense of what it’s like to live in the city that’s neither land nor water. Add your own sigh to the Bridge of Sighs, sip a spritz al bitter as you plot your agenda, and let the water taxis do your navigating unless you don’t mind getting lost. Not such a bad prospect, with serendipitous discoveries around every corner.

No other sea approach in the Adriatic raises goose bumps like Venice, a small ship exclusive where the entire city and its lagoon are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On your luxurious home-away-from home, you arrive already equipped with a sense of what it’s like to live in the city that’s neither land nor water. Add your own sigh to the Bridge of Sighs, sip a spritz al bitter as you plot your agenda, and let the water taxis do your navigating unless you don’t mind getting lost. Not such a bad prospect, with serendipitous discoveries around every corner.

Koper, the largest city on Slovenia’s Adriatic coast, entices visitors with a blend of historical allure and seaside charm. It boasts Venetian-inspired architecture and medieval landmarks, like the Praetorian Palace and Cathedral of the Assumption. Walk along the busy harbor admiring the colorful boats or visit the lively Tito Square with its cafes and vibrant shops. Koper is also known for its seafood, merging Slovenian, Italian, and Mediterranean flavors. Koper is also the gateway to neighboring city, Piran, a coastal gem renowned for its captivating old town, charming streets, and stunning seaside vistas.

Something here will capture your heart. A Roman amphitheater, 9th century churches, and museums packed with Byzantine-era artworks crowd the peninsula that tidily contains the Old Town. It’s a tempting way to spend the day for sure. While away the day listening to Zadar’s giant Sea Organ, a haunting musical improv performed by the surging Adriatic or share a bench with a sun-drunk cat as you bite into a truffle.

While larger ships must pass by, we anchor right beyond the famous walled city so you can admire its beauty with every glance. Tender ashore and step right into Old Town, a UNESCO site where no cars are allowed, just eons of history. Capture the exhilarating views on your camera — and in your memory. End your day at the Buza Café (if you can find it) watching bold divers leap off the cliffs into the crystalline sea. 

You’ll want to be on deck today as we transit the narrow Corinth Canal with other private yachts and Greek mail steamers. It’s a shortcut reserved for petite ships like ours, and as we cruise between the narrow limestone walls we are the envy of all the ancient Romans who once portaged their ships along this very route before there was a canal.
 
Canal transit time and duration is subject to change based on traffic and canal authorities.

With 3,000 years of history, you can’t turn around in Athens without encountering the past. The Acropolis, a UNESCO site, the Plaka, and the Acropolis Museum are must-sees. But leave time if you can to climb Pnyx Hill for photos of the Parthenon at sunset, to buy your own set of Greek komboloi (worry beads), and to explore the metro stations that serve as mini-museums for the relics that are constantly being unearthed.