Itinerary: Cruise from Southampton – Vigo – Cádiz (tours to Seville) – Málaga – Cartagena (Spain) – Alicante (Overnight onboard) – Maó (Menorca) – Savona – La Spezia – Bastia (Corsica) – Propriano (Corsica) – Salerno (Overnight onboard) – Valletta – Dubrovnik – Split – Koper – Zadar – Kotor – Kerkira (Corfu) – Heraklion (Crete) (Overnight onboard) – Ermoupoli (Syros) – Kavala (Overnight onboard) – Mount Athos – Mitilini (Lesbos) – Samos – Rhodes Town (Rhodes) – Limassol (Overnight onboard) – Alexandria – Marmaris – Istanbul (Overnight onboard) – Piraeus (tours to Athens) (Overnight onboard) – Kalamata – Trapani (Sicily) – Tangier – Agadir – Santa Cruz (Tenerife) – Las Palmas (Gran Canaria) – Arrecife (Lanzarote) – Funchal (Madeira) (Overnight onboard) – Lisbon – Porto (Leixões) – Return to Southampton.
Ports of Call
Cruise from Southampton
- Vigo: Granite lanes step up from a working harbour: Castro Park and the old quarter offer scenic views and easy access to seafood.
- Cádiz (tours to Seville): Sea walls, squares, and market streets near the pier. Coaches run to Seville for the Alcázar, the cathedral, and the riverfront.
- Málaga: Alcazaba and cathedral sit minutes apart; the Picasso Museum completes the trio. Beach paths edge the marina for a slower hour.
- Cartagena (Spain): Roman theatre above a sheltered bay. Exploring castle lookouts and the naval museum can be fit neatly into a half-day.
- Alicante (Overnight onboard): Esplanade palms, Santa Bárbara Castle, and an easy beachfront. The overnight allows a castle sunset and old-town tapas.
- Maó (Menorca): Deep natural harbour and Georgian facades. Walk to viewpoints or take a boat tour of the coves.
- Savona: Fortezza del Priamàr and a compact centro storico. Genoa or the Riviera are simple rail hops if you range farther.
- La Spezia: Gateway to Cinque Terre by train or ferry. Be sure to visit the naval museum and enjoy some waterfront strolls.
- Bastia (Corsica): Terra Vecchia lanes and a lively old port. Citadel walks bring harbour views and cafés.
- Propriano (Corsica): Low-rise quays with beaches close by. Coastal paths and quiet coves set an easy pace.
- Salerno (Overnight onboard): Promenade, cathedral, and medieval streets behind the port. Extra time invites an Amalfi Coast run or a slower evening in town.
- Valletta: Honey-stone bastions and steep streets. St John’s Co-Cathedral and the Grand Harbour views headline.
- Dubrovnik: Walls, marbled lanes, and Adriatic light. Cable car to Mount Srđ for a broad sweep, then a harbour circuit.
- Split: Diocletian’s Palace folded into a living city—Riva promenade and nearby Marjan hill round out the day.
- Koper: Venetian traces and a small, walkable core. Nearby Piran tempts if you fancy a short hop.
- Zadar: Sea Organ and Greeting to the Sun by the quay. The Roman Forum and museums sit just behind.
- Kotor: A bay like a fjord and a steep-walled old town. Climb the fortress path for the postcard view.
- Kerkira (Corfu): Forts, lanes, and leafy squares. Beaches and boat trips sit minutes away.
- Heraklion (Crete) (Overnight onboard): Knossos and the Archaeological Museum pair naturally. The overnight leaves time for a calm evening on the seafront.
- Ermoupoli (Syros): Neoclassical town rising from twin hills. Churches, cafés, and a tidy waterfront keep it simple.
- Kavala (Overnight onboard): Aqueduct arches and a citadel above the harbour. Extra hours allow a Philippi excursion or a slow loop through the old town.
- Mount Athos: Coastal sail-past of cliff-perched monasteries. Deck time pays off with long, quiet views.
- Mitilini (Lesbos): Castle, harbour promenade, and ouzo heritage. Museums and markets sit close together.
- Samos: Pine hills and clear water coves. Heraion temple and Pythagorio’s quay make an easy duo.
- Rhodes Town (Rhodes): Walled streets, Palace of the Grand Masters, and harbour walks. Lindos is a longer but doable side trip.
- Limassol (Overnight onboard): Promenade, old port, and Kolossi Castle nearby. The overnight suits a slower evening and a morning run to Kourion.
- Alexandria: Corniche curves and library glass. Catacombs and the Citadel of Qaitbay frame the past and present.
- Marmaris: Pine-backed bay and a compact bazaar. Boat trips and castle views fill a tidy day.
- Istanbul (Overnight onboard): Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and the Grand Bazaar define the core. Two days give room for Bosphorus ferries and quieter neighbourhoods.
- Piraeus (tours to Athens) (Overnight onboard): Acropolis and Agora lead, with Plaka for a softer stroll. Extra time invites a museum stop and an evening in the old quarters.
- Kalamata: Seafront walk, olive history, and an easy old town. Short rides reach Messene’s ruins.
- Trapani (Sicily): Salt pans, windmills, and a crescent harbour. Erice by cable car brings stone lanes and views.
- Tangier: Kasbah alleys and Atlantic light. The harbourfront and medina can be comfortably explored in a day.
- Agadir: Broad beach and a rebuilt centre. Souk El Had and the hilltop kasbah offer a variety of attractions.
- Santa Cruz (Tenerife): Tram to La Laguna’s old quarter or a run into Teide National Park. Plazas and museums sit by the port.
- Las Palmas (Gran Canaria): Vegueta’s cathedral and Las Canteras beach. Promenade walks balance with old-town stops.
- Arrecife (Lanzarote): César Manrique’s touch across lava landscapes. Short hops reach Jameos del Agua and the caves.
- Funchal (Madeira) (Overnight onboard): Cable car to Monte and garden paths above the bay. The overnight allows daylight views and a quieter evening in town.
- Lisbon: Alfama’s lanes, Belém’s monuments, and river ferries. Viewpoints stitch the day together.
- Porto (Leixões): Ribeira riverfront and blue-tiled churches across the bridge. Cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia finish the story.