Explore and book MSC Cruises 7 Night Mediterranean - Eastern Cruise on the MSC Splendida departing from Bari, Italy on Aug 8, 2023 and ending in Trieste, Italy on Aug 15, 2023 Sail to Bari, Italy, Kotor, Montenegro, Ancona, Italy, Dubrovnik, Croatia, Corfu, Greece, Trieste, Italy

Bari, Italy

Situated on Italy's Adriatic coast, Bari boasts rich maritime traditions, historic basilicas, and a lively promenade. Cruising to Bari offers a genuine Southern Italian experience, from its cuisine to its folklore.

Corfu, Greece

Corfu, a gem of the Ionian Sea, is a blend of Venetian, French, and British influences amidst Greek traditions. Offering scenic landscapes, historic forts, and azure beaches, a cruise to Corfu promises a multicultural European experience.

Kotor, Montenegro

Trieste, Italy

Perched at the crossroads of Italy and Central Europe, Trieste is a port city known for its Habsburg architecture, historic coffeehouses, and seafront squares. It's a melting pot of cultures with a distinct Adriatic flair.

Ancona, Italy

Positioned on Italy's Adriatic coast, Ancona offers historical treasures like the Cathedral of San Ciriaco and the Arch of Trajan. Its harbor, sandy beaches, and local seafood provide a delightful Italian coastal experience.

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Explore Old Town and Other Popular Sights
Walk the City Walls
Visit the Franciscan Monastery
Take a Ride up Srdj Hill
Take a Drink From Onofrio’s Fountain
Stop by the Dubrovnik Cathedral
Get a Look at Lokrum Island
Go Shopping at Gundulićeva Poljana
Check out the Rector’s Palace

7 Night Mediterranean - Eastern Cruise

Mediterranean

Europe

Eco-ship MSC Splendida carries you in comfort, style and luxury to the most desirable cruise destinations in the world, while at the same time being a beautiful destination in her own right. With so much to see and do onboard, every day on MSC Splendida promises travelers of all ages a world of new discoveries before they even step ashore.

While away a few enjoyable hours of game play at the Arcade on board the ship. Pit your wits and skill against those of your friends in any number of typical arcade options, including video games, pinball and more. Great fun guaranteed.

Arcade

Our amazing on-board F1 Simulator delivers an adrenaline-pumping virtual-reality race, with you in the driver’s seat of an F1 racing car. Go head to head against other racers and thrill to the feel of engines gunning. Huge fun for the young and the young at heart, regardless of who wins the race.

MSC Formula Racer

Arena Sport Center

Our casinos are elegantly designed, featuring games for all types of players. You’ll be able to try your hand at Roulette or Blackjack, challenge yourself at one of our Poker tables, or choose among a variety of slot machines.

Royal Palm Casino

Strike! That’s what you want to hear every time the bowling ball barrels down the alley. See whether you have the knack and play against your family and friends to crown the bowling champion in your midst.

Mini Bowling

Tennis Tournament - if you've got a killer backhand then why not enter our onboard tennis tournament? It might not be Wimbledon but it'll serve up a great workout and possibly a taste of glory, tooSoccer Tournament - can you kick it? Yes you can! Sign up for the onboard soccer tournament and show off your skills. Your team needs you, so get involved. Volleyball Tournament - unleash your competitive side in our very own onboard volleyball tournament. Quick reactions and impressive reach could lead you and your team to glory! Basketball Tournament - ready to shoot some hoops? Then enter our onboard basketball tournament. Get involved and prepare for glory! Ping Pong Tournament - pick up a paddle and prepare for battle! The ping pong tournament is on and you're invited. Ready for the challenge? See you there! Table Soccer Tournament - if you're a fan of football in the miniaturized form known as foosball why not enter today's tournament? Just remember the golden rule - no spinning!

Sports Tournaments

Bar del Riccio

Club 33

L'Aperitivo Bar

Tartaruga Bar

Galaxy Lounge

La Piazzetta

Movida Bar

La Prua Piano Bar

Splendida Bar

Royal Palm Casino Bar

Tea House & Dim Sum

The Aft Lounge

Catch the big game, enjoy quality entertainment or relax with a cocktail at the convivial Sports Bar. Enjoy a selection of cold beer, cocktails, energy drinks, protein shakes or juices and complimentary hot dogs.

Sports Bar

The Cigar Lounge

The Purple Jazz Bar

The One Bar

Top Sail Lounge

L'Enoteca

L'Equatore

Bora Bora Buffet restaurant

Get set to be wowed by the creativity of our talented chefs at the Daily Special Corner. Wrap your taste buds around a different specialty every day of your cruise for an unforgettable culinary surprise.

Daily Special Corner

Indulge your sweet tooth at the Dessert Corner, a cornucopia of deliciously sweet treats that will have your mouth watering. Enter the magical world of fine patisserie, crafted with love by our team of talented bakers and pastry chefs with meticulous attention to detail.

Dessert Corner

Enticing aromas and mouth-watering flavors are served up at our Ethnic Corner. Choose your personal favorite from a range of delectable dishes, hand-selected from every corner of the world, from Asian to Indian – and everything in between.

Ethnic Corner

Our main restaurants invite you on a journey around the world’s cuisines, offering exceptional international dishes every day of your cruise. Check out the Elegant Dinner to try a signature dish by two Michelin-starred chef Ramón Freixa.

International Dining

Created with the little ones in mind, Kids’ Corner offers a selection of tasty, healthy and fun meals to tickle your children’s taste buds throughout your cruise. Dishes change on a daily basis so there’s always something new and exciting to discover.

Kids Area

L'Olivio Restaurant

La Reggia

Come to the Carvery for deliciously tender, juicy and flavorful roast meat specialties that will please your palate any day of the week. Enjoy the theater of watching your personal favorites being carved right in front of your eyes especially for you.

Meat Carvery

As one of the healthiest diets on the planet, Mediterranean food takes center stage at our main restaurants, tempting you with French, Italian and Spanish cuisine. Don’t miss the Elegant Dinner with a signature dish our Michelin-starred chef Ramón Freixa

Mediterranean Dining

Pago Buffet

Check out the Pasta Station for authentic Italian pasta just like mama used to make. Discover a new selection of delicious flavor combinations every single day to satisfy even the most discerning palate.

Pasta Station

We believe everyone’s special on an MSC cruise ship which is why we provide tailored menus and solutions to meet everyone’s dining requirements

Special Diets and Menus

The Take-Away Station is just the place to be when you’re feeling peckish for a snack on the go. A wide range of the most popular fast foods awaits you, the perfect casual dining fix for those moments when hunger suddenly strikes.

Take Away Station

Villa Verde

A selection of light and tasty dishes awaits you at our Wellness Corner. Made with your health in mind, these dishes will boost your well being without putting a strain on your waistline. Stock up on your five-a-day with dishes that are delicious, nutritious and packed with flavor.

Wellness Corner

In this exclusive restaurant the art of the oriental cuisine meets the passion of a Celebrity Chef: Jereme Leung, pioneer of oriental fusion cuisine.

Sea Pavillion Hot Pot by Jereme Leung

This American-style steak house serves select Linz heritage angus beef, gold standard in high-end angus beef thanks to the best genetics in breed. The highest quality product custom cut by master butchers and aged to perfection. The menu is inspired by the great plains and it is accompanied by bold New World wines and cocktails with swagger.

Butcher's Cut

You’d normally have to travel to New York to see the top-rated shows, but thanks to our Broadway-style theaters you can enjoy entertainment with an international line-up of artists without having to leave the ship. Take your pick, there’s sure to be a show you love.                                      

The Strand Theater

Visit our on-board 4D Cinema for a chance to enter a world of adventure without having to leave the comfort of your seat. Enjoy a unique cinematic experience, full of surprising features and visual effects.

4D Cinemas

It’s all white for a night with dazzling décor and costumes to suit the theme, plus a special performance starring our theater cast.

White Party

A start-of-the-cruise event celebrating the ship's departure, led by the Entertainment Team and dancers in a spectacular Costume Parade.

Sailaway Party

Every MSC Cruise is full of fun and discovery for kids of every age, starting with all the activities organised just for them and included in your fare. With a packed program of sports, games, competitions, parties and more, your children will enjoy endless discoveries with their new friends.Children can discover a world of their own thanks to 5 dedicated clubs for ages ranging from 0 to 17 years old, where they are looked after by our trained, multilingual personnel, certified for safeguarding children.

Kids Clubs

Our partnership with leading baby care brand Chicco provides a dedicated play area with facilities for babies and toddlers under 3 years old. You can leave your toddlers with our MSC Babycare staff*, or stay with them and enjoy the special Chicco toys and games. They'll love our music and rhythm activities, designed to awaken their curiosity.

Baby Club 0-3

his is a competition for the whole family with dance, music and selfie challenges dedicated to Kelly & Kloe On Board, MSC Cruises’ original web series created for kids and families.

Family Game Show

Teenagers aged from 15 to 17 years old can look forward to having the time of their lives on board. Teen Club activities range from sports and competitions, dance contests and social network games to Wii, Xbox and PS4 tournaments.

Teen Club 15-17

Once during every cruise we hold a special entertainment event called the LEGO® Experience On Board: an entire day dedicated to fun LEGO activities for the whole family to enjoy. Thanks to this special activity your kids can spend hours building and creating  whatever they want!

Lego Experience

who’s going to be the best dancer of the night? The whole family is invited to join the Youth Staff for a special disco time!

Family Disco

The Junior Club inspires connection and cooperation among 7 to 11-year-olds, through a wide variety of activities. Highlights range from Masterchef at Sea Juniors and Dorebro Sport competitions to our Fire & Ice live video game. Do you like acting, dancing or singing? Enjoy the thrill of filming with the Kelly & Kloe On Board Green Screen Experience!

Junior Club 7-11

With the Young Club, kids from 12 to 14 years old can dive into a world of discovery, involvement and interaction.Each day holds the promise of new experiences, with a dedicated programme of sport tournaments, hi-tech games and lots of other fun activities. And of course, every day also brings opportunities to make new friends.

Young Club 12-14

The Mini Club welcomes children aged between 3 and 6 years old, bringing them new friends and lots of fun, enriched by the stimulating toys of our partnership with LEGO®. The club offers games, events and activities like Arts & Crafts to free their imagination and make every day special. And the whole family is invited to the Doremi Family Disco!

Mini Club 3-6

Fast-paced, energetic and a ton of fun to play, volleyball is one of the world’s most popular team sports and one you can enjoy at the outdoor volleyball court at the onboard Sport Center. Burn some calories and get a thorough cardio-vascular workout while you land a kill and beat the opposing team.

Vollyball

Enjoying time off on your cruise doesn’t need to mean letting your fitness routine slide, so gear up and rendezvous with the power walking and jogging track on deck to get your daily exercise fix while also savoring outstanding ocean views.

Power Walking Track

Fancy a game of footy? Your wish can be granted at the outdoor five-a-side football pitch at the Sport Center. Team up with some friends or family and play a match against another on-board team. A great way to have fun, get active and turn strangers into friends.

Five-A-Side Football

MSC Aurea Spa boasts an exotic interior of natural stone, precious woods and rich mosaics, and is equipped with specific and massage treatment suites. Being pampered by a traditional Balinese Massage is a truly unique experience. Thanks to a blend of scented essences and aromatic oils, your body is enveloped in an endlessly peaceful and relaxing aura.

MSC Aurea Spa

Relaxing on one of our ships will do wonders for you, but we also have a few secrets on board to help you look and feel even better. Make the most of our range of safe and effective Anti-Ageing treatments and return from your cruise visibly rejuvenated.

Medi Spa Center

Refresh your look with a new hairstyle! There are different packages which include a personalized shampoo & conditioning mask, a haircut and a single process color treatment. Leave the salon styled and ready for a great evening onboard.

Hair Salon

Come to the outdoor Basketball court at the Sport Center for a chance to hang out with friends, have fun shooting hoops and enjoy a full-body workout at the same time. You may not make the latest line-up of the Harlem Globetrotters, but you’re sure to have a great time.

Basketball

Fitted with authentic TechnoGym® equipment and featuring panoramic ocean views, the onboard gym is the place to be for all those who take their fitness regime seriously. Hone your physique with a full set of TechnoGym® apparatus every day of your cruise to look better than ever before.

Gym By Technogym

If a fast game of squash is your favorite way of keeping fit or if you’d just like to give it a first go, simply book the outside squash court at our onboard Sport Center and prepare to hit it like a pro. First played in Harrow, England, in 1830, the game certainly looks back on a long history.

Squash Court

Anyone for tennis? Play to your heart’s content at the outdoor tennis court of our onboard Sport Center. Tennis is ideal for getting some healthy activity, honing your hand-to-eye coordination and having loads of fun. Game, set and match to you.

Tennis Court

Get a lasting sensation of absolute well being that will accompany you well beyond your cruise. All our ships are equipped with a Thermal Area where you can enjoy a soothing sauna, a relaxing steam or an invigorating whirlpool bath.

Thermal Area

You can enjoy the expertise of highly specialized staff in aesthetic treatments to offer you excellent results and improve the relaxing effects of your cruise. Customize your cruise with the best treatments for your body. Unwind and feel fantastic!

Beauty Salon

MSC Cruises

MSC Splendida

Enjoy an excursion in the Parco del Cardeto in the Italian city of Ancona, a natural environment of particular interest and extraordinary panoramic spots above the high coast, the cliff, and the city. The tour begins with your departure on foot from the cruise terminal at the port of Ancona. Your tour guide will then lead you on a hike that will take in various monuments of great artistic beauty and historical importance, along tranquil paths away from the noise of the city lying below. Your destination, the Parco del Cardeto, is the green heart of the town's historic centre, offering breathtaking views of the city and the sea. You will also be able to see the Roman amphitheatre of Ancona and the Old Lighthouse, visit the Jewish Cemetery and the Castelfidardo Military Powder Warehouse.

Discover the many palaces and museums of the historic town of Osimo in Italy's Marche region. The excursion includes visits to the Palazzo Municipale and the Cathedral of San Leopardo with its Baptistry, the Belvedere Terrace and the gardens of Piazza Nuova. Other site of interest on the tour include the fascinating Cantinone Caves, a network of tunnels under the town with esoteric bas-reliefs.

Tucked away just a short distance from Ancona lies a jewel of Italian architecture, the town of Jesi and your destination on this enjoyable tour. Begin with a visit to Palazzo Pianetti, an imposing 18th-century Rococo palace with an exquisite interior. Now serving as a municipal museum and exhibition site, the Palazzo is also home to the Pinacoteca Civica, Jesi's much-respected art gallery. A group of works including the masterful altarpiece, St. Lucy before the Judge, by Lorenzo Lotto, a notable late 15th- to mid-16th-century Italian painter, is considered the gallery's star exhibit. Moving on, an unhurried stroll will both allow you to enjoy the full breadth of the town's civic splendour and take you past the late 18th-century Pergolesi Theatre, in honor of the great composer born in Jesi, on Piazza della Repubblica before you head back to Ancona and your ship. Please note: comfortable shoes recommended. This tour is unsuitable for guests with walking difficulties.

Budding painters, photographers, and dreamers all will enjoy the art and aesthetics of Urbino and delight in the quaint streets and squares of this lovely walled city and UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will reach Urbino after an approx. 1.5-hour coach drive to meet your guide and start a short walking tour around the historic old town, one of the best-preserved medieval centres in Italy. Located on a sloping hillside, Urbino offers picturesque views over the verdant valleys, straight out of an Italian masterpiece. You will visit the "Palazzo Ducale" begun in the second half of the XV century, and which houses the National Gallery of Marche with one of Italy's most important collections of Renaissance paintings. Next, you will enjoy a snack buffet in a bistrot next to "Piazza della Repubblica".

Leave the port and begin your tour with a visit to San Ciriaco Cathedral in Ancona before starting a journey into the verdant countryside of the Italian Marche region. This sightseeing tour by coach takes you to Sirolo, a lovely seaside village with a fully restored medieval centre. The charming square in the middle of the village, Piazza Belvedere, affords beautiful views of the sea and Mount Conero, a 572-metre promontory just south of Ancona that got its name from the Greek word for the strawberry trees that grow on its slopes. You will have time to explore the village and its church at your leisure before enjoying a coach transfer to Portonovo, another coastal village in the Marche region for a unique photo stop. The excursion will also give you the opportunity to sample some local products and shop at the same time. Next, drive back to Ancona for some free time for shopping before returning to the port.

Time to do nothing but hang loose, stretch out on golden sands, and ponder the meaning of life are what holidays are all about. Give yourself a few hours off the ship, take a break from sightseeing and indulge in some special moments that will soothe your soul and let you reconnect with your inner self on this enjoyable outing to Numana. A short coach ride from Ancona will first take you through the pretty Marche countryside to reach Numana, a resort town situated close to the state park and protected ecological area of Mount Conero. The main areas of this attractive old town are the historical Numana Alta quarter and the Numana bassa district, which includes the bustling port. However, Numana also offers visitors a choice of beach resorts, which will be your destination on this tour. Your seaside sojourn provides a perfect opportunity to do whatever you please  swim in the inviting blue of the sea, lie back and soak up the sun, taste a slice of pizza (included) or perhaps simply sit and let the moment work its magic on you before the tour is brought to a close with your return to the ship.

An approx. 60-minute drive through the Italian countryside will take you to Genga and the unforgettable Frassasi Caves. Your guide will escort you on an underground adventure among the otherworldly stalagmites and stalactites found within the famous cave system, discovered, and then explored between 1948 and 1971. The safe routes through the spectacular caves coupled with dramatic lighting make this a truly awe-inspiring experience for the whole family. The caves also boast Europe's largest single cavern, the Grotta Grande Del Vento  so big that Milan Cathedral would easily fit inside. After the caves visit, board the coach again to reach some souvenir stands and have free time for shopping. Next up is a visit to Montecappone Winery where you will stop for a tasting inclusive of buffet of snacks and wine.

Bari not only sits pretty on the Adriatic but is also blessed with a beguiling medieval quarter - Bari Vecchia - that this tour will have you exploring by bike. You'll meet your guide, then get a short safety briefing and after putting your helmet on, you'll set off at a pleasant pace. The first of the medieval views comes in the shape of the early 12th-century Castello Normanno-Svevo, built by the Norman King Roger II, as you cycle towards the Basilica di San Nicola, built between 1087 and 1197 in honour of Bari's patron saint. You'll visit the site before cycling down Strada del Carmine to pass Bari Cathedral, dedicated to Saint Sabinus, and consecrated at the tail end of the 13th-century. As a last treat on the bike ride, you'll pedal your way up to Castello Normanno-Svevo to enjoy superb panoramic views of the town and surrounding area. You'll then have some time to spend as you wish before returning to the port and your ship.

Discover the architectural wonders of beautiful Bari in this leisurely half-day excursion. Board a little wheeled train and get set to explore the city in all its glory. This guided tour of Bari will also bring you the opportunity of a stroll around the historical quarter of "Bari Vecchia" and its medieval architecture. A visit to the Basilica of St. Nicholas is included, built in honour of Bari's patron saint. Founded towards the end of the 11th-century A.D., the basilica has been an important religious pilgrimage site for nearly a thousand years. An exterior viewing of Bari's old Norman castle will form a further focal point of your tour itinerary before continuing with a guided walk through the historical centre. Some free time at leisure is also part of the tour before it concludes with the return to your ship. Please note: This tour is unsuitable for guests with walking difficulties. Guests are requested to wear appropriate attire for religious visits. Guests may choose to return to the port soon after the guided tour or to remain in Bari's city centre to have free time and come back to the port by shuttle bus later.

About a 1-hour coach drive up the coast from the port of Bari lies the pretty harbour town of Trani, your destination on this enjoyable tour, which combines a sightseeing leg with a chance to sample some of the delicious locally produced olive oil. Trani's long and rich history, which dates back to its 9th-century foundation, is still prominent in the town to this day. As you make your way around the town's history trail, your first stop will be Svevo Castle, an imposing 13th-century fortification of highly rectilinear construction that overlooks the sea. You will have some time to spend at your leisure before you continue on to the 11th-/12th-century Cathedral of San Nicola Pellegrino. Built in honour of San Nicola the Pilgrim, this magnificent Romanesque-style building is a real treasure, with the stunning stained-glass windows, the remains of a 12th-century mosaic floor and the transversal crypt dedicated to San Nicola particularly worthy of mention. The sightseeing leg of the tour ends with a refreshing walk along the seafront promenade before the coach then takes you to an old oil mill for an informative visit and a chance to tantalise your taste buds with some of the wonderful locally produced olive oil and other typically Puglian delicacies. Your return to the port and your ship ends the tour.

Leave the port of Bari for a scenic 1-hour coach ride through the Italian countryside to Alberobello, a town in the Apulia region that forms the top of the "heel" of the boot of Italy. Thanks to its distinctive round stone houses with conical roofs, known as "trulli", the town was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites in 1996. Your tour includes a guided walk through the delightful streets of this most unusual village. Many of these "trullo" houses are topped by a so-called "pinnacolo" - a sort of white cap or sphere - and all of them have curious symbols, possibly good-luck charms, painted on the roofs. The town also includes the only "trullo" church in the world, St. Antonio which can be easily recognized with its monumental entrance, two side chapels and a bell tower. If there is time, you will also go on a short sightseeing tour of Bari by coach before you return to the port and your ship.

Leave the port for a 1-hour drive to the Caves of Castellana where we will meet our guide for a fantastic subterranean journey through the cave complex. The caves were first explored in 1938, although their existence had been known since the XVIII century. At 60 metres deep, marvel at the cave chambers and the myriad of alabaster stalagmites and stalactites encrusted with calcite crystals. Back above ground we will travel on to Polignano a Mare, a lovely town perched high on a rock with wonderful views over the sea. Explore the whitewashed streets meandering under the flowered arches and enjoy the hillside terrace that overlook the sea.

Enjoy a 1-hour drive to Matera, the city of the weird and wonderful "Sassi", caves and the first town in the world to be declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. Your journey will be enhanced by some information you will receive by an assistant before reaching this amazing location. These caves were inhabited from the Neolithic times right up until 1952. Perhaps because of its unique and tangible history, the atmosphere here is extraordinary and the place exudes a mystic air. You visit "Casa Grotta", a furnished Sassi cave museum house, giving you an insight into people's life in the past in these peculiar houses, and even a rocky church, which is the symbol of the local culture. Many film directors have chosen to set films in Matera, as it is such an evocative place and Mel Gibson's controversial film, "The Passion of the Christ", was shot here.

Time to do nothing but hang loose, stretch out on golden sands, and ponder the meaning of life are what holidays are all about. Hop on your coach for a transfer to a beach club on the coast of Monopoli area and spend approx. 3 hours making the best of your time, working on your tan or swimming in the crystal sea. The beach club is equipped with sun umbrellas and beach chairs to make your stay pleasant and relaxing. The excursion concludes with the drive back to the port of Bari.

Just a short coach drive from Corfu port in the town of Agios Ioannis lies the largest waterpark in the whole of Greece: Aqualand. This is an ideal destination for the whole family with any number of water-based attractions to keep you entertained. Have a go on the Giant Slides, the Multislide, the Black Hole, the Four Twisters, the Kamikazees, the Crazy River or the Hydritube for bags of watery fun. For younger guests, the park also provides special children's areas such as a shallow pool and waterslides as well as the Slippery Octopus, Screaming Frog and Shower Mushroom. You will have plenty of time to enjoy the park's numerous attractions and services, which also include bars, restaurants, cabins, sunbeds, and parasols. Your tour ends with your return to the port and your ship.

Team up with a few friends and prepare for a wild, self-driven ride through Corfu's appealing interior on this jeep-based exploration. The scenic route, replete with gorgeous views, will take you through quaint mountain villages along winding roads en route to the village of Doukades, located in northwest Corfu, for a first photo stop. Then it's on to Allimatades, another pretty village where you'll have some time to explore on your own and take photos of both sides of the island, which can be seen from here. Next up, you'll drive back down the mountain to reach the southern tip of Corfu and the 10-km/6-mile stretch of sand known as Agios Georgios Beach, one of the island's loveliest. After some time to relax, enjoy the sun and go for a swim, you'll make your way back to the port and your ship.

In the days of ancient Greece, Corfu marked the final stage of the legendary trip made by the mythological Greek god, Odysseus, on his journey home to Ithaca. While hardly of epic proportions, this tour will certainly give you a chance to enjoy Corfu's lush landscape as you travel around the island. The excursion includes a visit to Achilleion's Palace, a beautiful white mansion and the former residence of Queen Elizabeth of Austria  who was affectionately known as Sissi. The richly decorated palace is set in pretty gardens overlooking the sea and is dedicated to another hero from Greek mythology, Achilles. Before you return to the port and your ship, a brief photo stop to admire the Kanoni Peninsula is on the list. You will also have a chance to pay Corfu town a brief visit and spend a little free time strolling around.

Your Greek island excursion begins with a scenic coach ride of about 30 minutes through the lush olive groves, pine trees and cypresses of the Corfu landscape to reach the Kum Quat Factory, your first stop. The informative visit will give you a chance to learn all about how kumquats are harvested and then turned into delicious liqueurs and other fruity treats. Then it is on to the beautiful bay of Palaiokastritsa for some free time to explore the area surrounded by woods and olive trees. The tour then continues up to the mountainside location of Lakones, with more breathtaking views of Palaiokastritsa to enjoy. After a short stop to soak up the atmosphere and perhaps take some photos, it is on to the traditional village of Makrades and the charming "Colombos" taverna where traditional Greek appetizers  so-called meze  will be served along with some local wine or ouzo, the famous Greek aniseed-flavoured aperitif. The taverna's interior is decorated with traditional 18th- and 19th-century agricultural tools and an intriguing old olive press, which offer a glimpse into a bygone age. This scenic island tour ends with your return to the port and your ship.

Take some time off the ship to join an enjoyable tour that will take you past some of the hidden gems gracing Corfu's shoreline. After a coach ride to Palaiokastritsa, you'll board the boat and set sail. A first photo stop will be made at the beautiful Nausicaa Cave before you move on to Stelari Beach. About 1 hour will be yours at the beach to enjoy the location, relax in the sun or go for a refreshing swim. Back on the boat again, you'll pass a rock formation that some say looks like a lion, some a monkey but that is called the Lion's Head, after which a stop is scheduled at the Blue Eye - another cave with a patch of astoundingly blue water - and the Nikolas Caves as a final treat. Once the boat has returned you to Palaiokastritsa, you'll have some free time to spend on your own before you get back to the ship.

The beautiful little nearshore island of Lokrum is your destination on this appealing half-day kayaking tour, which begins when you meet your tour guide and set off from the small port of Pile. You'll then find yourself paddling along the shore-facing side of the isle - also called the Island of Love - to reach the secluded Betina beach, home also to a popular cave. This is where you'll be able to enjoy a snorkelling break and explore the location from an underwater perspective. The beach is accessible only by sea and affords stunning views of the old city walls, towards which you'll paddle after the snorkelling break. Feast your eyes on views of beaches, palm trees, boats, waterside villas, and hotels as you make your way past the so-called Pearl of the Adriatic, a journey that promises to showcase Dubrovnik from a unique perspective. Your kayak activity ends at Pile Bay, after which you'll return to the ship.

Leave the port and reach the hill overlooking Dubrovnik's old town where a first short stop is scheduled for picture-taking. Next, board your coach and enjoy a 1-hour drive to Ljuta where you will pick up your bike and start your exploration of the Croatian countryside through the Konavle region with its cypress trees, vineyards, olive groves and traditional villages. Throughout centuries, Konavle has managed to maintain a traditional country-type of living along with many chapels, cloisters, and summer houses that once hosted the Dubrovnik's high-class lairds. Cadmos Village, located on a knoll surrounded by cypress and vineyards, will be the perfect location for a wine session including cheese, Dalmatian dry-cured ham, and local wine. Suitably fortified, you will return to Dubrovnik by coach and to your cruise ship.

Spend a day off the ship at one of Dubrovnik's most popular beaches. Your excursion will begin with a sailing trip along the old town of Dubrovnik followed by a 45-minute walk alongside the city walls. You can admire the prettiest corners of this Croatian town before boarding the boat for St. Jacob beach with free time to relax in the sun or to swim. Sun umbrella, beach chairs, welcome drink and one additional beverage is included.

Rising up behind the beautiful walled city of Dubrovnik, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979, is Sr?j Mountain, your first stop on this tour of extraordinary views and mediaeval fortifications. A cable car ride - an experience in itself - will take you to the top, where you can then look forward to a stunning panorama of Dubrovnik, the archipelago, the town of Cavtat and, on clear days, even Italy in the distance. To add to your enjoyment of these breathtaking vistas, a drink will be served in a mountainside bar. Leaving Sr?j behind and taking the cable car back down, you will move on to Dubrovniks world-famous city walls. Totalling nearly 2 km in length, an unbroken chain of fortresses, towers and bastions securely girdles the city, preventing the ingress of enemies in times gone by. Starting at the main street of the old town, you will first go on an orientation walk before some time will be yours to spend as you please in this special place. A shuttle bus ride back to your ship then ends your tour.

Undoubtedly one of the jewels in Croatia's crown, Dubrovnik's beautiful old town is so atmospheric that the makers of the hugely successful Game of Thrones TV franchise made it as the setting of the capital of the fictional continent of Westeros. A coach will first transfer you to Dubrovnik's old town - a UNESCO World Heritage Site - from where your expert guide will then take you to see various places where memorable scenes were shot, including Fort Lovrijenac - the site of the Battle of Blackwater. Do remember to take your camera along to direct your own "documentary" as you make your way around this "live set". Your guide provides you with information on the fictional Game of Thrones world and support the facts with A4-sized photos of the respective scenes. After that, you'll still have some time to explore on your own before you re-join your coach for the unguided return transfer to the ship.

Experience a magical landscape of subterranean mountains, murmuring rivers and vast halls, exploring a 24.12 km cave system made up of four caves connected by an underground river, 5.3 km of which are open to the public. Greeted by a local guide, you'll enjoy an expert tour of this extraordinary subterranean land, world-famous for its massive "Brilliant" stalagmite and "baby dragon" salamanders or olms. A portion of the caves have been illuminated to provide a stunning optical show, highlighting the rocks' transparency and giving the illusion of a wall of water.

Visit the most famous attractions of this uniquely elegant city, starting your exploration of Trieste with a panoramic coach tour to admire some of its most famous sights and panoramas. You'll then climb the hill to the famous Cathedral of Saint Justus which overlooks the city, providing fabulous photo opportunities. The Cathedral was built in its current form in the 14th-century around a medieval complex that dates back to the 9th-century, with parts from the 6th-century that incorporate Roman elements. Your guide will show you round this remarkable building and remains of the Roman forum in its grounds. You'll then continue to the spectacular Miramare Castle, built on a karstic rocky promontory in 1856 by order of Maximilian of Hapsburg. Inside the castle, you'll be able to admire perfectly preserved furnishings and decorations in an eclectic style. As you pass from one room to another, you'll be enchanted by the charms of a sensibility that harmoniously combines Mediterranean splendour with typically Northern elegance. Travelling towards the modern city, you'll pass the places that made Trieste a major shipping and trading centre in the 18th- and 19th-centuries. Reaching the main square, Piazza Unità d'Italia, you'll love the Mitteleuropean atmosphere that still lingers throughout the city from Hapsburg times.

Visit the world's most famous and oldest continuously-operating stud farm, established in 1850, home to some of the most fabulously gifted horses in the world. Departing from Trieste, you'll cross the Slovenian border on a comfortable 20-minute coach trip to the Lipica Stud Farm, home of the famous Lipizzaner horses for over four centuries. Depending on your ship's scheduled departure and day of call, here in Lipica you'll be able to attend the elegant white horses' training sessions, watching the best horses perform classic dressage-based movements, including the highly controlled, stylised jumps and other movements known as "airs above the ground.

Explore the tranquil Medieval old city of Koper, its stunning architecture and quaint narrow streets hidden in the heart of the largest coastal city in Slovenia, which has both Italian and Slovenian as its official languages. Your tour will start by coach, taking you across the Slovenian boarder to the thriving port city of Koper and the magical medieval world it encloses. Walking at a leisurely pace through atmospheric alleyways and squares, you'll experience the authentic essence of Koper, admiring gems like Tito Square with its arcaded Venetian Gothic loggia built in 1463, the Cathedral of the Assumption with its belfry City Tower, and the adjacent circular Romanesque Rotunda of John the Baptist, a baptistery dating from the second half of the 12th century. At its centre, you'll find the 15th-century Praetorian Palace, the symbol of the city and now its Town Hall. Ensuring a truly personal experience, you'll enjoy free time to explore, shop or sip a coffee before returning to Trieste.

Explore this extraordinary city on foot with an expert guide, admiring its elegant Viennese architecture and literary past while experiencing its Mitteleuropean and Italian soul in a way that's only possible on a leisurely walking tour. Leaving the maritime station and passing the Aquarium, you'll reach the charming Piazza Venezia with a monumental statue of Maximilian of Augsburg at its centre, erected by his friend, Baron Pasquale Revoltella, whose winter residence  now the Museum of Modern Art  was designed by the Berlin architect Friedrich Hitzig. You'll then continue to Piazza Hortis, where the City Library frequented by writers James Joyce and Italo Svevo is located, together with the prestigious Naval Institute. Strolling on towards the old city of Cavana, you'll appreciate the fine buildings that have been beautifully renovated under the city's "Urban Project". Walking down Le Mura street, you'll then reach Piazza Trauner, where the Arco di Riccardo Roman arch, Basilica of San Silvestro and Church of Santa Maria Maggiore can be seen. Your guide will then lead you by the Scalinata delle Medaglie D'Oro steps to the Jewish Ghetto dating from the late 17th-century, the Roman Theatre built between the 1st and 2nd centuries AD and the bustling Via San Nicolò, ending up at the Canal Grande, the heart of the city, built between 1754 and 1756. Walking along the canal you'll admire the grand residences of the city's wealthy traders before visiting the orthodox church. On the way back to the ship, your guide will lead

The Rilke Trail is not a simple trail overlooking the sea. It is the white of the rocks falling into the sea, the scent of the shrublands, the unforgettable glimpses of the coastline and the blue sea and a place where poetry meets nature. Connecting the two villages of Duino and Sistiana, this 2-km breath-taking natural path is named after the poet Rainer Maria Rilke, from Prague, who found inspiration for his Duino Elegies in this enchanting scenery. This will be your destination for a few hours of walk through the nature and the beauty. Abandoned for long time, the path was restored in 1987 and finally lately opened to visitors. Walking along its mainly flat ground, you will have not only a chance to discover the Karstification phenomena, but you will also bask in the beauty of wilderness and nature with lovely views of Trieste gulf, the blue of the sea and the Duino Reserve. At the end of the walking path, board the coach and enjoy a relaxed return to the port.

Discover the beautiful two-thousand-year-old coastal town of Pore?, famous for its Roman streets and squares and, above all, its Euphrasian Basilica  the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption of Mary  a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Travelling from the port in a comfortable coach, you'll cross the Slovenian and Croatian borders on your way to the typical Croatian town of Pore? on the coast. Upon arrival, you'll be guided through the narrow streets and beautiful squares on foot for an up-close voyage of discovery. Your tour will be like a walk through history, admiring buildings and monuments in wide variety of different architectural styles thanks to Pore?s rich history, with periods under Roman, Ostrogoth, Byzantine, Venetian and Hapsburg rule. Completing the experience, you'll have free time to enjoy and discover the town as you prefer, strolling through the picturesque streets, shopping or just relaxing with a coffee.

Cruisebound

7 Night Mediterranean - Eastern Cruise