Ancient Mediterranean: Exploring Greece, Croatia and Albania

Day 1

Athens, Greece / Lavrio / Embark Ship 

Arrive in Athens, the capital city of Greece, and transfer to Lavrio, where you'll embark National Geographic Orion in the afternoon. Settle into your cabin and take in your first Aegean sunset at sea. Or explore more on a pre-voyage extension in Athens or Crete.

Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2

Corinth Canal / Delphi 

Enjoy breakfast on deck as the ship navigates the historic Corinth Canal, slipping between the 300-foot limestone walls that tower above both sides of the vessel. Built in the late 19th century, the canal is too small for most modern-day ships, but the National Geographic Orion is perfectly sized for the transit to the Gulf of Corinth and Ionian Sea.   

Later, visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Delphi, the center of the ancient Greek world. The ruins here are home to the Temple of Apollo—Greece’s most important shrine—where the Oracle of Delphi delivered divine prophecies. Your onboard local guides will share the city’s storied past as you explore the temple and other important sites.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3

Kefalonia

Your Expedition Leader and local guides will choose one of the many picturesque beaches on the island of Kefalonia, bordered by the idyllic Ionian Sea. Soak in the vivid blue waters—a true photographer’s delight. Stroll along the shoreline, or swim, kayak or paddleboard in the beautiful sea.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4

Corfu / Butrint, Albania 

Sandwiched between two fortresses, Corfu’s World Heritage-listed Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage center, begs to be explored. Choose to wander the maze of Venetian lanes and shaded town squares, or enjoy a walking tour of the 6th-century Old Fortress of Corfu. This afternoon, cross into Albania and arrive at Butrint National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site that was first settled by the Greeks in the 7th century BC and is known for its well-preserved Roman ruins. This mesmerizing tapestry of ancient ruins is a wonderful representation of Albania’s lush landscapes.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5

Krujë / Divjakë-Karavasta National Park

After docking in Durrës, drive to Albania’s ancient capital of Krujë, just north of its modern-day capital of Tirana. Wander the stalls of the medieval bazaar, visit the Ethnographic Museum and tour the museum dedicated to Albania’s larger-than-life national hero, Skanderbeg—the warrior who led a 15th-century rebellion against the Ottoman Empire. Cap off the day with a stirring folkloric performance. Or, if you’re interested in birding, visit the lagoons of Divjakë-Karavasta National Park, home to over 200 avian species, including the greater flamingo, Kentish plover and the extremely rare dalmatian pelican.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6

Dubrovnik, Croatia 

Wake up anchored off the ancient walls of Dubrovnik’s Old City—a UNESCO World Heritage site that is considered one of the best-preserved medieval towns in the world. Choose from several experiences to customize your day. Participate in a guided walk of the fortified walls, go oystering and enjoy a seafood lunch in the neighboring town of Ston, take part in an interactive cooking class in a quaint rural home or learn about traditional silk embroidery at a local workshop.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7

Komiža, Vis Island

One of the outermost Croatian islands, Vis was ruled successively by the ancient Greeks, Romans, Venetians, Austrians and Italians. It became a central Yugoslav military base during World War II and only opened to tourists in the 1990s, making it less developed and less populated than many of its neighbors. Spend the morning exploring one of the island’s sea caves (conditions permitting).     

Arrive in Komiža after lunch and embark on your choice of several optional experiences, including a hike to the headquarters of Yugoslav resistance leader Josip Broz Tito, where he hid troops and weapons in extensive underground tunnels at the end of World War II and into the Cold War. Venture to hillside barracks and hidden bunkers, or explore the charming downtown.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8

Split / Disembark Ship

Disembark in Split this morning and transfer to the airport for flights home.

Meals Included: Breakfast