21-day exploring Egypt, Ephesus & Mediterranean isles

Your voyage begins in Athens (Piraeus), Greece. The past maintains a vibrant presence in the cradle of Western civilization. Atop the Acropolis, the serene Parthenon sails above the commotion of the modern city. The tragedies of Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides were performed in the Theater of Dionysus at the foot of the Acropolis. On Pnyx Hill, citizens of a fledgling democracy gathered to cast their votes on Athens' destiny. Then there is the hustle and bustle of the modern city, a metropolis of 4.5 million that spreads out from the foot of Mt. Lycabettus and across the plain. Packed with busy shops and lively tavernas, modern Athens is a colorful counterpoint to classical Greece. Piraeus is the port city for Athens and has been Athens' port of entry for over two millennia.

From the port of Kusadasi on Turkey's Anatolian Coast, one travels into the past. Nearby stand the ruins of ancient Ephesus, a major site of archeological excavation. The city was once a Roman provincial capital and trading center. Ephesus is also home to several of Christendom's holiest sites. St. Paul preached at the Great Theater and the ruins of Ephesus' Basilica cover the tomb of Christ's most beloved disciple, St. John the Apostle.In Kusadasi, whitewashed stone houses rise in tiers behind the market district. The palm-lined esplanade is the center of town life, with thousands of merchants offering wares to rival the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul.

Your ship calls at Bodrum, Turkey.

The largest and arguably the most beautiful of the 12 islands forming the Dodecanese, Rhodes has long played a major role in history. Lying just 12 miles off the coast of Turkey, the island straddles the sea-lanes linking Egypt, Southern Europe and the Holy Land. Rhodes Town bears witness to that long history. The ancient city features a classical stadium and the ruins of the Temple of Apollo. The "old" city is a walled town with medieval buildings and streets harking back to the days of the Crusades. The new town is a Mecca of luxury resorts lining the island's picturesque Mandaraki Harbor.The Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, is reputed to have once stood guard over the harbor. Today, the bronze statues of a stag and doe top the two columns marking the harbor entrance.

A full day at sea - time to enjoy Seabourn Ovation's restaurants, pools and entertainment.

Your ship calls at Alexandria (Cairo), Egypt.

A second day in Alexandria (Cairo), Egypt - time to explore at your own pace.

Continue your voyage aboard Seabourn Ovation with a leisurely day at sea.

Another day at sea to explore the ship at your own pace.

Your ship calls at Syracusa, Sicily, Italy.

Your ship calls at Salerno, Italy.

Your gateway to the Eternal City, Civitavecchia has served as Rome's seaport since the 13th century. The port has a long and venerable history. The emperor Trajan built a pleasure villa near the modern city, while Bernini and Michelangelo designed the harbor fortifications.Yet the Eternal City eternally beckons. The ancient capital of the Western World and the center of Christianity for nearly 2,000 years, Rome provides an inexhaustible feast. Visit the ruins of the Forum, view the splendors of the Sistine Chapel, or climb the Spanish Steps, once the heart of Rome's Bohemian Quarter.Rome has been a magnet luring the world's greatest artists, architects, and philosophers since the days of the Caesars.

A full day at sea - time to enjoy Seabourn Ovation's restaurants, pools and entertainment.

Your ship calls at Trapani, Italy.

Malta is the largest in a group of seven islands that occupy a strategic position between Europe and Africa. The island's history is long and turbulent. Everyone from the Normans to the Nazis have vied for control of this small, honey-colored rock. For centuries the island was the possession of the knightly Order of St. John - the Knights Hospitaller. Valletta, Malta's current capital, was planned by the Order's Grandmaster Jean de la Valette to secure the island's eastern coast from Turk incursions. Founded in 1566, Valletta's bustling streets are lined with superb Baroque buildings and churches.Malta has a long history: the megalithic stone temples at Gozo may be the oldest freestanding structures on Earth. Malta has two official languages, Maltese (constitutionally the national language) and English. Malta was admitted to the European Union in 2004 and in 2008 became part of the eurozone.

A second day in Valletta, Malta - time to explore at your own pace.

Your ship calls at La Goulette (Tunis), Tunisia.

The views from the Terrazza Umberto I are panoramic: one looks out over Sardinia's capital, a city ancient even in Roman times. Mountains frame the azure waters of the gulf. Nearby lagoons harbor flocks of flamingos and egrets. Welcome to one of the most intriguing ports in the Western Mediterranean. Founded by Phoenician traders in the 7th century B.C., Cagliari has been a Carthaginian colony and a Roman seaport. Those fine old walls supporting the Terrazza Umberto I were erected in the 13th century by the Italian city-state of Pisa. In addition to its fine old Italian architecture, Cagliari boasts superb light, inviting waters and excellent beaches.The city-state of Pisa and the Kings of Aragon vied for control of Sardinia for two centuries. The cathedral, built by Pisans in the 13th century, holds the mausoleum of a 15th century Aragonese prince.

Continue your voyage aboard Seabourn Ovation with a leisurely day at sea.

Palma is the capital city of the island of Mallorca, which is one of Spain's Balearic Islands. The city is tucked into the protected Bay of Palma, creating an impressive view from the Mediterranean Sea with its imposing Gothic Cathedral towering above the old town and remnants of medieval walls that testify to its ancient history. Mallorca has a varied history, from the Roman occupation in the 2nd century to Moorish control from the 9th to the 13th century. Later reconquered by the Spanish kings, it rose to wealth and power due to its strategic position along the seagoing trade routes between Africa and Europe.Today, Palma is the largest city, and also the main tourist area, with beaches on either side of the city that overflow with resort hotels. If you venture beyond these environs, the island's natural beauty abounds, and life continues in a predictably underdeveloped atmosphere of simplicity. This aspect has long been an attraction for writers, painters and musicians that find inspiration here.Two main languages are spoken on Mallorca - Castilian Spanish and the Balearic dialects of Catalan - hence the different versions of names and spellings throughout the Balearic Islands.

Your ship calls at Tarragona, Spain.

The 1992 Summer Olympics revealed to the world what Europeans and seasoned travelers already knew - Barcelona is one of the world's greatest treasures. Vibrant and earthy, commercial and cultural, this city of two million residents is the capital of Spain's autonomous region of Catalonia. Stroll along the wide, tree-lined promenades of Las Ramblas and marvel at the spires of Gaudi's Basilica La Sagrada Familia. Or visit the former Olympic Ring on the hill of Montjuic - also home to world-class parks, fountains and museums. Barcelona, which nurtured such artistic giants as Picasso, Dali, Miro and Casals, is definitely a traveler's paradise.