Marseille, in the south of France, has more spice, grit and edge than the Provençal towns that surround it. A trade city since the time of ancient Greece, the port always seems to be on the brink of change, generating a certain energy that’s hard to find in the timeless and traditional countryside.

In Rome experience its bustling modernism along with its rich history. You can walk in the footsteps of emperors, have coffee in Renaissance piazzas and see contemporary art all in one afternoon. 

A wander around the historic heart of Dubrovnik can hit the main sights, but take it a step further (or a staircase further, really), and you'll see that people do still live in the historic quarter, even though its polished streets make it look like a museum. 

Spend 2 x nights in Trieste, Italy, allowing you time to truly explore nearby Venice

Rijeka, Croatia - Follow the tourist path and encounter many of the city’s most important cultural and historical monuments. A short bus ride away, tour Trsat Castle, one of the oldest forts on the Adriatic coast. 

Santorini, the jewel in the crown of Greece's Cyclades, is best known as the island with the giant volcanic caldera at its heart. All but the largest ships can anchor here in this stunningly scenic bay

Kusadasi in Turkey is the gateway to one of the most legendary cities of the ancient world: Ephesus. St. Paul preached in its Great Theater, while the facade of the Celsus Library survives as a testament to the city’s role as a centre of learning and culture.

Mykonos cruise passengers are tendered straight into Old Town or water taxi in from the nearby Mykonos cruise port. Stunning views welcome you to the town with cliffside whitewashed houses and bright trim (blue for sailors, green for farmers, red for other) and trellises of bougainvillea. 

Spend the night docked in Istanbul - once you step ashore, you’ll find the most interesting parts of the city

Your journey will end with an overnight stay in Piraeus (Athens), Greece

Turkey

France

Italy

Spain

Greece

Croatia

Montenegro

Holland America Line

Experience the opulent and sun-kissed South of France. Sightsee in Florence, Rome, Pompeii. Explore ancient Greece and Turkey. Stay overnight in Trieste (Venice), Istanbul and Piraeus (Athens).