Eastern Mediterranean Cruise including Italy, Greek Isles & Croatia

10 days from $1519*

Includes airfare, fuel surcharges, great hotels, transfers, many meals, touring and more!

On sale prices include savings of up to $600 per couple if you reserve before March 31, 2010!

Dubrovnik, Croatia

In person, the Greek Islands are even more lovely, picturesque and romantic than portrayed in the movies. Here you'll find whitewashed houses peering over steep cliffs which drop straight down into a breathtaking azure sea. Our Greek Isles and Croatia cruise visits among the most gorgeous of these incredible islands, including Mykonos, Santorini and Corfu. The lovely Italian port of Ancona and the Medieval gem, Dubrovnik, are also part of this exciting cruise itinerary. A bonus night in Venice completes your Mediterranean vacation. This itinerary is proof that you can never have too much of a good thing!

Despite all the glamour, excitement, food and fun, you won't pay a fortune to enjoy your Mediterranean dream cruise vacation. We've negotiated special prices on two departures just for you, including discounts on the superior outside and deluxe balcony (veranda) cabins. But don't wait too long. With these prices including airfare, fuel surcharges, most transfers, all meals aboard the cruise and a bonus night in Venice, space won't last long!

Itinerary at a Glance & Port Call Times

Italy, Greek Isles & Croatia Cruise
Day	Port of Call	Arrive	Depart
2	Venice, Italy		6 pm
3	Ancona, Italy	7 am	1 pm
4	At sea
5	Santorini, Greece	8 am	1 pm
5	Mykonos, Greece	6 pm	11 pm
6	Piraeus/Athens, Greece	8 am	2 pm
7	Corfu, Greece	1 pm	7 pm
8	Dubrovnik, Croatia	8 am	1 pm
9	Venice	9 am

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Depart USA. Your exciting Eastern Mediterranean journey begins this evening as you check-in for your overnight jet flight bound for Venice.

Day 2: Venice, Italy. After your arrival in Venice, you'll be escorted to the port, where you'll board the Costa Victoria for your weeklong cruise. (B,L,D)

Day 3: Ancona, Italy. Located on the Adriatic Coast, Ancona is a city with two distinct urban centers: the old historic center with its maze of medieval streets and Guasco Hill, former site of the Greek acropolis and current site of the Cathedral of San Ciriaco; and modern Ancona, dating back to the 1700s. Both areas offer ample opportunities for sightseeing, including countless museums, cathedrals, piazzas, and palazzos. Explore the sites on an optional panoramic tour of the city and the surrounding villages along the Conero Coast. Art-lovers may wish to take another optional excursion to nearby Urbino, a city just inland from the coast and home to the exquisite Renaissance Palazzo Ducale with its impressive collection of works by Raphael, Santi, Piero della Francesca and Barocci. (B,L,D)

Costa Victoria indoor pool

Day 4: At sea. All the fantastic facilities of the ship are available to you as you spend a leisurely day at sea. Stroll the ample decks, enjoy an invigorating dip in the pool, and take advantage of the many leisure activities aboard your luxury ship. (B,L,D)

Santorini sunset

Day 5: Santorini & Mykonos, Greece. Arrive early this morning at Santorini. This striking island, with breathtaking panoramas and rugged landscapes, is actually a volcanic crater slightly immersed in the sea. The island is famous for its whitewashed houses, narrow streets, open-air cafes and glittering boutiques which cling to steep cliffs, accessible by foot, cable car or mule. Explore the island on your own or choose from several optional shore excursions that take you to some of Santorini's most picturesque sites. Among other sites, be sure to visit the Museum in Fira town and a typical winery, where you'll have the opportunity to enjoy three of the island's most famous wines, served with delicious cheese.

Mykonos

Return to the ship to continue sailing to Mykonos. Arrive at Mykonos later this afternoon, where chic crowds flock to the island's trendy restaurants, discos, and clubs each night, and where you can sit seaside, sipping ouzo and watching the sunset while listening to traditional Greek music. Before heading back to the ship, enjoy a stroll through Mykonos town with its labyrinth of winding alleyways and whitewashed buildings, basket-laden donkeys, cascading geraniums and upscale shops and cafes. Please note that in November, arrival at Mykonos (about 6:00 pm) is after sunset. (B,L,D)

The Parthenon in Athens

Day 6: Athens, Greece. Arrive early this morning at Piraeus, the port of Athens. Athens, capital of Greece and the country's largest city, is dominated by the flat-topped hill of the Acropolis site of the Parthenon, one of the most famous classical monuments in the world.

Plaka café, Athens

The center of modern Athens, most notably the chic area of Kolonaki, has many designer boutiques, excellent restaurants and a plethora of classical and modern sites including Constitution Square, the Panathenian Stadium (site of the first modern Olympic Games in 1896), the Presidential Palace, the Roman Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Parthenon with its many monuments atop the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum. (B,L,D)

Sunset, Corfu

Day 7: Corfu, Greece. Disembark this morning on the Greek Island of Corfu. Corfu is the northernmost and second largest Ionian island after Cephalonia. Its abundant natural beauty and striking combination of cosmopolitan and traditional gives the island a unique ambience. Exciting optional excursions offer visits to Achilles' Palace or relaxing beach and boat tours. (B,L,D)

Rooftops of Dubrovnik old town, Croatia

Folk dancing, Dubrovnik

Day 8: Dubrovnik, Croatia. A charming port on the Dalmatian coast, set in front of a picturesque hillside, Dubrovnik is one of the most attractive destinations on the Adriatic Riviera. It has been extensively restored since suffering during the Balkan hostilities of the 1990s and is now more beautiful than ever. A 1,000 year old protective wall adds to the sense of stepping back in time, and the views make this one of the most picturesque places in the world. Various optional excursions to the Medieval Old Town, including a walk around the ramparts, are available. (B,L,D)

Venice Cathedral

Day 9: Venice. Arrive in Venice this morning. After breakfast, disembark from your cruise and enjoy a full day to explore this gorgeous city of canals on your own. You'll find a treasure trove of ancient ruins, art, music and architecture and more in the most romantic city you'll ever visit, with the cafes of St. Mark's Square, palazzo-lined canals where gondolas glide happily along, the Bridge of Sighs and so much more. (B)

Gondolas by the Rialto, Venice

Day 10: Venice/USA. Your memorable Mediterranean journey ends as you say arrivederci Italia and transfer independently to the airport for your return flight to the USA. Arrive in the USA later today. Or, continue your stay in Italy by adding a late return and extra nights to your package.

About Your Cruise Ship, the Costa Victoria

Click here for specifications, deck plans and more photos of the ship.

The elegant Costa Victoria stands out for her modern design, fine details and exquisite works of art. Her avant-garde design has garnered many accolades and set new standards of excellence for luxury cruise ship design, combining European style with all the comforts of home.

Costa Victoria Winter Garden

Dine at any one of five restaurants, including the elegant Club II Magnifico. The state-of-the-art fitness center boasts a beautiful indoor pool, a jogging track, multi-purpose sports courts, and exercise equipment. Pamper yourself in the ultramodern Pompei Spa. At night, stroll the Concorde Plaza for live music, dancing, and stunning sea views from the panoramic windows.

All of the Victoria’s 964 spacious staterooms come fully equipped with satellite TV, air-conditioning, mini bar, private safe, 24-hour room service and en suite bathroom.

The Costa Victoria is registered in Italy.

Destination FAQs

For quick answers to Frequently Asked Questions about travel to Italy, click here.

For quick answers to Frequently Asked Questions about travel to Greece, click here.

For quick answers to Frequently Asked Questions about travel to Croatia, click here.

testimonial photo [Italian Treasures] was wonderful and we are very pleased that we chose Friendly Planet as our tour provider. Our tour director, Flavio Nicoletti, was top-notch in every way. He was professional, knowledgeable, friendly and fun-loving. He went out of his way on many occasions to ensure that our group had the best possible experience. He arranged wonderful excursions, including an evening at a Tuscan Farmstead which my travelmates and I will always remember as a highlight of our trip. I co-host a radio Morning Show in North Carolina. During the trip I called into the show to report on the trip. Flavio even agreed to join me during the call and go on the air with us! He did a great job! My friends and I now feel that we have a friend in Rome. We are so thankful to Flavio and to Friendly Planet for making our once-in-a-lifetime trip so special and memorable.

— Tamera Rumfelt, Kernersville, NC

I judge the value of a vacation by the desire to return. After seeing Greece on this tour, I most certainly want to go back.

— Carol Gargan

The trip of a lifetime! Friendly Planet did everything it promised and more. I have never seen such beautiful scenery and dealt with such wonderful people. I felt very safe and would even venture to go on one of your tours alone. Everything was taken care of. Our tour guides were extremely knowledgeable and spoke very good English. One of our guides even arranged for another extension after the trip. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND FRIENDLY PLANET TOURS! I tell everyone who is interested in an exotic trip to be sure to check Friendly Planet out. I will definitely go with Friendly Planet again.

— June Garst, Conroe, TX