The magic of Venice in autumn is something that never gets old. As our Mediterranean adventure began in mid October 2024, we treated ourselves to two days in this floating city before our 9-day cruise. The morning mist rolling off the canals, the echo of footsteps through ancient alleyways, and the aroma of fresh espresso creating the perfect prelude to our journey. We spent two days wandering through Venice old town, taking a gondola ride and just enjoying wandering the narrow city scape of one of the world’s most unique cities.
After wards a quick two-hour train ride brought us to Trieste, where our home for the next nine days awaited – the Norwegian Pearl.After spending the morning wandering and exploring Trieste, we embarked, the excitement of the upcoming adventure filled the air, with the promise of discovering hidden gems along the Adriatic and Aegean seas.
Our first port of call was Ravenna, Italy, where the glittering Byzantine mosaics beckoned. Though our exploration of the city center was briefly interrupted by some persistent local hustlers, it didn’t dampen our spirits or the city’s remarkable charm. The city has wonderful churches and historic building including a museum devoted to mosaics.
Slovenia’s coastal gem, Koper, provided one of our trip’s highlights. We embarked on a cycling excursion to the picturesque Piran, pedaling along the coastline while our guide shared fascinating insights about the local Slovenian culture and history and how this area was known for salt marshes. The blend of Venetian architecture and Slavic charm made Piran an unexpected favorite.
Our next stop ,Split, Croatia, offered the perfect mix of culture and relaxation. After exploring Diocletian’s Palace and wandering through the historic streets, we cooled off at a nearby beach, the crystal-clear Adriatic waters providing welcome relief from the autumn sun, while the beach was mostly empty it provided a relaxing escape from the middle of town.
Then it was onto Kotor , Montenegro, where we climbed up Kotor’s city walls to the fort at the top of the climb , it was challenging but rewarding. Each step up the ancient fortifications revealed increasingly breathtaking views of the bay below, the fjord-like landscape creating a stunning backdrop for photos. The sense of accomplishment upon reaching the fortress made every drop of sweat worthwhile.
Dubrovnik lived up to its “Pearl of the Adriatic” nickname. Kayaking alongside the imposing city walls offered a unique perspective of this medieval wonder. Paddling in the shadow of the castle, with the limestone walls rising dramatically from the sea, felt like being in a scene from a fantasy film. We then spent the remainder of an all too short port stay eating inside the old city walls and buying souvenirs.
Our all too brief stop in Corfu (ship arrived at 9am and was leaving at 2pm) offered a nice beach break and a taste of Greek island life. Then came Santorini, there were delays in getting ashore because of capacity issues at the port and high winds making tendering difficult , we almost resigned that we wouldn’t be able to go ashore.. but luckily we made it , but only had a few hours to explore the island.. once we got ashore we did a bit more hiking up the donkey manure decorated winding steps to Fira. The sunset view over the caldera in Fira were wonderful, with the white-washed buildings glowing in the golden hour light, was worth every step of the climb.
Our final Greek island stop was Mykonos, and it provided a different flavor of Greek island charm. Strolling through the narrow white-washed alleys of the old town, getting deliberately lost among the boutiques and cafes, watching the famous windmills stand guard over the Aegean – it was the Greece of postcards come to life.
Our journey concluded in Athens, where we spent our final day paying homage to the birthplace of democracy. Standing atop the Acropolis, looking out over the sprawling modern city below, it felt like the perfect bookend to our Mediterranean odyssey – a journey that had taken us through three millennia of history, from ancient empires to modern metropolises.
As our plane lifted off from Athens International Airport, I couldn’t help but reflect on how this cruise had offered the perfect sampling of the Mediterranean’s diverse flavors – from Italian elegance to Balkan beauty, and finally, Greek island magic. Each stop had its own story, its own charm, and its own special place in our memories.
