Venice, the Adriatic & Greece

Day 1, Venice (Chioggia), Italy

Embark your ship and settle into your stateroom. Chioggia is a charming fishing community located at the southern end of the Venetian Lagoon and steeped in age-old seafaring traditions. Its combination of canals, bridges and fishing boats have lent it the nickname “Little Venice.” Lined with shops, bars and restaurants, the main pedestrian street of Corso del Popolo exudes a lively atmosphere amid the aroma of delicious fresh seafood dishes. Chioggia shares a long history of cultural and economic ties with Venice, dating back to the Middle Ages, and is a scenic journey by water taxi from the capital of the Veneto region.

Day 2, Venice (Chioggia), Italy

The Venetian Republic ruled Adriatic waves for a millennium. During the 8th century as the Roman Empire began to decline, many Europeans fled to Venice and its neighboring towns, including Chioggia. Merchants put their skills to use, and the city-state was soon thriving. The Venetian Lagoon’s canal banks feature buildings influenced by Byzantine and Islamic architecture, reflecting Venice’s powerful trading network. The first vaporetto traversed the Grand Canal in 1881; alongside the gondolas, these iconic Venetian water buses are at the heart of Venice’s transport network.

Day 3, Split, Croatia

Built around the Roman Palace of Emperor Diocletian, Split is one of Croatia’s oldest cities. Its promenade commands majestic views over a bay and the Adriatic Sea. Despite evidence of Split’s origins in the 6th century BC, the city is traditionally considered over 1,700 years old—counting from the construction of the palace. Its well-preserved remains have been seamlessly assimilated into the modern city. An Ethnographic Museum is found at the palace’s heart and shops line the passageways of its ancient basement. Diocletian’s ancient mausoleum is now a stunning cathedral.

Day 4, Dubrovnik, Croatia

Dubrovnik is a historic jewel, with its spectacular Adriatic setting, 12th-century medieval streets and incredibly preserved structures. So stunning is its Old Town, the playwright George Bernard Shaw famously called it “paradise on Earth.” It is all spectacularly surrounded by a towering medieval wall. Inside, the ancient city’s Stradun is lined with authentic stone houses. The peaceful 14th-century Franciscan Monastery and Apothecary, housing the world’s oldest working pharmacy and fine collection of Renaissance paintings, provide insight into the ages.

Day 5, Kotor, Montenegro

Kotor is Montenegro's picturesque capital set amid glorious mountains and dramatic scenery. Towering cliffs soar above the narrow Kotor ria—a submerged river canyon often called Europe’s southernmost fjord. Kotor is also home to one of the Adriatic’s best-preserved medieval Old Towns. The charms of this red-roofed city are endless, from the mismatched towers of its Romanesque cathedral to its narrow streets. Its stunning Venetian walls were built in 1420, remnants from Kotor’s nearly 300 years as a province of the Venetian Republic.

Day 6, Corfu (Kérkyra), Greece

Corfu has a rich history shaped by conquerors and by royalty seeking tranquility. Corfu’s Old Town and Fortress—fashioned by the once powerful Venetian Republic—comprise a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its narrow warrens lead to one of Europe’s largest public squares and a lovely promenade once exclusively reserved for the local aristocracy. Everywhere, magnificent coastal views unfold and scenic byways lead to history-rich enclaves, from the archaeological site of Paleopolis and the stunning Vlacherna Monastery to a former Greek royal villa.

Day 7, Olympia, Greece

Katakolon is huddled around a pretty little harbor dotted with colorful fishing boats. Nearby, the fertile valleys of the western Peloponnese are a bounty of olive groves, vineyards and orchards, and lead to the legendary city of Olympia. The well-kept ruins here transport visitors back to the days of the earliest athletes who competed for nothing less than the favor of the gods. The remains evoke the glory of the Games, and the Olympia Archaeological Museum features statues that once overlooked the site.

Day 8, Athens (Piraeus), Greece

Bid farewell to your fellow guests and journey home. Or spend more time exploring, perhaps joining one of our extensions.

One complimentary shore excursion in every port of call with optional activities for an additional cost.

Scenic Choggia by Foot or St. Mark's Square

Walking tour: Split, Dubrovnik, Kotor

Panoramic Corfu & Old Town

Ancient Olympia

Ultimate Italy: Lake Como & Verona

From $2,499 per person – 3 nights

Explore the villa-lined shores of Lake Como and the romantic city of Verona. The distinct cuisine of northern Italy flavors your experience throughout, during an exclusive cooking class and at restaurants brimming with local character, while historic accommodations enhance your stay.

Day 1 – Como

Arrive in Milan and transfer to beautiful Lake Como, where you will check in to your hotel for a two-night stay. Located in the picturesque Lombardy region, Como paints a stunning canvas anchored by its shimmering namesake lake encircled by soaring alpine peaks and elegant villas. Your Viking Tour Director is available to help you plan your time at Lake Como so you can make the most of your visit. (D)

Day 2 – Como

Board your private boat for a scenic cruise on Lake Como, long a draw for poets, artists and actors; George Clooney keeps a summer residence on its shores. Pass historic Villa Carlotta, renowned for its botanical gardens, and stop for free time in Bellagio, the “Pearl of Lake Como.” Return to Como for lunch on your own and free time to shop. Later, admire the Gothic Como Cathedral during a guided walk. This evening, take a cooking class, then enjoy the delicious dishes you have prepared. (B, D)

Day 3 – Verona

Travel to romantic Verona, the famed setting of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Savor traditional Veronese recipes at lunch. During a guided walk of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, you will see the balcony of Juliet’s House, the legendary home of the Capulets. View the Verona Arena, an ancient Roman amphitheater. Stroll through Piazza delle Erbe and the open air Piazza dei Signori, then contemplate the monumental Scaliger Tombs. This evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. (B, L, D)

Day 4 – Venice

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and travel to the 16th-century Villa Giusti outside of Verona, temporary residence of King Victor Emmanuel III during World War I. Its lush palace gardens are considered one of the finest examples from the Italian Renaissance. Stroll among the age-old trees, gargoyles, fountains and echoing grottoes of this tranquil setting. After, you will depart for Venice and your awaiting ship. (B)

Included:

2 hotel nights at Lake Como; 1 hotel night in Verona (as shown or similar)

7 meals: 3 breakfasts (B), 1 lunch (L) & 3 dinners (D)

3 guided tours: Lake Como Boat Cruise; Como Walking Tour; Verona Walking Tour

All transfers

Classic Greece

From $1,299 per person – 4 nights

Discover Greece’s most spectacular sights on the Peloponnese peninsula, with Athens as your base. Explore the remarkably preserved cities of Mycenae and Epidaurus. Visit Delphi, home of the oracle consulted by the leaders of ancient Greece, and marvel at the iconic sites of an ancient capital.

Day 1 – Athens

Discover Athens’s main sights with your Viking Tour Director. Head to the Acropolis to view the Parthenon, one of the largest structures built in ancient Greece. Admire its stately Doric columns and majestic setting before continuing to the new Acropolis Museum, a repository of priceless artifacts. Enjoy a leisurely lunch on your own and a stroll around the Plaka District, a bustling area around the ruins of the city’s ancient marketplace. Then, transfer to your hotel for your four-night stay.

Day 2 – Mycenae & Epidaurus

Set out today to discover the Peloponnese peninsula, home of some of Greece’s most breathtaking ruins. At Mycenae, a millennia-old military stronghold, pass through the Lion Gate to begin exploring this amazing site, including the foundations of King Agamemnon’s palace and the Tomb of Agamemnon. Lunch is included. In Epidaurus, marvel at the massive ancient amphitheater. Locals still stage shows here and take advantage of its exceptional acoustics. (B, L)

Day 3 – Delphi

Today, visit Delphi, where an ancient oracle once influenced the fate of emperors and empires. Here, you will discover one of the most important museums in Greece, the Archaeological Museum of Delphi. Surrounded by the splendid beauty of Mt. Parnassus, you will marvel at the Temple of Apollo, the circular Tholos and more. After time to explore this magnificent site, stop in the picturesque mountain town of Arachova for lunch, then return to your hotel and enjoy an evening at leisure. (B, L)

Day 4 – Athens

Enjoy a free day to explore Athens on your own. A simple stroll reveals a vast range of architectural styles, from Greco-Roman to neoclassical. Behind the Hellenic Parliament, you can idle away the afternoon in the National Garden—38 acres of lush beauty in the heart of the city. This evening, you may sample the flavors and rhythms of Greece during a dinner outing if you wish. (B)

Day 5 – Athens

On your final day, you will transfer by motor coach to the airport for your return flight home. (B)

Included:

4 hotel nights in Athens

6 meals: 4 breakfasts (B) and 2 lunches (L)

3 guided tours: Mycenae & Epidaurus; Delphi; Acropolis & Plaka District

All transfers