Athens to Fusina

A city of legend, civilisation and enduring culture, Athens is a majestic and magical urban sprawl. Extraordinary elegance and grace combine with grit and graft in Greece's capital, where highways encase ruins from antiquity, and gleaming museums and galleries stand beside concrete sprayed with edgy street art. These contrasts enhance and elevate the wonders of this 2,500-year-old city, however, which can count notable contributions to philosophy, drama and democracy, among its global legacy. Piraeus' giant port and naval base welcome you to the edge of the Athens' urban area. From there it's a simple jaunt to the centre. The majestic ancient citadel of the Acropolis dominates an elevated platform and is a constant presence as you explore the city. The wonderful remains of the columned temple of the Parthenon - which date back to the 5th century BC - stand here, representing the pinnacle of classical architecture. The nearby Acropolis Museum adds context to your visit and frames the broad views from its giant glass windows. Or rise up Mount Lycabettus, to be rewarded with perhaps Athens' best panorama of the Acropolis sitting high over the city on its grand stage. See the marble horseshoe of the Old Olympic Stadium, where the first modern Olympics were held in 1896, for more of the city's enduring legacy. Elsewhere, golden beaches and temples stretch out along the coastline, should you wish to explore a little further afield. Coffee is an art form to the Greeks, and it's an unwritten rule that coffee time must never be rushed. So prepare to settle down for a couple of hours and lose yourself in a good chat. Feeling hungry - try traditional souvlaki made with sauces handed from generation to generation.

Beautiful sea crisp white beaches and charming medieval villages add character and colour to this gorgeous Greek Island. Part of the Cyclades group of islands visit the capital Ermoupoli to discover a network of picturesque narrow streets and winding alleyways - dotted with fancy old Venetian mansions and elegant domed churches. The colourful town cascades down to an open waterfront of pine-trees and beautiful views. Head to the sparkling marbled central square overlooked by the Town Hall and surrounded by a celebrated collection of neoclassical buildings facing up across narrow streets. A town of peeking bell towers and cobalt-blue domed churches - stop by the Church of the Assumption which treasures an original El Greco wonder inside. Further up you'll find the small monastery-sprinkled medieval village of Ano Syros. Settled on a hill it offers a glorious view down over the port and white dwellings of Ermoupoli below. You can visit Capuchin Monastery which was built in the 16th century to help the underprivileged. Encounter the Vamvakaris Museum dedicated to Markos Vamvakaris a famous rebetiko musician born here in 1905. Of course Syros is also surrounded by plenty of blissful beaches if you'd rather hit the sands. Finikas beach is nearby and a long luxurious stretch complete with sunbeds and umbrellas. Perfect for catching some sun and shade and watching the blue seawater twinkling.

The seahorse-shaped Patmos is a Greek island of stunning seascapes and immense cultural significance.Whether you’re religious or not there is something of the divine in this gorgeous island - a place of sanctuary fringed by crystal-clear waters and blissful beaches. Sleepy whitewash towns gleam in the strong sunshine while cats slink between the crumbling walls of this ruggedly beautiful island. High on the hillside above the cobalt-blue bay you’ll find the sacred chapel where an exiled John of Patmos is said to have entered the Cave of the Apocalypse and prophesied of the end of the world’s fire and brimstone – a striking juxtaposition with the peaceful serenity of the calm location. Higher up you’ll find the 11th-century Monastery of St. John which offers spectacular views of the island’s mounds curving around like a scorpion’s tail. It stands watching over the island like a fortified crown. Sun-wrinkled black-robed monks climb the streets up to this World Heritage site where bells peel out melodically. Inside vaulted chambers and stunning frescoes tell stories amid the striking religious iconography. Chora’s incredible narrow streets - moulded white - are an enchanting place to lose your bearings spreading below the monastery. Elsewhere blissful beaches stretch out across the coastline or this remote Greek island’s curves can be admired while bobbing offshore in a sailboat.

Breathlessly romantic, and incredibly scenic, the azure domes and whitewash buildings that cascade down Santorini's slopes are prime honeymoon material - and relentlessly romantic. A true gem of the Cycladic island group, Santorini is startlingly pretty, and its white windmills and dazzling villages are incredibly easy on the eye. Envy-inducing and evocatively beautiful, Santorini's sunsets are legendary, and the island is a highlight of any voyage to the Greek islands. Look out over the endless expanse of blue waves, filling the massive volcanic caldera of Santorini – and absorb one of the most spectacular views in the world. The sheer rock shoulders of the caldera create an immense, natural amphitheatre - so enjoy the show, as you sip a local, volcanic-mineral enhanced white wine, and fall in love all over again. Any meal is well rounded off with the famous wine, Vinsanto. The east side of the island may lack the incredible panoramas, but it's ideal if all you want to do is recline on volcanic-sand beaches - which range in hues from charcoal-black to flame-red. This beautiful island was forged by powerful volcanic activity, and you can learn more about the huge eruption of 1,600 BCE - which wiped out the Minoan city at Akrotiri. The eruption sank the centre of the island, forming the moon-shaped topography we see now. Visit the archaeological site that has revealed and preserved the village, which was lost to time below the pumice and ash. Some whisper that this destroyed town may even be the fabled Atlantis.

Set on the east of the Greek island Crete Aghios Nikolaos is a place of legend and luxury. Pastel-coloured houses jostle attractively around the pretty harbour and inky lake while busy restaurants and cafes spill out onto its lively waterfront. Life here orbits around Lake Voulismeni and the legendary lake is said to be bottomless and to have been a bathing spot for Greek goddesses Athena and Artemis. Enjoy heavenly views of the water through frames of pretty violet flowers or climb the stone steps for a sweeping panorama of the town lake and seas beyond. With abundant waterfront hours meander past effortlessly in the town’s humming cafes as characters come and go and sunlight flicks off the sparkling waves. Aghios Nikolaos is surrounded by wide scenic beaches and you can choose between Voulisma - where crystal-clear water lolls against fine sand or Almyros – where a refreshing ribbon of cooling freshwater snakes out into warm turquoise seawater. Away from the beaches look for the brightly-frescoed Panagias Keras Church - one of the region’s oldest Byzantine churches - which dates back to the 13th century. Explore local farms to taste fresh oil crushed from plump olives ripened by the generous Cretan sun.

One of the most beautiful parts of this region of the Peloponnese is the plain of Laconia which extends from Sparta to the port of Gytheion. The many neo-classical houses of this harbor town are built on the slopes of Mount Kourmaros. Aside from its remaining ancient theater and cultural museum, visitors can enjoy local beaches and a variety of dining opportunities. The inhabitants of Gytheion claim Hercules and Apollo as its founders. According to mythology, Paris and Helen of Troy were reputed to have spent their first night together on nearby ancient Kranae, now called Marathonissi. Enlarging the natural harbor, it was used by the Spartans as their naval base and the main port of trade. Today Gytheion is visited mostly for its scenic beauty and access to numerous historical sites. These include the cliffside city of Mistra, one of the finest surviving examples of Byzantine architecture in Greece, and ancient Sparta. Pier Information While in Gytheion, the ship will be at anchor. Guests will be taken ashore via ship’s tender. It is a short walk to the center of town from the pier. Shopping If antiques are your thing, check out Paliatzoures Antique Shop located along the waterfront next to the Hotel Pantheon. If you plan to explore the Mani architecture, you may want to purchase the book 'Deep into Mani' by Edward Eliopoulos (Faber) or others available at the Ladopulou Bookshop in Gytheion. Cuisine Try the best of Gytheion’s seafood at the Sea Tide Restaurant, open from noon until midnight. For more casual fare, try the Touristico Cafeteria. On Tuesdays and Fridays, there is an excellent fruit and produce market located between Herakles and Archaia Theatrou Streets. Other Sites Roman Theater Explore the town’s well-preserved ancient Roman Theater. Its acoustics rate among the finest in all of Greece. Byzantine Church Ruins from a small Byzantine church that was built into the side walls of the theater can also be seen. Town Hall Another monument you can view is the Town Hall, constructed by the German architect, Tsiller. Ethnological Museum The city’s Ethnological Museum displays cultural items discovered in the area. Marathonisi Island Notice that the tiny island of Marathonisi is now permanently connected to the mainland by a concrete causeway. It was on this island that King Paris and Queen Helen once consummated their love. Beaches The best beaches in the area are Mavrovouni and Selinitsa. Kranai Island also offers an excellent beach plus an interesting Ethnological Museum. PRIVATE ARRANGEMENTS For those guests who are interested in touring at your leisure, we are pleased to offer Silver Shore Privato - both half-day and full-day private arrangements by private car. You may book this in advance at Silversea.com or it may be purchased on board, subject to availability. Other private arrangements for independent sightseeing may be arranged by emailing Concierge@silversea.com. Port Photo: Don Pugh/Flickr

Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax unwind and catch up with what you’ve been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale watching, catching up on your reading or simply topping up your tan these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring shore side.

Bathing in the Dalmatian Coast’s generous sunshine and overlooking sparkling island-studded waters Split is a city of romantic beauty built around an extraordinary - still beating - historical heart. The setting may be spectacular but it’s the Diocletian’s Palace - a Roman remain of incredible scale and detail that is truly bewitching. With a natural backdrop of dramatic limestone mountains and Croatia’s trademark scenic wonders all around Split is a true heavyweight of the Adriatic. To enter Split’s Diocletian’s Palace is to step into a beautiful time warp. Head first to the Cathedral of Saint Domnius where a hollow bell tower rockets up puncturing the sky. The perfume of lavender hangs heavy wherever you walk in the old town where tucked shops offer artisan chocolates dried figs and freshly-ground coffees. The expansive seafront promenade is all palm trees buzzing bars and eateries and further out you’ll find the peace of Marion Hill - where you can climb to some of the best views in town. Or take the far less exerting wander to Sustipan cemetery’s breathtaking panorama of sea city and distant islands. Trips to island paradises like Hvar and Brac are tempting as are longer excursions to sites like Krka National Park’s Waterfalls - where wide terraces of frothing water thunder into cooling swimmable splash pools below. Nearby Trogir is another UNESCO World Heritage Site offering a cosier no less charming old town and historic port.

One of the most popular of the island escapes sprinkled across the turquoise Adriatic, Hvar is a glorious idyll of hidden coves, electric blue waters and quietly contented port towns. In recent years, it’s gathered something of a reputation as a party island - mainly earned from Hvar Town’s nocturnal exuberances, and the transient day-tripping yachts that drop by. Soak up the energy, exuberance and fine dining, or sidestep the hedonism to explore a richly refined, rural and historic island – utterly spoiled with sunshine, and hidden beaches, which dazzle with colourful intensity. Bike rides along long sweeping coastal paths, boat journeys from pretty harbours, walks through fields of purple lavender - it’s all waiting for you on heavenly Hvar. Relish the sunshine and explore deserted, idyllic inlets, before sharing strong espressos in quiet harbour towns, surrounded by welcoming, sun-wrinkled locals. There’s also rich Medieval history – the sleepy town of Stari Grad is said to be Croatia’s oldest, dating back to 384 BC. Elsewhere, Jelsa is a postcard perfect place – settle in for a bite to eat, with nothing but the sound of harbour waters lapping and sandpaper scraping boats hulls for company. You can walk to look out over glorious views across to Brac, sometimes watching on as thunderstorms rage and flash, an eternity away over the mainland’s crumpled mountains. You’re also just a short ferry ride from the incredible Golden Horn - an evocative spike of brilliant sand which juts out evocatively into the cobalt-blue sea.

Zadar: a city like a history book In turn Roman, Byzantine, Venetian, Austro-Hungarian, Yugoslav and then Croatian, Zadar is an ancient settlement dating back to prehistoric times. Architectural evidence of its history is scattered throughout the streets and maze of alleyways of its historic centre. A must-see for those wishing to discover all the charms of one of the jewels of the Adriatic. At the heart of the city are the Roman remains of Zadar. This huge forum, built between the 1st century BC and the 3rd century, is the heart of the city. Its ruins - carved stones and columns, including the Column of Shame and its chains - still whisper the memory of a time when Zadar was one of the great naval centres of the Adriatic. It was a time when the Romans gave the city its forum and temples, and equipped it with thermal baths and its first sewers, thanks to a feat of Roman engineering: the construction of an aqueduct over 40 kilometres long linking the city to the waters of Lake Vransko. A stone's throw from the ruins of the forum, the church of St Donatus has stood since the 9th century, with its unique and remarkable architectural design. The church, now a concert hall after having been a warehouse and then an archaeological museum, is a circular structure made up of three concentric rings of columns, with 12 columns for the outermost ones, 16 for those in the middle and 20 for the central circle. The result is a fascinating visual effect, particularly for a building over a thousand years old. St Donatus, which has not heard a mass for 200 years, is open to visitors and has preserved some of its relics as well as its pulpit and baptismal font. From its forecourt, you can hear the strange sounds of one of Zadar's other attractions: the Sea Organ, just a few hundred metres away. The only one of its kind in the world, this organ consists of a system of bellows inserted into steps that sink into the waters of the Adriatic. The result is a symphony of sounds created by the waves and air currents. Also worth seeing - Sainte-Anastasie Cathedral and its bell tower Dating from the 12th and 13th centuries, the cathedral was badly hit by bombing during the Second World War. Now fully restored, it boasts a wealth of architectural treasures, including its façade, 3 naves, sculptures and relics. You can climb to the top of its bell tower for a panoramic view of the town. - Church of Saint-Siméon A Baroque church dating back to the 5th century, its bell tower was added in the 17th century. The ochre-coloured monument contains a priceless piece: the sarcophagus covered with gold-plated silver reliefs housing the relics of Saint Simeon. - The Place des Cinq-Puits Built in 1574, the Place des Cinq-Puits takes its name... from the 5 wells located there. For many years, they were the water supply for the inhabitants of Zadar. Just behind it, Queen Jelena Madijevka's garden is the ideal place for a break, with its shady paths, café and peaceful atmosphere. - Port of Foša and Gateway to Terra Firma From the garden, you can see the authentic little port of Foša. Right next door, the Porte de la Terre Ferme (Farmland Gate) has stood since 1543. Long the town's main gateway, it was once equipped with a drawbridge. [Pictures in : Zadar>Tour>Zadar, Nin Slat Works & Royal Vineyards (ZAD-G) starting picture #5 and Zadar>Tour>Dalmatian Panoramas and Rural Estate (ZAD-H) starting picture #5]

With the River Rječina gushing through its heart and a proud history on the waves Rijeka is known as the city that flows. Whether you want to explore the flavours of Istria hop between the Adriatic’s scattered islands or discover immense landscapes like Croatia’s mountain gorges and Slovenia’s Postojna Caves - Rijeka is the perfect starting point. Korzo is the city’s heart and soul - a long pedestrian stretch that chatters with cafes shops and restaurants. Well-preserved old facades add atmosphere while locals gather below the City Clock to meet friends. The lemon-yellow baroque tower is an icon of the city peeking up over Kvarner Bay. After wandering that walkway head for Trsat – an atmospheric old town of cobbled streets. A staircase leads up to Trsat Castle which caps the city and watches over the former border between Yugoslavia and Italy 138 meters above sea level. Modelled on Venice’s Santa Maria della Salute the modest St. Vitus’ Cathedral is an unusual round place of worship built in 1638. Enter to bathe in the glorious light that spills in through its stain glass windows. Enjoy a well-deserved drink in the cafe at the top while watching the sun setting down over Kvarner Bay. Or loiter until later when open-air concerts fill the air with music. Beaches spread out close to Rijeka while museums reveal secrets of the maritime past and natural history. Taste the region’s flavours with a feast of seafood and dishes like cuttlefish risotto tuna tartare and grilled squid.

With a sweeping old town of Venetian architecture sing-song Italian emanating from its cafes and even a fountain that honours the Rialto Bridge - you could be forgiven for thinking that you’d stepped off the boat into the Floating City itself while exploring Koper. Formerly an island Koper was linked artificially to the Slovenian mainland in 1825. It now serves as the only major port of Slovenia and basks in the sun of the Istrian coast which offers an alluring blend of the best of Croatian Slovenian and Italian. The nation’s capital Ljubljana also lies within easy reach. A working city with plenty of charm below its sea of terracotta roofs the picturesque Tito square lies at Koper’s heart. The Cathedral of Assumption rises above the square and towers over the narrow streets nearby. Take a deep breath and climb the 200 steps for a stunning panorama of the city. Or simply soak up the atmosphere with a wander through Čevljarska Ulica – a set of cobbled streets adorned with artisan shops small bars and restaurants. Soak up the sights of Koper the country’s oldest town or make for the Slovenian capital Ljubljana - to discover a lively city of green parks leafy open spaces and pedestrianised boulevards. The pretty Ljubljana River stretches through the city’s heart providing casual strolls and charming bike rides. Nearby encounter a scene from a fairy-tale as you see the breathlessly picturesque Bled Castle emerging from a tiny island in the centre of a cloudy-blue alpine lake.

Losing none of its allure over the years, this floating city of canals, bridges and masks is a place of eternal beauty and enduring elegance. The lagoon of more than 100 islands is a heavenly sight, transporting visitors on a journey through time - from its Roman inception, through centuries of trade to the modern face we see today. Navigate Venice’s sparkling waterways by romantic gondola, or on cruises along wide canal boulevards. Span the Grand Canal over its iconic original crossing, the Rialto Bridge, which - with its parade of tiny shops - gives some of the city’s most endearing views. If the crowds unsettle you at any point, take two turns away from the main thoroughfares to find peace alone, amid the city's labyrinth of tiny streets. Hurry to Piazza San Marco to be immersed in Venice’s elegant glory. Basilica San Marco transports you back to the wealthy days of the Doges, who ruled for over 1,000 years. Initially their private chapel, it’s now decorated with beautiful Byzantine mosaics. Nearby the Campanile di San Marco bell tower offers views over the higgledy-piggledy rooftops of times gone by. Just a hop skip and a jump around the corner is the Doge’s Palace, where the levels of opulence ramp up even further. Justice was meted out in this stunning Palace, with the guilty walking to the cells across the covered Bridge of Sighs. Vaporetto trips to local islands offer even more adventures to float your boat, whether it’s Murano with its world-famous glass, Torcello with its amazing Cathedrals, or Burano with its handmade lace and delightfully colourful painted houses.