Map courtesy of Holland America Cruiseline
It sounds exhausting, doesn’t it?
Of course, you know I’m talking about hopping onboard a FABULOUS ship and let your captain take you to the ports of your dreams. That’s what Mr. S and I did recently as we lived our Mediterranean Dream on the Holland America Koningsdam. Traveling from Rome, through Croatia, Montenegro, and the Greek Isles, visiting four countries and EIGHT iconic European cities, all with only having to pack and unpack ONE TIME and to sleep in the same bed each night.
Cruising the way that I love
Over the years I’ve had a love/hate relationship with cruising. I LOVE them because I can get my husband to travel with me but I’ve not been in love with the typical gaudy decor and bland food served at room temperature disguised as “chic.” There have been a few cruise lines that have been the exception to the rule (you’ve read about them here on Champagne Living), but it’s been rare that I’ve been on one with ports of call on my bucket list, delicious food, understated elegant decor, and great entertainment, all rolled into one ship.
What you do OFF of the ship is KEY!
On a recent Mediterranean Cruise on the Holland America Koningsdam I realized just how important it was to make the most of each port visit. This time, unlike the dozens of visits I’ve made to the Caribbean, I’d be visiting EIGHT CITIES IN FOUR COUNTRIES. For my husband, this would be his first visit to Europe, and all eight were new to me as well. On past cruises, I’ve taken advantage of port days by staying on the ship and having it pretty much to myself, but this time I’d be in Italy, Croatia, Montenegro, and Greece, so I was making the MOST of each stop.
Holland America Mediterranean Excursions
The Holland America lines that allow you to cruise the Mediterranean will take you to eight cities in ten days. You will have a really nice time on the boat itself because it cruises in complete comfort. You will go to some of the best places in the world, and you will see sights that are untouched. You need to see the history of this region, and we have a plan that will take you on breathtaking excursions.
Photo: Alan Sandler
1. Rome
Rome is the capital and the basis for a whole empire. It is a very large city that still has many of the different monuments still standing. You can see the relics of history and all the elder buildings that have been there for thousands of years, and you can ride right up to the city and enjoy bring on the water. The excursion includes the Coliseum and other historical buildings that are still standing. You get to soak in Rome in one day with a tour guide who leads you on the fastest tour route with no frustration.
2. Naples
Photo: Alan Sandler
Naples is the fashion capital of the nation, and it is a place that people visit when they want to bathe in the clothes, the colors, and the styles. You are taken past the fashion houses, to the private shops, and through the arts district where you can see the theaters and boutiques that make Naples a fashion metropolis. There are many reasons to come to this city, but you have almost sailed around the boot of Italy where you will move on to Greece next. This makes it much more fun for you to sail because you can see the ocean vistas as we take you around to the Aegean and Adriatic.
3. Athens
Athens is the Greek capital, and it is a wonderful place to come where you can see all the historic buildings. We give you a tour guide who will show you all the oldest buildings highlight the Greek architecture you will see in other stops on the cruise, and allow you time to take pictures of things like the Acropolis which still stand to this day. The country itself is a host for all people who want to learn history, and the country will make people feel as though they have been dropped in another moment in time.
4. Corfu
Corfu is an island off the mainland of Greece that has one of the most popular cities to visit. The vacations that people take to this place will help them see the blue waters, and they will have many ways to enjoy the waters that are in this town. The location is beautiful, and it is a place that people will want to stop in for a day because the docks for this town are varied and diverse.
We can take you through the coastal village where you may eat lovely food, shops with locals, or hike to the island’s peak where you get a lovely view of the region.
5. Olympia
Olympia is right by Santorini, and it is a place where you can climb up to the top of the mountain or enjoy the village below. The village is a place where you can have a nice meal before moving on to Santorini where the sights are known all around the world. We have halved this tour because you can travel over down the coast on the same day before getting back on the ship.
Photo: Alan Sandler
6. Santorini
Santorini is one of the best-known places in the world because it is found in pictures that are very common. You can come to this place on the cruise ship so that you can see the hill with the little white domes, and there are many people who come here just for the sights. You can spend half the day in this city so that you can get the best pictures of your life. We have tour guides who will show you the sights you have seen online, and you will be led to local shops, to the picture spots that allow you to make memories, and to the restaurants that serve only authentic local food. For those interested in places like Santorini, exploring other destinations with similar allure can provide equally memorable experiences.
7. Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik is a place on the Croatian coast that has the old Greek buildings that were built thousands of years ago. The city is made in the Greek style, and it has remained largely untouched. You also need to be sure that you have stayed here for a whole day so that you can see the intersection between Greek culture and the Croatians who now run this land. Our tour guides can explain how the Greeks and Croatians built a city together that has stood for thousands of years. Tour inside old churches, meet people who run local markets and walk to the financial center where the modern shops allow you to find styles only available in Croatia. After exploring Dubrovnik, consider hiring a private driver from Dubrovnik to visit some incredible nearby destinations. Srđ Hill offers the most breathtaking panoramic views of the city, and just 30-40 kilometers away, you can continue your journey to Trebinje, a true hidden gem and one of the most charming towns in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
8. Kotor
Kotor is the end of your Holland America Cruise the Mediterranean journey, and you will be dropped into a very nice place that is a vacation destination for people who want to get away for the summer. Someone who wants to have a good time could rent a boat, or they could go into the city to have a bite to eat and shop.
The best thing that you can do is take this cruise with your family and friends so that you can see all ten of these amazing cities in seven days. We can send you on a lovely tour that will allow you to experience each location on this list. You could take side journeys that will lead you through specific buildings of interest, or you could take a hike up to a glorious peak that allows you to survey all the locations on your trip. We also provide you with lovely accommodations on the cruise ship that allow you to relax as you sail to each new destination or circle around Italy’s boot.
