Mediterranean from Trieste

On the border between Italy and Istria, Trieste awaits you with that “surly grace” as sung by Umberto Saba: a mysterious charm of sullen beauty and Central European allure. At the foot of the karst plateau, where the two peninsulas span the Adriatic, outlining a vast secluded Gulf, Trieste is a natural port and one of the most important in the Mediterranean. Its particular geographical position, which made it the setting for some major historical events, is today a tourist destination of endless fascination. Among the splendours of the landscape and traces of an imperial past, the visit to Trieste is a tour of historical and architectural wonders. A short way from the port, after passing the Grand Canal built by Trieste’s Venetian neighbours, Piazza Unità d’Italia invites you to admire the ancient Habsburg heart of the city and enjoy a glass of Prosecco. And if you love hiking and photography, a walk on the Rilke path overlooking the sea and the “Napoleonic road” with a view of the Gulf from the edge of the karst plateau is a real treat.

Visiting Bari during a cruise holiday means exploring the old town for a journey through time. Bari is the wonderful capital of Puglia and is built around the port, and the Borgo Antico is its mediaeval district characterised by narrow and winding streets. It is definitely one of the most beautiful cities in the Mediterranean. During the stopover in Bari visit the historic city rich in history, one of the most beautiful in Italy, and its surroundings, especially Matera, designated by UNESCO as the 2019 European Capital of Culture. “Bari Vecchia” is the old part of the city that, with its partly Norman and partly Swabian fortress, the Romanesque Basilica of Saint Nicholas built on the ruins of the Byzantine Palace, the 12th century cathedral of San Sabino and a dozen little churches of the same period, still bears the traces of conquerors who succeeded over the centuries.

Treat yourself to a trip to Corfu and you will experience the unforgettable thrill of cruising to one of Greece’s most beautiful islands. The city of Corfu owes much of its charm to the wonderful old town, an ancient district made of narrow, cobbled alleys, with cafés and artisan shops. A labyrinth to lose yourself in and where every sight will be an indelible memory of your cruise to Corfu. In the old city, studded with Venetian architectural influences but best represented in the Campiello district, don’t miss a shore excursion to the 16th century fortress that stands on a spur of rock overlooking the sea. At the foot of the old town is the beautiful Spianada, once a Venetian parade ground, now a green city square overlooking the Museum of Asian Art. During a Mediterranean cruise you will arrive at the port of Corfu, Neo Limani, which is a few minutes’ walk from the city centre, and therefore a quick hop from the quay. Entrance to the town lies at the foot of the New Fortress. At this point, stopping at Corfu lets you roam the narrow streets lined with tourist shops. Complete your tour of the island with total immersion in the lush greenery: olive trees, orange trees, cypresses as well as cultural events in the heart of the walled city are the norm!

Stroll among the evocative roads of Ortigia, and then immerse yourself into the magic of the ancient Greek theatre: it will be an unforgettable journey through history. Stroll among the evocative roads of Ortigia, and then immerse yourself into the magic of the ancient Greek theatre: it will be an unforgettable journey through history.

The Mediterranean island of Malta, situated between the North African coast and Sicily, is a land of history and mystique. The ancient Greeks claimed the island had divine origins and was the province of the Calypso nymph who lived on nearby Gozo. In Homer’s Odyssey, Ulysses landed on the island during his epic journey to Ithaca. In the Middle Ages, the Crusaders partially fortified the island during their expeditions to the Holy Land, giving rise to the powerful Maltese Knights of St John.

The antiquity of Split harbour, located in Croatia, is testified by the presence of a palace built by Emperor Diocletian 295 BC. Split harbour is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful, but also one of the oldest in the Adriatic: it is over 1,700 years old, and is surrounded by an extraordinary historical heritage. You can easily reach the nearby islands from here. With its 16 towers and three temples, the Palace of Diocletian, built in around 295 BC, still enjoys an extraordinary state of preservation that makes this an unmissable stage during our stop-off.

On the border between Italy and Istria, Trieste awaits you with that “surly grace” as sung by Umberto Saba: a mysterious charm of sullen beauty and Central European allure. At the foot of the karst plateau, where the two peninsulas span the Adriatic, outlining a vast secluded Gulf, Trieste is a natural port and one of the most important in the Mediterranean. Its particular geographical position, which made it the setting for some major historical events, is today a tourist destination of endless fascination. Among the splendours of the landscape and traces of an imperial past, the visit to Trieste is a tour of historical and architectural wonders. A short way from the port, after passing the Grand Canal built by Trieste’s Venetian neighbours, Piazza Unità d’Italia invites you to admire the ancient Habsburg heart of the city and enjoy a glass of Prosecco. And if you love hiking and photography, a walk on the Rilke path overlooking the sea and the “Napoleonic road” with a view of the Gulf from the edge of the karst plateau is a real treat.