Savona, Civitavecchia (Rome), Naples, Palermo, La Valletta, Heraklion/Crete, Piraeus/Athens, Istanbul, Izmir, Volos, Santorini, Nauplia

Savona is a seaport in the northern Italian region of Liguria, on the Mediterranean Sea. Savona is the home port of Costa Cruises for the cruises to East and West Mediterranean, the Canary Islands etc. It has a large, modern cruise terminal, the Palacroisière, which provides all the facilities for its passengers. Large cruise ships dock next to the marina, which is located in the historic center of the city. Most sights are within walking distance of your cruise ship, through a pedestrian bridge near the marina. One of the most important inhabitants of Savona was the navigator Christopher Columbus, whose house, a cottage, is situated in the Savona hills. Highlights are the Cattedrale di Santa Maria (17th c.), located in the heart of the old town, the Priamar palace (16th c.), a reinforced fort just outside the port, the symbol of the town Brandale tower (12th c.), and the main tower (Tower Quarda) of the city Leon Pancaldo tower (14th c.) at the entrance of the old harbor. On the old markets, you will find souvenirs and local products. 

Our gateway to the Eternal City, Civitavecchia has served as Rome's seaport since the 13th century, boasting a long and venerable history. Its location near the modern city, made it a perfect vacation resort for emperor Trajan, who built a pleasure villa. while Bernini and Michelangelo designed the harbor fortifications. Yet the Eternal City, the ancient capital of the Western World and the center of Christianity for nearly 2.000 years, is our main reason to be here. YYou can visit the ruins of the Forum and the Colosseum, throw a coin in Fontana di Trevi to make sure you return to Rome one day, take a photo in front of the Vatican, view the splendors of the Sistine Chapel or climb the Spanish Steps, once the heart of Rome's Bohemian Quarter and enjoy a delicious gelato, in the glamorous area.

Naples is the third-largest municipality in Italy, after Rome and Milan and one of the chief commercial cities of Europe. The city center has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the surrounding areas are dotted with cultural and historical treasures, with most notable, the restored ruins of Pompeii. Naples itself is mere enduring greatness. Highlights include Castel dell' Ovo, Castelnuovo, Castel Sant'Elmo, a medieval fortress located on a hilltop and national museums dedicated to art and archaeology. There is also a docile bay; the peaceful cypress-tufted islands of Ischia, Procida and Capri and over the city, Mount Vesuvius, volcano and national park. Take the opportunity to see the only active volcano on the European mainland, which blew in A.D. 79 and buried the city of Pompeii, or visit the magnificent Amalfi and Sorrento coasts.

Palermo, capital of Sicily, is situated right by the Gulf of Palermo in the Tyrrhenian Sea. Traces of Roman, Arab and Norman influences mix here, in a city that is over 2.700 years old. The highlights of Palermo, which is noted for its history, culture, architecture and gastronomy, are Palazzo dei Normanni, one of the most beautiful Italian palaces and a notable example of Norman architecture with its golden Byzantine mosaics, the Cathedral with the heliometer (solar "observatory") of 1690, Santa Maria dell'Ammiraglio (St Mary of the Admiral), San Giovanni degli Eremiti (12th century), Palazzo Abatellis with the Regional Gallery, the Regional
Archeological Museum Antonio Salinas, the neoclassic Teatro Massimo ("Greatest Theatre",1897) and many
small piazzas that depict the city's historic past.

Valletta, The Fortress City, Citta' Umilissima, "a city built by gentlemen for gentlemen" is Malta's capital city: a living, working city, the administrative and commercial heart of the Islands. The city is busy by day, yet retains a timeless atmosphere. The grid of narrow streets boasts some of Europe's finest art works, churches and palaces, among which St. John's Co-Cathedral, with its elaborate inlaid marble tombstones and Caravaggios and the Grand Master's Palace. Enjoy visiting the famous Three Cities across the Grand Harbour and if you have time, Sliema/ St. Julian's/ Paceville area, renowned for its cosmopolitan feel and lively nightlife.

Ηere in the island’s capital and largest city, you can wander among the squares and fountains or gaze out over the azure blue waters of the Cretan Sea, as you enjoy fresh seafood in a local taverna on the promenade. Don't miss the Palace of Knossos, the largest of the preserved Minoan palatial centres, situated not more than 5 kms from Heraklion. It is the most visited archaeological site in Crete. The palace was the seat of the legendary King Minos and has been associated with famous Greek myths, like that of Daedalus and Icarus, the Labyrinth and the Minotaur. The incredible complex houses a warren of rooms decorated with columns and frescoes

Piraeus port is the gateway to Athens center. Don't miss the Parthenon, the temple to Athena which looms over Athens from its perch atop the Acropolis, an eternal icon of art and civilization. Completed in 438 B.C., the temple still astounds as the flowering of Greek art and architecture. When you come down off the hill, don't miss a visit to the Ancient Agora, Syntagma Square, the Acropolis Museum and the city's historic centre, around Plaka. Ideally, sit and relax at a cafe on the foot of the hill, sample some Greek souvlaki or a frappe, take a glance back up the hill from time to time and give the goddess her due.

A cruise to Istanbul (nee Constantinople nee Byzantium) takes you to the world's only two-continent metropolis, steeped with nearly 10 millennia of history. We will cross Galata Bridge to the old city, go past the Süleymaniye Mosque, whose 174-foot dome was once the highest in the Ottoman Empire, pass from the ancient city walls, built by Constantine, and beneath the epic Roman aqueduct. Don't miss the visit to the Blue Mosque, Süleymaniye Mosque, Agia Sophia, the Ecumenical Patriarchate and enjoy the views to Bosphorus and Galata Tower. The aromas and scents of curry, saffron, and myrrh fill the air. A unique city of unparalleled beauty that will enchant you.

Izmir, rightfully called "the pearl of the West", is Turkey's third largest city and one of the most important port cities, lying at the tip of a long and narrow gulf. Also known as Old Izmir, Smyrna was established around 3000 BC and flourished into a great center of civilization over time, til 1922 when it was completely destoyed by a fire. Check out the clock tower at Konak Square, Izmir's landmark today, the historical Kemeralti neighborhood, the ancient Agora, built in the 4th century BC, Hisar Mosque and Alsancak District with its many museums and end you tour with a nice walk along the waterfront. For a truly astonishing view, take a horse drawn carriage for a ride along Izmir’s broad, palm-lined promenade or ascend the 19th-century elevator at Halil Rifat Pasa district, 51 meters above the city, at Asansor district.

Volos is a modern and lively port city, located at the innermost point of the Pagasetic Gulf and at the foot of Mount Pelion and is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Greece. Visitors can enjoy the waterfront cafes, bakeries and shops, explore the charming Pelion villages perched on the nearby mountains, visit the impressive Volos Archaeological Museum and Municipal Gallery, and last but not least, spend the day on golden beaches in the wider area of Volos are among the best-loved in Greece (Agios Dimitrios, Anchialos, Alykes, Pigadia, and many others).

Santorini is essentially what remains of an enormous volcanic explosion dated back 3,600 years (between 1627- 1600 BC) and which created the current geological caldera: a giant central lagoon, more or less rectangular, measuring about 12 by 7 km. The effect is still explosive: 300-m-high steep cliffs on three sides rise from sea level, cubic white houses surrounded by pink bougainvilleas glow in the Aegean sun. The wild beauty, the fascinating Caldera, the gold sunset, of the Number 1 destination in Greece will steal your heart away! 

Piraeus port is the gateway to Athens center. Don't miss the Parthenon, the temple to Athena which looms over Athens from its perch atop the Acropolis, an eternal icon of art and civilization. Completed in 438 B.C., the temple still astounds as the flowering of Greek art and architecture. When you come down off the hill, don't miss a visit to the Ancient Agora, Syntagma Square, the Acropolis Museum and the city's historic centre, around Plaka. Ideally, sit and relax at a cafe on the foot of the hill, sample some Greek souvlaki or a frappe, take a glance back up the hill from time to time and give the goddess her due.