Mediterranean: Santorini, Naples & Mykonos/Norwegian Dawn
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Norwegian Dawn

Mediterranean: Santorini, Naples & Mykonos - 9 night cruise



Cruise only from €1,192

Price based on lowest available cruise only fare for double occupancy. Subject to change at any time.


Description

Gratuities

Dates and Prices

Cabins

Norwegian Dawn offers the ultimate freedom and flexibility for your cruise holiday. Toss your timetable to the breeze on a cruise to the Bahamas and Caribbean. Explore castles, cathedrals, romantic islands, and sophisticated cities on Mediterranean and Europe cruises. Experience the journey of a lifetime on a Transatlantic sailing. Or experience unique and immersive itineraries on an Extraordinary Journey. Back on board, dine at Los Lobos Cantina, a sophisticated Mexican restaurant celebrating traditional flavours with a modern twist. Drop by The Cellars, a Michael Mondavi Family Wine Bar for a wine tasting. Or take Lady Luck for a spin in the expansive Dawn Club Casino. Offering a wide range of spacious accommodations, there are staterooms to fit every family size and budget. Let Norwegian Dawn whisk you away to some of the dreamiest destinations around the world.

Cruise ID: 25814

We are confident that you will enjoy your Freestyle Cruising experience and that our entire crew will provide you with the standard of service for which we are known. A discretionary service charge will be automatically added per guest per day (for guests three years and older) to your shipboard account for all staterooms: all ships US$ 16 per guest per day (for guests 3 years and older) for Studios, Inside, Oceanview and Balcony Staterooms. For Club Balcony Suites, the service charge will be US$ 18 per guest per day (for guests 3 years and older) and for Suites and The Haven Suites as well as the Concierge staterooms, the service charge will be US$ 20 per guest per day (for guests 3 years and older). This charge will be shared amongst those staff members, including the restaurant staff, stateroom stewards and other behind-the scenes staff who provide services that enhance your overall cruise experience.

These service charges can be paid in advance of your cruise. If you have any concerns about the service you receive during your cruise, please let our on-board Guest Services Desk staff know right away, so we can address any issues in a timely manner. In the unlikely event that we can't resolve your issue, you can have the service charge adjusted on board. Where your service charge has been pre-paid before departure, refunds are not available on board and you must apply for a refund, if applicable, after you return home by writing to our Guest Relations department.

Certain staff positions (e.g., concierge, butler, youth programme staff and beverage service) provide service on an individual basis to only some guests and do not benefit from the overall service charge. We encourage those guests to acknowledge good service from these staff members with appropriate gratuities.

Additionally, there is a 20% gratuity and spa service charge added for all spa and salon services, as well as a 20% gratuity and beverage service charge added for all beverage purchases and a 20% gratuity and speciality service charge added to all speciality restaurant dining and entertainment based dining e.g. Cirque Dreams® and Dinner (does not apply to Free at Sea dining and drinks packages).

Date Time Price * Booking
27 October 2024 20:00 €1,192 Call us to book

* Price based on lowest available cruise only fare for double occupancy. Subject to change at any time.

Cabins on Norwegian Dawn

Solo Inside
1

These staterooms include a queen-size bed and the same amenities as other inside staterooms. Staterooms are priced exclusively for solo travelers and include access to the private Studio Lounge.

Facilities

  • Queen or Twin Configuration
  • Shower
  • Room Service Available
  • TV
  • Safe
  • Hair Dryer
  • Desk

Sail Away Balcony
1-3

A Sailaway Balcony stateroom guarantees a Balcony stateroom or better! Please note that the view from your balcony may be fully obstructed or partially obstructed. Your stateroom may be on any deck and assigned up to one day prior to embarkation.

Facilities

  • Queen or Twin Configuration
  • Shower
  • TV
  • Safe
  • Hair Dryer
  • Telephone
  • Desk
  • Sofa Bed
  • Lounge Area
  • Toiletries Provided
  • Room Service Available
  • Wi-Fi (Additional Cost)

Sail Away Inside
2-4

A Sail Away Inside stateroom guarantees an Inside stateroom or better! Your stateroom may be on any deck and assigned between time of booking up to one day prior to embarkation.

Facilities

  • Queen or Twin Configuration
  • Shower
  • TV
  • Safe
  • Hair Dryer
  • Telephone
  • Desk
  • Pullman Bed x2
  • Toiletries Provided
  • Room Service Available
  • Wi-Fi (Additional Cost)

3-Bedroom Garden Villa
1-7

Norwegian Dawn Garden Villas accommodate up to seven guests. With three bedrooms, each with a king- or queen-size bed and luxury bath and shower, you have plenty of space to revel in. Also includes a living room, dining room as well as a private garden with hot tub, outdoor dining area and terrace to enjoy the beautiful view from. Includes butler and concierge service. Plus Garden Villas can connect so your group can experience the best together.

Facilities

  • King or Twin Configuration
  • Lounge Area
  • Dining Area
  • Shower
  • Butler Service
  • TV
  • Safe
  • Hair Dryer
  • Telephone
  • Desk
  • Bath
  • Queen or Twin Configuration
  • Second Bedroom
  • Whirlpool Bath
  • Toiletries Provided
  • Room Service Available
  • Suite Benefits
  • Wi-Fi (Additional Cost)

Owner's Suite with Two Balconies
1-4

The Owner's Suites with Two Balconies are great for up to four guests. They include a living room, dining room and separate bedroom with king-size bed. Along with a mini-bar, luxury bath with whirlpool tub and an amazing double balcony. Includes butler and concierge service, plus these Suites can connect to a Balcony and Penthouse with Large Balcony for even more added luxury and convenience.

Facilities

  • King or Twin Configuration
  • Lounge Area
  • Dining Area
  • Shower
  • Butler Service
  • TV
  • Safe
  • Hair Dryer
  • Telephone
  • Desk
  • Sofa Bed
  • Whirlpool Bath
  • Toiletries Provided
  • Room Service Available
  • Suite Benefits
  • Wi-Fi (Additional Cost)

Sail Away Club Balcony Suite
1-4

A Sail Away Club Balcony Suite stateroom guarantees a Club Balcony Suite stateroom or better! Your stateroom may be on any deck and assigned up to one day prior to embarkation.

Facilities

  • Queen or Twin Configuration
  • Lounge Area
  • Shower
  • Bath
  • TV
  • Safe
  • Hair Dryer
  • Telephone
  • Desk
  • Sofa Bed
  • Toiletries Provided
  • Room Service Available
  • Suite Benefits
  • Wi-Fi (Additional Cost)

Deluxe Owner's Suite with Two Balconies
1-4

What's better than taking in the stunning views from one balcony? Enjoying them from two! These Deluxe Owner's Suites accommodate four guests and include a separate bedroom with king-size bed, luxury bath with whirlpool, guest bath, and a living and dining area. Plus you'll be pampered by butler and concierge service. These suites can connect to a Balcony and a Penthouse with Large Balcony so you can spread out in ultimate comfort.

Facilities

  • King or Twin Configuration
  • Lounge Area
  • Dining Area
  • Shower
  • Butler Service
  • TV
  • Safe
  • Hair Dryer
  • Telephone
  • Desk
  • Sofa Bed
  • Whirlpool Bath
  • Toiletries Provided
  • Room Service Available
  • Suite Benefits
  • Wi-Fi (Additional Cost)

2-Bedroom Deluxe Family Suite with Balcony
1-6

With enough room for up to six people, these Suites are perfect if you want to bring the whole family. Includes a living area, dining area, separate bedroom with queen-size bed as well as a separate children's bedroom and a large private balcony so you can all enjoy the amazing view. Plus, these Suites can connect to a Mini-Suite with Balcony. Includes butler and concierge service.

Facilities

  • Lounge Area
  • Dining Area
  • Bath
  • Butler Service
  • TV
  • Safe
  • Hair Dryer
  • Telephone
  • Desk
  • Queen or Twin Configuration
  • Sofa Bed
  • Shower
  • Toiletries Provided
  • Room Service Available
  • Suite Benefits
  • Wi-Fi (Additional Cost)

Aft-Facing Balcony
1-3

With room for up to three guests, these staterooms have two lower beds that convert into a queen-size bed and a single sofa bed to accommodate one more. Along with a sitting area, floor-to-ceiling glass doors and an aft-facing private balcony with a spectacular view.

Facilities

  • Queen or Twin Configuration
  • Sofa Bed
  • Shower
  • Room Service Available
  • TV
  • Safe
  • Hair Dryer
  • Telephone
  • Desk
  • Lounge Area
  • Toiletries Provided
  • Wi-Fi (Additional Cost)

Balcony
2-3

With room for up to three guests, Norwegian Dawn Balcony Staterooms have two lower beds that convert into a queen-size bed and some feature additional bedding to accommodate one more. Along with a sitting area, floor-to-ceiling glass doors and a private balcony with an amazing view. Some can connect for added convenience.

Facilities

  • Queen or Twin Configuration
  • Shower
  • TV
  • Safe
  • Hair Dryer
  • Telephone
  • Desk
  • Sofa Bed
  • Lounge Area
  • Toiletries Provided
  • Room Service Available
  • Wi-Fi (Additional Cost)

Deluxe Owner's Suite
4-6

Enjoy the magnificent views from the expansive wall of windows of these Suites that include a king-size bed and additional bedding to accommodate up to a total of six guests, luxury bath with Jacuzzi, sitting and dining areas and the indulgence of butler and concierge service.

Facilities

  • King or Twin Configuration
  • Shower
  • Butler Service
  • TV
  • Safe
  • Hair Dryer
  • Telephone
  • Desk
  • Sofa Bed
  • Lounge Area
  • Dining Area
  • Whirlpool Bath
  • Toiletries Provided
  • Room Service Available
  • Suite Benefits
  • Wi-Fi (Additional Cost)

Family Suite with Balcony
4-6

There's plenty of space for the entire family to spread out, relax and enjoy the magnificent views. Includes a queen-size bed plus additional bedding to accommodate up to four more guests, a luxury bath with bathtub and a balcony to breathe in the fresh sea air as you take in the ever-changing seascape. Butler and concierge service rounds out a perfect family holiday.

Facilities

  • Lounge Area
  • Dining Area
  • Bath
  • TV
  • Safe
  • Hair Dryer
  • Telephone
  • Desk
  • Queen or Twin Configuration
  • Sofa Bed
  • Shower
  • Whirlpool Bath
  • Toiletries Provided
  • Room Service Available
  • Suite Benefits
  • Butler Service
  • Wi-Fi (Additional Cost)

Forward-Facing Deluxe Penthouse with Large Balcony
1-4

Be the first to take in the spectacular views from the large, forward-facing balcony of these stylish Penthouses. Accommodates up to four guests and includes a queen-size bed, luxury bath with shower and bathtub, plus a comfortable living and dining area to relax in or enjoy a meal arranged by your butler.

Facilities

  • Queen or Twin Configuration
  • Lounge Area
  • Dining Area
  • Shower
  • Butler Service
  • TV
  • Safe
  • Hair Dryer
  • Telephone
  • Bath
  • Sofa Bed
  • Toiletries Provided
  • Room Service Available
  • Suite Benefits
  • Wi-Fi (Additional Cost)
  • Desk

Forward-Facing Penthouse with Large Balcony
1-3

Step out onto your large, forward-facing balcony and enjoy the fresh air and magnificent views. Back inside, these Penthouses feature a queen-size bed, luxury bath with shower and bathtub, and a living and dining area. Plus concierge and butler service to fulfil all your wishes. Some can connect to a Deluxe Owner's Suite or Owner's Suite. Sleeps up to three.

Facilities

  • Queen or Twin Configuration
  • Lounge Area
  • Dining Area
  • Bath
  • Butler Service
  • TV
  • Safe
  • Hair Dryer
  • Telephone
  • Desk
  • Sofa Bed
  • Shower
  • Toiletries Provided
  • Room Service Available
  • Wi-Fi (Additional Cost)

Aft-Facing Penthouse with Large Balcony
1-3

You will have the perfect romantic getaway in these Penthouses that sleep up to three guests. Includes a bedroom with queen-size bed and luxury bath with shower and bathtub, in addition to the living area and dining area. Because these are aft-facing, they offer an amazing view from the large balcony. Includes butler and concierge service.

Facilities

  • Queen or Twin Configuration
  • Lounge Area
  • Dining Area
  • Shower
  • Butler Service
  • TV
  • Safe
  • Telephone
  • Desk
  • Bath
  • Sofa Bed
  • Toiletries Provided
  • Room Service Available
  • Suite Benefits
  • Wi-Fi (Additional Cost)
  • Hair Dryer

Family Suite
4-6

Bring the whole gang because this Suite sleeps up to six guests. It features a king-size bed separated for added privacy, double sofabed, and some also have a double murphy bed to accommodate two more. Everyone can hang out in the sitting area, and there is a luxury bath with shower. Butler and concierge included. Please note: This stateroom has floor to ceiling windows, no balcony.

Facilities

  • King or Twin Configuration
  • Sofa Bed
  • Lounge Area
  • Shower
  • Bath
  • Butler Service
  • TV
  • Safe
  • Hair Dryer
  • Telephone
  • Desk
  • Pullman Bed
  • Toiletries Provided
  • Room Service Available
  • Suite Benefits
  • Wi-Fi (Additional Cost)

Oceanview
3-4

These Oceanview Staterooms have room for up to four guests, with two lower beds that convert into a queen-size bed and additional bedding to accommodate up to two more guests. You'll also have a porthole to enjoy an awesome view, and some can connect for added convenience.

Facilities

  • Queen or Twin Configuration
  • Shower
  • TV
  • Safe
  • Hair Dryer
  • Telephone
  • Desk
  • Sofa Bed
  • Lounge Area
  • Toiletries Provided
  • Room Service Available
  • Wi-Fi (Additional Cost)

Aft-Facing Penthouse with Balcony
1-3

These stylish Penthouses include a bedroom with a queen-size bed, single sofa bed, luxury bath with a shower and bathtub, living and dining area, and unparalleled views from the aft-facing balcony. Plus you'll be spoilt with butler and concierge service.

Facilities

  • Queen or Twin Configuration
  • Lounge Area
  • Dining Area
  • Shower
  • Butler Service
  • TV
  • Safe
  • Hair Dryer
  • Telephone
  • Desk
  • Bath
  • Sofa Bed
  • Toiletries Provided
  • Room Service Available
  • Suite Benefits
  • Wi-Fi (Additional Cost)

Sail Away Oceanview
1-4

A Sailaway Oceanview stateroom guarantees an Oceanview stateroom or better! Please note that the view may be fully obstructed, partially obstructed, porthole or picture window. Your stateroom may be on any deck and assigned up to one day prior to embarkation.

Facilities

  • Queen or Twin Configuration
  • Shower
  • TV
  • Safe
  • Hair Dryer
  • Telephone
  • Desk
  • Sofa Bed
  • Pullman Bed
  • Lounge Area
  • Toiletries Provided
  • Room Service Available
  • Wi-Fi (Additional Cost)

Family Inside
1-4

These Inside Staterooms are the most affordable way for the whole family to cruise. With room for up to four, you'll have two lower beds that convert into a queen-size bed and additional bedding to accommodate up to two more guests. Plus you'll have access to all kinds of amenities, like room service and so much more.

Facilities

  • Queen or Twin Configuration
  • Shower
  • TV
  • Safe
  • Hair Dryer
  • Telephone
  • Desk
  • Toiletries Provided
  • Room Service Available
  • Wi-Fi (Additional Cost)

Family Oceanview
1-4

These Oceanview Staterooms are perfect for the family. They have room for up to four guests, with two lower beds that convert into a queen-size bed and additional bedding to accommodate two more. You'll also have a big picture window to enjoy the amazing view. Some can connect for added convenience.

Facilities

  • Queen or Twin Configuration
  • Shower
  • TV
  • Safe
  • Hair Dryer
  • Telephone
  • Desk
  • Sofa Bed
  • Lounge Area
  • Toiletries Provided
  • Room Service Available
  • Wi-Fi (Additional Cost)

Solo Balcony
1

These spacious staterooms include a queen-size bed, sitting area and floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open onto a private balcony. Staterooms are priced exclusively for solo travelers and include access to the private Studio Lounge.

Facilities

  • Bath
  • Queen or Twin Configuration
  • Lounge Area
  • Shower
  • Toiletries Provided
  • Room Service Available
  • TV
  • Coffee Machine
  • Safe
  • Hair Dryer
  • Telephone
  • Desk

Solo Oceanview
1

These staterooms feature a large round window and a queen-size bed. Staterooms are priced exclusively for solo travelers and include access to the private Studio Lounge.

Facilities

  • Queen or Twin Configuration
  • Shower
  • Toiletries Provided
  • Room Service Available
  • TV
  • Safe
  • Hair Dryer
  • Telephone
  • Desk

Club Balcony Suite
1-4

Norwegian Dawn Club Balcony Suites sleep up to four guests and feature two lower beds that convert into a queen-size bed plus additional bedding to sleep two more guests, as well as a sitting area, luxury bath with shower and amazing views from the private balcony.

Facilities

  • Queen or Twin Configuration
  • Lounge Area
  • Shower
  • Bath
  • TV
  • Safe
  • Hair Dryer
  • Telephone
  • Desk
  • Sofa Bed
  • Toiletries Provided
  • Room Service Available
  • Suite Benefits
  • Wi-Fi (Additional Cost)

Oceanview with Picture Window
1-4

With room for up to four guests, these staterooms come with two lower beds that convert into a queen-size bed and additional bedding to accommodate two more guests, as well as a big picture window offering a great view. Plus some can connect for even more space.

Facilities

  • Queen or Twin Configuration
  • Shower
  • Safe
  • Hair Dryer
  • Telephone
  • Desk
  • Sofa Bed
  • Lounge Area
  • Toiletries Provided
  • Room Service Available
  • TV
  • Wi-Fi (Additional Cost)

Inside
2-4

These Inside Staterooms are the most affordable way for you to cruise. With room for up to four, you'll have two lower beds that convert into a queen-size bed and some with additional bedding to accommodate up to two more guests.

Facilities

  • Queen or Twin Configuration
  • Shower
  • TV
  • Safe
  • Hair Dryer
  • Telephone
  • Desk
  • Pullman Bed x2
  • Toiletries Provided
  • Room Service Available
  • Wi-Fi (Additional Cost)

Obstructed Oceanview
1-4

These Oceanview Staterooms have a picture window or porthole with an obstructed view and can accommodate up to four guests and include two lower beds that convert to a queen-size bed, one pullman and one pullout. Located mid-ship, they are close to all the action.

Facilities

  • Queen or Twin Configuration
  • Shower
  • TV
  • Safe
  • Hair Dryer
  • Telephone
  • Desk
  • Pullman Bed x2
  • Toiletries Provided
  • Room Service Available
  • Wi-Fi (Additional Cost)

View Itinerary By Date



Day 1 Piraeus, Greece

It's no wonder that all roads lead to the fascinating and maddening metropolis of Athens. Lift your eyes 200 feet above the city to the Parthenon, its honey-color marble columns rising from a massive limestone base, and you behold architectural perfection that has not been surpassed in 2,500 years. But, today, this shrine of classical form dominates a 21st-century boomtown. To experience Athens—Athína in Greek—fully is to understand the essence of Greece: ancient monuments surviving in a sea of cement, startling beauty amid the squalor, tradition juxtaposed with modernity. Locals depend on humor and flexibility to deal with the chaos; you should do the same. The rewards are immense. Although Athens covers a huge area, the major landmarks of the ancient Greek, Roman, and Byzantine periods are close to the modern city center. You can easily walk from the Acropolis to many other key sites, taking time to browse in shops and relax in cafés and tavernas along the way. From many quarters of the city you can glimpse "the glory that was Greece" in the form of the Acropolis looming above the horizon, but only by actually climbing that rocky precipice can you feel the impact of the ancient settlement. The Acropolis and Filopappou, two craggy hills sitting side by side; the ancient Agora (marketplace); and Kerameikos, the first cemetery, form the core of ancient and Roman Athens. Along the Unification of Archaeological Sites promenade, you can follow stone-paved, tree-lined walkways from site to site, undisturbed by traffic. Cars have also been banned or reduced in other streets in the historical center. In the National Archaeological Museum, vast numbers of artifacts illustrate the many millennia of Greek civilization; smaller museums such as the Goulandris Museum of Cycladic Art Museum and the Byzantine and Christian Museum illuminate the history of particular regions or periods. Athens may seem like one huge city, but it is really a conglomeration of neighborhoods with distinctive characters. The Eastern influences that prevailed during the 400-year rule of the Ottoman Empire are still evident in Monastiraki, the bazaar area near the foot of the Acropolis. On the northern slope of the Acropolis, stroll through Plaka (if possible by moonlight), an area of tranquil streets lined with renovated mansions, to get the flavor of the 19th-century's gracious lifestyle. The narrow lanes of Anafiotika, a section of Plaka, thread past tiny churches and small, color-washed houses with wooden upper stories, recalling a Cycladic island village. In this maze of winding streets, vestiges of the older city are everywhere: crumbling stairways lined with festive tavernas; dank cellars filled with wine vats; occasionally a court or diminutive garden, enclosed within high walls and filled with magnolia trees and the flaming trumpet-shaped flowers of hibiscus bushes. Formerly run-down old quarters, such as Thission, Gazi and Psirri, popular nightlife areas filled with bars and mezedopoleia (similar to tapas bars), are now in the process of gentrification, although they still retain much of their original charm, as does the colorful produce and meat market on Athinas. The area around Syntagma Square, the tourist hub, and Omonia Square, the commercial heart of the city about 1 km (½ mi) northwest, is distinctly European, having been designed by the court architects of King Otho, a Bavarian, in the 19th century. The chic shops and bistros of ritzy Kolonaki nestle at the foot of Mt. Lycabettus, Athens's highest hill (909 feet). Each of Athens's outlying suburbs has a distinctive character: in the north is wealthy, tree-lined Kifissia, once a summer resort for aristocratic Athenians, and in the south and southeast lie Glyfada, Voula, and Vouliagmeni, with their sandy beaches, seaside bars, and lively summer nightlife. Just beyond the city's southern fringes is Piraeus, a bustling port city of waterside fish tavernas and Saronic Gulf views.

Day 2 Mykonos, Greece

Although the fishing boats still go out in good weather, Mykonos largely makes its living from tourism these days. The summer crowds have turned one of the poorest islands in Greece into one of the richest. Old Mykonians complain that their young, who have inherited stores where their grandfathers once sold eggs or wine, get so much rent that they have lost ambition, and in summer sit around pool bars at night with their friends, and hang out in Athens in winter when island life is less scintillating. Put firmly on the map by Jackie O in the 1960s, Mykonos town—called Hora by the locals—remains the Saint-Tropez of the Greek islands. The scenery is memorable, with its whitewashed streets, Little Venice, the Kato Myli ridge of windmills, and Kastro, the town's medieval quarter. Its cubical two- or three-story houses and churches, with their red or blue doors and domes and wooden balconies, have been long celebrated as some of the best examples of classic Cycladic architecture. Luckily, the Greek Archaeological Service decided to preserve the town, even when the Mykonians would have preferred to rebuild, and so the Old Town has been impressively preserved. Pink oleander, scarlet hibiscus, and trailing green pepper trees form a contrast amid the dazzling whiteness, whose frequent renewal with whitewash is required by law. Any visitor who has the pleasure of getting lost in its narrow streets (made all the narrower by the many outdoor stone staircases, which maximize housing space in the crowded village) will appreciate how its confusing layout was designed to foil pirates—if it was designed at all. After Mykonos fell under Turkish rule in 1537, the Ottomans allowed the islanders to arm their vessels against pirates, which had a contradictory effect: many of them found that raiding other islands was more profitable than tilling arid land. At the height of Aegean piracy, Mykonos was the principal headquarters of the corsair fleets—the place where pirates met their fellows, found willing women, and filled out their crews. Eventually the illicit activity evolved into a legitimate and thriving trade network. Morning on Mykonos town's main quay is busy with deliveries, visitors for the Delos boats, lazy breakfasters, and street cleaners dealing with the previous night's mess. In late morning the cruise-boat people arrive, and the shops are all open. In early afternoon, shaded outdoor tavernas are full of diners eating salads (Mykonos's produce is mostly imported); music is absent or kept low. In mid- and late afternoon, the town feels sleepy, since so many people are at the beach, on excursions, or sleeping in their air-conditioned rooms; even some tourist shops close for siesta. By sunset, people have come back from the beach, having taken their showers and rested. At night, the atmosphere in Mykonos ramps up. The cruise-boat people are mostly gone, coughing three-wheelers make no deliveries in the narrow streets, and everyone is dressed sexy for summer and starting to shimmy with the scene. Many shops stay open past midnight, the restaurants fill up, and the bars and discos make ice cubes as fast as they can. Ready to dive in? Begin your tour of Mykonos town (Hora) by starting out at its heart: Mando Mavrogenous Square.

Day 3 Santorini, Greece

Undoubtedly the most extraordinary island in the Aegean, crescent-shape Santorini remains a mandatory stop on the Cycladic tourist route—even if it's necessary to enjoy the sensational sunsets from Ia, the fascinating excavations, and the dazzling white towns with a million other travelers. Called Kállisti (the "Loveliest") when first settled, the island has now reverted to its subsequent name of Thira, after the 9th-century-BC Dorian colonizer Thiras. The place is better known, however, these days as Santorini, a name derived from its patroness, St. Irene of Thessaloniki, the Byzantine empress who restored icons to Orthodoxy and died in 802. You can fly conveniently to Santorini, but to enjoy a true Santorini rite of passage, opt instead for the boat trip here, which provides a spectacular introduction. After the boat sails between Sikinos and Ios, your deck-side perch approaches two close islands with a passage between them. The bigger one on the left is Santorini, and the smaller on the right is Thirassia. Passing between them, you see the village of Ia adorning Santorini's northernmost cliff like a white geometric beehive. You are in the caldera (volcanic crater), one of the world's truly breathtaking sights: a demilune of cliffs rising 1,100 feet, with the white clusters of the towns of Fira and Ia perched along the top. The bay, once the high center of the island, is 1,300 feet in some places, so deep that when boats dock in Santorini's shabby little port of Athinios, they do not drop anchor. The encircling cliffs are the ancient rim of a still-active volcano, and you are sailing east across its flooded caldera. On your right are the Burnt isles, the White isle, and other volcanic remnants, all lined up as if some outsize display in a geology museum. Hephaestus's subterranean fires smolder still—the volcano erupted in 198 BC, about 735, and there was an earthquake in 1956. Indeed, Santorini and its four neighboring islets are the fragmentary remains of a larger landmass that exploded about 1600 BC: the volcano's core blew sky high, and the sea rushed into the abyss to create the great bay, which measures 10 km by 7 km (6 mi by 4½ mi) and is 1,292 feet deep. The other pieces of the rim, which broke off in later eruptions, are Thirassia, where a few hundred people live, and deserted little Aspronissi ("White isle"). In the center of the bay, black and uninhabited, two cones, the Burnt Isles of Palea Kameni and Nea Kameni, appeared between 1573 and 1925. There has been too much speculation about the identification of Santorini with the mythical Atlantis, mentioned in Egyptian papyri and by Plato (who says it's in the Atlantic), but myths are hard to pin down. This is not true of old arguments about whether tidal waves from Santorini's cataclysmic explosion destroyed Minoan civilization on Crete, 113 km (70 mi) away. The latest carbon-dating evidence, which points to a few years before 1600 BC for the eruption, clearly indicates that the Minoans outlasted the eruption by a couple of hundred years, but most probably in a weakened state. In fact, the island still endures hardships: since antiquity, Santorini has depended on rain collected in cisterns for drinking and irrigating—the well water is often brackish—and the serious shortage is alleviated by the importation of water. However, the volcanic soil also yields riches: small, intense tomatoes with tough skins used for tomato paste (good restaurants here serve them); the famous Santorini fava beans, which have a light, fresh taste; barley; wheat; and white-skin eggplants.

Day 4  Cruising

Day 5 Messina, Italy

Home to the Museo Regionale of Messina, known for featuring two of Caravaggio's paintings, the city is also famous for having been the capital of the ancient kingdom of Sicily.

Day 6 Naples, Italy

Naples, in the Campania region, is Italy's third largest city. Its claim to fame is the spectacular location along one of the world's most splendid bays, backed by the perfect cone of Mount Vesuvius. In addition to its beautiful setting, Naples' surprises with other outstanding attractions such as the Royal Palace, San Carlos Opera House, the impressive National Archaeological Museum and the Castel Nuovo, dating from the 13th-century. The city's central area is best explored on foot. Chaotic traffic conditions make driving around the city a very frustrating experience. Naples provides a convenient starting point for trips to such favored destinations as Pompeii, Herculaneum and Mount Vesuvius. The Isle of Capri can be reached via a 45-minute hydrofoil service. The region of Campania was home to Greeks settlers some 300 years before Rome was founded. Pompeii, too, was a Greek town before being conquered by the Romans during the 5th century BC. It was under the Romans that Pompeii flourished and grew prosperous. When Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD, the population of 20,000 was wiped out, but dozens of buildings were preserved under layers of cinder more than 20 feet deep. The most important finds from Pompeii are displayed in Naples' National Archaeological Museum. A visit here will no doubt enhance a visit to ancient Pompeii.

Day 7 Civitavecchia, Italy

Italy's vibrant capital lives in the present, but no other city on earth evokes its past so powerfully. For over 2,500 years, emperors, popes, artists, and common citizens have left their mark here. Archaeological remains from ancient Rome, art-stuffed churches, and the treasures of Vatican City vie for your attention, but Rome is also a wonderful place to practice the Italian-perfected il dolce far niente, the sweet art of idleness. Your most memorable experiences may include sitting at a caffè in the Campo de' Fiori or strolling in a beguiling piazza.

Day 8 Livorno, Italy

Livorno is a gritty city with a long and interesting history. In the early Middle Ages it alternately belonged to Pisa and Genoa. In 1421 Florence, seeking access to the sea, bought it. Cosimo I (1519–74) started construction of the harbor in 1571, putting Livorno on the map. After Ferdinando I de' Medici (1549–1609) proclaimed Livorno a free city, it became a haven for people suffering from religious persecution; Roman Catholics from England and Jews and Moors from Spain and Portugal, among others, settled here. The Quattro Mori (Four Moors), also known as the Monument to Ferdinando I, commemorates this. (The statue of Ferdinando I dates from 1595, the bronze Moors by Pietro Tacca from the 1620s.)In the following centuries, and particularly in the 18th, Livorno boomed as a port. In the 19th century the town drew a host of famous Britons passing through on their grand tours. Its prominence continued up to World War II, when it was heavily bombed. Much of the town's architecture, therefore, postdates the war, and it's somewhat difficult to imagine what it might have looked like before. Livorno has recovered from the war, however, as it's become a huge point of departure for container ships, as well as the only spot in Tuscany for cruise ships to dock for the day.Most of Livorno's artistic treasures date from the 17th century and aren't all that interesting unless you dote on obscure baroque artists. Livorno's most famous native artist, Amedeo Modigliani (1884–1920), was of much more recent vintage. Sadly, there's no notable work by him in his hometown.There may not be much in the way of art, but it's still worth strolling around the city. The Mercato Nuovo, which has been around since 1894, sells all sorts of fruits, vegetables, grains, meat, and fish. Outdoor markets nearby are also chock-full of local color. The presence of Camp Darby, an American military base just outside town, accounts for the availability of many American products.If you have time, Livorno is worth a stop for lunch or dinner at the very least.

Day 9 Cannes, France

Cannes is pampered with the luxurious year-round climate that has made it one of the most popular resorts in Europe. Cannes was an important sentinel site for the monks who established themselves on Île St-Honorat in the Middle Ages. Its bay served as nothing more than a fishing port until in 1834 an English aristocrat, Lord Brougham, fell in love with the site during an emergency stopover with a sick daughter. He had a home built here and returned every winter for a sun cure—a ritual quickly picked up by his peers. Between the popularity of Le Train Blue transporting wealthy passengers from Calais, and the introduction in 1936 of France's first paid holidays, Cannes became the destination, a tasteful and expensive breeding ground for the upper-upscale.Cannes has been further glamorized by the ongoing success of its annual film festival, as famous as Hollywood's Academy Awards. About the closest many of us will get to feeling like a film star is a stroll here along La Croisette, the iconic promenade that gracefully curves the wave-washed sand coastline, peppered with chic restaurants and prestigious private beaches. This is precisely the sort of place for which the French invented the verb flâner (to dawdle, saunter): strewn with palm trees and poseurs, its fancy boutiques and status-symbol grand hotels—including the Carlton, the legendary backdrop to Grace Kelly in To Catch a Thief —all vying for the custom of the Louis Vuitton set. This legend is, to many, the heart and soul of the Côte d'Azur. 

Day 10 Barcelona, Spain

The infinite variety of street life, the nooks and crannies of the medieval Barri Gòtic, the ceramic tile and stained glass of Art Nouveau facades, the art and music, the throb of street life, the food (ah, the food!)—one way or another, Barcelona will find a way to get your full attention. The capital of Catalonia is a banquet for the senses, with its beguiling mix of ancient and modern architecture, tempting cafés and markets, and sun-drenched Mediterranean beaches. A stroll along La Rambla and through waterfront Barceloneta, as well as a tour of Gaudí's majestic Sagrada Famíliaand his other unique creations, are part of a visit to Spain's second-largest city. Modern art museums and chic shops call for attention, too. Barcelona's vibe stays lively well into the night, when you can linger over regional wine and cuisine at buzzing tapas bars.

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