Eastern Mediterranean Discovery

Overview

A 24-night voyage aboard Aurora, departing Southampton on 19 Jun 2028 and returning to the same port, calling at 12 destinations along the way.

Cabin prices

Live prices per person based on two sharing. Select a grade to see its fare options.

1. 1

   Day 1 ·SouthamptonEmbark

   19 Jun 2028

   Depart 16:30

   The city center is a charming mix of old city walls and a large modern shopping centre. With multiple restaurants, museums, cinemas and theatres there is plenty to be explored. Time spent at embarkation and disembarkation ports may be limited which may restrict availability of shore excursions.
2. 2

   Day 2 ·At Sea

   20 Jun 2028
3. 3

   Day 3 ·At Sea

   21 Jun 2028
4. 4

   Day 4 ·Cádiz (tours to Seville)

   22 Jun 2028

   Arrive 09:00Depart 18:00

   You cruise right into the heart of historic Cadiz as immediately across the busy Avenida del Puerto from the Spanish port is the main square and shopping area. From there, it is easy to find your own way around this compact city. Behind is the 18th century cathedral (El Nueva) and the view from the top is worth the long climb up its internal stairs. The narrow streets of the old town below are lined by tall Moorish-style houses with flower-decked balconies mixed in amongst some small shops and tapas bars. Cadiz dates back to the 12th century BC so is the oldest continuously inhabited city in the western world but sultry Seville has long since outgrown its neighbour. La Giralda (the bell-tower next to its Gothic cathedral), is in Sevilles historic Jewish quarter which also has the whitewashed houses and exquisitely coloured bougainvillea that everyone associates with this lovely city.
5. 5

   Day 5 ·At Sea

   23 Jun 2028
6. 6

   Day 6 ·At Sea

   24 Jun 2028
7. 7

   Day 7 ·Valletta, Malta

   25 Jun 2028

   Arrive 09:30Depart 17:00

   The new cruise port in the grand harbour of Maltese capital Valletta is an impressive introduction to this fascinating Mediterranean island. Late medieval and baroque architecture abound in this UNESCO World Heritage Site with its ancient city walls, many churches and palaces.
   
   Fort St Elmo, created by the Knights of St John and once the most impregnable in the world, houses in its National War Museum the famous George Cross that was awarded to Malta during World War II to mark the bravery of the besieged islanders.
   
   
8. 8

   Day 8 ·At Sea

   26 Jun 2028
9. 9

   Day 9 ·At Sea

   27 Jun 2028
10. 10

    Day 10 ·Limassol

    28 Jun 2028

    Arrive 08:00Depart 18:00

    Across the island, there is plenty of rugged coastline and mountain scenery to explore and enjoy along with a variety of archaeological sites. Limassol is a working town as well as a holiday resort but it has been attractively landscaped and its centre is easily walkable. Make sure you visit the 12th century fort where Richard the Lionheart married Berengaria and which now houses an excellent medieval museum.
    
    
11. 11

    Day 11 ·At Sea

    29 Jun 2028
12. 12

    Day 12 ·Alexandria

    30 Jun 2028

    Arrive 07:00Depart 21:00

    Modern Alexandria also has its treasures. The Corniche, a broad waterfront promenade near the docks, is lined with spectacular 19th Century grand hotels and overlooks the sandy beaches. For a treat, enjoy lunch at the elegant Cecil Hotel, where Winston Churchill once stayed.
    
    
13. 13

    Day 13 ·At Sea

    1 Jul 2028
14. 14

    Day 14 ·Kusadasi

    2 Jul 2028

    Arrive 07:00Depart 17:00

    Now a popular Turkish cruise port, Kusadasi was once a sleepy fishing village until the extraordinary ruins of the ancient city of Ephesus were discovered nearby. Rivalling Pompeii, these are a must-see but try to find the time to explore pretty Kusadasi and discover Kaleici, its charming old quarter, which lies close to the cruise port.
    
    
15. 15

    Day 15 ·Piraeus

    3 Jul 2028

    Arrive 07:00Depart 17:00

    The Acropolis – ‘High City' - will always be the top attraction from Athens' cruise port Piraeus.
    
    With its 2,500-year-old Parthenon, temple to Poseidon and Athena, Odeon of Herodus Atticus and Theatre of Dionysus, it quite literally stands out as an oasis of calm in the frenetic Greek capital.
    
    As part of the major revamp the city had for the 2004 Olympics, 400 modern buildings were cleared from the ancient meeting place next to the Acropolis, the Agora, which was then restored and linked by walkways to the Acropolis, Hadrian's Arch, the Academy of Plato and the Monastery of Daphne.
    
    Other nearby ancient sites include the Roman Tower of the Winds and the Hill of the Muses where Socrates is said to have drunk hemlock. Below the Acropolis is the fun place to shop or barter, eat moussaka or Greek salad, drink wine or ouzo and, of course, to people-watch: the 3,000-year-old Plaka.
    
    
16. 16

    Day 16 ·Katakolon

    4 Jul 2028

    Arrive 10:00Depart 18:00

    The small Greek port of Katakolon was developed in the 19th century to serve the thriving local trade in currants. Today it is your starting block for Olympia - birthplace of the Olympic Games. A pretty town on the banks of the River Alpheios, Olympia lies only a short drive away from the port and its historic stadium - where the first Olympic torch was lit in 776 BC and is a fascinating site to explore. You can still see the marble starting blocks used by early athletes in the 45,000-seat arena, as well as the ruins of the Temple of Hera and the gigantic Temple of Zeus - its gold and ivory statue of Zeus was one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. If you have already visited Olympia, you could spend your day exploring the lush wine country north of Katakolon and sampling the local vintages.
17. 17

    Day 17 ·At Sea

    5 Jul 2028
18. 18

    Day 18 ·Palermo

    6 Jul 2028

    Arrive 08:00Depart 16:00

    Sicily's capital, Palermo perches at the foot of Monte Pellgrino at the heart of a large natural harbour. Founded in the 5th century, it has alternately enjoyed and endured one of the most colourful histories of any Mediterranean city. Greeks, Romans, Carthaginians, Arabs, Goths, Vandals have all come and gone, leaving their mark on the population as well as the architecture.
    
    
19. 19

    Day 19 ·At Sea

    7 Jul 2028
20. 20

    Day 20 ·Alicante

    8 Jul 2028

    Arrive 09:00Depart 17:00

    Built around a natural harbour, the main city and cruise port on Spain's Costa Blanca, Alicante, is also a top beach resort in its own right. It has a sophisticated Mediterranean feel with its restored old town adding to its charm and the attraction of its sandy beaches. Dubbed the 'City of Light' when founded by the Romans, Alicante is still a relaxing place to walk around. Down from the impressive Castillo de Santa Barbara fortress, which offers impressive views across the city, most activity centres in the streets around the Ayuntamiento, a plaza area buzzing with restaurants and tapas bars. There are also many cafes along the seafront. Works by artists including Dali, Miro and Picasso are on show at the Museo de Arte Siglo and there is also an archaeological museum.
21. 21

    Day 21 ·At Sea

    9 Jul 2028
22. 22

    Day 22 ·Lisbon

    10 Jul 2028

    Arrive 08:00Depart 16:00

    Some of the best views of the Portuguese capital come as your ship cruises along the Tagus River. You pass the Belem Tower and the impressive Monument to the Discoveries with its statue of Henry the Navigator before arriving at the Lisbon cruise terminal. Although small for a European capital, this city does sprawl a little so you would do best to concentrate on three districts - Baixa, Bairro Alto and Alfama, each with its own distinctive style, making Lisbon cruises a must see. Baixa has busy streets of inviting shops, cafes and restaurants while Alfama is the atmospheric old town with narrow cobblestone streets, medieval and Moorish-style buildings, wrought-iron balconies with trailing flowers and a mix of small shops and bars. Bairro Alto is another historic district with narrow streets and is a steep climb from Baixa so look out for the 100-year-old lift (Elevador do Carmo) near Rossio Square. With such a variety of destinations to explore, cruises to Lisbon bring to your holiday a balance of both modern and historical grounds.
23. 23

    Day 23 ·At Sea

    11 Jul 2028
24. 24

    Day 24 ·At Sea

    12 Jul 2028
25. 25

    Day 25 ·SouthamptonDisembark

    13 Jul 2028

    Arrive 06:30

    The city center is a charming mix of old city walls and a large modern shopping centre. With multiple restaurants, museums, cinemas and theatres there is plenty to be explored. Time spent at embarkation and disembarkation ports may be limited which may restrict availability of shore excursions.

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