Itinerary
Give in to the temptation of an exceptional cruise between the Bosphorus and the stunning Istanbul, and Venice and the shores of the Adriatic Sea. For ten days, sail the Mediterranean aboard Le Lyrial between Turkey, Greece, Montenegro, Croatia and Italy. Your cruise will begin in Istanbul, the gateway to the East between Europe and Asia, listed as World Heritage by UNESCO. You will discover the volcanic island of Limnos, near the Dardanelles Strait. Protected during Antiquity by Hephaestus, the god of fire, this green and lush island has now become one of Greece' major seaside resorts. You will then head for the region of Thessaly, at the foot of Mount Pelion, in the port of Volos. Among the treasures of this region, you will be able to discover the Meteora, a magnificent set of sandstone rock formations listed with UNESCO, atop which monasteries were built. On board Le Lyrial, you will take the astonishing Corinth Canal, a famous sea channel dug out by men in the 19th century. Next Corfu, the most famous Ionian island, will reveal the hidden treasures of its Greco-Byzantine and Venetian architectural heritage. Do not miss the chance to visit the Achilleion, the luxurious neoclassical palace built for the Empress Sissi. Your ship will chart a course north towards Montenegro where the Bay of Kotor, a UNESCO World Heritage Site will welcome you for a wonderful journey through four mountainous gulfs where sheer cliffs plunge into a deep blue sea. You will then head to the aptly named "Pearl of the Adriatic", Dubrovnik, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Surrounded by medieval ramparts, its terracotta-tiled roofs, its palaces, cloisters and fountains are bound to impress you and will plunge you into the heart of Croatian history. Then the national park of the island of Mljet, surrounded by a wildly beautiful coastline, will be the occasion for a timeless interlude in the shade of the green oaks and Aleppo pines, between lush vegetation and saltwater lakes. You will also be able to discover the mountain island of Kor?ula and its medieval city, where Marco Polo was born. After a stop on the magnificent island of Hvar, the last stage of your trip will take you to Rovinj, giving you an opportunity to discover this city with Venetian influences. Moreover, it proudly bears Venice' symbolic winged lion on the Balbi' Arch, which you'll be able to admire during a stroll through its picturesque town centre. As a grand finale, your voyage will draw to an end in Venice the Serenissima and its lagoon.
