Eastern Mediterranean from Piraeus - MSC Fantasia

Day 1: Larnaca - Athens

Fly to Athens and embark to MSC Fantasia from Piraeus port. The ship departs at 18.00.

Day 2: Ephesus

The ship arrives at Ephesus port at 07.00 and departs at 15.00

Take a journey into the past in richly historic Ephesus. Once an ancient Greek city, Ephesus was known for the famed Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Built, destroyed, and rebuilt again through several notably historical periods, Ephesus boasts abounding ruins and archaeological excavation sites. View what remains of the Roman Library of Celsus, the Gate of Augustus, the Tomb of John the Apostle, and the Basilica of St. John, amongst several other ancient remnants.

Famous for its history. Associated with the ministries of Paul, Timothy and the apostle John, the city played a significant role in the spread of early Christianity. The acoustics in the amphitheatres are fantastic.

Day 3: Istanbul

The ship arrives at Istanbul port at 10.00 and departs at 23.00

There's a new aura of excitement in Istanbul these days, as this center has become one the world's focal points for art, fashion, haute cuisine and nightlife. Of course there's always an abundance of ancient monuments and grand mosques with stunning frescoes to see here, like the Agia Sophia and Blue Mosque. Head to any park and you'll see why tulips have long been the symbol of this city. 
Famous for its Byzantine art, bustling bazaars, lavish palaces and exotic food, Istanbul has thousands of years of history to see with just a leisurely stroll.
Fun Fact: Don't miss the Agia Sophia, built in 537 CE, which was the largest church in the world for 900 years before the Seville Cathedral was built.
Fun Fact: Located on two continents, Europe and Asia and straddling the Bosphorus Strait, Istanbul is the only transcontinental city in the world.

Day 4: At Sea

Day at your leisure to explore and enjoy the facilities and entertainment of the megaship MSC Fantasia.

Day 5: Corfu

The ship arrives at Corfu port at 13.00 and departs at 21.00.

Peek beyond the City of Peaks
In every big family there are bound to be labels given to each child. There’s the leader, the mischief-maker, the one who goes with the flow — the list goes on. If Greece’s islands were to have such designations, Corfu would be the effortlessly chic tastemaker.

Corfu is simply dripping in history. Wander through the narrow cobblestone alleys and discover a world of adventure worthy of a fantasy film. Stumble upon historical landmines — like The Old Town’s stunning municipal building, which served as its first (and former) grand theater and opera house built during the Venetian empire. Admire The Palace of St. Michael & St. George, which provides a home to the Museum of Asian Art that displays Chinese, Japanese, and Greco-Buddhist masterpieces. Take in The Saint Spyridon Church’s bell tower – whose patron saint was said to have expelled the plague from the island. All the while appreciating the wafting aromas of local flora and fauna that are so expertly used for numerous liqueur and culinary infusions. It’s not that Corfu is pretentious, it’s just the classic Hollywood starlet of Greek Islands — emitting that aura of worldly sophistication that naturally makes you want more.   

Corfu gives you the freedom to relax with your toes in the sand sipping kumquat liqueur one minute and diving (literally and figuratively) into adventures unknown the next. You can choose from a number of sumptuous beaches to bask in the sun, peruse a new book under the shade of an umbrella or go for a swim in the iridescent waters. You can venture to hilltop ruins on horseback and sail the coast before plunging into the sea from the comfort of your own private vessel. You can picnic on a seaside cliff, explore groves of kumquats, pomegranates, pears and olives, hike the otherworldly scenic trails by foot (or by ATV) or — you can do it all.  In Corfu the sea is merely a starting point — and you’re in control of the dynamic story about to unfold.

Day 6: Bari, Italy

The ship arrives at Bari port at 07:00 and departs at 14:00.

Bari is the Sun of Italy. In its beautiful old town are many churches, while the ladies prepare the famous orecchiette on tables in the street.
The port of Bari, on the Adriatic coast, is primarily a passenger port. During the stop in Bari, visit this historic city 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.

Not to be missed: The Basilica of Saint Nicholas of Bari, Visit to the old town"Bari Vecchia", The Cathedral of San Sabino

Day 7: Trieste (Venice), Italy

The ship arrives at Trieste port at 09.00 and departs at 19.00.

Trieste is a city in the northeast of Italy very close to the border with Slovenia. A cosmopolitan Italian city that unites Central European and Mediterranean cultures, different nationalities, and languages. Take in its magnificent squares, sandy beaches, and a stunning waterfront featuring neoclassical architecture. Discover Piazza Unita Italia, see the Roman Amphitheatre, or glimpse the grand canal. 
Do not forget to visit:

• Venice City 
• Castello Miramare
• Piazza Unità d'Italia  

Day 8:At sea

Day at your leisure to explore and enjoy the facilities and entertainment of the megaship MSC Fantasia.

Day 9:Katakolon (Olympia), Greece

The ship arrives at Katakolon port at 07.00 and departs at 15.00.

On the Peloponnese shores stands the little seaside town of Katakolon, Greece. 
Situated on a headland overlooking the blue Ionian Sea, this charming location boasts a lighthouse, the Agios Nicolaos Church, and musical instruments museum. A short ride away lies the ancient site of Olympia, the extraordinary UNESCO World Heritage Site. 3000 years ago, it hosted Greece’s first Olympic Games in its Panhellenic religious sanctuary.

Do not forget to visit:
 
• Olympia, Folklore Show and Tasting
• Olympia and its Museum
• Magna Grecia Estate and Olympia in 3D

Day 10: Athens - Larnaca

MSC Fantasia arrives at Piraeus port at 08:00. Disembarkation and return flight to Larnaca.