Day 1 - Athens

Athens, Greece: Embark on your 7-night expedition holiday in Athens, Greece's capital boasting a rich tapestry of ancient history and vibrant modern culture. Delight in the majestic Acropolis, explore the bustling streets, and soak in the warm hospitality as your gateway to the adventure that awaits.

Day 2 - Corinth Canal

Corinth Canal, Greece: As you traverse the Corinth Canal, marvel at this engineering feat that slices through the Isthmus of Corinth, offering a unique passageway that connects the Ionian Sea with the Aegean Sea. This narrow channel, flanked by steep cliffs, presents unparalleled views and is an unforgettable spectacle.

Day 2 - Delphi

Delphi, Greece: Travel to the mystical heart of ancient Greece at Delphi, once a major site for the worship of Apollo. Perched on the slopes of Mount Parnassus, Delphi provides a portal into the past with its temple ruins and the famed Oracle, in a setting of breathtaking natural beauty.

Day 3 - Cephalonia

Cephalonia, Greece: Cephalonia greets you with stunning landscapes, from rugged mountains to idyllic beaches. Known for its rich biodiversity and incredible caves such as Melissani, this charming island offers a perfect blend of relaxation and exploration in the Ionian Sea.

Day 4 - Corfu

Corfu, Greece: Corfu town today is a vivid tapestry of cultures—a sophisticated weave, where charm, history, and natural beauty blend. Located about midway along the island's east coast, this spectacularly lively capital is the cultural heart of Corfu and has a remarkable historic centre that UNESCO designated as a World Heritage Site in 2007. All ships and planes dock or land near Corfu town, which occupies a small peninsula jutting into the Ionian Sea. Whether arriving by ferry from mainland Greece or Italy, from another island, or directly by plane, catch your breath by first relaxing with a coffee or a gelato in Corfu town's shaded Liston Arcade, then stroll the narrow lanes of its pedestrian-only quarter. For an overview of the immediate area, and a quick tour of Mon Repos palace, hop on the little tourist train that runs from May to September. Corfu town has a different feel at night, so book a table at one of its famed tavernas to savour the island's unique cuisine. The best way to get around Corfu town is on foot. The town is small enough so that you can easily walk to every sight. There are local buses, but they do not thread their way into the streets (many now car-free) of the historic centre. If you are arriving by ferry or plane, it's best to take a taxi to your hotel. Expect to pay about €10 from the airport or ferry terminal to a hotel in Corfu town. If there are no taxis waiting, you can call for one.

Day 4 - Butrint

Butrint, Albania: Cross into Albania and discover Butrint, an archaeological gem surrounded by picturesque landscapes. Once a thriving Roman city, the remains of Butrint now form a fascinating UNESCO World Heritage Site, where ancient history and nature coexist harmoniously.

Day 5 - Krujë

Krujë, Albania: Nestled in the Albanian mountains, Krujë is a town rich in history and cultural heritage. Known as the birthplace of national hero Skanderbeg, explore its medieval castle, wander through the old bazaar, and enjoy panoramic views that extend to the coast.

Day 5 - Divjaka-Karavasta National Park

Divjaka-Karavasta National Park, Albania: Immerse yourself in the tranquil beauty of Divjaka-Karavasta National Park. Home to one of the largest lagoons in the Mediterranean, this protected area offers stunning scenery and is an important haven for wildlife, particularly bird species.

Day 6 - Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik, Croatia: Nothing can prepare you for your first sight of Dubrovnik. Lying 216 km (135 miles) southeast of Split and commanding a jaw-dropping coastal location, it is one of the world's most beautiful fortified cities. Its massive stone ramparts and fortress towers curve around a tiny harbour, enclosing graduated ridges of sun-bleached orange-tiled roofs, copper domes, and elegant bell towers. Your imagination will run wild picturing what it looked like seven centuries ago when the walls were built, without any suburbs or highways around it, just this magnificent stone city rising out of the sea. In the 7th century AD, residents of the Roman city Epidaurum (now Cavtat) fled the Avars and Slavs of the north and founded a new settlement on a small rocky island, which they named Laus, and later Ragusa. On the mainland hillside opposite the island, the Slav settlement called Dubrovnik grew up. In the 12th century the narrow channel separating the two settlements was filled in (now the main street through the Old Town, called Stradun), and Ragusa and Dubrovnik became one. The city was surrounded by defensive walls during the 13th century, and these were reinforced with towers and bastions in the late 15th century. From 1358 to 1808 the city thrived as a powerful and remarkably sophisticated independent republic, reaching its golden age during the 16th century. In 1667 many of its splendid Gothic and Renaissance buildings were destroyed by an earthquake. The defensive walls survived the disaster, and the city was rebuilt in baroque style. Dubrovnik lost its independence to Napoléon in 1808, and in 1815 passed to Austria-Hungary. During the 20th century, as part of Yugoslavia, the city became a popular tourist destination, and in 1979 it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. During the war for independence, it came under heavy siege. Thanks to careful restoration, few traces of damage remain; however, there are maps inside the Pile and Ploče Gates illustrating the points around the city where damage was done. It’s only when you experience Dubrovnik yourself that you can understand what a treasure the world nearly lost.

Day 7 - Split

Split, Croatia: Split's ancient core is so spectacular and unusual that a visit is more than worth your time. The heart of the city lies within the walls of Roman emperor Diocletian's retirement palace, which was built in the 3rd century AD. Diocletian, born in the nearby Roman settlement of Salona in AD 245, achieved a brilliant career as a soldier and became emperor at the age of 40. In 295 he ordered this vast palace to be built in his native Dalmatia, and when it was completed he stepped down from the throne and retired to his beloved homeland. Upon his death, he was laid to rest in an octagonal mausoleum, around which Split's magnificent cathedral was built. In 615, when Salona was sacked by barbarian tribes, those fortunate enough to escape found refuge within the stout palace walls and divided up the vast imperial apartments into more modest living quarters. Thus, the palace developed into an urban centre, and by the 11th century the settlement had expanded beyond the ancient walls. Under the rule of Venice (1420–1797), Split—as a gateway to the Balkan interior—became one of the Adriatic's main trading ports, and the city's splendid Renaissance palaces bear witness to the affluence of those times. When the Habsburgs took control during the 19th century, an overland connection to Central Europe was established by the construction of the Split–Zagreb–Vienna railway line. After World War II, the Tito years saw a period of rapid urban expansion: industrialization accelerated and the suburbs extended to accommodate high-rise apartment blocks. Today the historic centre of Split is included on UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites.