Cruising the Dalmatian Coast and the Ionian Sea: Venice to Athens – with Smithsonian Journeys

At the height of its imperial power, Venice proudly referred to itself as La Serenissima, the Most Serene Republic. Even today, the city remains a masterpiece of timeless grandeur, where gilded palazzos line winding canals and echoes of history linger in every piazza. From the shimmer of the lagoon at sunrise to the enchanting glow of twilight over St. Mark’s Square, Venice invites you to lose yourself in its beauty, artistry and romance.

Day 1 – Venice, Italy

Upon arrival at Venice Marco Polo Airport, you will be warmly greeted and escorted to Splendid Venice hotel by private water taxi—your first glimpse of the city's iconic waterways. In the afternoon, a dedicated hospitality representative will be available to assist with recommendations for dining and independent exploration, ensuring you make the most of your first day in Venice. As evening falls, gather with fellow travelers for a welcome cocktail reception at the hotel, where you can toast to the start of your journey. Dinner is at your leisure, offering the perfect opportunity to discover one of Venice’s many charming restaurants.

Day 2 – Venice

After breakfast at the hotel, join your guide for an exploration of two of Venice's most emblematic crafts: fashioning the masks worn during the Venetian Carnival and manufacturing the gondolas for which the city is famous.

Your first visit is to the studio of an expert mask-maker, who will introduce you to the mysterious origins of the use of masks in Venice and their association with Carnival from the 13th century onward. You will learn how the masks are designed and produced and will see some of the magnificent variety of their decoration.

A walk through some lesser-known neighborhoods of the city will bring you to one of the few remaining squeri—the workshops where gondolas are built and maintained. In the past, these boatyards were located all along the Grand Canal, attesting to the importance of gondolas in the life of the city. A local artisan will describe the traditional methods of designing a boat to meet the individual needs of each gondolier and will explain the history of this uniquely Venetian method of transport. After your visit to the boatyard, transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure.

Day 3 – Venice | Embark

After breakfast and checking out of the hotel, set out on a guided walking tour that brings Venice’s storied past to life. Begin in the heart of the city with a visit to the Doge’s Palace, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture that served as the political and judicial hub of the Venetian Republic. Explore its grand chambers, adorned with priceless artworks and echoes of centuries of governance during Venice’s golden age as a maritime power.

As you exit the palace, stroll through St. Mark’s Square, pausing to admire the ornate façade of St. Mark’s Basilica. While interior access is no longer included, your guide will share the fascinating history of this iconic structure, originally built to house the remains of St. Mark, the city’s patron saint. Learn about the basilica’s unique blend of Byzantine and Venetian influences and its symbolic role in the city’s spiritual identity.

Following the tour, enjoy lunch at your leisure or take some time to explore Venice independently. Later, reconvene at the hotel to transfer to the pier for embarkation.

Your hotel:

Splendid Venice is a 4-star property in the center of the city, near St. Mark's Square and the Doge's Palace. It features 165 rooms, a restaurant, two lounge bars, 24-hour room service, marvelous views of the surrounding area, and all of the services you would expect from a luxury hotel in a major European city.

Your program includes:

·        2 nights at Splendid Venice (or similar)

·        Transfer and luggage handling from the airport to the hotel on the scheduled program arrival day

·        Transfer and luggage handling from the hotel to the ship on embarkation day

·        Welcome Reception on Day 1

·        Breakfast on Days 2 and 3

·        Sightseeing and programming as noted in the itinerary

·        Local English-speaking guide

·        Gratuities for the drivers and local guides

Your program does not include:

·        Transfer from the airport to the hotel on any day other than the scheduled program arrival day

·        Personal expenses and other services and meals not mentioned as included in the program

Please note:

·        It is imperative that your flight arrival details are communicated at least 90 days prior to the beginning of your cruise in order to secure your transfer from the airport to the hotel.

·        Early check-in and/or late check-out are available depending on availability and at a supplement. An additional night is possible, upon request and depending on hotel availability. Please, contact reservations or your travel agent for further details.

·        This pre-tour is not suitable for guests with limited mobility as it requires a lot of walking over uneven surfaces, cobblestones, and steps.

·        The official currency is the Euro. Credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, shops, and restaurants.

·        This pre-cruise program is offered as a package. There will be no refunds for unused accommodations, meals, or excursions.

·        Program is offered on a space available basis.

·        Program is subject to change without notice.

Hotel contact information:

Splendid Venice

S. Marco Mercerie, 760

30124 Venice

Italy

Telephone: +39 041 5200755

Athens is the birthplace of democracy and philosophy and home to the most enduring symbol of classical civilization—the Parthenon. Join this specially designed program to explore the incomparably rich legacy of this amazing city.

Day 1 – Athens, Greece

After breakfast aboard ship, join a tour this morning to the heart of Athens. Your first visit will be to the New Acropolis Museum, opened to the public in 2009 and designed to house and showcase all of the artifacts found on the Acropolis since archaeological work at the site began. The result is the exhibition of some 4,000 objects dating from the Greek Bronze Age through the Roman and Byzantine periods. Your tour of the Acropolis itself includes the Propylaea, which serves as the entrance to the complex, the Temple of Athena Nike, or Wingless Victory, and the Erechtheum with its classical Porch of Maidens. And of course, there is the Parthenon, the most perfect example of classical architecture in the world, designed as a shrine to Athena and at one time housing a massive gold and ivory statue of the warrior goddess.

Following the excursion, enjoy time at leisure to stroll the pedestrian walkways of the Plaka, the ancient neighborhood at the base of the Acropolis. Here you will find a variety of shops and cafés where you can browse and have an independent lunch before checking in to your hotel.
The balance of the day is at leisure and dinner is on your own.

Day 2 – Athens

Breakfast at the hotel is followed by an excursion to two of Athen's most important sites. First, explore the National Archaeological Museum, an incomparable treasure trove of Cycladic, Minoan, Mycenaean, and Classical Greek art. A few of the museum's most important exhibits include the bronze statue of Poseidon, the head of Hygeia (Goddess of Health), the bronze statue of the 'Jockey-boy' of Artemision, the Golden mask of 'Agamemnon,' and the brilliant Minoan-style frescoes from Santorini. 

Next, a short drive brings you to the Ancient Agora, which once served as the political, cultural and religious center of the city.  Athenians would gather to buy and sell goods, but also to learn the news, to debate issues, or simply to gossip. This is where Socrates could be found daily posing his questions to fellow citizens.

The balance of the day is at leisure with independent lunch and dinner.
 
Day 3 - Athens | Depart

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport for flights homeward.

Your hotel:
Located in historic Syntagma Square, the 5-star Hotel Grande Bretagne is the perfect venue for a visit to Athens. Within walking distance of exclusive shopping areas, museums, and the business district, the hotel boasts 320 rooms and suites, two restaurants, and a spa. Its views of the city center, from the Parliament building to the Parthenon, are unrivaled.

Your program includes:

·        2 nights at the Hotel Grande Bretagne (or similar)

·        Transfer and luggage handling from the pier to the hotel on disembarkation day

·        Transfer and luggage handling from the hotel to the airport on Day 3

·        Breakfast on Days 2 and 3

·        Sightseeing and programming as noted in the itinerary

·        Local English-speaking guide

·        Gratuities for the drivers and local guides
 

Your program does not include:

·        Transfer from the hotel to the airport on any day other than the scheduled program departure day

·        Personal expenses and other services and meals not mentioned as included in the program
 

Please note:

·     It is imperative that your flight details are communicated at least 60 days prior to the beginning of your cruise in order to secure your transfer from the hotel to the airport.

·     Early check-in and/or late check-out are available depending on availability and at a supplement. An additional night is possible, upon request and depending on hotel availability. Please, contact reservations or your travel agent for further details.

·     The official currency is the Euro. Credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, shops, and restaurants.

·     This post-cruise program is offered as a package. There will be no refunds for unused accommodations, meals, or excursions.

·     Program is offered on a space available basis.

·     Program is subject to change without notice.
 

Hotel contact information:
Hotel Grande Bretagne
1 Vasileos Georgiou A' str.
Syntagma Square
Athens 105 64, Greece
Telephone: +30 210 333 0000