Venice (Ravenna), Italy - Located on the Adriatic coast in North-East Italy, Ravenna was briefly the capital of the Roman Empire and later the Italian capital of the Byzantine Empire. During this time, incredible mosaics were constructed throughout the city. Described as a symphony of color in Dante's Divine Comedy, Ravenna's well-preserved mosaics are some of the finest remaining in the Western world.

At Sea - Cruising - Cruising

Olympia (Katakolon), Greece - Experience ancient history and modern charm in Katakolon, a vibrant cruise port on the Greek coast. From here, you can catch a glimpse of Olympia, the birthplace of the original Olympic games and a shrine to the ancient Greek gods. Walk through the Olympia complex to get a historical tour of architectural styles, from the classical ruins to the red-tiled roofs of the traditional homes. Then, stroll through the Katakolon's lively center to discover unique local galleries and shops, and grab a seat at an oceanfront taverna with a glass of white wine and a dish of locally caught calamari.

Santorini, Greece - Here on the island of Santorini, you'll find a classic Greek seascape‐whitewashed houses accented by sea-blue roofs. This is a treasure trove for both professional and amateur archeology buffs, with sites that include tombs that date back to the 9th century and the sanctuary of Apollo.

Kusadasi (Ephesus), Turkey - The UNESCO World Heritage ruins of Ephesus impress even those familiar with the world's other ancient cities. Though excavations have been underway for 150 years, only 20 percent of the city has been uncovered. Check out the the Celsus Library — built in 117 A.D., the site is made up of towering columns highlighted by the statue of the goddess of wisdom. Cruises to Ephesus will give you a taste of Turkish life by strolling the seafront promenade and the bustling city center. Walk Marble Street, paved with actual marble slabs, which takes you from downtown to the Temple of Artemis — you can still see one lone remaining column from this wonder of the ancient world.

Mykonos, Greece - For pure Mediterranean pizzazz, Mykonos can't be beat. Designer boutiques and beautifully bronzed Greek gods and goddesses lie on Mykonos' beaches. The city's five famouse white churches look down on it all in oblivious serenity.

Thessaloniki, Greece - The fascinating past and enchanting present come together on your Thessaloniki cruise from the moment your ship docks. Greece’s second-largest city is also considered its cultural capital, which makes Thessaloniki a perfect venue for leisurely strolls past Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman monuments, statues, and churches. In the city’s high-octane Ladadika district, Greek music, dancing, and dining come together in one happy trio. If your preferred location ashore from your Greece cruise is beachside, long stretches of sand with varying degrees of amenities are just a short distance from the city in the resort towns on the beautiful blue waters of the Thermaikos Gulf.

Athens (Piraeus), Greece - As the capital of Greece and one of Europe’s most bustling cities, Athens is powered by 5,000 years of history. At night, the city of Athens glows from afar, light reflecting off the ancient ruins. Today travelers flock from around the world to experience its history while on cruises from Athens. After all, the art, theatre, architecture, and philosophy of Athens had ripple effects through the fabric of entire civilizations.

Zakynthos, Greece - A Greek island in the Ionian Sea, the popular summer resort Zakynthos is also known by its Italian name, Zante. Surrounded by bright turquoise waters, the island boasts wonderful sandy beaches, dramatic cliffs and woods so captivating, they were a favorite spot for godly twins Artemis and Apollo, according to ancient myths.

Popular beaches like Agios Nikolaos, Alykanas and Tsilivi offer swimming and water sports. Accessed only by boat, Instagram-worthy Navagio beach is the site of a famed 1980 smugglers’ shipwreck resting in a sandy cove dramatically framed by towering limestone cliffs.