Greece, Italy & Montenegro cruise aboard Celestyal Journey
- Ocean Cruise
Visit spellbinding destinations that weave in history, culture, and beauty. Uncover the secrets of the turquoise coastline and spend time in Athens - an ancient capital - on a mesmerising voyage across the Adriatic.
After one night in the Greek capital, we'll board Celestyal Journey. Discover the secrets of the Adriatic coastline, stopping at several ports - each with its own charming appeal.
In Kefalonia, you can spend your day wandering through the picturesque villages, or perhaps you’ll venture out into the countryside to see some of nature's best work - the Melissani and Drogarati Caves. Moving onto Croatia, we'll stop to explore the Pearl of the Adriatic, Dubrovnik, before exploring the coast of Montenegro with visits to Kotor and Budva. We'll see the whitewashed stone trulli in Italy's Bari and Alberobello - these cone-shaped houses have become unofficial symbols of Puglia.
Experience traditional Greek life in Corfu and visit ancient Olympia, the world-famous home of the Olympic Games. Then be transported to ancient times in Athens, visiting sites synonymous with legendary tales of Greek gods. Finally, we'll relax on the coast with a two-night stay in our resort hotel.
This holiday is ideal for travellers looking for a glimpse into the wonders of the natural world and lives from long ago.
At a glance
- Visit the largest of the Ionian Islands, Kefalonia, with its charming old town, excellent museums and sandy beaches.
- Explore Dubrovnik, the 'Pearl of the Adriatic', with its medieval and baroque centre on a guided tour.
- Enjoy coastal views as we venture through Montenegro on a guided tour of Kotor and Budva.
- Take a guided tour of Alberobello, a small town like no other, and see its whitewashed trulli.
- See ancient sites like Olympia, the site of the original Olympic Games, and the world-renowned Acropolis.
Offers
Enjoy a free drinks package worth £182pp on 2025 departures of our Athens & Greek Islands aboard Celestyal Journey and all departures on our new Greece & the Adriatic Cruise aboard Celestyal Journey when you book before 31 March 2025
Enjoy a huge selection of beverages, and the freedom to quench your thirst however, whenever and wherever you like.
Your itinerary
Arrive in Athens
Arrive in Athens and transfer to the hotel, then spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Stay at Wyndham Grand Athens
Travel from Athens and board Celestyal Journey
Embark on a seven-night cruise, spending an afternoon at leisure on board Celestyal Journey.
Travel from Athens
Enjoy a leisurely morning in the Greek capital, then we’ll check out of our hotel and transfer to Piraeus to board Celestyal Journey, our home at sea for the next seven nights.
Embarkation
Celestyal Journey has recently been refurbished and features a stylish and welcoming interior, as well as a host of amenities. You can enjoy lunch on board before settling into your cabin. Then, as we sail away from port at lunchtime, you can spend the afternoon exploring the ship. You could find a cosy bar to enjoy a cocktail, take a dip in one of the two pools on board or simply flop on a sun lounger with a good book. With the rest of the day at sea, you’ll have the entire afternoon to get acquainted with the ship. The only important decision to be made today is where to enjoy your dinner this evening!
Kefalonia, Greece
Spend a day exploring the beautiful Greek Island of Kefalonia.
Free time in Kefalonia
After breakfast, step ashore on the beautiful island of Kefalonia, the largest of the Ionian Islands in Western Greece. From the charming old town in Argostoli and excellent museums to beautiful beaches, and, of course, cafés and tavernas - Kefalonia has everything.
During your independent visit, you could wander around Kefalonia Botanic Garden or learn more about the history of Argostoli, which was devastated by an earthquake in 1953. While the disaster did damage the Monastery of St Andreas, it also revealed 16th-century frescoes hidden underneath the plastered walls, which are now on display in the monastery museum.
If you'd like to venture further afield, you could take a drive to the Drogarati Caves – a vast cave system, hosting a maze of stalagmites and stalactites, thought to be over 150 million years old (make sure you choose good footwear as it can get slippery). Close by is the Melissani Cave, home to a turquoise lake that enchants its visitors. Overhead is many stalactites – some are said to resemble dolphins, the mythical companions of nymphs, giving it an otherworldly feel. On this side of the island is Sami - a beautiful coastal town with charming Venetian buildings that reflect its rich heritage.
You might find parts of the island quite familiar; its idyllic blue waters and sandy beaches formed the backdrop of many scenes in Captain Corelli’s Mandolin (2001) and are still peaceful places to lay in the sun and relax.
You’ll have a day to explore this enchanting place as you wish - but it's so lovely, you'll want to stay longer!
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Take a guided tour of this historic city and enjoy free time to explore at leisure.
Morning at sea
You can make the most of a relaxing morning at sea before arriving at this most magical of cities around midday.
Dubrovnik
This afternoon, we'll take a guided tour of Dubrovnik’s old town. An independent city-state for much of its history, this fascinating city has evolved differently from the rest of Croatia. Dubrovnik threw off its Venetian shackles during medieval times founding a commercial empire trading with the eastern Mediterranean, France, Spain and later the Ottoman Empire.
As so often happened, the city began to showcase its wealth through its architecture and today this Baroque city proudly nestles behind its huge imposing ramparts in an area of outstanding natural beauty. The main avenue, lined by intimate cafés, is completely paved with marble, which dazzles in the sunlight and gives credence to the city’s description as the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’.
Throughout the city, you will find a wonderful array of monasteries, beautifully decorated churches and civic buildings dating from the 14th century. After dinner onboard, why not venture back on shore to experience Dubrovnik in the evening as the ship is berthed until late.
Kotor, Montenegro
Explore Sveti Stefan, Budva and Kotor on a guided tour of Montenegro’s coast.
Sveti Stefan
By morning, we will have arrived at beautiful Montenegro with its sapphire-blue coastline. Reflections of the surrounding mountains dance on the water whilst sleepy, timeless fishing villages hug the shoreline. (These views will have you reaching for your camera!)
This morning, we’ll take a guided tour, beginning with the enchanting islet of Sveti Stefan, adorned with medieval architecture and surrounded by azure waters.
Budva
We'll continue on to Budva, Montenegro’s most popular coastal town, which makes up part of the beautiful Budva Riviera. Enclosed on three sides by lush, tree-covered mountains, Budva follows a gentle coastal curve to a charming harbour, where gleaming white fishing boats, sailboats and yachts line the walkways and jetties.
Just beside the harbour sits the medieval old town, standing out from the shoreline like the jewel in Budva’s coastal crown. We’ll explore within the Venetian old town walls with a local guide. And find our way through the narrow streets to the seaside citadel where the crumbling fortress walls drop dramatically into the Adriatic.
Kotor
We’ll complete our tour back in Kotor, which nestles below a mountainside in one of Montenegro’s most dramatic settings. The walled city has a labyrinth of cobbled streets surrounding its Orthodox Cathedral – a must-see. Whichever path you choose, you’ll stumble onto quiet intimate squares - it is a delight to explore.
Its bustling market really is from yesteryear, selling homemade cheese, cured hams, honey and Mediterranean vegetables of every colour, shape and size in a refreshingly chaotic manner! You can try some of the local wine too, which despite its lack of international exposure, is rather good – and exceptional value. (It's definitely worth sneaking a bottle or two home in your suitcase!)
Free time in Kotor
With a full day in port, you can enjoy some free time to explore the cobbled streets this afternoon. Why not stop for a drink in one of the many cafés while looking out over the UNESCO-protected shores of the Bay of Kotor?
*Ship is expected to anchor at Kotor port and guests will be tendered ashore.
Bari, Italy
Uncover traditional Italian life on a guided tour of Alberobello and explore Bari’s old town.
Bari
Nestling on the Adriatic, Bari was a thriving walled port - even before the Romans arrived - and was briefly the capital of Byzantine Italy. During Norman times, it was thought to be as significant as Venice.
Alberobello
This morning, we'll take a short drive to Alberobello to enjoy a guided tour of this UNESCO World Heritage site. Remarkably, some parts of Alberobello are almost exclusively composed of trulli (dry stone huts with cobbled roofs), creating an otherworldly feel – it’s no wonder some compare it to a hobbit town. For many, this is a highlight of the tour. We'll have time to explore, discovering how the trulli were built, their intriguing origins and why many are adorned with Christian, pagan or celestial symbols.
Free time in Bari
This afternoon, you could explore Bari’s old town independently and see sights such as the imposing medieval fortress or huge Romanesque cathedral with its 11th-century frescoes. For many though, the focal point is the Basilica di San Nicola, whose 900-year-old vaulted crypt is the final resting place of Saint Nicholas, Patron Saint of Russia – better known to us as Father Christmas.
You could wander down the side streets to take in other aspects of traditional life. You’ll pass shops displaying freshly caught seafood, stalls creaking under the weight of locally grown, and families eating meals with their windows and doors open. Here and there, you may come across chattering matriarchs sitting outside their doorsteps making, hand-rolling and cutting different types of pasta, a practice unchanged through time.
*Ship is expected to anchor at Bari port and guests will be tendered ashore.
Corfu
Discover the enchanting island of Corfu with time at leisure to explore.
This morning, we'll arrive on the lively island of Corfu, at the mouth of the Adriatic, between Italy and mainland Greece, with just a narrow channel of sea separating it from Albania. This is Greece’s emerald isle, cloaked in olive, pine and cypress trees and well renowned for the beauty of its rocky coastline.
The island has a chequered past: colonised by the ancient Corinthians, then the Romans and the Byzantines, it fell to the Venetians, was captured by the French, and finally the British, before joining modern Greece in 1864.
All have influenced Corfu's elegant old town. It's one of the most attractive and best-preserved medieval towns in Europe, owing much of its charm to the clusters of colourful neoclassical buildings from the Venetian period, punctuated by austere Greek-revival styles introduced by the British and Parisian flourishes from the French occupation. It contains two massive Venetian fortresses and the grand palaces and public buildings from the French and British eras - all of which are great places to explore on a day at leisure here.
You could also relax with some traditional meze around the 'Spianada', the town's main square or take a short drive out of the town to Achilleion Palace - a splendid palace built by the Empress Elizabeth of Austria, also used by the Greek royal family.
Katakolo, Greece
Step back in time on a guided tour of Olympia, site of the ancient Olympic Games and visit the Archaeological Museum.
This morning, we'll arrive in Katakolo, a small port on the western coast of the Peloponnese and the gateway to one of the world’s greatest ancient sites: Olympia.
Ancient Olympia
The ancient Olympic Games were as major an occasion then as they are today – though hopefully cheaper to stage! Taking place every four years, the ancient stadium had a staggering capacity of 45,000, a huge number and a clear indication of the event’s importance.
All military conflicts ceased for the duration and huge rewards were conferred on the winners, whilst penalties for cheating included fines, bans and public embarrassment - how little has changed!
The Olympiad continued for about 1,000 years and this morning we’ll experience a fascinating tour of the site, also visiting the excellent museum housing numerous extraordinary finds, which include bronze artefacts displaying exquisite workmanship.
Afternoon at sea
Set sail after lunch for a relaxing last afternoon on board. You could relax in one of the eight bars or make the most of the wellness facilities.
*Ship is expected to anchor at Katakolo port and guests will be tendered ashore.
Athens
Disembark Celestyal Journey, then take a guided tour of Athens, including the famous Acropolis.
Stay at Divani Apollon Palace & Thalasso
Mooring for the last time in Piraeus, we will disembark Celestyal Journey and head into Athens to see the most recognisable, historic, and photographed sites in the world - including the Acropolis and Parthenon.
The Acropolis is, without a doubt, the most striking and complete ancient Greek monument complex still in existence.
As you wander its ancient streets, you'll be enthralled by the majestic ruins, where the Parthenon - an ancient religious temple the Athenians built for the Greek goddess Athena - stands testament to Greece's long cultural heritage. Its white columns and perfect symmetry dominate the skyline as we travel up the steep slope of Acropolis Hill. There's so much to see, from the Porch of Maidens - which supports the southern part of the Erechtheion - to the Odeon of Herodes Atticus.
Continuing our guided tour, we'll also pass the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in front of Parliament, the National Library, the University, and the Panathenaic Stadium, where the first modern Olympic Games were held in 1896.
After our guided tour, enjoy some free time in the Plaka District, crammed with little shops and restaurants. Here you can enjoy lunch independently while soaking in the traditional charm and authentic Greek cuisine of local tavernas.
Free afternoon
We'll continue to our hotel in the Athens Riviera, where you will check in and spend the rest of the day at leisure enjoying the hotel’s facilities.
Athens Attica Riviera
Spend our last day in Greece at your leisure.
After nine days of non-stop adventure, spend your last full day relaxing and unwinding at your resort hotel.
Our five-star hotel is located in the town of Brauron ion the eastern part of Attica. It’s graced with idyllic Grecian character and unforgettable views of the beachfront – we'll have private access so you can stroll right from breakfast to the beach. You could lay claim to one of the sun loungers in the gardens or on the terrace and crack open that book you’ve been meaning to read. Unwind in the spa or, for those who refuse to sit still, you could take advantage of the hotel's fitness centre and tennis courts.
And, if you’re still hungry for more history, why not venture back into Athens to explore more of the city’s attractions and museums.
Today will be completely up to you, so throw away the itinerary and go with the flow – a day of relaxation could be the perfect way to end your holiday.
Return home
Say goodbye to Greece, as we transfer to the airport for our journey home.
Available ships
Celestyal Journey
- Built
- 1994
- Passengers
- 1260
Be among the first to experience the extensively refurbished Celestyal Journey, designed to give our guests a truly memorable experience exploring the Greek islands.
Hand-picked hotels
Dolce by Wyndham Athens Attica Riviera
Athens, Greece
The Dolce by Wyndham Athens Attica Riviera offers everything you need for a relaxing stay
Divani Apollon Palace & Thalasso
Athens Riviera, Greece
Perfectly located close to the beach, with all the amenities you need for a relaxing stay.
Travel connections
All transfer times listed here are approximate, and dependent on traffic. If you have a question regarding transfer times please don't hesitate to contact us.
Arrival airport | First hotel location | Transfer time |
---|---|---|
Athens Airport | Athens | Approx. 40mins |
Final Hotel Location | Departure airport | Transfer times |
---|---|---|
Athens Attica Peninsula | Athens Airport | Approx. 25mins |
FAQs
The price of this holiday is per person, based on two people sharing a twin/double room and cabin. The price includes:
- Return flights to Athens
- 1 night hotel pre-cruise in Athens and 2 nights hotel post-cruise in the Athens Attica region.
- 7 nights in your choice of cabin on Celestyal Journey
- All visits and excursions mentioned, including sightseeing in Athens
- Breakfast at hotels and full board on the ship
- All port charges, on board gratuities, airport taxes and overseas transfers
- Sky High drinks package worth TBC: Selected drinks at any time on-board, including an extensive selection of wine, spirits and mocktails up to 7 € per serving, as well as cocktails and draught beers up to 7 € (on bookings until 31 March 2025)
- Attentive service from an English-speaking crew and knowledgeable local guides
- Services of a Riviera Travel Tour Manager
- One item of checked luggage per person
- ABTA, ATOL and IATA protection
UK Citizens do not require a visa to enter Greece, Croatia, Montenegro or Italy however must have a valid passport. For the most up-to-date passport and visa information visit - Entry requirements - Greece travel advice - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) for Greece; Entry requirements - Croatia travel advice - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) for Croatia; Entry requirements - Montenegro travel advice - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) for Montenegro; and Entry requirements - Italy travel advice - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) for Italy.
We are unable to accept responsibility if you are unable to travel because you have not complied with any passport/entry/immigration requirements.
- Countries: Greece, Croatia, Montenegro and Italy
- Currencies: Euro
- Flight time: Approx. 3 hrs 40 mins each way
- Language: Greek, Croatian, Montenegrin and Italian
- Time zone: GMT+1, Greece GMT+2
We want to ensure you make the correct choice before you book your holiday with us. We have general information on accessibility on our holidays, but if you have any concerns regarding the suitability of the holiday due to reduced mobility we would encourage you to call us to discuss these concerns.
The deposit for this holiday is £350pp, then the remaining balance of the holiday is due a minimum of 101 days before you depart.
You can take a look at our Celestyal Journey FAQ's to find answers to common questions, or find out about accessibility on our cruises and tours on our mobility FAQs page.
Alternatively, you can take a look at our Insider’s Guide to Life on Board Celestyal Journey to delve a little further, whether it's the onboard dining, onshore excursions, or more about the ships and cabins.
Availability
- Holiday type
- Departing
- When
- Guests
Selecting price display and sort by options will update the results displayed below automatically.
We've found you 8 holidays
Choose your date, departure point and the type of tour. Accommodation options will be shown at the next step.
-
Classic Tours available
Tour style | Date | Departs | Departing from | Accommodation | Price from | Call to action |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Classic Tour
|
11 04 2025 | 13:25 |
|
Celestyal Journey | £2,499 pp | Enquire now |
Outbound:
|
Inbound:
|
|||||
Classic Tour
|
18 04 2025 | 06:30 |
|
Celestyal Journey | £2,499 pp | Enquire now |
Outbound:
|
Inbound:
|
|||||
Classic Tour
|
18 04 2025 | 13:25 |
|
Celestyal Journey | £2,499 pp | Enquire now |
Outbound:
|
Inbound:
|
|||||
Classic Tour
|
25 04 2025 | 06:55 |
|
Celestyal Journey | £2,599 pp | Enquire now |
Outbound:
|
Inbound:
|
|||||
Classic Tour
|
25 04 2025 | 06:30 |
|
Celestyal Journey | £2,599 pp | Enquire now |
Outbound:
|
Inbound:
|
|||||
Classic Tour
|
02 05 2025 | 06:30 |
|
Celestyal Journey | £2,799 pp | Enquire now |
Outbound:
|
Inbound:
|
|||||
Classic Tour
|
02 05 2025 | 13:25 |
|
Celestyal Journey | £2,799 pp | Enquire now |
Outbound:
|
Inbound:
|
|||||
Classic Tour
|
09 05 2025 | 12:15 |
|
Celestyal Journey | £2,799 pp | Enquire now |
Outbound:
|
Inbound:
|