Corinth Canal and Greek Islands

Malta’s 16th century walled capital of Valletta, with its Grand Harbour, is a treasure-chest bristling with Baroque architecture. This most scenic of ancient ports echoes the epic, heroic history of the tiny island it nestles on. Centuries of invasion and siege have brought the influence of Romans, Phoenicians, Greeks, Arabs, Normans, Crusaders and the British – all leaving an enduring mark on Valletta’s cultural heritage. Home to The Knights of Malta, an order created in the Middle Ages, the town is known for museums, palaces and grand churches.

Baroque landmarks include the ornate St. John’s Co-Cathedral; its opulent interior is crowned by Caravaggio’s masterpiece "The Beheading of Saint John". Other noteworthy attractions include the National Museum of Archaeology, the 16th century Casa Rocca Piccola Palace and the military artefacts in the National War Museum.

The cityscape is probably one of the most stunning in the Mediterranean – the city’s sun-drenched stone walls have an almost permanent warm, honey hue, while colourful, decorative balconies overlook the worn and tethered streets below. Fine restaurants and shops leap out from side streets or are tucked away in charming courtyards.

Valletta is also well-situated to discover the silent city of Mdina, a fortified city in the Northern Region of Malta and home to the Roman burial complex of St. Paul’s Catacombs.

Built around a pretty lake against a backdrop of imposing red-rock cliffs and tall trees, Agios Nikolaos is one of Crete’s most picturesque towns. A vibrant ‘resort’ throughout the holiday season, the town attracts thousands of visitors every year thanks to its blend of natural beauty, cultural attractions, interesting historic sites and fantastic beaches.

Although Agios Nikolaos appears imposing, with its typically Greek whitewashed buildings towering over Lake Voulisméni and Merabello Bay, it is in fact very easy to explore on foot. Taking a stroll along the town’s tree-lined streets, alleys and boulevards in the Mediterranean sunshine is the best way to take in the attractions. Plenty of bars, shops and restaurants serving fine local cuisine, several charming Byzantine-era churches and interesting archaeological, folklore and national history museums all await discovery. The stunning marina and sandy beach of Ammus are well worth taking the short walk from the town centre to discover too.

Rhodes, the largest of the Greek Dodecanese islands, is awash with fine beaches, wooded valleys, crystal-clear waters, ancient ruins and remnants of an occupation by the Knights of St. John during the Crusades.

The Old Town of Rhodes is a maze of cobbled streets that echo back to the days of the Byzantine Empire, and has recently been accorded UNESCO World Heritage status. Its sandstone architecture rarely fails to impress. The town is home to the medieval Street of the Knights and the castle-esque Palace of the Grand Masters, which is now a history museum.

Further south, along the island's beautiful, resort-laden east coast, the iconic town of Lindos is an unmissable gem to explore, with its narrow alleys and streets, quintessentially Greek white-washed houses and wonderfully-preserved ancient Acropolis, which sits proudly atop an 116-metre-high rock overlooking the town. 

With frescoed churches, and eight months of Mediterranean sunshine every year, Rhodes can’t help but be a winner for its visitors.

In contrast to many of Greece’s most famous towns and cities, which are often overcrowded with visitors exploring ancient monuments and world-famous landmarks, Ermoupoli remains relatively undiscovered.

But this isn’t to say that the capital of Syros doesn’t have much to recommend it. Spread out across the slopes of two tall hills on the island’s east coast, Ermoupoli is a maze of multi-coloured and typically Greek whitewashed houses which, when explored, reveal a number of attractions from galleries and museums to shops, bars, restaurants and Ouzeries.

Among the main highlights are Town Hall Square, found in the very heart of the town, where you can admire some of the Ermoupoli’s finest architecture, including one of the largest town halls in Greece. Also worth visiting are the Apollo Theatre, the Industrial Museum and the pretty Agios Georgios Cathedral. This cathedral sits atop Ano Syros hill and offers fantastic views of the town, the neighbouring islands and the surrounding ocean.

The elegant Vaporia district harks back to days when Ermoupoli was a thriving shipbuilding centre, with its palm-lined squares and grand old shipmakers mansions.

Dreamt up by the ruler of the Ancient Corinth, started by Roman emperor Nero, and finally completed by the French, the Corinth Canal was a project that spanned many centuries. Slicing through solid rock, the canal separates the Greek mainland from the Peloponnese and serves as a vital shipping link between the Gulf of Corinth and the Saronic Gulf in the Aegean Sea.

As impressive as it is important, the Corinth Canal has to be seen – or transited if you are lucky enough – to fully appreciate the engineering involved here, the narrowness of the canal – it shrinks down to less than just 25 metres wide at the very bottom – and the sheer scale of the carefully carved cliffs that flank the waterway.

Sailing through the Corinth Canal is a very special experience, especially on board Fred. Olsen’s smaller-sized ships. Many of today’s vessels are too large to negotiate the Canal, however with Fred. Olsen you can experience the thrill of gliding between the towering cliffs, with rock-faces passing by so close that you can almost touch them.

The history of Patras – named after King Patreas who ruled Achaïa in around 1100BC – dates back over 3000 years. The city was once a major part of both of the Mycenaean and Roman civilisations, however there is little left here to remind you of Patras’ ancient past.

What was formerly a thriving trade centre is now a bustling university city, a place where modern architecture stands alongside a few surviving ancient treasures, and trendy bars, shops and restaurants line the busy pedestrianised streets and thoroughfares.

It is recommended to start your exploration of Patras at the famous street of Aghiou Nikolaou, which leads you into the Old City quarter. Here you can marvel at the ancient Medieval Castle, which was built in the late 6th century on the site of the old acropolis and offers fantastic views of the city, as well as the gorgeous surrounding scenery. The cobbled streets of the Old City offer a little glimpse into Patras’ past too, with their grand neoclassical mansions.

Elsewhere it is worth heading west of the acropolis to Ano Poli – the ‘upper city’ – to visit the Roman Odeum, which in fact pre-dates the famous Athens Odeum. In Ano Poli you will also find fascinating archaeological sites and the Patras Lighthouse. In the centre of the city, two fine historical monuments are sure to capture your attention: St Andrew Church, one of the biggest Balkan churches, and the Municipal Theatre, one of the first Opera houses in Europe.

Katakolon is the small, sleepy port town located on the western coast of the Peloponnese peninsula, which has undergone an extensive and very pleasing makeover over the last decade.

Situated on a headland overlooking the Ionian Sea, the Greek seaside town is the gateway to the UNESCO-listed World Heritage site of Ancient Olympia. Founded in the 8th century BC, Olympia hosted the original Olympic Games and its extensive, must-see ruins include athletic training areas, a stadium and temples dedicated to the gods Hera and Zeus.

The town of Kataolon itself offers the fascinating lighthouse built in 1865, the intriguing Museum of Ancient Greek Technology, and the sunken, ancient city of Pheia, which is within walking distance of the port. The Worldwide Mythology Exhibition Park was established in 2017 in Katakolo Square, where mythical monsters Minotaurs and Centaurs can be found in a labyrinth.

With its palm-lined cobbled promenade, stunning beaches and vibrant town centre, Argostoli is the perfect place to soak up the glorious Mediterranean sunshine while enjoying unique Greek culture. Surrounded by gorgeous azure waters and boasting a beautiful natural harbour, Kefalonia’s is also the island's largest port town.

Despite being a modern, commercial town, Argostoli’s tradition and heritage oozes from its charming architecture, vibrant squares and pretty landscapes. Lithostroto – the main street in the town centre – is the hub of the town and home to a number of shops, cafes, bars and restaurants. Kampanas Square – found in the middle of Lithostroto – offers superb views of the town and the beautiful Koutavos Lagoon.

Just a short distance from the town centre you will discover the impressive Agion Theodoron Lighthouse. Rebuilt in 1953 after an earthquake destroyed the original 19th century building, the lighthouse has a unique design that features 20 columns and a small tower.

The Strait of Messina is steeped in legend and is famed for its rocks and whirlpools – many of which were personified as female monsters in Greek mythology. 

An extremely busy highway of seafaring traffic, this narrow waterway is seen as being key to the economic success of Messina. The currents, whirlpools, and winds of the strait, which still hamper navigation, gave rise in ancient times to many legends about its dangers to navigators.

Situated just north of Sicily, Stromboli Island is one of the smallest Aeolian Islands, but arguably the most famous thanks to its intense volcanic activity.

One of the Europe's most active volcanos after Mount Etna, Stromboli has been erupting for over 2000 years and almost non-stop since 1932. The island's eruptions are so distinctive that geologists use 'Strombolian' to describe similar eruptions around the world.

Cruising by Stromboli is always a memorable experience and from the comfort and safety of your ship you'll take in unforgettable views of stunning landscapes moulded by unstoppable molten rock and lava flows. Look out for black sand beaches and tiny inhabited settlements dotted along the lower slopes of the cone-shaped island. You may even be lucky enough to witness volcanic activity as you sail by too.

Located on the western coast of Sicily, the beautiful city of Trapani is a fishing port with a long history renowned for its Baroque-style architecture. The sickle-shaped spit of land Trapani's Old Town occupies, was once the heart of a great trading network stretching from Carthage to Venice.

Trapani’s highlights include The Dovecote, the city’s offshore medieval fortress the restored 14th century Cattedrale di San Lorenzo, and the 17th-century Torre di Ligny watchtower, which houses the Museo di Preistoria e del Mare and its many archaeological artefacts. North of the impressive harbour, the Chiesa del Purgatorio Church holds wooden sculptures that are paraded through the city during Easter’s Processione dei Misteri.

There are several beautiful boulevards to walk around and enjoy, including Mura di Tramontana – arguably the prettiest of them all. A good range of shops and restaurants are on offer to enjoy and the boulevard delivers great views of the bay.

The Balearic Island of Ibiza may have a reputation for lively Mediterranean nightlife, but there is more to this sun-kissed, pine-clad island than meets the eye. Off Ibiza’s beaten track you’ll find quiet villages, rural hotels, hidden hamlets, yoga retreats hushed churches, and glorious beaches – from Platja d'en Bossa, lined with hotels, bars and shops, to quieter sandy coves backed by evergreen hills.

The island’s capital, Ibiza Town – Eivissa in Catalan – has a superb Old Town. The 16th century walls and ramparts of Dalt Vila, now a UNESCO-listed World Heritage site, surround tight and intriguing cobbled streets. The main entrance, Portal de Tablas, passes into a courtyard leading to the main square, which is home to wonderfully-peaceful restaurants, tiny boutiques and family-owned cafés and bars.

One of Spain’s most important port cities for over 2000 years, Cartagena is bursting with history and culture. Originally built over five hills by the Romans, Cartagena is strategically placed on the Mediterranean coast and boasts some wonderful architecture and historic monuments. They include Casa de la Fortuna, a villa with murals and mosaics, and the medieval Castillo de la Conception, which served as a fortress for the Carthaginians, Romans, Visigoths, Arabs and Castilians, and overlooks the city's stunning natural harbour.

Many of the buildings from Roman Cartagena have disappeared, but some important sites remain, including the amphitheatre which dates from around 100BC. Cartagena is also home to a number of Modernist buildings that were designed and built by the pupils of Antoni Gaudi, the world famous architect renowned for designing the stunning La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. The city’s tapas bars and vibrant bars on the marina offer some fabulous local wining and dining.

Stretched across its seven trademark hills overlooking the River Tagus estuary, Portugal’s hilly, coastal capital city of Lisbon, is a cinematic collection of cobbled alleyways, pastel-coloured buildings, ancient ruins and white-domed cathedrals. The city was decimated by an earthquake in 1755, and modern Lisbon has been shaped by that eventful day. The Pombaline architecture that now defines the city represents some of the first seismically-protected buildings in Europe.

The city’s bridges include the Ponte 25 de Abril – similar to the Golden Gate in San Francisco – and the Ponte Vasco da Gama, which includes over 11km of viaducts. Lisbon’s many fascinating museums, include the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum, the National Museum of Contemporary Art, the National Coach Museum and the Carmo Archaeological Museum. 

Lisbon is also a shopper’s paradise, with the Centro Commercial Colombo – the biggest shopping mall on the Iberian peninsula – and the elegant Avenidas Novas, full of upmarket shops. Alternatively, there bargains to be had in the local flea market, Campo de Santa Clara. Don't miss the chance to sample iconic egg tarts at Pasteis de Belém too.