This Mediterranean voyage makes stops in Turkey, Greece, Croatia and Italy. After visiting Turkey, enjoy the beautiful waters of the Adriatic as you sail up the coast of Greece and Croatia. From ancient cities to modern art, from a hike up to a volcano to a relaxing and romantic gondola ride, experience the Adriatic's beauty on this Mediterranean adventure. Experience Athens, Kusadasi, Dubrovnik and Venice with your private expert guide. Departure Date: 12 June 2012.

Athens, the capital of Greece is named after Athena, the goddess of wisdom, who, according to legend, won the city after defeating Poseidon in a duel. The goddess' victory was celebrated by the construction of a temple on the Acropolis, the site of the city's earliest settlement in Attica. As a city state, the coastal capital of Athens reached its heyday in the fifth century BC as a centre for the arts, learning and philosophy, home of Plato’s Academy and Aristotle's Lyceum. Athens is also the birthplace of Socrates, Pericles, Sophocles and its many other prominent philosophers, writers and politicians of the ancient world. Nowadays, the city retains a vast variety of Roman and Byzantine monuments, as well as a smaller number of remaining Ottoman monuments projecting the city's long history across the centuries.

Enjoy your private airport transfer today.

Athens Gate Hotel (4*) is located in the historic district of Athens, opposite the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the Gate which was constructed by the Athenians to welcome the Roman emperor Adrianos (Hadrian). Very easy to access, it is located 500 meters from the Acropolis and 100 meters from the New Acropolis Museum. Constitution (Syntagma) Square, and the commercial center of Athens are only 500 meters away. The entrance to the Plaka is just a couple of blocks away. The view of the city from the hotel's Roof Garden is possibly the best in all of Athens. It was fully renovated in 2007. The style is modern and simple, as befits the area. The hotel has 7 floors, a roof garden bar and a la carte restaurant, a lobby bar-cafeteria and a cozy area with fireplace in the lobby.

Overnight at Athens Gate (4*).

Enjoy a private full day tour day tour of Athens with car and expert guide. This tour gives you an opportunity to observe the striking contrasts that make Athens such a fascinating city. Our expert guides take you to see the centre of the city, Constitution Square (Syntagma), the Parliament, the Memorial to the Unknown Soldier and the National Library. On your way to the Acropolis you will see the Panathenaic Stadium (where the first Olympic Games of the modern era were held in 1896), the Temple of Olympian Zeus and Hadrian's Arch. At the Acropolis we visit  the architectural masterpieces of the Golden Age of Athens: the Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion and, finally, the monument that 'puts order in the mind', the Parthenon. In the afternoon drive along the coastal road, past the wonderful beaches of Glyfada,Vouliagmenis and Varkiza to the most Southern point of Attica, Cape Sounion, where the white marble pillars of the Temple of Poseidon stand.On the way, you have a splendid view of the Saronic Gulf and the little islands offshore.After visiting the Temple of Poseidon, you have time to walk at leisure on the rocky promontory of Sounion. The tour takes around eight hours and includes the entrance fees to Acropolis and Poseidon temple.

Overnight at Athens Gate (4*).

Cruise the historic waters of the Mediterranean aboard your luxury cruise vessel, making calls-to-port at many of the region's most triumphant cities of bygone eras. Your onboard experience will be enriched with shore excursions out to explore the local culture, the beaches, or well-preserved relics of the past, such as great mosques or hand-masoned city walls.

Enjoy a private port transfer in Athens with private vehicle and driver.

Welcome aboard your ship.  After taking some time to get settled, you can begin to explore the ship and meet some of your fellow cruise passengers.

The 68,000-ton, 1,080-guest Crystal Serenity cruise ship raises the already lofty standards of Crystal Cruises to even greater heights. She offers an expanded space-to-guest ratio (62.9) than her spacious sister ships. Her elegantly appointed staterooms are all outside, over 85% with private verandahs, and all offer completely unobstructed views, thanks to a unique recessed lifeboat design. Crystal Serenity amenities include grand lounges, five separate and distinctive evening dining venues, a Caesars Palace at Sea casino, a lavish spa, two paddle tennis courts and award-winning entertainment.

Overnight at Crystal Serenity .

A lovely seaside resort on Turkey's Aegean coast, Kusadasi is renowned for its inviting sparkling waters, broad sandy beaches and large marina. The shops in town are filled with designer clothing, carpets, jewelry and leather goods. South, along the Aegean coast, the ancient Greco-Roman cities of Priene, Miletus and Didyma furnish impressions of the sophisticated civilizations that once thrived here.

Depart the Kusadasi port with your private driver and guide, passing through lush countryside en route to the site thought to have been host to the Virgin Mary in her final years of life, the House of Virgin Mary. From there, a short drive will bring you to Ephesus, the most important ancient ruins in Turkey. Upon arrival, enter the Open Air Archaeological Museum where you will see the Odean, Fountain of Trajan, the temple of Hadrian, and the steam baths of Scholastika. The impressive Library of Celsius, adorned with columns and statues is yet another key remnant of the Greek, and later Roman, past that can be seen. One of the largest theatres of the ancient world, the Grand Theatre, remains at the site of Ephesus, with a capacity of 24,000 seats. Explore these ancient marvels, an invaluable link to antiquity. Follow your tour with a brief carpet presentation before returning to the ship.

Overnight at Crystal Serenity .

Of all the Cyclades Islands, Santorini is often considered the most dramatic. Once an active volcano, it was known as Stongyle, or the Round Island. In about 1500 BC, the volcano erupted with such force that the center of the island literally exploded, leaving the haunting submerged crater into which you will sail. The island's small villages were preserved in the ashes and recent excavations have uncovered a fascinating view of everyday life from centuries ago.

Overnight at Crystal Serenity .

Today at sea you will have a chance to relax aboard the ship.  Take in a spa treatment or just relax poolside and enjoy a book. 

Overnight at Crystal Serenity .

Shaped like a scythe, the island of Corfu is considered one of the Mediterranean's best-kept secrets. Its lush interior is covered in cypress and olive trees while the main downtown area has elegant Venetian architecture and a serene atmosphere. Strategically important due to its location, this island has managed to maintain its uniqueness despite numerous invasions by outside forces. Today, the culture of Corfu reflects its turbulent past as well as its origins.

Overnight at Crystal Serenity .

Though it has only recently re-emerged as an independent nation, Croatia is by no means a new country. There were settlements along the Dalmatian Coast before recorded time. The region eventually became part of the powerful Kingdom of Croatia. Medieval Dubrovnik was one of several walled cities established in the 7th century to guard the coastal approaches. Its fortification was completed in the 13th century and has remained relatively unchanged. The city walls are in excellent condition and today prevent invasion by automobiles. Within the walls, the lovely sleek lines of Venetian-style buildings complement a wealth of ancient stone architecture. 

Depart the port with your private guide and driver, heading to a panoramic viewpoint of Dubrovnik and its Riviera. Proceed to Pile Gate and enter the Old Town, via the Stradun, a main street. Visit the Visia Dubrovnik 5D Theatrum, using an immersive virtual reality experience to present the history and culture of Dubrovnik and Croatia. Afterward, you will be lead by your guide as you explore Dubrovnik inside the old city walls. There will be some time for shopping prior to your return transfer to the port.

Overnight at Crystal Serenity .

Venice rests three miles off the coast of mainland Italy and is considered one of the world's most enchanting cities.  Venice is legendary for its labyrinthine network of canals. A whimsical stroll through the city can lead one to a hidden world of ornately decorated piazzas and shops. As you explore colorful marketplaces and busy town squares, marvel at a priceless legacy of Baroque architecture. Admire the richness of St. Mark's Basilica and the lavishness of the Palazzo Ducale. Getting lost in Venice can be a truly delightful experience. The place of dreams, this romantic city will live long in your memory.

A private taxiboat with escort will take you from the port to St Mark’s landing area, for a walk to the Gondola Station. Your party of two will board a traditional black Gondola for a non-narrated ride (approx 40 mins), taking you through the narrow waterways lined with beautiful houses, and under stone bridges. This 16th century mode of transportation was designed specifically to navigate these canals. To round out the romantic setting, a singer and accordionist (1 duo for every 5-6 gondolas) will accompany you. Your return taxiboat transfer will pass by beautiful sights of Venice en route to your cruise ship.

Overnight at Crystal Serenity .

In the rich cultures of Europe and celebrated cities of Italy, few places capture the imagination as much as Venice. Its fabled canalled thoroughfares and gilded palaces possess a beguiling beauty unsurpassed by anywhere else on Earth. Everywhere you go you'll find works of art - in the architecture itself or within the walls of the palaces and basilicas that are liberally sprinkled in every area of the city. Venice is an ever-changing, living canvas. No other place has such a mutable geography where you can discover delightfully peaceful piazzas and deserted canals seemingly unmarked on any map. Quite simply, there is nowhere else in the world quite like it.

This morning you will disembark the ship in Venice.  Bid farewell to your ship as your journey onboard has ended.

Be met by an English speaking assistant at the Port and take a private motor launch to your hotel where they will aid you with your hotel check in. If your hotel does not have a docking place, your transfer will leave from the closest possible docking place.

Meet your english speaking guide for a 4 hour guided private tour to Murano and Burano on your own private boat.  After being picked up by your guide at your hotel, take in the sights as you sail past the island of San Giorgio Maggiore, the Public Gardens, the tip of Sant'Elena and the famous Arsenal of the Venetian Republic. The first stop on your tour is Murano, known throughout the world for its glass manufacturing industry. Here we stop to visit to one of the most famous and ancient glass factories, where you can enjoy a live glass blowing demonstration performed by a Maestro Glass Maker. The second stop is at the picturesque island of Burano, famous not only for its lace but also for the fishermen's houses painted in bright colours. Relax and enjoy a coffee before your tour guide will bring you back to your hotel or to Venice centre.

Palazzo Sant'Angelo Canal Grande (4*) is a charming hotel housed in a noble building, elegantly restored and completely furnished in Venetian style, is located in the heart of Venice on Canal Grande, between the Rialto and Accademia bridges. The welcoming hall, with splendid original Palladian pavement, is decorated with warm colours and an old stone fireplace. From the hall windows guests can enjoy a wonderful view on Canal Grande.

Overnight at Palazzo Sant`Angelo (4*).

You will be met at your hotel by our local representative who will accompany you on the transfer from your hotel to the Marco Polo Airport by private motor launch.

 End of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart .