Athens (Piraeus) – Venice · 7–17 August 2026

Getting there by boat only? Sounds like a hidden gem! And indeed: Poros is the island of heavenly tranquility. Dense pine forests reaching down to the sea, blooming gardens, and idyllic beaches with crystal-clear water give this peaceful island, separated from the Peloponnese coast by a narrow strait, its unique charm. The old town of Poros also exudes a wonderfully laid-back vibe: neoclassical villas and charming fisherman's tavernas nestle against the green hills – and the old clock tower faithfully watches over the town, harbor, and waterfront promenade.

The unique character of Milos' landscape was formed by volcanic activity. Hot springs, spectacular cliffs and distinctive rock formations give the various beaches their own individual character. The colors of Milos are most obvious where the water meets the stone and forms the coastline. Minerals have colored the sand and stones and each rock along the coastline seems to glow in a different color. Plaka, the picturesque old capital with its typical dazzling-white houses, is overlooked by a mighty castle which offers a superb view over Adamos Bay and the surrounding islands.

Climbing the rigging, untying ropes, setting sails – today is all about sailing. Time to lean back and relax in the deck chair and watch the passionate crew hoisting the sails by hand.

The largest, greenest, most picturesque of the Ionian Islands – while Kefalonia is bursting with superlatives, it remains a well-kept secret. This is good for us because the island in the middle of the Gulf of Patras has so much to offer – from its 1,600 meter-high black Mount Ainos to the depths of the Melissani lake in a legendary stalactite cave. The cliffs on Kefalonia’s coastline offer fantastic views of clear waters and bright pebble beaches. And if you just want to relax, then nab a quiet spot in the idyllic fishing village of Fiskardo amidst colorful flowers and bright window shutters, and just take it easy.

Greeks, Romans, Venetians and Ottomans were former rulers of the island, which rivalled the trading powers of Venice and Dubrovnik in its medieval heyday. The rich cultural heritage of the picturesque old town of Kerkyra is protected by UNESCO. Island life unfolds against a seemingly aristocratic backdrop. At the end of the 19th century, when Corfu was a Mediterranean destination where the aristocracy and moneyed classes longed to go, the Empress "Sisi" of Austria also discovered the island. She had an old Venetian villa renovated for herself and this became her Achilleion – named after her favourite hero, the legendary Greek Achilles.

Otranto is the most easterly port in Italy and, due to its geographic location in the Adriatic, has had an extremely eventful history over the centuries. Not far away is Lecce, one of the most beautiful and affluent cities in southern Italy whose heyday was immortalised in stone over 200 years. The Baroque cityscape, in the idiosyncratic "barocco leccese" style, is characterised by a marble-like stone known as Lecce stone. The numerous palaces and the Basilica di Santa Croce have profusely decorated facades and art feels right at home here. There is good reason why people are proud of its evocative nickname, the Florence of the South.

The Adriatic island of Korcula is one of the greenest in the region. Vineyards and olive groves stretch across rolling hills. The island's main town of the same name is protected by a city wall. It is one of the best-preserved medieval Mediterranean towns. Some buildings evoke the time when the maritime power of Venice ruled. Tintoretto is immortalised in the cathedral, and in one of the narrow streets you can search for the house where Marco Polo was born.

Dalmatia is the southernmost region of Croatia, and Split is its most beautiful cultural center and secret capital. Gothic, Romanesque, Venetian, Roman and Baroque – a stroll through the old city of Split is like a journey through time. Diocletian's Palace, once the Emperor's retirement retreat, is at the heart of the beautiful old city, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A vast palace complex of around 322,917 square feet was erected in just 10 years at the end of the 3rd century AD. A city within a city.

The floating city of Venice sits on millions of wooden piles and more than 400 bridges cross 150 canals. No other city possesses such an abundance of stunningly beautiful churches, monasteries, palaces and artistic treasures, and nowhere else has plaster that crumbles so elegantly. Venice is a unique work of art and, with its lagoon, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The gateway to the city is probably the most magical of any in the world. Slowly and majestically you glide past the proud palaces along the Grand Canal and the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute, giving you a long look at the fairytale setting of St Mark's Square with the Doge's Palace and Campanile.