Civitavecchia – Piraeus · 19–30 September 2026

Civitavecchia greets arriving ships with a broad working harbour, sea walls, ferries and a stretch of Tyrrhenian coastline that feels more practical than picturesque at first glance. Just beyond the port, you can find an old seafront town atmosphere, waterfront promenades and views toward the Lazio coast, with Rome lying further inland as the great nearby draw.

Arriving by ship, Ponza greets you with pastel houses climbing above a busy harbour and steep volcanic cliffs dropping into clear blue water. Nearby, you can wander into the lively waterfront streets or head along the coast to discover rocky coves, sea views, and the island’s relaxed Mediterranean atmosphere.

Palmarola feels wild and remote, with dramatic volcanic cliffs, sea caves, and intensely clear water creating one of the most striking anchorages in the Pontine Islands. Arriving by ship, expect a quiet, unspoiled coastline and excellent views of the island’s rugged rock formations and tiny coves nearby rather than any built-up harbour scene.

Arriving by ship at Sorrento, you are greeted by steep cliffs, a compact harbour, and wide views across the Bay of Naples, with Vesuvius often visible in the distance. Nearby, the town above the port has a lively yet elegant holiday atmosphere, with narrow streets, sea-view terraces, and the dramatic Amalfi coast within easy reach.

Arriving by ship at Lipari, you are greeted by a bright Mediterranean harbour backed by steep volcanic slopes and a town rising above the waterfront. Nearby, you can head toward the old quarter and hilltop fortifications for sweeping views, while the island’s white pumice tones, dark rock and clear sea give the whole place a vivid, sunlit atmosphere.

Approaching Taormina by sea, you are greeted by a dramatic Sicilian coastline of steep green hills, rocky headlands and clear blue water, with the town perched high above rather than directly on the quay. Nearby, you can head up toward Taormina for sweeping views, elegant streets and the famous ancient Greek Theatre, while the shoreline below has a relaxed holiday feel.

Arriving by ship in Syracuse, you come to a broad Sicilian harbour with sunlit waterfronts and a relaxed Mediterranean feel. Nearby, the old city on the island of Ortigia, baroque streets, sea views and the archaeological heritage of ancient Syracuse make this one of the most atmospheric stops on Sicily’s east coast.

Katakolon is a small Greek port with a relaxed seaside feel, where low waterfront buildings, fishing boats and excursion traffic create an easy holiday atmosphere as you come ashore. Nearby, the coast of western Peloponnese offers sunny beaches and gentle hills, and the ancient site of Olympia is the best-known place to visit inland.

Arriving in Gythio, you are greeted by a long waterfront of pastel houses climbing the hillside and a relaxed Peloponnesian harbour atmosphere. From the port, the town is easy to explore on foot, with sea views, narrow streets and nearby reminders of the region’s long maritime history.

Approaching Monemvasia by sea, you are greeted by a dramatic rocky islet crowned with stone walls and clustered houses, one of the most striking coastal silhouettes in Greece. From the port area, the famous fortified town lies nearby and the whole setting feels atmospheric, sun-washed, and quietly timeless.

Approaching Hydra by ship, you are greeted by a compact, amphitheatre-like harbour framed by steep, rocky hills and elegant stone houses climbing the slope. Just beyond the waterfront, narrow lanes, small churches and sun-bleached viewpoints give the island a calm, refined Mediterranean atmosphere with no cars and a strong sense of old seafaring Greece.

Piraeus is a vast, busy harbour where ferries, fishing boats and cargo traffic create an unmistakably maritime first impression. From the port you are close to Athens, with the city's historic sights nearby, while around Piraeus itself you can find marinas, waterfront promenades and a lively urban Greek atmosphere.