Islands of the Med Voyage from Athens to Rome, 18 September 2023 (9 nights)

Despite being a modern construction, Agia Triada features Byzantine architecture as well as an impressive dome that is visible from every spot within the church. Overlooking the port of Piraeus, Agia Triada is a must visit to discover the history of the town and take in the tranquillity.

This vibrant and colourful district is nestled on top of a hill with views out over the bay. A walk around this neighbourhood will take you to quaint cafes, neoclassical architecture, Prophet Elias church and the Veakeion outdoor theatre.

Covering the Mycenaean period to the Roman era, the Piraeus Archaeological Museum offers artefacts excavated from Piraeus’ landscape, as well as collections donated from other sites. Visitors will discover monuments, statues, artwork and more.

One of only three surviving Liberty ships, the SS Hellas Liberty is a fascinating vessel to explore. This floating maritime museum was presented to the public in 2010 and covers a range of exhibits people of all ages will enjoy.

With stunning views of the Saronic Gulf and the beautiful vessels moored in the harbour, the bay of Zea is the perfect place to go for a walk, enjoy a delicious coffee and take in the sunshine. You’ll find many hidden gems here, including ancient walls.

The perfect escape from the heat on a hot day, Adaland Waterpark has something fun for visitors of all ages! Featuring a wave pool, a kids pool, a jacuzzi, rafting, a safari-style ocean pool and more, you’ll be sure to love relaxing, sliding and splashing here.

Founded in 1964, the Ephesus Museum houses artefacts excavated from the Ephesus archaeological site and the surrounding areas, including the Temple of Artemis. Some notable finds include the Ephesus Artemis statue, the head of Socrates and a stamp dating back to 6200 BC.

During the Ottoman Era, Pigeon Island was used for military purposes and features an imposing Byzantine fortress on the rocks known as Pirate Castle. It is now a fantastic place to explore, relax and enjoy freshly caught seafood as well as other Aegean cuisine.

Also known as Artemesium, the Temple of Artemis is considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and served as a place of worship to the Greek Goddess Artemis. Although only a few pillars remain in the ruins, the site is a must visit for ancient Greek history buffs.

Both a research centre and an aquarium that the whole family will love, Cretaquarium features numerous tanks dedicated to ocean ecosystems around the world, including the deepest depths, the tropics and more. Visitors can take a guided tour or explore at their own leisure.

One of the best museums in the world for Minoan art, Heraklion Archaeological Museum covers over 5,500 years of Crete’s history. Featuring intricate artefacts and relics from the Minoan civilization, discover the ancient history of the island at this informative museum.

Covering the 4th century AD up to WWII, the Historical Museum of Crete features intricate sculptures, iconic paintings and ancient ceramics, as well as the reconstruction of a Cretan rural home. Visitors will also find a café with indoor and outdoor seating.

Also known as The Labyrinth, Knossos is Crete’s largest Bronze Age archaeological site, and Europe’s oldest city. Take a tour of this fascinating site, said to have once been home to a terrifying Minotaur, as well as the palace of King Minos.

This new-generation theatre provides an immersive journey through the history and culture of Malta, featuring 3D films, moving seats, water and air blasts and even leg ticklers. Fun for all ages, Malta 5D is the most unique way to discover Malta!

Tucked away on a quiet street, the Manoel Theatre is a hidden gem of fascinating history and beautiful architecture. Whether you’re taking a tour of the theatre or enjoying a musical performance, visitors will fall in love with its elegance and grandeur.

St John’s Co-Cathedral is considered one of the best examples of traditional Baroque architecture in Europe and features memorials dedicated to knights covering the floor and ceiling as well as the stunning Caravaggio’s painting.

Built between the 16th and 18th centuries, the Grandmaster’s Palace is an iconic piece of Maltese heritage, housing the President’s office and a museum where visitors can enjoy an audio guide to get to know the history behind the impressive armoury.

Covering the history and mythology of Malta, the National Museum of Archaeology is a must visit for those looking to discover ancient artefacts. This highly informative museum is where you’ll find the renowned Sleeping Lady, Venus of Malta and more.

At the end of a busy day of exploring, the Upper Barrakka Gardens are just what you need to wind down and relax in the capital. Offering unrivalled views of the city, these gardens date back to 1661 and are home to beautiful statues and plaques.

The current Duomo stands on the remains of a previous medieval religious structure dedicated to St. Nicholas of Bari, which in turn was built on an older pagan place of worship. The Cathedral dates back to the 13th century, and displays different architectural styles.

The core of Palazzo Corvaja, a defensive tower, was erected in the 11th century during the period of Arab domination. The structure was then enlarged two centuries later, with the addition of the so-called "Hall of the Master of the Executioner". In the 15th century the building housed the Sicilian Parliament.

Isola Bella - together with the municipality of Taormina - is a stunning island which was once owned by English conservationist Florence Trevelyan in the late 19th and early 20th century. Since then it has been under various ownership until it was auctioned in 1990, when it was bought by the Region of Sicily.

This Greek/Roman Theatre, dating back at least to the 3rd century BC, is undoubtedly the best preserved historical monument of Taormina. It is the second largest theatre of its kind in Sicily, second only to the Greek Theatre of Syracuse.

The Villa Comunale boasts some impressive gardens which were commissioned by Florence Trevelyan, an English conservationist who lived in Taormina from the late nineteenth century until her death. The property has belonged to the municipality since 1922.

The Cathedral of Sorrento, located on the Bishop's Plaza (or piazza del vescovado in Italian), was built on the remains of an ancient Greek temple. Construction began in the 10th century and the church was consecrated in 1113. The neo-Gothic facade dates back to the 20th century.

Marina Grande is the ancient fishing village of Sorrento. It’s been used as a film set for several Italian films in the 1950s, and is now a tourist resort that offers incredible views of the Gulf of Naples, Mount Vesuvius, and the Capo di Sorrento coast.

Piazza Tasso is the main square of Sorrento. It is named after Torquato Tasso, a 16th-century Italian poet who penned the well-known epic poem, 'Jerusalem Delivered", to which a statue is dedicated. Another statue, located in the centre of the square, depicts Antonino da Campagna - the patron saint of the city.

Positano is one of the most fascinating and attractive stretches of the Sorrento peninsula - and indeed the entire Amalfi coast. It is located between Capo Sottile and Punta Germano. One stand out attraction here is the luxurious Roman Villa from the 1st century BC. This is believed to have been built for a freed slave called Posides Claudi Caesari, and can be visited by tourists today.

The Basilica of San Simplicio is the most important place of worship in the north-east of Sardinia. Built between the end of the 11th and the second half of the 12th century, it is dedicated to San Simplicio, the first bishop of Olbia. The style is mainly Pisan Romanesque.

The Castle of Pedres, built in the mid-thirteenth century, is an ancient medieval fort not far from the city center of Olbia. At the time, it defended the territory of Civita, the ancient name of the city, and the borders with the nearby Giudicato di Torres.

The Costa Smeralda is included in the municipality of Arzachena, in the province of Sassari. The renowned tourist region extends for about 50 km, boasts numerous inlets and small beaches and sees its centre in the hamlet of Porto Cervo.

The Tomb of the Giants of Su Mont’e s’Abe is one of the many structures that, in the Nuragic era, were widely distributed in Sardinia and used for collective burial. Dating back to the 2nd millennium BC, it is located not far from the Castle of Pedres.

Found in the heart of Rome, Vatican City is the smallest independent state in Europe at just 0.44km² with a population of 1,000 people. It acts as headquarters to the Roman Catholic Church and is home to The Apostolic Palace - the Pope’s residence –the Vatican Museums, St Peter’s Basilica, and the Sistine Chapel.

Within Vatican City is one of the biggest churches in the world; St. Peter’s Basilica. Accommodating up to 20,000 people, this is where the Pope delivers services. Its 136 metre high dome was designed by Michelangelo, and was completed in 1614.

The colosseum was opened in 80 A.D. with 100 days of exciting games. It was mostly used for gladiatorial combat and fights with animals until around the 6th century when it began to fall into disrepair. It was then used to store building materials until the 18th century, when the papacy decided it should be preserved. As it stands now, however, more than two-thirds of the structure has been destroyed.

Known the world-over for its elaborate, 15th century artwork courtesy of Michelangelo, Botticelli, Luca, and Perugino, the Sistine Chapel is where new Popes are elected and ordained. It is located within Vatican City, inside The Apostolic Palace.

This Michelangelo sculpture is located inside St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. It depicts the body of Jesus after he has been crucified, being held by the Virgin Mary. The statue was originally commissioned by Jean de Billheres – a French cardinal – as a memorial for his tomb.

This is one of the most iconic buildings in Rome. There are myths surrounding the building of the original Pantheon, but the structure we see today was built in 120 A.D. by Emperor Hadrian. It was created as a Pagan temple to “honour all Gods” – which is the translation of “Pantheon”. In the year 609 it was converted to a Christian church, although it is still widely known as the Pantheon.

This popular public square is located where the (now fallen) Stadium of Domitian once stood, in 86 A.D. Since then it has been developed into a social gathering spot, adorned by three magnificent fountains that were commissioned in the 16 and 17th centuries. These are Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi, Fontana del Moro, and Fontana del Nettuno.