Just a short distance from Athens, Piraeus is the biggest port in the Mediterranean and sees over 20 million cruisers each year. This port city is a perfect example of life by the sea, boasting an impressive harbour and authentic seafood dining, as well as the rich and fascinating history of ancient Greece. Whether you’re looking to discover archaeological findings or just want to relax in the sun at a friendly café, Piraeus is the place to be.
Things to do in Athens (Piraeus):
Agia Triada Church
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.
Castella
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.
Archaeological Museum
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.
Hellas Liberty
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.
Zea Bay
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.
Istanbul - Overnight onboard
DAY 2-301 Jul 2023
Istanbul’s history dates back thousands of years, making it an incredibly culturally enriching destination to visit. With warm and welcoming locals excited to show you around, you’ll explore breath-taking mosques with vibrant mosaics, find handcrafted souvenirs at lively markets and enjoy aromatic mezes and fresh seafood as well as locally produced wine. There’s a lot to see here, but be sure to simply explore this wonderful city to truly soak up the culture.
Things to do in Istanbul - Overnight onboard:
Basilica Cistern
One of the city’s most popular attractions, the Basilica Cistern was built in 532 and is the largest surviving cistern in Istanbul. The number of columns and the impeccable symmetry is a staggering sight and a must see, making a great escape on hot summer days.
Blue Mosque
Built between 1609 and 1616 during the rule of Ahmed I, the Blue Mosque is named for its hand-painted blue tiles on the interior walls, and the blue lights that illuminate it at night. A walk around this impressive structure is truly awe inspiring- don’t forget to adhere to the dress code though.
Dolmabahce Palace
This magnificent structure took 13 years to build and was the administrative centre of the Ottoman Empire. Take a tour of the entire palace or different sections and discover the exquisite decoration (particularly the 4.5 tonne chandelier) and the painting museum.
Hagia Sophia
Often considered the eighth wonder of the world, the Hagia Sophia was actually built three times after being destroyed, with the third and final structure being built 532-537 AD. Now, it is a museum filled with Christian and Muslim art, as well as breath-taking architecture.
Misir Carsisi
Selling countless varieties of Turkish delight, Mısır Çarşısı Market (also known as Spice Bazaar) is a fantastic place to find souvenirs, spices, snacks and stories from warm, friendly vendors. Whether you’re looking to buy or not, exploring the market is a great way to be immersed in the culture and atmosphere of Istanbul.
Sultanahmet Square
Sultanahmet Square is where you’ll find the tourist hotspots of Istanbul all in one place. Located in one of the most historical parts of the city, you’ll find the largest cistern, two stunning mosques and numerous places to enjoy authentic cuisine.
Topkapi Palace
Topkapi Palace possesses a colourful history with many sultans living there since 1481. A visit here will give visitors insight into the fascinating stories of the Ottoman Empire, through collections of armour, weaponry, pottery, jewellery and more.
Mykonos Town, Mykonos
DAY 403 Jul 2023
Whether you’re in the mood for stretching out on an idyllic beach, itching to explore the maze of streets in search of seafood, or even looking to dance the night away at a seaside superclub, Mykonos has something for everyone. History buffs will be fascinated by the archaeological site of Delos, while Mykonos Windmills provide the perfect holiday snap. A romantic dinner along Little Venice is a must for couples- especially at sunset.
Things to do in Mykonos Town, Mykonos:
Little Venice
This row of 18th century fishing houses looks out onto the crystal clear sea, providing beautiful views both day and night. Though they aren’t fishing houses anymore, the shops, restaurants and bars that have replaced them still give a very enchanting waterfront experience.
Beaches
Boasting plenty of sun-kissed beaches, including Fokos and Kapari beaches, there's plenty of space and options for a relaxing day on the sand by the blue sea.
Paraportiani Church
Paraportiani Church is one of the most photographed churches in the world, and it’s easy to see why. The whitewashed structure stands out vibrantly against the ocean backdrop, creating fantastic photo opportunities and a romantic place to take a stroll.
Mykonos Windmills
Featured on many postcards you’ll find in Greece, the Mykonos Windmills are an iconic sight of the island. Once vital to the economy, the seven windmills are now a beautiful spot to take photos and explore- particularly at sunset.
Matoyianni Street
Day or night, Matoyianni Street is bustling with shopping, dining and bars. It’s the perfect place to find handmade souvenirs, such as jewellery and even sandals, as well as other designer boutiques. Visitors will also love the live music here!
Delos Archaeological Site
This small island is one of the most prominent archaeological sites in Greece, and is simply teeming with mythological and historical insights. Visitors will marvel at the artefacts exhibited here, including sculptures of Apollo and Artemis.
Souda
DAY 504 Jul 2023
Situated close to the popular town of Chania, Souda in Crete is a quaint seaside town with just over 5,000 inhabitants. Although it’s a small town, it’s filled with restaurants, bars and plenty of attractions to see when you stop off here, including the nearby Vlites mountain peak that gives breathtaking views over Souda Bay, the Archaeological Site of Ancient Aptera and the extraordinary Museum of Typography.
Things to do in Souda:
Vlites Mountain Peak
If you’re looking for incredible views of the town, head over to the Vlites mountain peak. Surrounded by greenery, this mountain peak might be a bit of a walk away from the town, but the panoramic views you’ll get over the town makes it well worth the effort during your stopover here.
Archaeological Site of Ancient Aptera
One of the most significant Greek archaeological sites is Aptera, which is situated in western Crete. 13 kilometres east of Chania, close to Rethymno, the Aptera Archaeological Site is surrounded by the Souda Bay to the north and the beautiful White Mountains to the south. Through excavations, the Aptera Archaeological site keeps making important new discoveries, and every year more visitors are drawn to this historic attraction.
Museum Of Typography
Located in nearby Chania, the Museum of Typography was created by Yannis Garedakis, who has been collecting an array of artefacts for more than 30 years. Opened in 2005, the museum is full of tools showcasing the development of European typography.
Katakolon
DAY 605 Jul 2023
The sleepy seaside village of Katakolon is perhaps one of the biggest tourist highlights of Greece, thanks to its close proximity to Ancient Olympia. With sparkling turquoise waters, numerous traditional tavernas and the warmth of a friendly, local community, Katakolon is the perfect place to explore on foot in the sunshine, where you’ll find museums, bars, restaurants and souvenir shops, as well as horse-drawn carriage rides and even a Beer Bike!
Things to do in Katakolon:
Olympia Museum
Home to over 463 ancient works, this museum is rich with fascinating history and culture of Ancient Greece. Featuring exhibits covering the second millennium BC until the 5th century AD, you’ll find pieces that were used throughout the ancient Olympic Games.
Archaeological Site of Olympia
Featuring excavations from the Bronze age to the Byzantine era, this huge site provides an impressive insight into the history of Ancient Greece. You'll find sites such as the Ancient Stadium where the Olympic Games were held, the Temple of Hera, and the Temple of Zeus.
The Temple of Zeus
The beautiful ruins of The Temple of Zeus is a major historical site. Despite it being destroyed it still is a fantastic portal to the past giving you a major insight into the gods of old.
Archimedes’ Museum
This fantastic free museum is dedicated to the physicist, engineer, inventor and astronomer, Archimedes of Syracuse. Home to just some of his inventions and reconstructions, it’s well worth a visit, especially for those curious about his expert creations.
Archaeological Museum
Just a short walk from the archaeological site, the Archaeological Museum hosts artefacts that were discovered in Olympia. With over 3,500 years of history to discover, this small but fascinating museum will take you back in time to Ancient Greece.
Trieste (Venice)
DAY 807 Jul 2023
The regional capital of northeastern Italy's Friuli Venezia Giulia is Trieste. It’s a port city located on the limestone-dominated Karst Plateau on a narrow strip of land between the Adriatic Sea and Slovenia's border. And its scenery, which includes a mediaeval old city and a neoclassical Austrian district, is influenced by Italy, Austro-Hungary, and Slovenia. There is a wide range of attractions in Trieste, including Miramare Castle, the Unity of Italy Square and the Revoltella Museum.
Things to do in Trieste (Venice):
Miramare Castle
In Trieste, northern Italy, between Barcola and Grignano lies a castle from the 19th century called Miramare Castle. The Miramare Castle is without a doubt one of Trieste's top attractions because of its breathtaking setting that extends into the Gulf of Trieste. It was the home of the archduke Ferdinand Maximilian Joseph Habsburg-Lorraine and his wife Charlotte of Belgium, and was constructed between 1856 and 1860.
Unity of Italy Square
The centre of Trieste is Piazza Unità d'Italia (Unity of Italy Square). At the base of San Giusto Hill, it is a popular plaza that faces the Gulf of Trieste and is regarded as having the largest waterfront in Europe with an area of 12,280 square metres.
Revoltella Museum
A modern art gallery, the Revoltella Museum (or Palazzo Revoltella), was constructed between 1853 and 1858 following the plans of Berlin architect Friedrich Hitzig. The museum displays historical artefacts and furniture that belonged to the museum's founder as well as artistic and cultural treasures that, along with the interior fittings and the palace's architecture, serve as records of the Second Empire's varied taste.
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Customer reviews for Oosterdam
4.3
Based on 15 reviews
Cabin
4.5
Service
4.5
Excursions
4.1
Dining
4.5
Activities
4.1
Value for money
4.3
Entertainment
4.3
This was a cruise out of Santiago Chile. The cruise itinerary was excellent and all ports were visited. I had a pre stay in Santiago for 3 nights first. Although it was great, I would advise as with everywhere, to be careful with personal items. Booking with Iglu was exceptional and I recommend them to all my friends!
user
6-10 cruisesFully Obstructed Ocean Views
27 Mar 2023
Pleasantly pleased to find a good cruising experience on HAL and much better than previous cruise we had taken. Service staff excellent across all departments. Entertainment much improved since last cruise although we still miss the cast shows. Excellent music in a range of venues, although we'd of liked a little more variety. Food of good quality with good portions. Descriptions on menu could have been a bit more detailed. Sometimes menu items displayed on the App menu were not available. Bar service and quality drinks were very good.
couple
10+ cruisesPartial Ocean View
24 Dec 2022
Enjoyed the cruise overall and the itinerary was great. The ship could do with a little update, but all the crew were excellent and attentive, absolutely faultless. Unfortunately due to entertainers illness (presumably Covid) the last 3 days was a little quiet. The enrichment now includes art talks and was superb, both enlightening and entertaining, particularly Dahli and Banksy. I have booked again with Holland America Line, but am going to try a new ship.
couple
10+ cruisesOcean View
16 Nov 2022
Ship and crew were brilliant.
couple
10+ cruisesOcean View
9 Nov 2022
Terms and Conditions
All offers and prices are subject to change and availability at time of enquiry. Prices are based on two passengers sharing unless otherwise stated and are subject to the Tour Operator's terms and conditions. Cabin and Flight supplements may apply. Other supplements may apply in addition to the price shown above. Flight details, timings and routing may be subject to alteration. Other tour operator charges may also apply. Any Onboard Spending money or drinks package value shown will be per cabin, again based on two sharing.
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