Cunard Greek islands: 7 nights from Istanbul with Queen Victoria
May 19, 2025

Canakkale

Heraklion

Heraklion is the capital of Cray. It is the largest port and economic center of the island and the third largest city in Greece. This city hosts the archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Church and has religious buildings of great interest.

Heraklion is located in the center of the northern coast of the Greek Islands. With more than 100,00 inhabitants, the city is the capital of Crete, a Venetian fortress during the Middle Ages. The ancient city, with its squares and wide cobbled streets, balconies with wonderful view on the sea, mantains numerous fortifications. In particular there are important and magnificent monuments such as the Church of Agia Ekaterini, dated back to 1555, where the Museum of Sacred Art is hosted. The Archaeological Museum, home to ceramic sculptures, jewellery and frescoes on the Minoan culture. The Historical Museum, home to the only exhibited work of the painter Domenico Theotokopoulos (The Greek), and where you can have a view of Mount Sinai. The Cathedral of St Mena, the patron saint of the city, built between 1862 and 1895 is one of the largest buildings in the area.

Heraklion has an important port and a considerable center for the coastal trade of oil, soap, wine and hides. It has ferry boats and ships with regular itineraries to the islands of Santorini, Ios, Paros, Mykonos, Rhodes, Karpathos and Syros. There are also several daily ferry bgoats to Piraeus, south-west of Athens. The Venetian fortress, still in perfect condition, protects the entrance to the port.

The large combination of reality and mythology, tradition and modernity, make Herklion a cosmopolitan center and one of the most important tourist destination in the Mediterranean. Great beaches, lively nightlife, sunny people, excellent cuisine and the strange "interplay" between the old and the new, guarantees to tourists an unforgettable holiday.

Athens

Many still think of Athens as an ancient city that thrived two and a half thousand years ago. Its symbol is the mighty Acropolis, which dominates almost every view and the itinerary of every visitor, and it is crowned by the iconic Parthenon, which rises above the city, overlooking the sprawling and evolving modern metropolis.

Many still think of Athens as an ancient city that thrived two and a half thousand years ago. Its symbol is the mighty Acropolis, which dominates almost every view and the itinerary of every visitor, and it is crowned by the iconic Parthenon, which rises above the city, overlooking the sprawling and evolving modern metropolis.

Perhaps the most significant change is in the historical centre, which is almost unrecognisable since cars have been banned. This has liberated the area with the most significant archaeological sites, creating the longest, and undoubtedly one of the most splendid, pedestrianised zones in Europe. This huge archaeological park has brought past and present together, returning the cultural and social life of the city to the area around the ancient monuments and surrounding neighbourhoods.

Athens remains a city of contradictions; it is both frustrating and seductive. It is the oldest city in Europe, yet still in a state of transition. It is one of the safest and most vibrant European cities - an intoxicating mix of grunge and grace with an undeniably urban soul.

Katakolon

Civitavecchia

The port town of Civitavecchia is about an hour away from the Italian capital and is where ships will dock before bringing lucky holidaymakers into the city of Rome. It is an important port for cruise ships and ferries, connecting to Corsica, Sardinia and Barcelona. Civitavecchia is a town in the heart of Lazio. It is a small, sleepy town that overlooks the sea from behind the busy and chaotic commercial port.

Spreading out along the coast, the town is situated between the Mignon river to the north and the Marangone river to the south.
Civitavecchia is a port town in the heart of Italy, in the province of Rome, 80 kilometres northwest of the capital.

It is shrouded in art and history, and is rich in bays and coves with sandy and rocky beaches. Today the town is the departure point for many cruises and journeys around the Mediterranean. It is an excellent tourist destination where you can simply enjoy 'la dolce vita' or visit the amazing historical monuments. On a level with the majestic ancient capital, in terms of its monuments, gardens, villas and works of art, it also gives you easy access to the Tyrrhenian Sea, the Terme della Ficoncella, and the Etruscan ruins.

Civitavecchia will guarantee you an original and enchanting experience.