Dalmatia & Ancient Greece

Day 1 UK - Venice, Italy (overnight) Titan’s VIP door-to-door travel service collects you from home, for your flight to Venice. On arrival, you are met by Voyages to Antiquity representatives and transferred to embark Aegean Odyssey (4T) Day 2 Venice A choice of two excursions await; join a sightseeing tour beginning with a boat trip down the Giudecca Canal to St Mark’s Square, dominated by St Mark's Basilica - a highlight is the majestic Doge's Palace, the Gothic home of Venetian government for nearly a thousand years; or visit two islands of the Venetian Lagoon: Murano of glass-making fame, and Burano with its colourfully decorated fishermen's houses. Day 3 Ancona (Urbino) We visit Urbino this morning, birthplace of the Renaissance artist Raphael, and our guided tour visits the house where he was born in 1483. Also on our itinerary is the splendid 15th century Ducal Palace and the neoclassical Duomo which houses a painting of the Last Supper by Federico Barocci. Day 4 Split, Croatia We arrive in Split, where we explore the ancient Palace of Diocletian, built for the locally-born Roman Emperor in the early fourth century. This massive complex is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and encompasses a vibrant warren of museums, galleries, shops and restaurants mingled with medieval fortifications. The tour also visits the Cathedral of St Domnius, built around Diocletian’s huge mausoleum, and the city museum. Spend your afternoon exploring Dubrovnik further, or take an optional excursion to Salona, where archaeologists have excavated temples, a necropolis and baths dating from the 1st century AD, and Trogir, a remarkable island inhabited since 300 BC. Day 5 Korcula - Dubrovnik (overnight) The beautiful Dalmatian island of Korcula is famed for its Venetian architecture and we can explore, before leaving this afternoon to cruise past the islands of Hvar and Brac, arriving in Dubrovnik this evening, for an overnight stay. Day 6 Dubrovnik - Kotor Bay, Montenegro Lord Byron dubbed Dubrovnik the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’ and you’ll discover this stunning seaside city for yourself on today’s walking tour visiting the Old Town, medieval monasteries, churches and palaces. We leave this afternoon, cruising past the lovely Kotor Bay in Montenegro. Ship to shore tender service. Day 7 Sarande, Albania Surrounded by a picturesque lagoon, Butrint is one of the Ionian's most remarkable archaeological sites and one of Albania's most beautiful national parks. Inhabited since prehistoric times, today, the approximately 50 square mile site is an Albanian National Park and is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walk along the winding paths to discover layers of civilisation: Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine and Venetian. Complete the visit with a view from Butrint's acropolis and a short visit to the museum. Day 8 Katakolon, Greece - Pylos (overnight) The village of Katakolon is our gateway to the site of Ancient Olympia, where the first Olympic Games were held in 776 BC. Explore the stadium and temple ruins before viewing the treasures on show at the Archaeological Museum. We sail on to Pylos for an overnight stay. Day 9 Pylos We have a choice of tours today. On the first, you’ll visit Niokastro Castle, built by the Turks in 1573, one of the best-preserved in Greece, and the Venetian castle in nearby Methoni. Alternatively, join our tour to the archaeological site of Messini, which includes an almost intact theatre, the ruins of a 3rd century temple and a Byzantine monastery. Ship to shore tender service. Day 10 Monemvasia - Hydra, Greek Islands This morning’s walking tour takes us through the medieval streets of Monemvasia, visiting the 13th century Church of Christos Elkomenos, home to a collection of rare Byzantine icons, and the unusual octagonal church of Agia Sofia. From here we sail on to the lovely island of Hydra where you are free to explore at your own pace. Ship to shore tender service. Day 11 Piraeus - Athens We disembark in Piraeus this morning and transfer to our hotel in Athens. Today’s excursion takes us to the Acropolis, site of the majestic Parthenon, commissioned by Pericles in the 5th century BC. While here we will also visit the Acropolis Museum. Day 12 Athens You are free to explore Athens independently today, or you may choose to join a guided visit to the National Archaeological Museum, which holds one of the world’s finest collections of ancient Greek art including treasures such as the gold Mask of Agamemnon and the bronze Jockey of Artemision statue. Day 13 Athens - UK We transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK. Upon arrival your Titan vehicle will be waiting for the journey home.