Holland America Line Mediterranean: 7 nights from Athens with Oosterdam
Aug 22, 2026

Kotor

The Adriatic Sea penetrates the jagged coast of Montenegro and winds between high mountains until it meets the exquisite and walled medieval city of Kotor.

Along the Adriatic coast of the former Yugoslavia, we find one of the most unique and fascinating European coastal areas, the city hidden in Montenegro, Kotor.
Located at the bottom of a bay, the beautiful medieval city of Kotor is considered a Mediterranean location surrounded by cliffs and an interesting historic wall. The tourist attractions of Kotor are easily reached with a pleasant walk. This small walled city, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has compact dimensions that make it comfortable and easy to visit.

The central part of Kotor was built between the XII and XIV centuries. A historic center surrounded by a rather thick wall, four and a half kilometers long and fifteen meters high. This immense fortified wall reaches the bastion of Sveti Ivan (San Giovanni).
Inside the walls, it preserves an urban network cut into the stone. Its most emblematic work is the Cathedral of San Trifone, built in the 12th century. Inside the church it contains objects and frescoes sculpted during the 14th century. Furthermore, The Orthodox Church of San Nicolas, built between 1902 and 1909 in neo-Byzantine style and that of San Luca (13th century) built in Romanesque and Byzantine style.

Together with the churches, the city includes many palaces that tell its history: the Maritime Museum, located in the Grgurina Palace, a splendid baroque building located in the historic center of the country. The Drago house, with its beautiful Gothic windows, the Prima building, where Renaissance and Baroque lines are combined, the Ducal Palace and the Bizanti, both from the 17th century and the Napoleonic theater in the 19th century.
In Kotor, it is very common to see locals located along the rocky coast in the lower part of the city. In the old part of the area you will find many shops and restaurants that will delight your eyes. This location is the classic ideal city to spend quiet days or for a romantic getaway.

Korfu

Corfù is a Greek island in the Ionian Sea, located off the northwestern coast of Greece and south of Albania. The Greek island is a natural paradise. It is the second largest island of Greece, with 220 km of coastline. Its geography is dominated by mountain ranges and reaching 1000 meters above sea level, you will find Mont Pantokrator.

This mountain divides the island into three different areas. The northern area, abundant in olive groves, features green valleys and coastlines that form both small and large bays. The central part, the most populous and important, is covered by dense vegetation and lush hills.

The southern area consists of a large plain with less vegetation than the other regions but is decidedly more fertile. The most lively part of the city is found at Liston, similar to Paris’ Rue de Rivoli- a grand avenue lined with beautiful cafes and excellent restaurants. On the other hand, the island also has beautiful beaches washed by the Ionian Sea.

One of the most beautiful walks in the capital is along the harbor promenade, next to the city walls, where you can contemplate the view of the city. Corfù was the first Greek Island to open its doors to tourism, becoming an important international tourist centre that attracts many visitors every year. Even if tourism is evident in the coastal areas, the island has managed to preserve its authenticity.

Messina

Messina has a very lively passengers port, discover all the cruises that set sail from Messina on Taoticket. Thanks to a cruise from Messina, you can visit lots of localities in Italy, France, Spain and Malta. Departures from Messina often has very convenient prices. Compare the itineraries and the prices and depart for your cruise. Messina is located in the north east Sicily, about 90km from Catania and 230 km from Palermo. A lively
and chaotic city, Messina is a real highway of maritime traffic.

In ancient time, the Greeks mythologised the conflicting currents of the Strait of Messina as the twin monsters of Charybdis and Scylla (the six-headed monster). The history of this place is filled with many myths and legends, transforming Messina into a town with a fairy-tale and enigmatic atmosphere. The climate in Messina is Mediterranean: very hot and dry environment but mild in summer and with heavy rainfall in winter.

Messina can be a starting point for excursions to discover Sicily: do not miss Taormina and Giardini-Naxos, two ancient small towns founded by the Greeks rich in charm, history and typical gastronomic and handicrafts products. Here you can do shopping and buy souvenirs for your friends and family. If you are nature and trekking lovers, do not miss the excursions to Mount Etna, one of the largest still active volcanoes in Europe. You will pass through cool forests until you reach the barren peak covered with lava stones from the latest eruptions: a fascinating landscape all year round! In winter, Mount Etna opens its ski facilities while in summer it is a refuge from the heat of the city.

Have a snack with the typical Arancini di Riso (rice balls) or the Pidoni (calzones pizza stuffed with escarole, anchovies and scamorza cheese), and if you love dessert, do not miss the cassata Siciliana or the chocolate cannoli accompanied by a coffee granita with cream! Enjoy your meal and have a goodcruise from Messina.

Set sail from Messina, a historic port city on the northeastern tip of Sicily, nestled on the stunning Strait of Messina. With its vibrant harbor, the iconic astronomical clock, and the beautiful Cathedral, Messina offers a captivating starting point for your Mediterranean cruise. Before embarking, explore its rich history, enjoy fresh Sicilian pastries, and take in the panoramic views of the strait. Messina provides a perfect blend of island charm and strategic location, making it an ideal gateway for your Italian and Mediterranean adventures.

Cruises departing from Messina open up a world of possibilities across the sparkling blue waters of the Mediterranean. Whether you dream of discovering the ancient ruins of Greece, the sun-drenched coasts of mainland Italy, or the exotic allure of other islands, Messina serves as an excellent launchpad. Enjoy the seamless transition from the lively Sicilian city to the luxurious comfort of your cruise ship, ready for days filled with relaxation, exploration, and unforgettable moments. Each voyage from Messina promises breathtaking scenery and cultural immersion, leaving you with cherished memories of the sea.

Salerno

Salerno is an Italian municipality with 133,693 inhabitants, capital of the province of the same name in Campania, the second municipality in the region by number of inhabitants and the thirtieth at national level. The city of Salerno occupies a spectacular position overlooking the Gulf, where the splendid Amalfi Coast is located, a famous tourist destination in Italian Campania. It has a rich history and a deep-rooted tradition.

During the Middle Ages the city was the capital of the homonymous Lombard principality and then of the Norman duchy of Puglia and Calabria which included a large part of the continental South and was the original nucleus of the future Kingdom of Naples and the Two Sicilies.

Salerno was home to the School of Medicine, which was the first and most important medical institution in Europe at the beginning of the Middle Ages and as such is considered by many a forerunner of modern universities. Ideal heir to the famous medical school is the University of Salerno, located since 1988, in the form of a campus, in the neighboring municipalities of Fisciano and Baronissi.

From February to August 1944 Salerno was the seat of the Italian government,[10] hosting the governments Badoglio I, Badoglio II and Bonomi II which led to the Turn of Salerno.

Starting from the second half of the nineties, the city began a series of policies aimed at improving livability, urban decor and projecting, especially as regards tourism, Salerno at national and international level. The city is therefore a candidate to become one of the poles of cruise tourism and contemporary architecture, hosting works by the greatest architects of the 21st century, such as Fuksas, Zaha Hadid, Bohigas, Chipperfield, Calatrava and Bofill.

Salerno

Salerno is an Italian municipality with 133,693 inhabitants, capital of the province of the same name in Campania, the second municipality in the region by number of inhabitants and the thirtieth at national level. The city of Salerno occupies a spectacular position overlooking the Gulf, where the splendid Amalfi Coast is located, a famous tourist destination in Italian Campania. It has a rich history and a deep-rooted tradition.

During the Middle Ages the city was the capital of the homonymous Lombard principality and then of the Norman duchy of Puglia and Calabria which included a large part of the continental South and was the original nucleus of the future Kingdom of Naples and the Two Sicilies.

Salerno was home to the School of Medicine, which was the first and most important medical institution in Europe at the beginning of the Middle Ages and as such is considered by many a forerunner of modern universities. Ideal heir to the famous medical school is the University of Salerno, located since 1988, in the form of a campus, in the neighboring municipalities of Fisciano and Baronissi.

From February to August 1944 Salerno was the seat of the Italian government,[10] hosting the governments Badoglio I, Badoglio II and Bonomi II which led to the Turn of Salerno.

Starting from the second half of the nineties, the city began a series of policies aimed at improving livability, urban decor and projecting, especially as regards tourism, Salerno at national and international level. The city is therefore a candidate to become one of the poles of cruise tourism and contemporary architecture, hosting works by the greatest architects of the 21st century, such as Fuksas, Zaha Hadid, Bohigas, Chipperfield, Calatrava and Bofill.

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.