Mediterranean Gems Cruise: Malta & Greek Islands

Your journey into the eastern Mediterranean begins at London St Pancras where you meet the Tour Manager before joining the Eurostar service to Paris. Travelling in Eurostar Plus, enjoy a light meal served at your seat.

In the French capital we continue by First Class rail to Barcelona, arriving late evening when the city comes to life as locals head out to dinner. On our journey to Barcelona, you may choose to enjoy a meal from the catering facilities, or you are free to dine out independently in one of the city's enticing restaurants on arrival. We check in to our stylish four-star hotel in a prime location near many of Barcelona's landmarks and attractions, with two nights to explore this vibrant city.

• Eurostar Light Meal

Enjoy a free morning after breakfast to unwind or explore the area around our hotel. It is impossible to visit Barcelona and not fall under the spell of Gaudí. Not far from our hotel are two of his UNESCO-listed buildings, Casa Milà (also known as La Pedrera) and Casa Batlló, while above the city, Gaudí's fabulous creation Park Güell boasts colourful mosaic sculptures and incredible views.

This afternoon, we embark on a sightseeing tour of Barcelona by coach and on foot. With a fascinating mix of architecture and a laid-back coastal ambience, we soak up the city's culture with commentary from our local guide. Our first stop is the breathtaking La Sagrada Família, Antoni Gaudí's masterpiece. This extraordinary basilica was inspired by natural forms and features intricate towers carved from Montjuïc stone. From here, we stroll down La Rambla, a tree-lined pedestrian boulevard of street performers, pavement cafés and colourful market stalls.

This evening, we dine at a local restaurant.

• Breakfast, Dinner

It is embarkation day and this afternoon we transfer to the port where we step aboard our stately cruise ship. Departing this evening, we begin our 10-night journey into the glorious eastern Mediterranean. Setting sail eastwards, our ship cruises towards the island of Malta overnight.

Once you have settled in to your comfortable cabin, you may like to visit the Martini Bar before dinner, which offers a collection of rare vodkas and fine caviars. All meals are included on our cruise, and the Silhouette Restaurant offers excellent menu selections, which change nightly to provide a variety of classic and contemporary choices. Dinner includes themed entrées, a carving station and vegetarian dishes, plus desserts. Meanwhile, the Ensemble Lounge is the ideal setting for an aperitif or a digestif after dinner.

• Breakfast, Dinner

As we journey towards the island of Malta today, there's plenty of time at sea to enjoy the ship's leisure facilities and restaurants. Breakfast and lunch feature a hot and cold buffet, while refreshments can be savoured during the day at the bars or lounge. The Craft Social bar offers handcrafted beer, creative cocktails and à la carte, gourmet comfort food. Dinner is served each evening in the main Silhouette restaurant, which has an airy and stylish ambiance.

Between meals you could lounge on the upper deck, be spoiled at the spa, or explore the impressive onboard shops. From the European-style piazza, marble walkways lead to modern boutiques and fine jewellery stores.

Make the most of your time to relax before tomorrow's adventure, when we arrive in Malta's capital, Valletta. Founded in the 16th-century by the Knights of Malta, who built the fortified walls which protected European pilgrims and crusaders enroute to and from the Holy Land, Valletta remains a beautifully preserved medieval treasure. After dinner, you may like to visit The Casino, where you can join board games in a sophisticated atmosphere.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Sailing into Malta's World Heritage capital, Valletta, this morning you are free to join a choice of excursions (pre-bookable on the ship). You could stroll along the cobblestone streets of Mdina, on a visit to the country's old capital, to see its medieval churches, cathedrals, and palaces. Experience two Maltese treasures by boat - the Blue Grotto and Marsaxlokk village. Or join a sightseeing tour from the city's Upper Barrakka Gardens.

Optionally, this striking sandstone city is easy to navigate independently, with streets laid out in a grid system. Valletta's impressive city gate, its Parliament building and Royal Opera House were all designed by contemporary Italian architect Renzo Piano. History buffs may be interested in the National Museum of Archaeology which displays artefacts from the Neolithic period up to the early Phoenician era. The city's most important site is St John's Co-Cathedral and, when you've feasted on the dazzling baroque interior including artworks by Caravaggio, you might like to sample some of Valletta's exciting culinary offerings. Maltese cuisine is a fusion of Mediterranean, French and Sicilian dishes. Fresh seafood and wines from the island's distinguished vineyards are always on the menu. Return to the ship at your leisure before dinner.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Our journey through the glistening eastern Mediterranean continues as we cruise towards the magnificent city of Athens. Make the most of the excellent services and facilities onboard our ship as the aquamarine eastern Mediterranean opens up ahead of us.

After passing the coast of Southern Italy, our route takes us across the Adriatic and enters the Ionian Sea. Travelling overnight, in the early hours we skim the Greek mainland region of the Peloponnese before entering the Aegean Sea and reaching the bustling port of Piraeus, Athens.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Our ship docks in Athens this morning, the birthplace of western civilisation where you have a choice of excursions (pre-bookable on the ship). The city is also pleasure to discover independently, and a short taxi ride from Piraeus harbour takes you into the heart of the city, overlooked by the magnificent Parthenon, set atop the Acropolis. Athens' Archaeological Park has a pedestrianised walkway linking many sites, which means you can follow the footsteps of Socrates or Plato as you walk among 5,000 years of history. Join the Ancient Walk below the Acropolis, lined with characterful cafés, tavernas and views enhanced by occasional strains of classical music from street musicians.

The National Archaeological Museum is a top attraction, housing ancient treasures including sculpture, artefacts and frescoes. Behind the museum is a peaceful garden. The city's newest attraction is the stunning Acropolis Museum whose exhibits are all from the Athenian Acropolis above, dating to 5 BC, the apex of art, culture, and philosophy in ancient Greece. The Acropolis Museum restaurant offers a variety of regional Greek dishes and fantastic views.

We continue our journey east this evening, cruising through the Aegean to the Turkish port of Kuşadasi, the gateway to ancient Ephesus, overnight.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Reaching the shimmering azure shores of Turkey this morning, we enter the Gulf of Kuşadasi where our ship docks at the bustling cruise port for the day. From here, you could join a walking tour excursion (pre-bookable on the ship) to one of the best-preserved classical cities in the eastern Mediterranean, the UNESCO World Heritage ruins of Ephesus, which includes a visit to the archaeological museum. Alternatively, minibuses and private yellow taxis are available from the port to explore at your own pace. Or you may choose to look around the resort town itself, which has waterside restaurants, a shopping area and a scenic promenade.

The coastal town of Ephesus is an archaeologist's dream. Although excavations have been underway for 150 years, only 20 percent of the city has been uncovered. Walk among staggering historic sites, including the Great Theatre, the Temple of Hadrian, and the Temple of Artemis - a colossal Ionic temple which is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

After today's adventure, return to the ship before dinner on board. When we set sail towards the Greek island gem of Santorini.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, we reach the idyllic island of Santorini, regarded by some as the mythical Lost Atlantis, a vision of whitewashed houses with blue domed roofs, built into rugged cliffsides. Uniquely, Santorini's terraced homes and windmills lie on a caldera, a huge basin formed by an erupting volcano in 17 BC. After docking, smaller boats transport us to the harbour of Skala below the main town of Fira. You can reach the top by cable car, or climb the 587 steps to the top.

After exploring Fira's chic boutiques, churches and cafés you could take a taxi to other parts of the island. The island's volcanic past has produced grapes for renowned wines. Some of the best can be found in Pyrgos, Megalochori, and Oia, which is also known for its breathtaking sunsets. Another inspiring place to visit on Santorini is the ancient Minoan site of Akrotiri, an astonishing archaeological excavation. Alternatively, admire a stunning replica collection of the vibrant frescoes found at the site, in the Archaeological Museum in Fira town.

Back aboard our ship, we cruise towards Mykonos overnight.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Turquoise skies, dazzling white sugar-cube buildings and a weathered collection of six thatched windmills mark our arrival in Mykonos. After docking on this cosmopolitan island this morning, we are transported in smaller boats to pretty Mykonos town, where you are free to wander through the enchanting maze of cobblestone streets, dripping with crimson bougainvillea, to browse glamorous boutiques, colourful craft shops or relax in one of the many café or restaurants. The streets of many Greek island towns were designed to deter pillaging pirates during the Byzantine Era, so it's worth noting landmarks to avoid getting lost.

Archaeology buffs could take a short ferry ride to the tiny sacred isle of Delos, a UNESCO World Heritage site, a truly unforgettable experience. On this tranquil uninhabited island, you can walk through ancient stone pathways among breathtaking archaeological ruins, from the Temples of Apollo and Artemis to the famous Terrace of the Lions. In Mykonos later, you may like to visit the picturesque area of Little Venice, a famous sunset spot, where characterful bars and whitewashed cafés with brightly painted wooden terraces huddle beside the water.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Cruising the Ionian Sea of the Western Peloponnese we reach our next destination. The UNESCO World Heritage site of Olympia is regarded as the most celebrated sanctuary of ancient Greece, once the religious and athletic centre of the historic civilisation. Set in a lush green landscape, the site is famous as the birthplace of the Olympic Games - the Festival of Zeus was held in Olympia every four years, from 776 BC until the end of the 4th century AD, to honour the god.

It is possible to explore the ruins of this magnificent site independently or you could join a guided tour (pre-bookable on the ship). In ancient Greece this thriving sanctuary featured the stadium, a large Doric Temple of Zeus and the Statue of Zeus, one of the ancient Seven Wonders of the World. Relics of temples and sculptures of gods and Olympic winners can be admired at the Archaeological Museum of Olympia. We reboard our ship before dinner when we set sail towards the Adriatic enroute to Civitavecchia, Rome.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

From Olympia, we have traced our route back through the Mediterranean towards the mainland of Italy. Today sees us sailing through the aquamarine Adriatic Sea and there will be regular sightings of land as we follow the rugged east coast of Italy up towards Rome.

Today is your last full day at sea so you may like to make the most of facilities, maybe enjoying some games on the Lawn, a session in the Fitness Centre or relaxing in the Solarium. This evening is our final dinner at sea, in the Silhouette restaurant. Later, you may wish to linger in the lounge, one of the lively bars, or at The Casino.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This epic exploration by land and sea has taken us from the wondrous city of Barcelona on the Catalan coast to the famous landmarks of the Eastern Mediterranean. Enroute, we have explored the islands of Malta, Santorini and Mykonos and seen the ancient treasures of Athens, Ephesus and Olympia, discovering classical sites and superb scenery.

We dock in Civitavecchia early this morning and disembark our ship after breakfast. Transferring by coach to Rome airport, we board our flight back to London, where your Mediterranean voyage comes to an end.

*Please note: if you have opted to return by rail, you will spend the day in Rome with a guided sightseeing tour before an overnight stay at a 4-Star hotel. On Day 14, you travel by First Class rail to Chambéry in France for an overnight stay, continuing by rail on Day 15 to Paris and London.

• Breakfast