A Greek Isles/Eastern Mediterranean cruise is the ultimate quadfecta–sunny beaches, ancient history, stunning scenery, and culinary delights. This is the BIG box on the Bucket List which means a BIG motivator for your team. You’re not going to want to miss a single experience, so here are our tips for making the most of your Mediterranean Cruise.
- Choose a 10-Night Friday sailing from Rome. This cruise perfectly utilizes two weekends.
- Tack two days on in Rome before the cruise. You can’t fly into Rome and not see the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica! We’ll make sure you see it all.
- No stuffy “luxury liners.” Celebrity’s “Reflection” is aptly named–It reflects the vibrancy of the Mediterranean and the gracious welcome of the people. And the food…Squisto!
- Port Perfection! Each stop more incredible than the last, check out this itinerary:
- Sicily, Italy: The hacky sack to Italy’s boot, Sicily sings with history. Visit the cliff top village of Taormina and its incredible Greco-Roman theater. Take in the views of Mt. Etna above and the aquamarine sea below. Grab a gelato and take a stroll; be ready for a postcard-picture around every corner. Nature lovers, splash in the cool waters the nearby Alcantara Gorge. History buffs, head to the Valle dei Templi to wander through Ancient Greek temples.
- Valletta, Malta: The Apostle Paul shipwrecked here, but don’t you worry about that. Start the day in the “Silent City” of Mdina, originally founded around 800 BC, and take a horse and carriage through its narrow, cobbled streets. Then on to Valletta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back to the 16th Century. Architecture buffs will love the baroque buildings, while Game of Thrones fans will relish the familiar setting.
- Mykonos, Greece: Crystalline aqua sea, whitewashed homes with bright blue doors, windmills on hills, and cobblestone streets. Mykonos is a tactile experience, so hop on a scooter and explore the beckoning beaches, sup at the Kalifatis Beach Club, and wind through narrow stone walkways to discover hidden shops and galleries.
- Rhodes, Greece: The voices of medieval knights seem to sing from the stones of the walled “Old City,” the last Christian hold-out until the Ottoman Turks took the city in 1523. Stroll down the Street of the Knights to experience the city as it would have been in medieval times. Do not miss the Palace of the Grand Master, a citadel which has roots in the 7th century Byzantine Empire.
- Santorini, Greece: The Gem of the Aegean, Santorini’s bright blue domes, like sirens, have been calling your name. The crowds on disembarking will be heading up the switchbacks to the old city. Yet the sirens’ seductive call means you’ll be boarding a boat for Oía (pronounced ee-ah) instead. Once your camera is loaded with pics of Oia’s fabled blue domes, it will be perfecting timing to catch a shuttle to Fira for the stunning scenery, tempting restaurants, quaint shops, and a tram ride back to the ship.
- Athens, Greece: Pinch yourself. You really are seeing the “new” Olympic Stadium, home of the first modern Olympiad. Yes, you are standing in the Parthenon and touching the stones of the majestic Acropolis. You’re rocking the cradle of Western civilization! Now to the Plaka district for fantastic shopping and a traditional meal at the Fisherman’s Tavern Restaurant.
- Naples, Italy: Ancient bodies preserved in plaster show the very moment of death from the volcanic eruption of 79 AD which destroyed Pompeii, just a short drive from Naples. After exploring the ruins of Pompeii, head to Sorrento, home to its famous lemons the size of small basketballs. From there, travel along one of the world’s most stunning coastlines, the Amalfi coast, to Positano and beyond. Death and destruction not your thing? Take a boat to beautiful island of Capri and hike to the Arco Naturale or the Punta Carena lighthouse.
Experienced world travelers consider this the ultimate Bucket List trip. And companies who have chosen this as their incentive package have found their team members motivated like never before and still raving about their experiences years later. Pack your bags. The Mediterranean beckons!
