Mediterranean, Greek Islands and Adriatic

Cruise Itinerary

• Day 1: Barcelona, Spain

  Board Queen Elizabeth for your 21-night cruise.

• Day 2: At sea

  Day at sea

• Day 3: Messina Strait (Scenic), Italy > Messina, Sicily, Italy

  The gateway to Mount Etna, Messina, is the third-largest port in Sicily. This city — which was used to film part of the film 'The Godfather' — is famous for its museums and architectural beauty. Drive up the side of nearby Mount Etna on a day trip or wander around the many shops along Messina's wide boulevards to look at Sicilian pottery and art pieces. Black volcanic glass from Mount Etna features heavily in Sicilian jewellery and makes a great souvenir. Visit Norman Messina Cathedral to see its beautiful, 15th-century windows and astronomical clock tower, before walking by the stunning marble fountains — Fontana di Orione and Neptune Fountain — which are decorated with mythical creatures and gods. Make sure to dine on locally-inspired swordfish, pasta and pizza dishes complemented by rich Sicilian wine at a trattoria during your time here, too.

• Day 4: At sea

  Day at sea

• Day 5: Piraeus (tours to Athens), Greece

  Ferries and ships fill the seemingly endless quays in Piraeus, a major port city situated within the Athens urban area. For luxury, view the impressive yachts and cruisers in Zea marina and dine in the restaurants, taverns and bars nearby. Take a stroll to Kastella; at the top of the hill you’ll find picturesque views, beautiful buildings and cultural events taking place at the outdoor theatre, ‘Veakeio’. Visit the Museum of Piraeus and discover the rise and fall of the ancient city.

• Day 6: Dardanelles (Scenic), Turkey

  Scenic Cruising

• Day 7-8: Istanbul, Turkey

  Straddling Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus Strait, Istanbul is a major Turkish city. Discover that its Old City reflects cultural influences from the many empires that used to rule. Visit one of the most beautiful buildings in the world, Hagia Sophia, and shop 'til you drop in the 5,000 shops covering 60 streets at the Grand Bazaar. The unforgettable views from Galata Tower cannot go a miss, as well as its 9-stories high restaurant and nightclub. Wander the Blue Mosque in the old city and spend time in the beating heart of Istanbul - Istiklal Avenue. The Archaeology Museum is well worth a visit to spot the magnificent sarcophagus of Alexander, blue tiled Karaman Mihrab, and the Treaty of Kadesh - the world's earliest surviving peace treaty.

• Day 9: Dardanelles (Scenic), Turkey

  Scenic Cruising

• Day 10: Kusadasi (tours to Ephesus), Turkey

  The beach resort of Kuşadasi nestles on Turkey's western Aegean coastline. Stroll along the seafront promenade and around the marina and harbour; perhaps stop for lunch at a waterside eatery or sip a glass of ice-cold beer as you take in the view. Pay a visit the impressive 16th-century Kaleici Mosque or spend a few hours relaxing on the popular Ladies Beach. Take a walk along the causeway across to the off-shore Pigeon Island (Guvercin Adasi) to explore its walled Byzantine castle. Fun times for all the family are on the menu on the lazy river, zip lines, waterslides, and water-coasters at Adaland Aquapark on the outskirts of the town. Kusadasi is also gateway to the classical ruins at nearby Ephesus; highlights include: Cukurici Mound, Ayasuluk Hill and its Selçuk Fortress, Saint John Basilica, Isa Bey Mosque, Isa Bey Bath, Temple of Artemis (one of the Seven Wonders of the World), House of the Virgin Mary, and Ephesus Ancient City itself.

• Day 11: Rhodes, Greece

  Rhodes Town sits on the northern tip of the Dodecanese island of Rhodes. Admire the three windmills, Fort St Nicholas, and the two stone columns topped with bronze stag and hind figures at the entrance to the old Mandraki Harbour. Take a stroll through the narrow cobbled streets and squares of the fascinating UNESCO-listed old town and admire the minarets and domes atop the medieval walls that encircle the area. Pay a visit to Archaeological Museum in the Hospital of the Knights, then continue along the Street of the Knights to the Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes - the highest point of the town. Gaze in wonder at the 20th-century artworks, sculptures and engravings at the Modern Greek Art Museum and the impressive minaret on the pink and white Suleyman Mosque. The New Town are is well worth a walk too; if only to visit the New Market, Aquarium of Rhodes, and the acropolis and amphitheatre at the top of Monte Smith.

• Day 12: At sea

  Day at sea

• Day 13: Katakolon (tours to Olympia), Greece

  The sleepy fishing port of Katakolon sits on the west coast of the Peloponnese, close to Pyrgos. The port is gateway to one of Greece's most famous landmarks - Olympia. Visit the ancient ruins of the Olympic Stadium where the sacred flame is lit each Olympic year. Pay a visit to the remains of the 7th-century BC Temple of Hera and the Temple of Zeus. Admire the classical, Roman and Greek treasures at the Archaeological Museum of Olympia. Pay a visit to the Mercouri Estate Winery to enjoy a wine tour and taste the wine.

• Day 14: Messina Strait (Scenic), Italy

  Messina is a harbour city in northeast Sicily separated from Italy by the Strait of Messina. Mount Etna, the active stratovolcano that lies above the African Plate and Eurasian Plate, is accessible through Messina's port. The highest active volcano is Europe; Etna is a top attraction for many visitors. Stroll around Duomo Square to admire the Norman Messina Cathedral with its Gothic portal and astronomical clock, the bell tower, and The Fountain of Orion. Faro Point is a reconstructed lighthouse and the Regional Museum of Messina displays unique art exhibitions. The 14th-century Fountain of Neptune portrays mythological figurine statues alongside running water, or Lago di Ganzirri is the perfect scenic spot for picnics and wildlife observations.

• Day 15: Civitavecchia (tours to Rome), Italy

  Spend the day exploring the charming port of Civitavecchia and Rome — an ancient city filled with famous landmarks, distinct architecture and influential art. Visit Civitavecchia's main public square — Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II — and see the Baroque cathedral dedicated to St. Francis, before taking a seat in a pavement cafe for a taste of the local seafood. In Rome, enjoy a gladiator experience at the grand Colosseum, view the ancient ruins of the Roman Forum, and throw three coins in the Trevi Fountain. Pay a visit to the Vatican City — the home of the Catholic Church — and see St. Peter's Basilica, the Vatican Museums, and the Sistine Chapel with Michelangelo's ceiling.

• Day 16: At sea

  Day at sea

• Day 17: Palermo, Sicily, Italy

  A bustling, noisy port, Palermo yet holds an unrivalled display of Norman art and architecture and Baroque churches, combined with a warren of medieval streets and markets. With Sicily’s greatest concentration of sights, and the biggest historic centre in Italy bar Rome, Palermo is a complex, multilayered port that can easily feel overwhelming if you try to do or see too much in one Mediterranean cruise visit. The best thing to do here is just to wander as the fancy takes you, sifting through Palermo’s jumbled layers of crumbling architecture, along deserted back alleys, then suddenly emerging in the midst of an ebullient street market.

• Day 18: Messina Strait (Scenic), Italy

  Scenic Cruising

• Day 19: Corfu, Greece

  The island of Corfu sits off the north coast of Greece in the Ionian Sea. Surrounded by rugged mountains and lined with golden beach resorts, it's a cosmopolitan island with a strong, traditional character. Corfu has long been a hugely popular holiday destination due to its laid-back atmosphere, fun beaches, fantastic climate, and welcoming villages. Its old town is filled with Byzantine churches, Venetian fortresses and French-style houses. Spend time relaxing on the sand or enjoying water sports in the sea, before sampling the island's delicious cuisine — often a tasty blend of Greek and Italian — at a beachfront restaurant. The waterfront is lined with bars and cafes, and there are plenty of craft markets for buying souvenirs.

• Day 20: Dubrovnik, Croatia

  The Croatian city of Dubrovnik sits on the country's southern coast on the Adriatic Sea. Explore the distinctive Old Town — an UNESCO World Heritage site — with its 17th-century Cathedral of the Assumption, baroque St Blaise Church, the Renaissance Sponza Palace, and the Gothic Rector's Palace. Experience the shops and restaurants on the pedestrianised Stradun and take a leisurely walk around the ancient city walls. Admire the views as you ride the cable car to Mt Srd or visit one of the city's museums. Relax in the sunshine on Banje Beach; enjoy a boat trip to the nearby islands of Lokrum and Elafati; view the city from the water on a kayaking trip; or take a snorkelling tour.

• Day 21: Zadar, Croatia

  Explore Croatia's Zadar — found on the Dalmatian Coast lining the Adriatic Sea. Zadar has a beautiful old town district filled with Roman ruins and century-old churches, including the 12th-century St Anastasia's Cathedral and the Byzantine-style Donatus Church. Visit the Museum of Ancient Glass and the Roman Forum, before enjoying a cold beer or a coffee at a cafe on the lively People's Square. This historic port also features a selection of modern landmarks including Sun Salutation — an enchanting light show that plays from sunset to sunrise — and Sea Organ, which is a system of pipes and whistles found underwater that play music as the sea pushes air through it.

• Day 22: Trieste, Italy

  Today your cruise comes to an end.