Valletta to Athens (Piraeus)
On the heel of Italy’s boot, contrast the Baroque castles and cathedrals of Otranto with the serene, whitewashed village of Brindisi before sailing for the sunny Greek Isles. Explore the bougainvillea-draped streets of Nafplio, where the archaeological museum lends context to nearby UNESCO World Heritage sites you can explore: ancient Mycenae and Epidaurus.
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Valletta, Malta
A UNESCO World Heritage site, Valletta is a diminutive city packed with history. Sailing into the harbor is an experience in itself, as the dome and spire of competing churches rise above the cluster of limestone façades and formidable ramparts. Built by the Knights of St. John in the 16th century, Valletta is architecturally Baroque in character, with Mannerist, neoclassical and modern elements as well. It’s easy to navigate the city on foot and take in sights such as the City Gate, National Museum of Archaeology, Grand Master’s Palace and St. John's Co-Cathedral, which houses the famous Caravaggio painting The Beheading of St. John. Gardens are plenty, including the Upper Barrakka, which offer panoramic views. In the Maltese countryside, megalithic temples reveal the island’s prehistoric past, and the surrounding waters are also worth exploring, particularly the gorgeous sea caverns of the Blue Grotto.
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Sailing Time
With a day at sea, enjoy the unique opportunity to unplug and relax into the unhurried life on board. Enjoy a workout with a view at the gym, indulge in a relaxing spa treatment, watch the sky transform at sunset from The Observation Lounge, or find an intimate alcove in The Living Room and lose yourself in a favorite book.
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Otranto, Italy
Italy’s easternmost city, Otranto sits just under the heel of the country’s boot, peering out at Albania across the Otranto Strait that separates the Adriatic and Ionian seas. Otranto’s walled Old Town has been recognized by UNESCO for historic sites such as the Aragonese Castle, which has rotating exhibits on the inside and dramatic views of the sea on the outside. Equally impressive is the Church of Saint Peter, with its Byzantine frescoes and architecture, and the Otranto Cathedral, with its rose window and an incomparable mosaic floor. Just a short – and lovely – stroll from the historic center, unique shops intermingle with elegant restaurants and wine bars along the harbor's seaside cobblestone streets. With its history in the background, its present in the fore, and crystal blue waters as far as the eye can see, Otranto offers the opportunity to explore one of Italy’s best-kept secrets.
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Brindisi, Italy
Situated on the heel of Italy’s boot overlooking the glittering Adriatic Sea, Brindisi is a natural port carved into a region known for its whitewashed marble and peaceful beaches. There’s much to explore along the picturesque harbor, from the rudder-shaped Monument to Italian Sailors, which you can scale for panoramic views, to the red stone Castello Alfonsino at the tip of a small island overlooking the channel. The Roman columns at the top of Virgil’s Steps, spilling down to the Adriatic, date back to the 13th century, while the superb Archaeological Museum is a great source of ancient relics, from bronze statues to stone tombs. And, of course, a day swimming and sunbathing on the white sand shores of Lido Azzurro is a day well spent.
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Corfu, Greece
History oozes from every corner of Corfu, an island prize coveted by a succession of maritime powers since the Peloponnesian War in the 4th century BC. But who can blame them? This Ionian idyll is the greenest of all Greek islands, swathed in orange and olive groves and endless beaches bathed by a cerulean sea. A UNESCO World Heritage site, the Old Town of Corfu includes the magnificent Esplanade, where you can watch a game of cricket from a sidewalk café. There are also beautiful palaces, castles and archaeological sites to explore. Empress Elizabeth of Austria built the gorgeous Achillion Palace for her summer home, while the former Greek royal family used to vacation at Mon Repos. And don’t miss the lovely beaches of Paleokastritsa, where Odysseus was washed ashore.
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Parga, Greece
The picturesque resort of Parga offers island-style ambience and historic charm on the Greek mainland. Tiers of colorful houses, a legacy of Venetian rule, rise up over a secluded turquoise bay. In the crystal-clear waters is a tiny tree-covered islet, home only to a gleaming white chapel. From the pretty waterfront, a tangle of cobbled streets lead up to a hilltop medieval castle. The ruins overlook the bay below, the golden sands of nearby Valtos beach, orange and olive groves, and out to the Ionian Sea. The views are even more beautiful from a mountainside Ottoman fortress outside of town. Parga is also an ideal base for exploring the smaller islands of the Ionian archipelago and the archaeological sites, scenic villages and natural beauty of northwestern Greece.
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Fiskardo, Kefalonia, Greece
Green, forested Kefalonia is an Ionian idyll amid cerulean seas: an island of hidden coves and beaches and scenic villages and vineyards. On its northeastern shore, the tiny port of Fiskardo welcomes luxury vessels to its pretty, curved harbor that looks out over the legendary island of Ithaka. Colorful Italianate villas line Fiskardo’s waterfront, creating a beautiful setting for the village’s impressive line-up of chic cafés, restaurants and boutiques. Much of Kefalonia’s architectural heritage was lost in the 1953 earthquake, but the island’s Venetian influences endure to this day in its delicious cuisine and Robola, its signature local white wine. The island’s capital, Argostoli, is home to a lively main square, an acclaimed museum and library, and dance-til-dawn nightlife spots.
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Sailing Time
With a day at sea, enjoy the unique opportunity to unplug and relax into the unhurried life on board. Enjoy a workout with a view at the gym, indulge in a relaxing spa treatment, watch the sky transform at sunset from The Observation Lounge, or find an intimate alcove in The Living Room and lose yourself in a favorite book.
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Nafplio, Greece
The Venetians left their mark in Nafplio. Perched on a cliff jutting into the sea, their impregnable fortress is an elegant display of Venetian might. Walk through the Old Town with its handsome neoclassical buildings and balconies dripping with bougainvillea. One of the most beautiful towns in Greece, Nafplio is also one of the most historic; its cultural roots date back to both the Argonautic expedition and the Trojan War. From here you can drive across the Peloponnese where tales from Homer’s Iliad come alive. Visit the immense beehive tomb of Agamemnon in the Bronze Age citadel of Mycenae, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Wonder at the acoustic marvel of the ancient theater in Epidaurus, another UNESCO World Heritage site, built in the 4th century BC and still in use today.
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Syros, Greece
A study in contrasts, the Greek island of Syros is as historic as it is modern, as Catholic as Orthodox, and as stately and traditional as it is hip and cosmopolitan. The capital of the Cyclades, the island is known for its own intriguing capital, the thriving port city of Ermoupoli. Ermoupoli is crowned by the bright blue dome of the Orthodox church and paved with marble flagstones that line the main square. The nearby Apollon Theater, inspired by the architecture of Milan’s La Scala, represents the city’s remarkable cultural renaissance in the 19th century, while the bordering beaches offer everything from cafés and restaurants to artisanal shops and a casino housed in a mansion from the 1830s. For a more serene perspective, the medieval village of Ano Syros lies just up the hill from Ermoupoli. From the hilltop Catholic Church of Saint George, Ano Syros offers scenic views of the coastline and the bustling capital city below.
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Athens (Piraeus), Greece
Athens is the cradle of the Western democratic tradition, home to a civilization as radiant as any before or since. Feel the pulse of history as you climb to the hilltop Acropolis, home to some of the city’s most renowned ancient sites. Gaze in amazement at the massive columns of the Parthenon, Pericles' greatest monument. Admire the little Temple of Nike and the fantastic carvings of the caryatids that support a porch of the Erechtheion. At the bottom of the hill, the Acropolis Museum includes original statues of the maidens and numerous other artifacts unearthed here. Equally outstanding is the National Archaeological Museum, one of the largest in the world. In the Agora, you can walk in the footsteps of Plato and Aristotle, carry on an imaginary dialogue with Socrates and discover where Hippocrates healed and Pericles ruled. Then for lighter fare, savor the lively tavernas and twisting lanes of the Plaka neighborhood.
EXCURSIONS
THE SHORE COLLECTION
Discover curated experiences designed to ensure each moment ashore is uniquely rewarding. No matter which you choose, each excursion has been created to provide an exceptional travel experience. For those who prefer the freedom and flexibility of independent travel, the Concierge Ashore can transform tours into a private experience or craft an entire bespoke event just for you.
The Shore Collection excursions are available for booking 120 days prior to embarkation. The excursions listed below are intended as a guide for activities that may be available in each port, however, excursions are capacity controlled and may not be available on all voyages. Please check back regularly as more excursions will be added as they become available.
YACHT
EVRIMA
The experience on board Evrima is energizing yet relaxed, seamlessly weaving moments of serene repose and blissful indulgence into a journey of discovery. Accommodating just 298 guests, the superyacht has been thoughtfully designed to fuse the spacious, residential feel of The Ritz-Carlton properties with the innovative design quality of the world’s most stylish yacht interiors. As with The Ritz-Carlton on land, the yacht will feature the personalized service and luxury amenities that the brand is known for.
DINING
Experience a culinary journey unlike any on land with innovative menus capturing cultural traditions of each port visited.
S.E.A.
Talaat Nam
The Evrima Room
Dining Privée
Mistral
The Pool House
The Bar
The Living Room
The Marina Terrace
In-Suite Dining
LIFE ONBOARD
Onboard spaces and amenities provide an array of opportunities for entertainment and enrichment.
The Observation Lounge
Marina & Marina Terrace
The Living Room
The Spa
The Pool
The Gym
The Humidor
The Boutique
LAND AND HOTEL
Extend the luxury of your yacht experience with thoughtfully orchestrated hotel programs featuring select Ritz-Carlton® and Marriott luxury properties, as well as other celebrated hotels worldwide. Your Yacht Vacation Consultant can seamlessly arrange your pre- and post-voyage hotel stays and special events as early as 300 days prior to sailing, creating the perfect complement to your voyage. Daily breakfast, porterage, and group transfer between hotel and pier are among the included amenities.