Few cruise departures are comparable to sailing from Venice. The palaces and churches, the canals with all their charm, the narrow alleyways, and as the sun sets behind the city, your journey on Oceania begins in the most unforgettable way.
We embarked on a 10-day journey on Oceania Nautica (reembarking the same ship from Tahiti in the July 2025 edition of GB) where we once again enjoyed a small, luxurious ship. We always felt like part of the family with personalized service as the staff and crew attended to our every request with a smile.
Our first stop, the city of Split in Croatia where ancient ruins of a walled city and charming old quarters offered the perfect background of old-world beauty and where every moment felt like a scene from a fairytale. The next port was also in Croatia, the well-preserved medieval town called Korčula surrounded by tranquil beaches and seaside restaurants.
From Croatia we sailed to various Greek islands including Corfu, Katakolon, and Milos (of Venus de Milo fame), and on to Athens. Charming seaside port towns in the Ionian Sea with beautiful beaches, walled cities, ancient historical sites, picturesque villages and fresh foods and seafoods.
Crossing the Aegean Sea to the western shores of Türkiye brought us to the remarkably well-preserved ancient Roman ruins of Ephesus. We stood in awe of The Library of Celsus – one of the few great libraries of the ancient world – the colossal Great Theatre, the Temple of Artemis – one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, though not much remains now – and more.
Nestled in the picturesque hills about 5 kilometers away from the ancient city of Ephesus is the House of the Virgin Mary. This humble structure made of stone and brick was the final home of the Virgin Mary and visited by thousands on pilgrimage.
Our final stop was at one the greatest cities in the world Istanbul, Türkiye. As you approach Istanbul through the Bosporus Straits that separate Europe and Asia, the skyline offers a breathtaking glimpse of where East meets West. With so much history we visited the Hagia Sophia; the gorgeous Blue Mosque; and Topkapı Palace, the surreal underground Basilica Cistern, tumultuous bazaars and spice markets.
Onboard, every day is a chance to recharge and enjoy superb gourmet restaurants and the quiet elegance only a small ship can offer. An assortment of restaurants is offered, where we opted for Waves Grill which offered casual dining on the rear open-air deck, to Polo Grill where we enjoyed a classic steakhouse and Toscana with authentic Italian food. They also offer soothing massages, revitalizing facials, and wellness therapies crafted with intention at Aquamar Spa + Vitality Center to help regain energy for the next days’ excursions. A particular favorite is the Chef’s Market Dinner where the chefs would visit the local markets while in port and serve truly local and fresh dishes that night.
On smaller ships offered by Oceania, the journey is different. More personal. More intimate. One day you are in a grand capital, the next you are exploring boutique ports with access to hidden corners of the world and time to savor, not rush making it a perfect ESCAPADITA.
Would you like to enjoy the same trip we experienced here?
Contact Kim Parizek with Boutique Travel Advisors and let her curate this, or a similar journey, to meet your exact taste. Oceania has multiple sailings in 2026 on the brand-new ship Oceania Allura and her Inaugural Season.
As a Virtuoso Travel Agency, Boutique Travel Advisors are not just travel agents but curators and transformational itinerary designers.
Kim Parizek
(760) 402-5307
www.oceaniacruises.com
