9 Night Cruise sailing from Corfu to Dubrovnik aboard La Belle de L'Adriatique.

DAY 1: France - CORFU
Welcome on board the ship from 6.00 pm. Settle into cabins and introduction to the crew followed by a welcome cocktail in the lounge/bar before dinner on board. We set sail towards Katakolon. Presentation of the cruise, followed by an on-board lecture. The cruise continues through the night.

DAY 2: KATAKOLON
All meals are taken on board today. We arrive around 8.00 am in Katakolon, from where we set off on our optional excursion to the site of Olympia(4), birthplace of the famous Olympic Games which reached their peak in the 5th century, attracting more than 150,000 spectators. Running, wrestling, the pentathlon, horseracing and chariot races were among the disciplines contested in this legendary location. The ruins amaze and delight us and give us an insight into the sophistication of the ancient civilisation to which they belonged. We visit the Palestra, where the wrestlers battled, and the Sanctuary: the Doric Temple of Zeus, the Temple of Hera and finally the Stadium where the racing took place. The museum displays some of the most beautiful items that have been excavated and some striking sculptures. We return on board for lunch and continue our cruise towards Gythion. Lecture in the lounge bar.

DAY 3: GYTHION
We arrive early this morning in the fishing port of Gythion, former Spartan arsenal which is lined with traditional houses. The nearby island of Marathonisi still has some examples of typical Mani architecture. We set off for our optional excursion "Sparta and Mystras"(4). As we pass through Sparta, we are reminded of the great historic rivalry Sparta had with Athens, but it is Mystras first and foremost, a symbol of the Byzantine Peloponnese and the wonder of Morea, which is sure to be the highlight of the tour. In the town we discover the monastery of Vrontokhion, the Pantanassa with its church full of colourful frescos, and the monastery of Perivleptos with its astonishing church built under a rock. We return on board for lunch, after which the afternoon is free for independent exploration in Gythion. Dominated by the ruins of its medieval castle, the port has managed to retain its picturesque alleyways and charming residences from the Ottoman period. As for Marathinisi Island, legend has it that when Paris of Troy stole Helen from Sparta they spent their first night here. We return on board for dinner and set sail again for Piraeus.

DAY 4: PIRAEUS
All meals are taken on board today. We spend the morning cruising towards Piraeus, where we arrive at the end of the morning. Lecture in the lounge bar. We set off on our optional excursion to "Athens and the Acropolis" (4). This trip allows us to explore the site of the Acropolis, the original religious centre of ancient Athens, the Temple of Athena Nike, complete with its graceful Caryatids in place of columns in one of the temple porches. The imposing Parthenon, dedicated to the goddess Athena, is the perfect backdrop, allowing us to imagine how things looked back in Ancient Greek times. A panoramic tour by coach of the modern town of Athens gives us a brief glimpse of life today in the Greek capital before we return on board at the end of the day. Dinner on board is followed by a Folklore evening - let yourself be entertained by Greek music and dancing. We moor for the night.

DAY 5: PIRAEUS
After buffet breakfast on board we set off on our optional excursion to the historic centre of Athens (4). Here we have the chance to explore the pretty district of the Plaka with its traditional houses and little maze of alleyways, the Anafiotika district built at the beginning of the 19th century by the inhabitants of Anafi Island, Ancient Agora with its spectacular remains located in a protected area, Adrianou Street and its cafes. Next we return to Monastiraki, the traditional district famous for its flea market and antiques market, its tavernas serving souvlaki (famous Greek sandwiches) and of course the central market which gives us a glimpse into the normal daily life of the Greek people. We return on board for lunch and the afternoon is spent on an optional excursion of the Apollo Coast and Cape Sounion (4). The Apollo route follows the coast around the Gulf of Saronica all the way to Cape Sourion. An outrider of Attica, watching over the entrance to the Gulf of Saronica, Homer's "sacred promontory" is admirably located facing the Aegean Sea and the Cyclades. Here we can explore the ruins of the Temple, dating from the 5th century BC and dedicated to Poseidon, God of the Sea, to whom the sailors prayed when they rounded the cape. We return on board for dinner, after which we have an evening of entertainment in the lounge bar. We moor for the night.

DAY 6: CORINTH
The Belle de l'Adriatique leaves its home port and heads for Corinth, which occupied a strategic position during the Mycenaean period. Under Emperor Nero in 67AD, the first attempts to drill through the isthmus were begun, but the work was not completed until the end of the 19th century. The canal is 6.343 kilometres long, 24.6 metres wide across the water surface and 8 metres deep. The cliffs flanking the canal can reach heights of 79.5 metres in places. Lecture in the lounge bar. We arrive in Corinth mid-morning and, after lunch on board, we set off on our optional excursion to Mycenae(4). The town was built by Perseus, with the help of the Cyclops, according to Greek mythology. The remains of the acropolis such as the Lion Gate, the Royal Tombs, the Palace and the Tomb of Agamemnon bring to life the heroic saga of the Atreides. Before we return on board, we have a brief stop in Nafplion, the first capital of Modern Greece, dominated by Palamidi Fortress, a very picturesque and ancient town with much charm. We return on board late afternoon and have dinner on board. We set sail for Itea, and continue our cruise through the night.

DAY 7: ITEA
We have buffet breakfast as we cruise and arrive early in the morning in Itea, a seaside resort nestling in the middle of the Gulf of Corinth. This is an ideal departure point for our optional excursion to Delphi (full day with lunch included)(4). Delphi is a mythical place founded by Zeus which used to attract crowds of pilgrims who would flock here to hear the predictions of the Oracle, the Pythia of Delphi, a priestess said to receive her inspirations and prophesies from the god Apollo, who prophesised on the 7th day of each month. A visit to the Sanctuary of Apollo allows us to admire the Agora, the Sacred Way which leads to the Temple of Apollo, the theatre, and the famous Delphi Tholos. A visit to the museum presents the works of ancient artefacts and masterpieces that have been discovered in Delphi. We continue on to the Monastery of Hosios Loukas, hidden away on a hillside surrounded by olive trees and orchards and one of the most beautiful Byzantine monasteries in Greece, which captivates visitors with its lavish decoration. We return on board at the end of the afternoon in time for dinner. The ship sets sail again, heading for Corfu. Lecture in the lounge bar.

DAY 8: CORFU
We have buffet breakfast on board today as we continue our cruise throughout the morning. This is the ideal opportunity to relax on the sun deck or to take part in a range of activities on board. Lecture in the lounge bar. We have lunch as we cruise and arrive early in the afternoon in Corfu. Corfu is the most populated of the Ionian Islands, and the furthest north. With an enormously varied landscape, this is a real paradise island and a haven of peace, which Homer, Casanova, Sissy (Empress of Austria) and many others truly adored. We have an optional guided visit "Achillion, Kanoni and Corfu Town" (4).. We begin with a visit to the Achillion Palace, built in 1890 for the Empress Elizabeth, which houses a wonderful museum and where the gardens have magnificent views over Corfu Town and the Ionian Sea. The visit is followed by a coach journey across the Kanoni Peninsula, where we see the Vlacherna Convent and Pontikonissi Island (Mouse Island). We end our excursion with a visit of old Corfu Town, which grew up between two fortresses enclosed by walls. There are many alleys and vaulted passageways here, and the most famous monument is the Church of Saint Spyridon, where the splendour of the Byzantine icons delights and astonishes visitors. We return on board and set sail again. Our Gala dinner this evening is followed by an evening of music and dancing. We continue our cruise through the night.

DAY 9: THE BAYS OF KOTOR - DUBROVNIK
We have buffet breakfast on board today as we continue our cruise through the Bays of Kotor. The Bays of Kotor are most unusual: here the sea cuts in to the land for several kilometres, forming many bays of calm waters which in times gone by were regularly criss-crossed by powerful merchant fleets, which made several ports very rich. The luxuriant vegetation in this fjord-like bay is due to the abundance of rain and the mild climate. We arrive in Kotor at the end of the morning. After lunch on board, we set off on foot for our optional guided visit of Kotor to discover the old town on foot. We visit the Cathedral of St Tryphon, built in the 9th century after Kotor's sailors brought back St Tryphon's remains from Asia Minor, and the Maritime Museum. We return on board at the end of the afternoon and set sail again, heading for Dubrovnik. Dinner on board tonight is followed by an evening of music and dancing. We arrive in Dubrovnik during the evening and moor for the night.

DAY 10: DUBROVNIK - France
We have buffet breakfast on board before disembarking around 9.00 am