11 nights. Croatia, Italy, Montenegro, Greece, Malta, France

Day 1

venice, italy

Departure: 17:00

Perhaps no city is as fabulous as Venice, a metropolis built upon pilings, a labyrinth poised over a lagoon. Venice has been called the drawing room of Europe, and indeed for centuries the city was a sanctuary for ideas and idealists, a crossroad of the Byzantine and Roman worlds. Today Venice is a different kind of drawing room. Wealthy visitors clamber into gondolas to gawk at the Byzantine palaces while being serenaded by accordionists and art appreciators stand on tiptoe for a glimpse of Renaissance masterpieces. No monument is as memorable as the city itself, so use the major sights only as an excuse for wandering. Venice revolves around piazza San Marco. The best feature of the mosaic-covered Basilica di San Marco is the Pala D’Oro, a glittering gold Byzantine bas-relief. The Torre dell’Orologio, left of San Marco, is a beautifully embellished clock tower. For culture vultures check the Accademia for the best of Venetian paintings. Some say that the tourist Venice is indeed Venice, but there are other Venices as well. To find them, wander away from the major sights and into the quieter outlying residential neighbourhoods, you won’t be disappointed, this maze of stone and colour exudes enchantment from every brick.

Read more

Read less

Day 2

zadar, croatia

Arrival: 06:30 - Departure: 19:00

Zadar is a city in Croatia on the Adriatic Sea. It is the fifth largest Croatian city and is the centre of modern Croatia's Zadar county and the wider northern Dalmatian region. Zadar is located opposite the islands of Ugljan and Pašman, from which it is separated by the narrow Zadar Strait. Though all its destructions after WWII, Zadar has kept a rich heritage of world importance, visible in every step. The Roman Forum from the 1st century is a common place for locals to stroll, sit down amongst the ruins and enjoy a nice summer day. St. Donatus Church from the 9th century is one of the best preserved pre-Romanesque buildings in the world and the trademark of the city. The reconstructed Romanesque St. Grisigono Church from the 12th century is one of the most remarkable examples of the combination of different monuments in one. The church was built upon the ruins of an older one, and rebuilt after being bombed in WW2, in combination with a destroyed Benedictine convent in its back. The Romanesque St. Anastasia's Cathedral from the 13th century is very impressive. The tower can be climbed; from its top you have a beautiful view over the city of Zadar and its neighbouring islands. The Sea Organ is a favourite for locals and tourists alike. This man-made organ on Zadar's Riva works with the motion of the waves and 35 pipes to create a musical soundscape. The Sea Organ is the work of Croatian architect Nikola Bašić, who also created the nearby Greeting to The Sun. The city is known for its artists and galleries. There are around a dozen major galleries, and many smaller stores along the side streets. It has a major street for everyday upscale shopping for the locals, and even some tourists with a passion to buy. It is called Spire Brusine and runs through the middle of the old town. Zadar’s sunsets are legendary too, making it the perfect place to unwind for romantics, young and old.

Read more

Read less

Day 3

ravenna, italy

Arrival: 06:30 - Departure: 17:00

Welcome to the heart of Italy, Ravenna - a dazzling gem in the Emilia-Romagna region. Known as the city of mosaics, Ravenna is a paradise for art lovers, history buffs, food connoisseurs, and everyone in between. As you step onto the cobblestone streets of Ravenna, you'll immediately be surrounded by the echoes of a rich and fascinating past. This city, once the capital of the Western Roman Empire, is home to no less than eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Basilica di San Vitale, Basilica di Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, and Mausoleo di Galla Placidia, to name a few, are adorned with some of the most exquisite Byzantine mosaics in the world. The vibrant colors and intricate designs will leave you in awe, as they've done for countless visitors over the centuries. But Ravenna is not just about the past. It's a bustling, vibrant city brimming with contemporary culture. Wander around its streets and you'll discover a plethora of charming shops, trendy bars, and restaurants serving up Emilia-Romagna's renowned culinary delights. From the local piadina flatbread to the deliciously creamy gelato, your taste buds are in for a treat. For nature lovers, Ravenna's location offers the perfect combination of coastal beauty and lush countryside. Just a short drive away, you'll find the golden beaches of the Adriatic Sea - perfect for a day of relaxation or watersports. Alternatively, venture inland to explore the peaceful marshlands of Po Delta Park, a haven for bird-watching and cycling. The city also hosts a myriad of events throughout the year. Whether it's the Dante-themed poetry readings, the Ravenna Festival of music and dance, or the vibrant Notte D'oro with its night-long festivities, there's always something to keep you entertained. Ravenna is a city where the past and present intertwine seamlessly, offering a unique blend of art, history, gastronomy, and natural beauty. Whether you're exploring its world-class heritage sites, sampling local delicacies, or simply soaking up the Italian sun on the Adriatic coast, Ravenna promises an unforgettable visit that will leave you longing to return. Come and experience the magic of Ravenna, where every corner holds a story waiting to be discovered.

Read more

Read less

Day 4

dubrovnik, croatia

Arrival: 10:00 - Departure: 20:00

George Bernard Shaw called Dubrovnik “the pearl of the Adriatic, a paradise on earth”, and, indeed, it may be one of the most beautiful cities you’ll ever see. Largely built and long inhabited by Venetians, Dubrovnik possesses a stately charm and striking architectural unity that draw thousands of visitors every summer. Founded in 7th century, Dubrovnik stood amid a great forest of oak trees, from which it took its name. Take a walk atop the old city walls for vistas of the old town and the surrounding coast. Just before exiting the old town through the western gate, turn right to visit the Franciscan Monastery and peaceful cloisters. Just inside the entrance is the oldest European pharmacy, founded in 1371. In the northern corner of the old city is the Dominican Cloister and Museum, with a polyptych by Titian. The impressive Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary stands in the centre of Poljana Marin Držić and its treasury can be visited; look for the work by Raphael. Dubrovnik has warm, crystalline waters; don’t just admire it from a distance and take a dive. The intrepid can dive and sunbathe along the rocks or swim around the walls of the city while others gawk above. Dubrovnik’s impressive battlements gleam in the early morning light, but by early afternoon, the sea’s clear blue waters beckon you away from the city and its tourist din. If you can stand the crunch, you, too, may find a piece of heaven.

Read more

Read less

Day 5

kotor, montenegro

Arrival: 07:00 - Departure: 16:00

Kotor is a coastal town in Montenegro. It is located in a secluded part of the Gulf of Kotor. It is located on the Bay of Kotor (Boka Kotorska), one of the most indented parts of the Adriatic Sea. Together with the nearly overhanging limestone cliffs of Orjen and Lovćen, Kotor and its surrounding area form an impressive and picturesque Mediterranean landscape. Kotor is part of the World Heritage Site dubbed the Natural and Culturo-Historical Region of Kotor. MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS • Old Town. The Old Town is the most famous part of Kotor, where the Kotor history, culture, and tradition are being preserved. They are complemented with the multitude of narrow streets, squares, and markets. The main and the biggest square is Trg od oruzja (Square of arms). The old town of Kotor today is considered to be the best preserved medieval urban entity in the Mediterranean. • Maritime Museum. The memories on those long gone sailing days and years, the successes of the famous Kotor seaman, artists, ship builders, crafts man, states man, and diplomats, intermediaries between west and east, are kept in the Maritime museum, which is housed in the baroque palace Grgurin. • The Island Gospa od Skrpjela. The Island Gospa od Skrpjela is one of two gorgeous islands in Kotor Bay, which are situated in the bay across from Perast. That island is also called ""the island of the dead captains"". The Island Gospa od Skrpjela is an artificial island, made by seaman from Perast and Kotor, who on their big sail boats brought in large boulders.

Read more

Read less

Day 6

corfu, greece

Arrival: 07:00 - Departure: 16:00

With its Venetian fortress, British palaces, and a French esplanade modelled on the Rue de Rivoli in Paris, Corfu may no strike you as Greek at all. The most populated and cosmopolitan of the Ionian Islands, it is packed with foreigners and foreign architecture. In legend, Corfu was the island where the shipwrecked Odyssey met the lovely Princess Nausicaa. Some locals claim it was also the magical isle conjured up by Shakespeare in The Tempest. Corfu Town, a small and pleasant city, is the largest and most important town on the island. This is where the airport is located and where most ships cruise and long distance ferries dock. The Old Fortress is definitely one of Corfu’s landmarks. Built by the Venetians in 1546 on the site of a Byzantine castle, the fortress is separated from the rest of the town by a moat. The Old Town is a maze of narrow streets dominated by the 16th century fortress. Around every corner you can find a chapel, old mansion or secret garden square. Between the Old Fortress and the Old Town, we find The Esplanade, with its arches and cafes, is considered the most beautiful esplanade in Greece. The Achillion Palace is ideally located in the picturesque village of Gastouri, 10 km south of the city centre. It was the summer residence of Empress Sissi from 1890 until her death in 1898. This beautiful building and its picturesque gardens overlooks the sea and Corfu town. On the north western tip of the island is the lively resort of Sidari. It's actually two small coastal villages connected by a long sweeping sandy beach. The Kanoni peninsula, with the 17th century monastery for women, is one of Corfu's best known landmarks and can be found on numerous postcards from the island. From the islet of Kanoni, it's possible to go by boat to another islet, the Mouse Island or Pontikonisi. Corfu's architecture is very diverse, influenced by the civilizations that once occupied the island. Mass tourism has turned parts of the island into eyesores but a surprising amount of the island still consists of olive groves, mountains or woodland. Corfu Town is a charming and elegant town, built between two fortresses. Corfu is considered one of Greece's most beautiful cities, and it is easy to understand why when you're strolling down the narrow streets and through the alleys, walking over spacious squares, visiting Byzantine churches and Venetian monuments. And of course, Corfu also has its natural beauty; the green-turquoise water that surrounds the town.

Read more

Read less

Day 7

valletta, malta

Arrival: 12:00 - Departure: 21:00

The tiny capital of Malta, the city measures less than 1 sq km, has a lot to offer visitors. Valletta has been described as one of the most concentrated historic areas in the world, thanks to its 7,000 years of history. No wonder, the City of Valletta was officially recognised as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1980. Built by the knight of St John in the 16th and 17th centuries for its military and strategic reasons, Valletta was later embellished into a fine example of baroque decorative art – most notably in the magnificent interiors of St John’s Co-Cathedral in the heart of the city. Shady atmospheric alleyways link grand squares, and glorious palazzi sit alongside bars and shop. Lately, the city has undergone some major changes to create a more vibrant urbanity, with the renovation of the main City Gate and the design of a new parliament building, as well as the renovation of the bombed-out Opera House. Valletta's natural deep water port, the Grand Harbour, is the biggest and the most impressive harbour in all the Mediterranean and was, for many thousands of years, the epicentre of Malta’s maritime activity. Proof of this are the 19 historical warehouses still stand dating back 250 years and the historic Quay Wall, where the Knights of St John and European merchants used to unload their wares. The Valletta Waterfront is also the gateway to Malta’s capital city. In fact, as one of the most successful Mediterranean ports, the Port of Valletta welcomes more than half-a-million cruise passengers into this open air museum. Recently, the waterfront has been revitalised into an attractive and vibrant gateway of shops, bars and restaurants. It’s particularly romantic at night when illuminated. There are tons of outdoor pursuits to enjoy thanks to the city’s moderate climate. From diving to sailing, cycling to rock climbing, there are a number of different adrenalin-busting options to satisfy adventurous holidaymakers. Just don't expect Valletta to be buzzing all night, its tranquility is a large part of its charm.

Read more

Read less

Day 8

messina, italy

Arrival: 07:00 - Departure: 18:00

Messina is in the northeast of Sicily, Italy. It is only 5 km across the Straits of Messina to the region of Calabria on the mainland. It is the 3rd largest city on the island of Sicily. Excursions over land and sea allow for the discovery of every corner and angle of the Aeolian Islands, rich in beaches and tiny coves where one can stop to explore, even if just for a few hours. The active volcano Mt. Etna, dominates over the landscape and reveals a vegetation interrupted by trails of black, solidified lava flows. Caves and different environments alternate along its slopes; traverse them in order to reach the peak, where a great “mouth of fire” awaits. One definite must is Pollara Beach on the island of Salina; Pollara was the result of a crater formed by the six volcanoes making up Salina, around 13,000 years ago. The Ancient Theatre, one of the greatest of the Greek-Roman epoch, is immersed in an expanse of olives, oranges and almond groves that fill the air with their exotic perfumes.

Read more

Read less

Day 9

naples

Arrival: 06:45 - Departure: 16:00

Naples is the regional capital of Campania and the third-largest city of Italy, after Rome and Milan, with a population of 967,069 within the city's administrative limits as of 2017. Its province-level municipality is the third-most populous metropolitan city in Italy with a population of 3,115,320 residents, and its metropolitan area (that stretches beyond the boundaries of the Metropolitan City of Naples) is the second-most populous metropolitan area in Italy and the 7th-most populous urban area in the European Union. First settled by Greeks in the first millennium BC, Naples is one of the oldest continuously inhabited urban areas in the world. In the ninth century BC, a colony known as Parthenope or Παρθενόπη was established on the Island of Megaride. In the 6th century BC, it was refounded as Neápolis. The city was an important part of Magna Graecia, played a major role in the merging of Greek and Roman society, and was a significant cultural centre under the Romans. It served as the capital of the Duchy of Naples (661–1139), then of the Kingdom of Naples (1282–1816), and finally of the Two Sicilies until the unification of Italy in 1861. Naples is also considered a capital of the Baroque, beginning with the artist Caravaggio's career in the 17th century, and the artistic revolution he inspired. Due to poverty and lack of opportunity, waves of Italians emigrated from Naples in the late 19th and early 20th century, with most going to the United States, where they settled in industrial cities. Between 1925 and 1936, Naples was expanded and upgraded by Benito Mussolini's government. During the later years of World War II, it sustained severe damage from Allied bombing as they invaded the peninsula. The city received extensive post-1945 reconstruction work. Since the late 20th century, Naples has had significant economic growth, helped by the construction of the Centro Direzionale business district and an advanced transportation network, which includes the Alta Velocità high-speed rail link to Rome and Salerno and an expanded subway network. Naples is the third-largest urban economy in Italy, after Milan and Rome. The Port of Naples is one of the most important in Europe. In addition to commercial activities, it is home to the Allied Joint Force Command Naples, the NATO body that oversees North Africa, the Sahel and Middle East. Naples' historic city centre is the largest in Europe and has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A wide range of culturally and historically significant sites are nearby, including the Palace of Caserta and the Roman ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Naples is also known for its natural beauties, such as Posillipo, Phlegraean Fields, Nisida, and Vesuvius. Neapolitan cuisine is noted for its association with pizza, which originated in the city, as well as numerous other local dishes. Naples' restaurants have earned the most stars from the Michelin Guide of any Italian city. The best-known sports team in Naples is the Serie A club S.S.C. Napoli, two-time Italian champions who play football at the San Paolo Stadium in the southwest of the city, in the Fuorigrotta quarter.

Read more

Read less

Day 10

livorno (lucca) - italy

Arrival: 08:45 - Departure: 20:30

The city of Livorno is located in Tuscany. Today the city is presented as an industrial centre located on the shores of the Mediterranean, its productive activity is focuses on metallurgical and chemical sectors although it also has a major oil refinery. Although the city has also a tourist attraction throughout the history that happened and the circumstances that it has gone. Initially Livorno was born as a small fishing village. But the city was very important for the Medici family as a strategic point and declared the port as free port since1590 until 1860. The city could develop though all of this development with the second world war is already lost the city suffered extensive damage above all its historic Cathedral and the synagogue.

Read more

Read less

Day 11

cannes, france

Arrival: 07:00 - Departure: 16:00

Once a small fishing village, Cannes is now a glamorous and expensive seaside town considered to be one of the social hubs of Europe. Its moment to shine arrives in May as the venue for the Cannes Film Festival, entertaining the rich and famous. During the festival, fans can see actors, celebrities, and directors up close and in person on the famous steps of the Palais des Festivals at the end of La Croisette. Although its nightlife, casinos and high end restaurants give Cannes a feel of exclusivity, Cannes does have alternatives to suit all types of budgets. Tourists can check out the beauty and architecture of Le Suquet, with its cobbled streets and breathtaking views, or sit at street side tables and enjoy the favoured hobby of people watching up and down the lovely marina.

Read more

Read less

Day 12

Civitavecchia (Rome), italy

Arrival: 06:00

Modern and old, past and present go side by side, all the time. Whether you are in Rome for 3 days, 3 weeks or 3 months, be prepared to step into the world’s biggest open air museum. Rome will seduce you and it will hardly leave you indifferent. It will surprise you, since has so much to offer to any visitor, and it’s beauty is just been merely blurred by time passing by. Rome is one of world's most photogenic cities - not surprising when you remember what's here - The Vatican, the Trevi Fountain, St Peter's Square, Spanish Steps, Colosseum... Whether you spend your time sightseeing, or lazing in cafés watching the world go by, it will be your turn to feature in your very own Roman Holiday. If you can plan to stay as long as a week, you won't run out of things to do and you'll still feel like you're leaving too soon.

Read more

Read less

What you should know:

Itinerary

The order of the ports may vary depending on the date of departure.
Check your itinerary for exact departure and arrival times. The hours correspond to the local time of the port.
Itineraries can change at any time without prior notice.

Boarding and landing

For safety reasons, all passengers must board 2 hours before departure on day 1 of the cruise.
Disembarkation usually begins 2 hours after docking on the last day of the cruise.

11 nights. Croatia, Italy, Montenegro, Greece, Malta, France

Need help?

Balcony

Inside

Outside

Suite

Photo gallery

Other cruises available aboard the Norwegian Viva