Atlantic to Mediterranean Voyage with Amsterdam & Athens Escapes

Your holiday begins as you fly from Australia to your destination.

Touching down in the Netherlands, settle into your Amsterdam hotel for the night. Criss-crossed by tranquil canals and lined with gabled townhouses, the city offers an inviting introduction to Northern Europe before your voyage begins.

After transferring to Rotterdam, a city celebrated for its bold modern architecture, you’ll embark Rotterdam, the ship that shares the city’s name. Unpack in your stateroom, explore your new surroundings, and toast the start of three weeks at sea and ashore.

England’s great naval port is steeped in seafaring heritage. Explore the Historic Dockyard, home to Nelson’s flagship HMS Victory, or ride to the top of the Spinnaker Tower for sweeping views across the Solent.

Set at the mouth of the Gironde Estuary, Le Verdon opens the door to Bordeaux and its world-famous wine country. Take in the elegant Place de la Bourse in the city, or head into the Médoc to sample a glass among the vineyards.

Bilbao’s transformation is written in titanium at the Guggenheim Museum, Frank Gehry’s shimmering riverside masterpiece. Afterwards, wander the Casco Viejo’s narrow lanes and graze on pintxos, the Basque Country’s bite-sized answer to tapas.

Sailing up the Tagus River, you’ll see Lisbon unfold in a patchwork of terracotta rooftops and tiled facades. Ride a vintage tram through the Alfama, sample a warm pastel de nata in Belém, and listen out for the soulful strains of fado drifting from a doorway.

Founded by the Carthaginians, Cartagena wears its long history proudly, from its Roman Theatre to the Modernist mansions lining Calle Mayor. Amble along the palm-lined marina, then pause for coffee in a shaded plaza.

The birthplace of paella, Valencia pairs centuries-old splendour with daring contemporary design. Discover the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences, explore the vast Central Market, and savour the city’s signature rice dish where it was first created.

Gaudí’s imagination is stamped all over Barcelona, from the soaring spires of the Sagrada Família to the playful mosaics of Park Güell. Stroll La Rambla, lose yourself in the Gothic Quarter, or simply soak up the Catalan capital’s creative energy.

Rising above the harbour, Palma’s monumental cathedral, La Seu, is the city’s crowning glory. Meander through the old town’s honey-coloured streets and leafy courtyards, or head to one of Mallorca’s coves for a swim in crystal-clear water.

France’s oldest city is a vibrant blend of cultures, best experienced around the Vieux-Port with a bowl of bouillabaisse. Head up to Notre-Dame de la Garde for panoramic views, or venture inland to the hilltop villages and olive groves of Provence.

Livorno is your springboard into Tuscany. Admire Michelangelo’s David in Florence, pose beside Pisa’s famous Leaning Tower for that classic photo, or linger over a glass of Chianti in a cobbled piazza.

Rome, the Eternal City, lies a short journey from Civitavecchia. Toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain, stand in the shadow of the Colosseum, and marvel at the Sistine Chapel ceiling in Vatican City.

Naples puts two of southern Italy’s great treasures on your doorstep. Walk the preserved streets of Pompeii beneath Vesuvius, or follow the Amalfi Coast’s cliff-hugging road past lemon groves and colourful villages tumbling to the sea.

Venetian, French and British influences give Corfu Town its distinctive character, from the arcaded Liston promenade to the Old Fortress on its rocky headland. Beyond the town, emerald hills roll down to the clear waters of the Ionian Sea.

Ringed by dramatic limestone mountains, the Bay of Kotor makes one of the Adriatic’s most striking approaches by sea. Inside the UNESCO-listed old town, marble-paved squares and medieval churches await, while the climb to the fortress rewards you with a bird’s-eye panorama.

Disembarking in Piraeus, you’ll transfer to Athens for your final overnight stay. Stand before the Parthenon atop the Acropolis, roam the Plaka’s whitewashed alleys, and raise a glass to your journey over a leisurely Greek dinner.

Your holiday complete, today you’ll head to the airport for your onward flight home.