Brilliant Med and Twin City Summer Holiday from Athens to Rome

Bed and breakfast hotel stays in Athens and Rome

Combine two major Med cities with a Mediterranean port hopping cruise in between. See and do much more during your summer holiday with a mix of culture, relaxation, history, sights, beaches and culinary delights. Compare the Pantheon of Rome to the Parthenon of Athens, check out the Roman ruins of Ephesus in Turkey and those at ancient Olympia from Katakolon. Plus Greek island hop between Crete, Santorini and Mykonos.

Fly to Athens and make your own way to the city centre for an overnight hotel stay.

Wyndham Grand Athens

Wyndham Grand Athens hotel welcomes you, fully renovated, to a new haven of affordable luxury in the center of Athens. Conveniently located right next to the Metaxourgeio Metro station it offers the ideal starting point to explore all of the city's major attractions and places in just a few minutes walking distances. Wyndham Grand Athens hotel, with 276 exquisitely comfortable rooms and suites in 8 floors, offers a wide variety of brand new accommodations to suit single, couple or family needs for business or leisure travelers

A further overnight hotel stay.

Athens

Athens, the historic capital of Greece, is a city where ancient wonders meet modern vibrancy. Known as the cradle of Western civilization, Athens boasts iconic landmarks like the Acropolis, Parthenon, Temple of Poseidon and Athena, Odeon Herodus of Atticus, the Theatre of Dionysos and the Temple of Olympian Zeus. Visitors can explore world-class museums, stroll through Plaka’s charming streets, and savor authentic Greek cuisine. With its rich history, cultural treasures, and lively atmosphere, Athens is a must-visit destination for Mediterranean cruise travellers.

Make your own way to the nearby Port of Pireaus to embark the ship.

Brilliance of the Seas

Enjoy the classic delights of Royal Caribbean on a smaller ship without the crowds. The Brilliance of the Seas was launched in 2002 and refurbished in 2018 - being the second ship of the four-ship Radiance class fleet. This sleek yacht-like ship combines panoramic vistas and wide-open spaces with acres of glass enclosing the nine-storey central atrium. This ship is more modest in size so as not to be overwhelming, carrying just 2112 passengers over 13 decks, at 90,090 tonnes and 962 feet in length. There are 3 swimming pools, 14 restaurants, a theatre, casino and also the Vitality at Sea Spa.

Mykonos

Mykonos, one of the most famous Greek Isles, is a glamorous destination known for its whitewashed Cycladic architecture, vibrant nightlife, and stunning beaches. Explore charming alleys lined with boutiques, visit iconic windmills, and relax on golden sands like Paradise and Elia Beach. Mykonos also offers rich history with nearby Delos Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With its mix of luxury, culture, and breathtaking views, Mykonos is a must-visit stop on any Mediterranean cruise.

Kusadasi

Kusadasi is the staging post for Ephesus (the Turkish equivalent of Pompeii) well known for the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world and is a popular tourist destination. Nearby there is the opportunity for lazing on the beach, snorkelling and for the thrill seekers out there, try the aquapark.

Santorini

The most popular port of call on any cruise itinerary is the photographer's paradise of Santorini. This volcanic island is made up of a crescent shaped Caldera which is the edge of an ancient volcano . Ancient legend suggests that this was the site of the lost city of Atlantis – when the volcano erupted the centre of this island disappeared in to the sea leaving the remnant known as Santorini.

Heraklion (Crete)

Crete is the southernmost and largest of the Greek Islands. The major port of call is the Capital Heraklion in the centre of the Island. This is close to the ancient Palace of Knossos and the Minoan civilisation from 4000 years BC. Knossos is home to the ancient myth of the Minotaur and the Labyrinth . During world War II Crete was the last bastion of the Greek resistance when the locals helped Allied troops escape South through the Samaria Gorge as German paratroopers invaded from Souda Bay. Here you will high snow-capped mountains, an incredible 12km hiking trail through the Samaria Gorge and ancient Lassithi Plateau with its windmills and the birth-place of Zeus.

Katakolon (For Olympia)

The birth place of the Olympics is situated on the Greek Peloponnese mainland.

Enjoy an uninterrupted day of relaxation at sea taking advantage of the facilities, entertainment and dining options on board.

Disembark the ship in the Port of Civitavecchia after breakfast and make your own way to Rome city centre for an overnight hotel stay. The cheapest and quickest way to reach Rome is via train from Civitavecchia station to the Train Terminii Station in Rome. The journey takes an hour and 30 minutes and costs approximately 5 euros.

Navona Palace Luxury Inn

Navona Palace is a 17th-century building in Rome's historic centre, 150 m from Piazza Navona square. It offers elegant rooms with free Wi-Fi. Rooms and suites at Navona Palace Luxury Inn feature an LCD TV with satellite channels. Suites come with separate living and sleeping areas, some with exposed wooden beams on the ceilings. Inside the hotel a fantastic and fully equipped spa at disposal of our guests. The Palace is located in a pedestrian area full of shops, pubs and restaurants. Navona is a great choice for travellers interested in food, city walks and culture.

A further overnight hotel stay.

Rome

In Rome you will be spoilt for choice in this infinitely intriguing city where an unsurpassed vibrancy of life mixes with epic history, tasty cuisine, top class shopping and a joyous nightlife. Peel back layer upon layer history with world class sights such as the Coliseum, The Roman Forum, the Trevi Fountain and more. The Pantheon is awe-inspiring dating back to 27 BC and is the only complete structure from the Roman Empire still standing. The circus maximus once seated 250,000 spectators for chariot races around 11 BC. While the oval shape of Piazza Navona, which houses the magnificent Four River Fountain, is a clue to its Stadium of Domitian heritage from 86 AD were gladiators fought and athletes competed. The Spanish Steps, the home of John Keats, were built in 1723-1725 and are another of those must-see places – a place to sit and people watch artists, poets and painters.The best place to stay is in the centre of Rome close the train terminus which puts you within walking distance of many of the major attractions. Walking is the best option to enable you to unearth some unexpected sights, memorable moments and great photo opportunities. Perhaps the warm aroma of a bakery and the handmade leather of a local craftsman. Seek out that tucked away piazza stuck in the 16th century criss-crossed with washing lines and adorned with colourful window boxesRome The Eternal City – so called because the Roman Empire thought that no matter what happened to the world, no matter how many other empires may rise and fall, Rome would go on forever. Rome is the accumulation of knowledge, art and war for innumerable generations. Rome Was Not Built In A Day – dates back to the 12th Century referring to the fact that the development of Rome was slow and steady. That many centuries were required to make it the chief city of the world and that great things are not achieved without great patience and effort.

Make your own way to Rome airport for your flight home.

Start Date Interior Oceanview Balcony Suite
06/06/26 £1729 £1909 £2339 £5259 view
18/07/26 £1749 £1919 £2089 £4449 view
29/08/26 £1549 £1619 £2009 £4349 view
10/10/26 £1439 £1589 £1869 £3789 view