Croatia Travel: 15-Day Cruise to Turkey/Greece/Montenegro/Croatia/Italy
This is a place that everyone should visit once in their lifetime.
It has had many names, Byzantium, Constantinople,
It was also called “the capital of the world” by Napoleon,
It is Istanbul!
As the only supercity in the world that spans two continents, Istanbul is known as the crossroads of the world due to its unique location.
When visiting Turkey, visiting Istanbul, how can you have a good time, travel comfortably, and enjoy yourself to the fullest? Leave it to Xinghang Sihai!
Today I’d like to recommend an extraordinary cruise route that breaks traditional constraints with a “freestyle cruise” concept. Instead of a tight schedule, it offers only relaxed travel.
Departing on October 26, 2025, embark on a 15-day romantic journey to the Aegean Sea + 5 Balkan countries aboard the luxury cruise ship Norwegian Extraordinary. Together, we’ll unlock the mystery of Turkey, the romance of Greece, the purity of Croatia, the wildness of Montenegro, the artistic atmosphere of Italy, and the fairytale charm of Slovenia.
This trip begins in Turkey, with 2 days to fully explore this crossroads of the world. Afterwards, you’ll board the ship in Turkey, with a seamless connection between land and sea. The itinerary is convenient and suitable for elderly travelers.
Avoid conventional ports crowded with cruise ships and discover hidden gems like the Old Town of Corfu (a 2007 World Heritage site) and the ancient Roman ruins of Zadar. Experience ancient Greek civilization in Ephesus, feel the unique politics of the independent republic in San Marino, and enjoy an open-air concert in the Old Town of Dubrovnik.
As a luxury cruise ship that champions freedom, the Norwegian Viva made its maiden voyage in 2023. With a tonnage of 142,500 tons and a capacity of 3,099 passengers, it focuses on “no mandatory dress code,” “24-hour culinary freedom,” and “personalized activity customization” to create a true maritime paradise for travelers.
Let’s take a look at this 15-day romantic cruise journey:
A Tale of Two Turkish Cities: From the Heartbeat of Eurasia to the Echoes of Ancient Rome
Day 1: Shanghai – Istanbul, Turkey
Day 2: Istanbul, Turkey
Day 3: Istanbul, Turkey (Embarkation Day)
Day 4: Ephesus / Port of Kusadasi, Turkey
Upon arrival, begin your “cross-continental experience.” In Istanbul, take a ferry to cruise along the Bosphorus Strait, which can take you from Europe to Asia in just 15 minutes. Pass by palaces, mosques, and bridges along the shore, enjoying the unique scenery where Europe and Asia meet.
Visit the Topkapi Palace, the royal palace of the Ottoman Empire, explore the mysterious underground cistern, and head to the Grand Bazaar or Spice Market. The wafting aroma of spices along the way seems to tell the thousand-year stories of the Silk Road.
Land on the western coast of Turkey and visit the ruins of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, in Ephesus. On the stone-paved streets of the ancient city of Ephesus, the ruins of the Roman Library and the statue of Celsus stand silently, as if one can hear the bustling marketplace from two thousand years ago.
Greek Islands: The Blue and White of the Aegean, God’s Overturned Palette
Day 5: Santorini, Greece
Day 6: Mykonos, Greece
Day 7: Olympia/Katakolon, Greece
Day 8: Corfu, Greece
In Santorini, the sunset in the town of Oia was named “the world’s most beautiful view” by National Geographic, with white walls and blue domes forming a perfect frame against the volcanic crater waves.
The Kato Mili windmills rotate on the hillside, waves of Little Venice gently lap against the colorful wooden houses, and the pure white dome of the Paraportiani Church resembles a blooming lotus flower.
Among the ruins of Ancient Olympia, the stone columns of the Temple of Zeus and the statue of Heracles stand silently, tracing the sacred flame of sports in Western civilization. This is not only the birthplace of the Olympic Games but also the spiritual homeland of Western civilization.
Balkan Hidden Gems: From the Pearl of the Adriatic to the Mountain Republic
Day 9: Kotor, Montenegro
Day 10: Dubrovnik, Croatia
Day 11: Ravenna, Italy
Day 12: Zadar, Croatia
The Balkan routes I recommended previously were mostly inland tours. This opportunity to cruise and visit the pearls of the Adriatic Sea is extremely rare. Friends who are interested should not miss it.
Overlooking the Adriatic Sea from the ancient walls of Kotor; Dubrovnik, Croatia, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where the blue sea and sky outside the city instantly make you understand why this place became the inspiration for King’s Landing in ‘Game of Thrones’.
In Ravenna, travel to the world’s oldest republic, ‘San Marino’. Since its founding in 301 AD, it has maintained independence and prosperity, and is known as the ‘country on the mountaintop’.
Italy and Slovenia: The Aftermath of the Renaissance and the Fairy Tale of the Alps
Day 13: Trieste, Italy (Disembarkation Day)
Day 14: Ljubljana, Slovenia, Return to China
Day 15: Arrive in Shanghai
On Day 13, we will complete disembarkation procedures, followed by a tour of St. Mark’s Square in Italy, where the winged lion statue of Venice’s patron saint stands, and visits to famous attractions such as St. Mark’s Basilica, known as the Golden Church, and the Bridge of Sighs.
Ride a traditional gondola boat, listen to the boatman sing ‘O Sole Mio’, as the romance of the water city ripples through the waves.
The reflection of snow-capped mountains in Lake Bled and the sound of church bells from the island church create the most moving scene on the southern foothills of the Alps. The Baroque architecture and Dragon Bridge sculptures of Ljubljana showcase the tranquility and artistic temperament of this Central European town.
Limited cabins available, the sea breeze waits for no one. Departing October 26, 2025, let Norwegian Encore take you and transform the Mediterranean scenery into an unforgettable poem of a lifetime.
If reprinted, please indicate the source:https://www.nhtour.com/travel-blogs/croatia-travel-15-day-cruise-to-turkey-greece-montenegro-croatia-italy/
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