Ancient Adriatic Treasures
15 Days | 12 Guided Tours | 5 Countries
Delve into history as you embark on a journey through Adriatic and Aegean gems. Overnight in charming Venice, explore historic Split and visit the walled city of Dubrovnik. Admire Kotor’s medieval streets and towering cliffs, and marvel at the ruins of ancient Olympia over two enlightening days in Athens. Discover the archaeological wonders of Troy, a UNESCO Site, and enjoy more time in Istanbul to fully experience a fusion of Eastern and Western cultures.
Itinerary
-
Embark your ship and settle into your stateroom. Chioggia is a charming fishing community located at the southern end of the Venetian Lagoon and steeped in age-old seafaring traditions. Its combination of canals, bridges and fishing boats have lent it the nickname “Little Venice.” Lined with shops, bars and restaurants, the main pedestrian street of Corso del Popolo exudes a lively atmosphere amid the aroma of delicious fresh seafood dishes. Chioggia shares a long history of cultural and economic ties with Venice, dating back to the Middle Ages, and is a scenic journey by water taxi from the capital of the Veneto region.
-
The Venetian Republic ruled Adriatic waves for a millennium. During the 8th century as the Roman Empire began to decline, many Europeans fled to Venice and its neighboring towns, including Chioggia. Merchants put their skills to use, and the city-state was soon thriving. The Venetian Lagoon’s canal banks feature buildings influenced by Byzantine and Islamic architecture, reflecting Venice’s powerful trading network. The first vaporetto traversed the Grand Canal in 1881; alongside the gondolas, these iconic Venetian water buses are at the heart of Venice’s transport network.
-
Built around the Roman Palace of Emperor Diocletian, Split is one of Croatia’s oldest cities. Its promenade commands majestic views over a bay and the Adriatic Sea. Despite evidence of Split’s origins in the 6th century BC, the city is traditionally considered over 1,700 years old—counting from the construction of the palace. Its well-preserved remains have been seamlessly assimilated into the modern city. An Ethnographic Museum is found at the palace’s heart and shops line the passageways of its ancient basement. Diocletian’s ancient mausoleum is now a stunning cathedral.
-
Dubrovnik is a historic jewel, with its spectacular Adriatic setting, 12th-century medieval streets and incredibly preserved structures. So stunning is its Old Town, the playwright George Bernard Shaw famously called it “paradise on Earth.” It is all spectacularly surrounded by a towering medieval wall. Inside, the ancient city’s Stradun is lined with authentic stone houses. The peaceful 14th-century Franciscan Monastery and Apothecary, housing the world’s oldest working pharmacy and fine collection of Renaissance paintings, provide insight into the ages.
-
Kotor is Montenegro's picturesque capital set amid glorious mountains and dramatic scenery. Towering cliffs soar above the narrow Kotor ria—a submerged river canyon often called Europe’s southernmost fjord. Kotor is also home to one of the Adriatic’s best-preserved medieval Old Towns. The charms of this red-roofed city are endless, from the mismatched towers of its Romanesque cathedral to its narrow streets. Its stunning Venetian walls were built in 1420, remnants from Kotor’s nearly 300 years as a province of the Venetian Republic.
-
Corfu has a rich history shaped by conquerors and by royalty seeking tranquility. Corfu’s Old Town and Fortress—fashioned by the once powerful Venetian Republic—comprise a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its narrow warrens lead to one of Europe’s largest public squares and a lovely promenade once exclusively reserved for the local aristocracy. Everywhere, magnificent coastal views unfold and scenic byways lead to history-rich enclaves, from the archaeological site of Paleopolis and the stunning Vlacherna Monastery to a former Greek royal villa.
-
Katakolon is huddled around a pretty little harbor dotted with colorful fishing boats. Nearby, the fertile valleys of the western Peloponnese are a bounty of olive groves, vineyards and orchards, and lead to the legendary city of Olympia. The well-kept ruins here transport visitors back to the days of the earliest athletes who competed for nothing less than the favor of the gods. The remains evoke the glory of the Games, and the Olympia Archaeological Museum features statues that once overlooked the site.
-
Athens has been called the “birthplace of democracy.” Its legacy looms large from atop Acropolis Hill, the pinnacle of ancient Greece. This open air museum is an astonishing repository of once-mighty structures. From its colonnaded Parthenon—more than 2,600 years ago—revered Greek philosophers like Plato and Aristotle formulated new ideas of government and debated its role in civic life to captivated audiences. Remnants of spiritual life are also here in the several temples to Athena and Zeus.
-
For a more intimate experience of Athens, the charming Plaka District invites guests with its labyrinth of cobblestone lanes. Neoclassical architecture lines the narrow streets of the “Neighborhood of the Gods,” so named for its location. Browsing its shops or simply perusing its nooks and crannies are pastimes favored by visitors and locals alike. This historic area is the ideal setting in which to enjoy traditional small plates of mezes and a sip of ouzo.
-
Crete was home to the Minoans, Europe’s earliest recorded civilization. Its capital, Heraklion, grew from the riches of the Venetian Empire, which ruled here for four centuries. Crete enjoyed a Renaissance building boom that helped bolster Heraklion as the region’s most strongly fortified city. The island is blessed with generous beaches, soaring mountains and coursing rivers. It is also where the distinct mantinades—couplets of love accompanied by Cretan instruments—could break out at any number of cafés where patrons sip tsikoudia, a grape-based brandy distilled in the hills.
-
Rhodes is home to the Palace of the Grand Masters, a remarkable and sprawling fortification. Its historic quarter is Europe’s largest active medieval town. Outside the city, forests of pine and cypress blanket mountain slopes; vineyards and groves of citrus and olive soak up the Aegean sun. The Knights of Saint John of Jerusalem conquered the island in the 14th century, bringing great wealth from the Holy Land. Under their rule, the city was reconstructed to mirror the medieval ideal. Many of the buildings from this era remain and make for rewarding strolls.
-
One of antiquity’s best-preserved cities, Ephesus offers an unparalleled look into the lives of the ancients. Many of its ruins have endured from the time Ephesus was one of the largest metropolises of the ancient world. Excavations reach back to the 10th century BC, when this city hosted one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World—the Temple of Artemis. Today, Ephesus is still full of wonders: the towering facade of the Library of Celsus, the massive amphitheater that once sat 25,000 spectators and residences adorned with frescoes.
-
Çanakkale was an object of desire dating back to the ancient Greeks. Today, the nearby ruins of Troy, once a powerhouse of Asia Minor, provide a glimpse of the region’s former glory. The remarkably preserved structures of this UNESCO World Heritage Site offer hints of life here in the days of Alexander the Great and the later Roman Emperor Augustus. But it is the fabled Trojan Horse that is most prominent here. In Homer’s Iliad, the wooden steed gave ancient Greeks entry to the city during the Trojan War, and its legend is still very much alive today.
-
Istanbul exudes a fascinating mix of Western and Eastern cultures. Its strategic locale led to its role as a significant center of trade—eventually becoming a cultural crossroads along the world-famous Silk Road. One of the city’s stunning centerpieces is Hagia Sophia, founded as a basilica, converted to a mosque, then a museum; it is now a mosque again and features exquisite mosaics and frescoes. The city’s Grand Bazaar offers a rich taste of Turkish culture, from a vast selection of carpets and fabric to luscious dates and the local sweet favorite, Turkish Delight.
-
Bid farewell to your fellow guests and journey home. Or spend more time exploring, perhaps joining one of our extensions.
Veranda Stateroom
Viking Inclusive Value
Pricing covers everything you need—and nothing you don’t.
One complimentary shore excursion in every port of call
Free Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary)
All onboard meals, featuring regional specialties & always available classics
Beer, wine & soft drinks with onboard lunch & dinner
24-hour specialty coffees, teas & bottled water
Port taxes & fees
Ground transfers with Viking Air purchase
Visits to UNESCO Sites
Enrichment lectures & Destination Performances
Complimentary access to The Nordic Spa & Fitness Center.
Self-service launderettes
Alternative restaurant dining at no extra charge
24-hour room service
Onboard gratuities
Book by 30 November 2026 and enjoy included economy airfares up to AU$2,800 per person with Viking’s Flights on Us exclusive offer
From AU$14,495 per person departing 05 August 2028, based on a Veranda Stateroom or a Deluxe Veranda from AU$14,795 per person.
*Cruise subject to availability. Discount in Lieu of Flights — receive AU$2,800pp off the cruise fare when guests book flights independently. Conditions apply.
-
RIVER OFFERS TERMS & CONDITIONS
APPLICABLE TO NEW BOOKINGS MADE FROM 05 AUGUST 2026 UNTIL 7:00pm (AEDT) ON 30 NOVEMBER 2026, ON SELECTED 2027, 2028 & 2029 SAILINGS ONLY.
“Flights on Us” - receive Economy flights booked through Viking up to the maximum value of AU$2,800pp.
“Flights on Us” offer provides Economy flights booked through Viking for both guests, up to the maximum value of AU$2,800 per person (pp). Flights must originate in Australia (AU) or New Zealand (NZ) to be eligible for this offer.
Offer is only valid on new cruise bookings made from 5 August 2026 until 7:00pm (AEDT) on 30 November 2026, where flights are booked through Viking, in conjunction with selected 2027, 2028 or 2029 Viking River, Ocean or Expedition cruises.
“Flights on Us” offer excludes the following itineraries: Australia & New Zealand, Komodo & the Australian Coast, Viking World Cruise, Viking World Discoveries, Viking World Voyage III, Viking World Voyage IV, Arctic to Antarctic Explorer, Longitudinal World Cruise IV, Longitudinal World Cruise VI and Longitudinal World Cruise VII.
Flights are booked at Viking’s discretion using Viking’s choice of airline, routing, dates and flight times, from selected major gateways in AU/NZ: DL/AKL/BNE/CBR/CHC/CNS/DRW/HBA/LST/MEL/OOL/PER/SYD/WLG.
Viking will contact guests, or their nominated travel advisor, once flights are in date range and able to be booked. At this time, guests complete an Air Form and may nominate preferences for airline, dates, routing and stopovers.
Guests must return their completed Air Form within fourteen (14) business days of receiving the request from Viking. If the completed Air Form is not received within this timeframe, Viking may remove the “Flights on Us” offer and apply the relevant “Discount in Lieu of Flights” offer instead.
Viking will endeavour to accommodate guests’ preferences when proposing flights but may be unable to meet all requests due to airline specific rules and availability.
If the cost of the selected flights exceeds AU$2,800pp, guests must pay the difference before flights are ticketed and confirmed.
The AU$2,800pp value is a maximum promotional value only and does not guarantee that all eligible flights will cost AU$2,800pp or that guests will receive a cash payment, refund or credit for any unused value.
If selected flights cost less than AU$2,800pp, any unused promotional value will be forfeited and cannot be applied to another part of the booking or transferred to another person.
Guests who choose to book premium economy or business class flights through Viking may apply the AU$2,800pp Economy flight promotional value towards the upgraded airfare. Guests must pay any difference between the promotional value and the airline’s cost for the upgraded flights before flights are confirmed.
Any additional costs for the selected flights are required to be paid before flights will be ticketed and confirmed.
Once flights are ticketed and confirmed, any change or cancellation of the flights will be subject to the applicable airline’s standard change and cancellation fees.
Use promotion code FOU28 to apply the “Flights on Us” offer when booking online, through your preferred travel advisor or via the Viking Contact Centre.
If no promotion code is entered when booking online, the “Flights on Us” offer will be automatically applied by default.
Promotion is applied to all guests on the cruise booking. Guests travelling together on the same cruise booking cannot apply different promotions to the booking.
Solo guests can use up to AU$5,600 towards their flights. Any unused portion of the air promotion will be waived and cannot be applied towards any other portion of the booking or transferred to any other person or booking.
“Discount in Lieu of Flights” — receive AU$2,800pp off the cruise fare when guests book flights independently.
Guests receive a discount of AU$2,800pp off the cruise fare in lieu of the “Flights on Us” Economy flight offer.
Offer is only valid on new cruise bookings, made between 5 August 2026 - 30 November 2026 at 7:00pm (AEDT), on selected 2027, 2028 or 2029 Viking River, Ocean and Expedition cruises.
“Discount in Lieu of Flights” offer excludes the following itineraries: Australia & New Zealand, Komodo & the Australian Coast, Viking World Cruise, Viking World Discoveries, Viking World Voyage III, Viking World Voyage IV, Arctic to Antarctic Explorer, Longitudinal World Cruise IV, Longitudinal World Cruise VI and Longitudinal World Cruise VII.
Solo guests receive a discount of AU$5,600 per booking off the cruise fare in lieu of the “Flights on Us” Economy flight offer.
Guests are responsible for booking their own flights, independently of Viking.
Guests are not eligible to change to the “Flights on Us” Economy flight promotional offer once the promotion has ended (7:00pm (AEDT) on 30 November 2026).
Use promotion code CCR28 to apply the “Discount in Lieu of Flights” offer when booking online, through your preferred travel advisor or via the Viking Contact Centre.
If no promotion code is entered when booking online, the “Flights on Us” offer will be automatically applied by default. Guests who prefer the “Discount in Lieu of Flights” offer must select that offer or enter the applicable promotion code at the time of booking.
RIVER, OCEAN AND EXPEDITION CRUISE ONLY OFFERS TERMS & CONDITIONS
APPLICABLE TO NEW BOOKINGS MADE FROM 05 AUGUST 2026 UNTIL 7PM (AEDT) ON 30 NOVEMBER 2026, ON ELIGIBLE 2026–2030 RIVER, OCEAN AND EXPEDITION CRUISE ONLY SAILINGS.
Cruise Only offers exclude the “Flights on Us” and “Discount in Lieu of Flights” offers listed above.
Cruise Only offers are available for new bookings made from 5 August 2026 until 7pm (AEDT) on 30 November 2026 on these eligible sailings:
River: any 2026 Viking River cruise, plus any 2030 departure of Oberammergau, Innsbruck & the Rhine or Oberammergau with Salzburg itineraries.
Ocean: selected 2026 Viking Ocean cruises, plus all 2026–2029 departures of the Australia & New Zealand and Komodo & the Australian Coast Viking Ocean cruise itineraries.
Expedition: selected 2026–2029 Viking Expedition cruise sailings.
Cruise Only offers do not apply to the following itineraries:
Ocean: all 2026–2029 departures of Viking World Cruise, Viking World Discoveries, Viking World Voyage III and Viking World Voyage IV.
Expedition: all 2026–2029 departures of Arctic to Antarctic Explorer, From the Arctic to Antarctica, Longitudinal World Cruise IV, Longitudinal World Cruise VI and Longitudinal World Cruise VII.
Cruise pricing on the Viking Australia website is the sale price, inclusive of the advertised savings. Strikeout pricing displayed indicates Viking’s original brochure pricing for the relevant departure and category. Savings are calculated against that original brochure pricing. Maximum savings are available on selected departures and categories only and may not be available on all dates, stateroom categories or itineraries.
Complete terms and conditions may be found in the Passenger Ticket Contract.
*Prices are per person, in Australian dollars and for Australian and New Zealand residents only. They are based on double occupancy, subject to availability and correct at the time of publication, 06 August 2026. See Viking full terms & conditions above or contact your Travel Expert for details. Travel agent service & credit card fees may apply.
Interested in this experience? Mention this Deal Code: 1107 when speaking with your travel agent. Don't have an agent? Click here to connect with one of our experts.