Marella Explorer
September 27, 2024

Corfu, Greece, offers docking at Corfu Port. Travelers explore Old Fortress and Achilleion Palace. Excursions include Paleokastritsa’s beaches. Local markets sell kumquat liqueur. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Venetian architecture and Ionian vistas. Dining onboard includes pastitsada, a Corfiot favorite. Souvenirs, like olive oil, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Ionian history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while water shoes enhance beach exploration. Corfu’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Greek stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic fortresses and scenic beaches, making Corfu an engaging destination for exploring Greece’s Ionian Islands.

Brindisi, Italy, docks at Porto di Brindisi, 2 kilometers from the old town, with shuttles for 10-minute rides. The city, population 90,000, features the Roman Column marking the Appian Way’s end. Travelers visit the Swabian Castle from 1227. Local markets sell taralli biscuits. Excursions to Ostuni, 30 minutes north, explore whitewashed villages. Peak season May to September; taxis 5-10 EUR. Dining includes orecchiette at port trattorias. Souvenirs feature olive oil.

Kotor, Montenegro, offers docking at Kotor Port. Travelers explore Old Town walls and St. Tryphon Cathedral. Excursions include hiking Lovćen National Park. Local markets sell njeguški pršut. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures medieval alleys and Adriatic vistas. Dining onboard includes cicvara, a Montenegrin favorite. Souvenirs, like olive wood crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Illyrian history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while sturdy shoes enhance fortress hikes. Kotor’s historic charm offers a vibrant Montenegrin stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of UNESCO landmarks and scenic bays, making Kotor an engaging destination.

La Valletta, Malta, has docking at Valletta Port. Travelers explore St. John’s Co-Cathedral and Upper Barrakka Gardens. Excursions visit Mdina’s medieval walls. Local markets sell pastizzi. The peak season, April to October, brings warm weather. Photography captures baroque architecture and Mediterranean harbors. Dining onboard includes rabbit stew, a Maltese favorite. Souvenirs, like filigree jewelry, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Knights of Malta history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate. Comfortable shoes enhance city walks. La Valletta’s historic grandeur offers a vibrant Maltese stop, blending heritage with coastal beauty.

Messina, Sicily, offers docking at Messina Port. Travelers explore Messina Cathedral and Taormina’s Greek Theatre. Excursions visit Mount Etna. Local markets sell arancini. The peak season, April to October, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures volcanic landscapes and Tyrrhenian vistas. Dining onboard includes pasta alla norma, a Sicilian favorite. Souvenirs, like ceramic crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Norman history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while sturdy shoes enhance volcano hikes. Messina’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Italian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic landmarks and scenic volcanoes, making Messina an engaging destination for exploration.

Taranto, Italy, offers docking at Taranto Port. Travelers explore Aragonese Castle and MarTa Museum’s artifacts. Excursions visit Alberobello’s trulli houses. Local markets sell orecchiette. The peak season, April to October, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures ancient ruins and Ionian vistas. Dining onboard includes tiella, an Apulian favorite. Souvenirs, like ceramic crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Magna Graecia history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance historic walks. Taranto’s ancient charm offers a vibrant Italian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of archaeological treasures and scenic coasts, making Taranto an engaging destination for exploring Italy’s Puglia region.

Returning to Corfu — see Day 1 above for port info.

Split, Croatia, offers docking at Split Port. Travelers explore Diocletian’s Palace and Marjan Hill. Excursions visit Trogir’s historic center. Local markets sell soparnik. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Roman ruins and Adriatic vistas. Dining onboard includes pašticada, a Croatian favorite. Souvenirs, like lavender crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Dalmatian history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance palace walks. Split’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Croatian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of UNESCO landmarks and scenic hills, making Split an engaging destination for exploring Croatia’s Adriatic coast.

Koper, Slovenia, has docking at Koper Port. Travelers explore Tito Square and Praetorian Palace. Excursions visit Postojna Cave’s karst formations. Local markets sell truffles. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather. Photography captures Venetian architecture and Adriatic views. Dining onboard includes jota, a Slovenian stew. Souvenirs, like olive oil, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Slovenian history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate. Comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Koper’s coastal charm offers a serene Slovenian stop, blending Venetian heritage with scenic beauty.

Zadar, Croatia, offers docking at Zadar Port. Travelers explore Sea Organ and St. Donatus Church. Excursions visit Plitvice Lakes. Local markets sell maraschino liqueur. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures acoustic art and Adriatic vistas. Dining onboard includes pašticada, a Croatian favorite. Souvenirs, like lace crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Dalmatian history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while sturdy shoes enhance lake hikes. Zadar’s coastal charm offers a vibrant Croatian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of unique installations and scenic lakes, making Zadar an engaging destination for exploring Croatia’s Adriatic coast.

Dubrovnik, Croatia, offers docking at Gruž Port. Travelers explore Old Town walls and Lokrum Island. Excursions include kayaking along Adriatic shores. Local markets sell travarica. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures medieval ramparts and Adriatic vistas. Dining onboard includes pašticada, a Croatian favorite. Souvenirs, like lace crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Dalmatian history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while sturdy shoes enhance wall walks. Dubrovnik’s historic charm offers a vibrant Croatian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of UNESCO landmarks and scenic coasts, making Dubrovnik an engaging destination for exploration.

Returning to Kotor — see Day 3 above for port info.

Returning to Corfu — see Day 1 above for port info.