In the evening, the EUROPA 2 will leave Piraeus and set a course for the beautiful city of Nauplia in the Peloponnese.

Small shops, tavernas and cafes – where you can spend several relaxing hours – beckon underneath the Venetian tower fortifications. The digs at Mycenae*, formerly one of the most important cities in Greece and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, promise unforgettable moments. In Corinth*, set off on a boat trip along the famous canal, six-and-a-half kilometres long and lined by steep walls.

With its Mediterranean climate and lush vegetation, the second-largest of the Ionian Islands is also known as “the Green Island”. Explore Corfu by Jeep* or discover traces of its royal past with a guide*. Or follow in Sissi’s footsteps: once upon a time, Empress Elisabeth of Austria commissioned the Achilleon*, a building surrounded by magnificent gardens with a sculpture park.

Once Sicily’s most powerful city, its picturesque old town – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – never fails to impress. The central Piazza Archimede is surrounded by grand palazzi – immerse yourself in the vibrant lives of the locals. Or enjoy a Jeep tour* at the foot of Mount Etna, Europe’s largest active volcano.

Erected by the Grand Masters of the Knights of Malta, Valletta’s imposing walls defy the ages. In the old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, historic sites such as St John’s Co-Cathedral and numerous cafes entice you to explore and relax. Or experience history on a bicycle* – for late risers.

Another UNESCO World Heritage Site is waiting to astound you in La Goulette: the Arabian old town of Tunis. A world of fairy tales, just as in 1,001 Nights, with interconnected alleyways and small stalls selling rugs, furniture and oriental jewellery. Set out after the traces of history and visit the Bardo Museum* and the old town: the museum displays treasures from the age of Carthage and houses the largest collection of Greek and Roman mosaics in the country. You can get even closer to the Carthaginian civilisation on a trip to Carthage*. The ruins of the former master of the Mediterranean reflect the splendour of the past.

Palermo is Sicily’s political and cultural hub. The cathedral, which contains the sarcophagus of Frederick II, is worth the visit alone. The catacombs in the Capuchin Crypt*, in which the mummified remains of many families of the high nobility are interred, are a fascinatingly eerie testimony of human mortality. Alternatively, talk a walk through the coastal town of Cefalu*, idyllically situated between the sea and the 300-metre-high Rocca.

Algiers is a melting pot of cultures and a living juxtaposition of French and Eastern influences. Discover this wonderful oasis on a city tour with a stop in the Jardin d’Essai* gardens: an exuberant plethora of tropical plants with exotic colours and scents. Alternatively, gain a fascinating insight into ancient times in Tipaza and the Mausoleum of Mauretania*.

Founded by the Carthaginians, this town on the Costa Calida – which is best explored on foot* – has a chequered past shaped by the Romans, Byzantines and Arabs. From the Casa de la Fortuna, your route will take you to the Roman amphitheatre – a contrast to the Calle Mayor boulevard lined with art nouveau houses. With a 90-metre-high tower rising majestically up to heaven, Cathedral Murcia* is an architectural masterpiece. This unusual house of God combines architectural styles from five eras.

Your final destination sees melancholy, Mediterranean joie de vivre, fado and fiesta closely mixed with one another: Lisbon, the proud city on the Tejo. Take a tram ride* through the narrow rows of houses or discover the city in a highly original way, try a tour on a Segway*, a two-wheeled electric vehicle. After one last night on board the EUROPA 2, your spectacular journey draws to a close.