Pacific Princess sailing on October 30th, 2013

About Athens

Piraeus is the main port of Athens, the biggest in Greece, and one of the most important in the Mediterranean Sea. Piraeus is walking distance from Kastella, a hill strewn with beautiful houses that offers a majestic view of the Saronic Gulf. Other points of interest include an archaeological museum, Mikrolimano, where you can enjoy an ouzo accompanied by seafood mezedes.

About Volos

Volos is a commercial and industrial city; it is Greece’s third-largest port. Much of it has been rebuilt after a severe earthquake in 1955. The location in the gulf of the same name and near scenic Mount Pelion ensures this town an attractive setting. Interesting sites in the surrounding areas include imposing monasteries perched atop craggy mountains and a fine Archaeological Museum. Volos was founded in the 14th century in an area which has been occupied by man since the Neolithic era. A short distance out of Volos, the second millennium saw the establishment of the Mycenaen city of Iolkos, seat of King Pelias and home of his nephew Jason, who sailed from here with the Argonauts. Remains of Mycenaen buildings have been discovered near the river, where a palace stood around 1400 B.C. The main reason visitors come to Volos is to depart on excursions to the monasteries of Meteora. Their lofty position atop gigantic pinnacles makes them the area's foremost attraction.

Volos Activities

• Of interest may be some of the churches such as Aghios Nikolaos and Aghios Kontantinos. Note the Town Hall which is built in the traditional style of Pelion architecture. The main attraction is the Archaeological Museum in the west of town. The exhibits were reorganized in 1976; its greatest feature includes a unique collection of more than 300 funerary stelae of the 3rd century B.C.
• Between the towns of Volos and Larissa lie Sesko and Dimini, believed to be two of the oldest centers of civilization in Greece. They date back to the Neolithic Age and will attract guests who have a special interest in the prehistoric and early historical periods. The sites are about 15 miles west of Volos.

About At Sea

Relax and enjoy your vacation onboard your ship. You can do as much or as little as you want.

About Yalta

Yalta and its surroundings are protected on three sides by mountains, which account for the region's exceptionally mild climate and its reputation as a favored vacation destination. Situated on the southern tip of the Crimean Peninsula, is the area's largest and most important resort and as such has catered to pleasure lovers and health seekers for more than a century. Here at the Golden Riviera, Russian aristocracy built their elegant summer palaces and palatial villas that rivaled those of Nice and Cannes. Livadia became the summer residence of the tsars and earned fame as the site of the 1945 Yalta Conference. Noted literary greats made Yalta their home, among them Tolstoy, Chekhov and Gorky. Following the 1917 Revolution, the aristocracy was forced to relinquish their grand estates to the People. Most of the opulent mansions were converted into sanitariums where Soviet citizens came to recuperate. Today, restoration of many of the palaces has returned them to their former glory, making them popular attractions for visitors from all over.

Yalta Attractions

Nikitsky Botanical Gardens: Located just outside of Yalta on a hilltop above the sea, these gardens were established in 1812 and feature a vast collection of ornamental plants.

About Odessa

During World War II, Odessa suffered major damage when it came under heavy siege by the Nazis. In recognition of the inhabitants' valiant stand against the enemy, Odessa was proclaimed the "Hero City." Fortunately, many of the 19th-century French-style buildings survived, adding greatly to Odessa's numerous attractions. A stroll along Primorsky Boulevard usually ends at the historic Potemkin staircase, which numbers 192 steps and extends 455 feet. The pride and glory of Odessa is its neo-classical Opera House where musical events conducted by Tchaikovsky and ballets featuring Anna Pavlova were held.

Thanks to a temperate climate and miles of prime beaches, Odessa and its surrounding resort areas are popular tourist destinations. Scores of visitors flock to the "Riviera of the Black Sea," taking the waters in seaside spas, touring opulent palaces and enjoying spectacular performances at the Opera House. Many of Odessa's residents are eager to engage in a conversation with visitors and try their foreign language skills, accepting with pride favorable comments about their "Hero City."

Odessa Attractions

• Mother-in-Law Bridge and Gogol Street: Behind the Vorontsov Palace is the Mother-in-Law Bridge. Crossing it, you will reach a peaceful corner of Old Odessa. Relax at an outdoor café with an espresso or a glass of local champagne and admire the architectural ensemble of Gogol Street, one of the city's most beautiful streets.
• Deribas Monument: At the foot of Deribasovskaya there is a statue of the first governor of Odessa, Joseph Deribas. The monument was erected in 1994 to mark the bicentennial of the founding of Odessa.

About Constanta

Romania's second largest city, Constanta attracts by the harmony between ebulient business world and intense cultural life. Developed upon the ancient ruins of the Greek stronghold Tomis, Constanta has always been a centre of ethnic and spiritual diversity, a pole of economic exchanges in the Black Sea region and in South-Eastern Europe.

Constanta Attractions

Visit the coastal resorts around Mamaia and the Murfatlar wine-producing region. Also worth seeing is the huge, recently excavated Roman mosaic floor.

Constanta Activities

• The Black Sea coast has long been known for cures of arthritic, rheumatic, internal and nervous disorders. Eforie Nord and Mangalia Spas specialize in mud baths (the mud is taken from the area's salty lake waters) as well as in world famous "Gerovital" and "Aslavital" original rejuvenation treatments.
• Considered by many one of the most beautiful castles in all Europe, Peles Castle is a masterpiece of German new-Renaissance architecture.
• Started by Romans and unique in Europe. Today Romania's 70 natural spas provide relief for many medical disorders and illnesses including rheumatism, endocrine, kidney, liver, respiratory, heart, stomach and nervous diseases as well as nutrition, metabolism and gynecological disorders.

About Nessebar

The town of Nessebar has about 10,000 inhabitants and extends over a small peninsula. It lies 37km northeast of Bourgas. Its beach is considered to be one of the finest along the Black Sea coast due to a large sandy strip of land between the town and the village of Ravda, covered with clean golden sand.

Nessebar Attractions

Nowadays, Nessebar is one of the most popular resorts among foreign tourists for its ancient spirit and well-preserved remains. According to legends, the churches of Nessebar were no less than 41, which, when compared to the small population of the town, make the latter one of the world's settlements with the highest number of churches per capita. One of the oldest sanctuaries is the Basilica built on the coast most probably around the beginning of 5th century. The Old Bishop's Residence located in the centre of the town is probably the most impressive church in Nessebar. It is more than 25m long and 22m wide while its three naves were decorated with a colonnade and arches. St. Ivan the Baptist Church was built much later, in the 11th century, and is a typical cross-domed church with three naves, and four columns supporting the dome. One can see there fragments of frescoes dating back to the 13th century. The St. Stefan Church or the so-called New Bishop's Residence, situated in the vicinity of the harbour, was built in the 10th century. Its decoration is so picturesque that it marked the beginning of a typical local style, seen in the construction of churches of later times. The facade of the church is ornamented with built-in glazed ceramic figures of different colours and tiles. The same style was followed in the construction of St. Todor Church, though only two original facades have been preserved until present days. The St. John Aliturgetos Church perching high above the harbour is considered to be the most beautiful one. It has three naves and the decoration of the facades is of unique beauty. Besides well-preserved churches, one can see the remains of fortress walls (best preserved at the old town's gate and the port), authentic medieval, Roman and Greek street pavements, fortifications of different epochs, administrative and other buildings. Some of the typical houses of Nessebar built in a unique style of the 16th-19th century are real architectural monuments (e.g. the houses of Diamanti, that of Panayot Mouskoyani, which hosts an ethnographic exhibition, the one of Captain Pavel). The old quarters of Nessebar show remarkable taste and mastership in the construction of houses, stone walls, and streets. The Turkish bath and the windmill at the beginning of the causeway are of particular interest.

Nessebar Activities

Outside the town, one can visit the village of Aheloy, in the vicinity of which the Bulgarian Tsar Simeon I destroyed the armies of the Byzantine emperor Lion Foka. Aheloy is situated on the motorway to Bourgas near the mouth of the Aheloy River. The field of the landmark battle, which made the Bulgarian state the incontestable dominion of the Balkan peninsula, is called nowadays Kokalos (having its root in the Bulgarian word for 'Bones') after the scattered corpses of killed soldiers

About Istanbul

Istanbul is not only where Europe meets Asia; it's where history, built upon empire after empire, meets modern-day commercialism. Explore Old Istanbul's mosques, hippodromes and opulent palaces. Discover remnants of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires. Test your bargaining savvy with the merchants at the Grand Bazaar and visit the awe-inspiring Ayasofya (Church of Holy Wisdom). Istanbul is the perfect place to step far back in time and admire incredible cultural accomplishments. Don't forget your camera!

Istanbul Attractions

Journey to Istanbul's Sultanahmet neighborhood to experience the astounding Ayasofya (also know as the Church of Holy Wisdom or the Hagia Sophia), an incredible example of Byzantine architecture. The original cathedral was completed in A.D. 537, using columns and marble from other temples around the empire. Earthquakes, crusaders and successive rulers have all left their mark on the Ayasofya. The original mosaics, which were once plastered over, have been gloriously restored. Simply put, this is a sight you will always remember.

Istanbul Activities

• Equally affecting is the Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii), a grand, bulbous monument to Islam. With 260 stained glass windows, six minarets and liberal use of decorative tile, the Blue Mosque is an amazing visual adventure.
• Take a tour of Dolmabahçe Palace and see how the sultans of the Ottoman Empire lived.

About Istanbul

Istanbul is not only where Europe meets Asia; it's where history, built upon empire after empire, meets modern-day commercialism. Explore Old Istanbul's mosques, hippodromes and opulent palaces. Discover remnants of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires. Test your bargaining savvy with the merchants at the Grand Bazaar and visit the awe-inspiring Ayasofya (Church of Holy Wisdom). Istanbul is the perfect place to step far back in time and admire incredible cultural accomplishments. Don't forget your camera!

Istanbul Attractions

Journey to Istanbul's Sultanahmet neighborhood to experience the astounding Ayasofya (also know as the Church of Holy Wisdom or the Hagia Sophia), an incredible example of Byzantine architecture. The original cathedral was completed in A.D. 537, using columns and marble from other temples around the empire. Earthquakes, crusaders and successive rulers have all left their mark on the Ayasofya. The original mosaics, which were once plastered over, have been gloriously restored. Simply put, this is a sight you will always remember.

Istanbul Activities

• Equally affecting is the Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii), a grand, bulbous monument to Islam. With 260 stained glass windows, six minarets and liberal use of decorative tile, the Blue Mosque is an amazing visual adventure.
• Take a tour of Dolmabahçe Palace and see how the sultans of the Ottoman Empire lived.

About At Sea

Relax and enjoy your vacation onboard your ship. You can do as much or as little as you want.

About At Sea

Relax and enjoy your vacation onboard your ship. You can do as much or as little as you want.

About Korcula

The greenest, most independent and most interesting of Croatia's 1,000 or so islands, Korcula was a favourite Greek holiday spot over 2,000 years ago. Very much a law unto itself - as you might expect from a community that resisted the sieges of centuries - Korcula town is a mini-fortress enclosed with honey-coloured stone walls that contain hidden treasures, from icons to Tiepolos, as well as architectural delights in every narrow, cobbled street.

Korcula Attractions

Korcula is considered to be the birthplace of Marco Polo, and history and tradition are apparent when you walk along the paved streets and squares of this lovely town. A city tour includes a visit to cultural and historical monuments, such as the Treasury of the Abbey, the City Museum, the Museum of Icons, as well as other places of interest.

About Venice

Venice is the essence of romance. Along the Grand Canal, the city's "main street," you will see row upon row of Gothic-Renaissance homes and palaces. Most are hundreds of years old and house priceless works of art. Dozens of delicate bridges lead the visitor from one wonder to the next: The Basilica of St Mark, the Palace of the Doges, and the remarkable collection of modern art assembled by Peggy Guggenheim in the Palazzo Venier dei Leoni.

Venice Attractions

Probably the most famous site in Venice is St. Mark's Basilica. Built to enshrine St. Mark's body in the 9th century, it was rebuilt in the 11th century with a new, spectacular edifice. The interior is clad in wonderful mosaics and holds statues, icons and its famous horses, brought to St. Mark's after the 4th Crusade in 1204.

Venice Activities

• Explore the Doge's Palace, the official residence of the Venetian ruler, founded in the 9th century. See its famous Bridge of Sighs, linking the palace to the state prisons
• Take a walking tour through the quaint cobblestone streets and across the endless Venetian bridges to discover the intimate details that make Venice so unique.
• Enjoy a gondola ride through the canals as you relax and absorb the surroundings
• Campanile is the brick bell tower that stands in Piazza San Marco. The present structure is a reconstruction of the original, which stood for 1,000 years before it collapsed in 1912. An elevator can be taken to the top, affording views of the Lido, the lagoon and even as far as the Alps on a clear day.
• Art lovers will not want to miss this magnificent museum, Galleria dell’Accademia. It boasts the most extraordinary collection of Venetian art. In addition to priceless masterpieces by Giovanni Bellini, Paolo Veronese and Titian, there are paintings of 15th- and 16th-century Venice that show how amazingly little the city has changed since then. The Accademia is open every day of the week, but usually requires standing in line to enter.