Holy Land, Greek Isles & Adriatic - 8157B

(NOTE: Check that your cruise still visits Haifa due to current safety concerns.) Israel’s third largest city and one of its prettiest, Haifa is situated on the Israeli Mediterranean Coastal Plain, the historic land bridge between Europe, Africa, and Asia. The city is split over three tiers. The lowest is the centre of commerce and industry including the Port of Haifa, the middle level is on the slopes of Mount Carmel consists of older residential neighbourhoods, while the upper level is known for its modern suburbs. From here there are some fascinating views. Read more about Haifa, Israel

Ashdod - aka Isdud - is a city on the Mediterranean Sea coast in the South District of Israel, approximately 70 km from Jerusalem and Beer Sheba. It is a major industrial centre and Israel’s largest and busiest cargo port, through which over 100,000 tourists visit annually. It is also one of the most ancient cities in the world, dating back to the Canaanite culture of the 17th century BC, and interestingly is mentioned thirteen times in the Bible. Ashdod is a convenient jumping-off point for exploring several of Israel's most interesting cities, including Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and Bethlehem. Read more about Ashdod (Jerusalem), Israel

Rhodes is the principal city of the island of the same name, situated in the Aegean Sea. It is renowned for having the longest summer of any of the Greek islands. It is famous for being the site of the Colossus of Rhodes - one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World - as well as being the home of the Citadel of Rhodes, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as one of the best preserved medieval towns in Europe. The capital itself is very beautiful. Read more about Rhodes, Greece

Bodrum Peninsula is located in the Aegean region of Turkey. The Aegean Coast is an extraordinary place, with its immense unspoilt coastline and warm climate which offers all year round sunshine. The place where the first Christian Church was built, and where the art of wine making was developed, it boasts astonishing historical sites and natural wonders that rival any other place in the world. The sense of history is never too far away on the Bodrum peninsula, with ancient ruins, such as Myndus Gate (Alexander's Gateway to the East), the Bodrum Amphitheatre, and beautiful Rabbit Island, to remind you of past cultures and civilisations. Read more about Bodrum, Turkey

Cesme, on the west coast of Turkey, is a popular holiday and resort destination located on a promontory on the tip of a peninsula that carries the same name. The town itself is dominated by the medieval Cesme Castle, while the back streets of the old town with their old Ottoman and Greek houses that charm passers-by, are best seen by means of a casual stroll. South of the castle there is an Ottoman caravanserai - an inn built in 1528 especially for caravans - that has since been transformed into a lovely boutique hotel. Read more about Cesme, Turkey

The Greek Island of Patmos is possibly best known as the place where the apostle John received his vision and wrote the Apocalypse, and is subsequently sometimes called the Jerusalem of the Aegean. Whether you are interested in history and religion or not, the Monastery of St. John is regarded as a 'must see'. Looking like a huge fortress, it towers above the unique medieval village of Chora. Read more about Patmos, Greece

Athens, the capital and largest city of Greece, is also one of the world's oldest cities with an unparalleled history that spans around 3,400 years. Experiencing long periods of sunshine throughout the year, and known as "the cradle of Western civilisation", it is a 'must-see' destination for world travellers. The city contains a fascinating variety of different architectural styles, ranging from Greco-Roman through Neo-Classical, to Modern. They are usually all found together in the same areas, as a walk through the old neighbourhoods of the famous historic triangle will reveal. Read more about Athens, Greece

Monemvasia is located on a small peninsula off the Peloponnesian east coast in the Greek prefecture of Laconia. It is actually a medieval fortress with a town next to it and is joined to the mainland by a 200 m narrow causeway. It looks as if it has literally jumped out of the Medieval Era. In effect the Old Town and the Castle of Monemvasia has been built on a huge rock. Read more about Monemvasia, Greece

The scenic seaside Greek town of Katakolon, with a population around 3,000, is your typical small-town cruise port with delightful cafes along the waterfront, shops that sell T-shirts, hats and jewellery, and a small beach that draws swimmers and sandcastle-builders. But that's not why ships make the town a destination. They arrive because Katakolon serves as the cruise gateway to ancient Olympia, just 40 km away, the birthplace of the Olympic Games. More than 3 million people annually visit the site and its companion facility, the Archaeological Museum of Olympia, a treasure trove of pieced-together sculptures and statues that once adorned the ancient structures. Read more about Katakolon, Greece

Parga is a town and municipality located in the NW of Greece in the region of Epirus. It lies on the Ionian coast between the cities of Preveza and Igoumenitsa. Tourism is rather new here and the number of foreign tourists is small so people are friendly, and the town still feels genuinely Grecian. It is a resort town known for its scenic beauty, a very popular destination with Greeks themselves, and it is becoming a more popular site for foreigners. Read more about Parga, Greece

Brindisi is an ancient city that sits on the boot's heel of long-legged Italy. It is one of the three main towns of the Salento Peninsula, and is sometimes called the Gateway to the East. It is also home to the end of the famous Apian Way, and while much of it is now paved, the end of this historic trading route, now enhanced with great steps and two imposing Roman columns, is still able to be appreciated. The nearby archaeological site of Ignazia also showcases a portion of the Apian Way and historical memories of Spartacus. Read more about Brindisi, Italy

Dubrovnik, a Croatian city on the Adriatic Sea coast, is a prominent tourist destination. The city joined the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 1979. An outstanding feature of the Old Town of Dubrovnik is its intact city walls that run uninterrupted for 1,940m encircling the city. This complex structure, one of the most beautiful and strongest fort systems in the Mediterranean, consists of a series of forts, bastions, towers and detached forts, originally used to protect the vulnerable city. Read more about Dubrovnik, Croatia

Zadar is a Croatian city located not far from Sibenik. It is a several thousands of years old town and it was the capital of Dalmatia for many centuries. Several layers of city walls with their attractive and impressive entries dating back to the 16th century, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque monuments, as well as a preserved collection of church silver and gold, all bear witness to the city's tumultuous past. Visit the old town and absorb the atmosphere of its rich history, while viewing the delightful marble streets, the fascinating architecture, and the famous churches, each with a story to tell. Read more about Zadar, Croatia

Located at the head of the Adriatic Sea between the mouths of the Piave and Po Rivers, an intricate web of 118 tiny islands and canals make up the enchanting city of Venice in Italy. Considered to be an extremely beautiful and romantic destination, it is not surprising that Venice has played an important role in the history of symphonic and operatic music. One must take a gondola ride along some of the over 150 canals, including the Grand Canal. Be amazed at the numerous bridges – such as the Rialto bridge – and absorb the glorious renaissance architecture with its panorama of superbly detailed facades. Read more about Venice, Italy

Vodice (population 9000) is Croatian town bordering on the Adriatic Sea. Its history goes back to Roman times. Numerous archaeological excavations have revealed the remains of Roman settlements and a Liburnian necropolis from the 4th C BC. For almost four centuries it was part of the Republic of Venice. Read more about Vodice, Croatia

Located along one of Montenegro's most beautiful bays is picturesque Kotor. The bay is the deepest natural inlet in the Adriatic Sea, and the scenery around it is spectacular. Its well-preserved Old Town - surrounded by an impressive city wall - nestles at the head of southern Europe’s deepest sunken river valley. It is typical of the middle Age cities built between the 12th and 14th century. Read more about Kotor, Montenegro

Corfu Island, located just off the west coast of Greece, boasts some of the most stunning scenery in the Greek Isles. With its impressive landscapes, rich vegetation, long golden beaches, the elegant capital Corfu Town, and many traditional villages, it is not surprising that this island receives many visitors each year. The capital is possibly most impressive, due to the Venetian, French and English civilisations that are remembered for the architectural elements they have left behind. Be sure to visit the Achillion Palace with its picturesque gardens overlooking Corfu Town, and at least one of the many Greek churches and monasteries. Read more about Corfu, Greece

Zakynthos is the main city on the island of the same name, the third largest of the Ionian Islands in Greece. It is difficult to realise that the island was hit by a series of four earthquakes in 1953, an earthquake swarm on an almost daily basis in 2006, and an horrific forest fire in the same year. The island today is regarded as The Flower of the Orient and one of the most beautiful islands of the Ionians. The island is famous for its natural environment, especially the fact that it offers strict protection to the endangered sea turtle - Caretta-Caretta - that reproduce here. Read more about Zakynthos, Greece

Nafplion (with a variety of spellings), the first capital of Greece, is situated on the Peloponnese Peninsula just a two and a half hour drive from Athens. Its picturesque harbour, with two mountains crowned by medieval fortresses overlooking the town. The small island fortress called the Bourtzi that once protected the harbour presents a scene that will ever be remembered. The town’s history traces back to the prehistoric era when soldiers from here participated in the Argonautic expedition and the Trojan War alike. Read more about Nafplion, Greece

Mykonos is the principal town of the island of the same name, which is part of the Cyclades, and could well be described as the most sophisticated of the Greek Islands. Visited by innumerable international celebrities - you may even see some enjoying a coffee on the sidewalk - it is not surprising that it is considered by many to be one of the top tourist destinations in the world. It is also an island with beautiful landscapes, scores of churches, some fascinating monuments, and windmills. Best known for its beautiful sandy golden beaches lapped by transparent waters, there are so many from which to choose. Read more about Mykonos, Greece

Athens, the capital and largest city of Greece, is also one of the world's oldest cities with an unparalleled history that spans around 3,400 years. Experiencing long periods of sunshine throughout the year, and known as "the cradle of Western civilisation", it is a 'must-see' destination for world travellers. The city contains a fascinating variety of different architectural styles, ranging from Greco-Roman through Neo-Classical, to Modern. They are usually all found together in the same areas, as a walk through the old neighbourhoods of the famous historic triangle will reveal. Read more about Athens, Greece