Byzantine Echoes – Athens, Izmir & Istanbul

About this cruise

No complicated itinerary, no back-to-back transfers, just the ports, the ship, and the sea in between. This 7-night sailing from Bari on January 30, 2027 visits Piraeus (Athens), Izmir, Istanbul and Corfu. A few ports come in quick succession, which is great for sightseeing but means you'll appreciate the sea days when they arrive. Ancient temples, white-and-blue Greek islands, and warm Aegean water. Hard to argue with. Piraeus (Athens) stands out. It's The Acropolis beckons from the harbour. Around 9 hours per port on average, which is generous enough to go beyond the obvious. MSC Lirica has 5 restaurants on board, which means you could eat somewhere different nearly every night. Bari itself is worth spending some time in. Don't just treat it as a departure point. A January sailing is basically an excuse to chase the sun for a week or two. All in all, it's a solid trip.