When it comes to holidays in Italy, the country’s east offers a unique cultural experience.

Bari is the gateway to sites like the UNESCO-recognised Sassi di Matera cave network and the ‘trulli’ – conical limestone houses – in the town of Alberobello. From Brindisi, visit Ostuni – a pretty città bianca (‘white city’, named due to its swathes of whitewashed houses) – and Lecce, the ‘Florence of the South’, housing Roman ruins and Spanish Baroque architecture. 

Our cruises to Italy also stop at Ancona, for winery visits, beaches and access to medieval Urbino, as well as a handsome hilltop cathedral – Cattedrale di San Ciriaco – supplying panoramic city views.

We also visit the cosmopolitan city of Trieste. Discover its literary heritage on a tour around the piazzas and theatres, before stopping at a local winery. Also visit elegant, 19th-century Miramare Castle for more city history.  

An Italy cruise wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Venice. Don’t miss the magnificent Doge’s Palace and its centuries of history, which you could combine with a bucket list gondola ride, or perhaps even a trip to the island of Murano to learn about glass-blowing.

For epic scenery, traditional villages and dreamy beaches, a cruise to Greece is the way forward. Every destination has its own character.

On a Greek Island cruise, sample Santorini’s charming, whitewashed villages on an excursion to Oia and Fira, and witness Mykonos’s delightful juxtaposition of buzzing and peaceful scenes on a coach tour of the island. Soak up the blissful beaches of Cephalonia, Corfu and Syros, or explore the ruins of Kamiros and ancient temples on Rhodes. 

While on your Greek Island holidays, make sure to visit the mainland, too. Katakolon affords access to Olympia, where the Olympic Games originated (you can still see remnants of the stadium and training areas), while Athens combines urban life with historical wonders – learn about the area’s storied past at its National Archaeological Museum or book an excursion that visits the famed Acropolis and the flower-strewn Plaka neighbourhood.

Despite outstanding mountain landscapes, medieval towns and beach retreats, Montenegro remains something of a hidden gem. Discover its picturesque towns – including Kotor and Bar – on a Montenegro cruise with us.

Kotor (perhaps the country’s best-known destination) stuns with its Old Town (part of a UNESCO World Heritage site), set against the backdrop of Mount Lovćen. See it on foot, via cable car or from the water on a boat or kayaking tour. 

Bar is another charming coastal destination. Its Old Town is encircled by fortress walls built and adapted over centuries, while nearby, you can find the centuries-old Bar Aqueduct, stretching across a verdant valley. 

Book an excursion to explore other fascinating areas of Montenegro, including Lake Skadar – the largest in the Balkans – and beach resort Budva, sometimes called the ‘Montenegrin Miami’ for its nightlife and beaches.  

From Byzantine ruins at Ephesus to Ottoman palaces and mosques in Istanbul, history and culture underpin any visit to Turkey. Get to know this complex land with MSC Cruises. 

On a Turkey cruise, stop at Istanbul, a thriving city spanning two continents. Take in the sights and sounds of its Grand Bazaar, marvel at the world-famous Blue Mosque or take a scenic dinner cruise on the Bosphorus.

Kuşadası is another richly rewarding location, affording access to historic sites, plus opportunities for chilling out at beach clubs and learning about traditional Turkish culture in rural villages.

The city of Izmir provides similarly varied experiences. Glimpse past civilisations on excursions to the archaeological sites of Ephesus and Yeşilova Höyük, or relax on the sands after enjoying the thrum of urban life. 

Nestled on Turkey’s southwest coast, Marmaris offers sea, sand and sun at spots like Amos Beach, and historical discovery on an excursion to the village of Dalyan and its ancient ruins.