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November 19, 2025 50 mins

Discover what to do during a pre-cruise stay in Venice (and why getting around isn't as easy as you'd think) and how to get to Chioggia to embark on your cruise. We'll share hidden gems you might not know about, like Piran, and experience the breathtaking views and cultural treasures of iconic ports like Dubrovnik, Kotor, Corfu, Santorini (you’ll never guess what happened that day), Olympia, and Athens.

We'll walk you through our favorite excursions at each stop, including third-party tour options we experienced firsthand. We share the unique aspects that made each destination special, and give you honest insights about the challenges and surprises we encountered. 

Whether you're planning your own Empires of the Mediterranean cruise with Viking, deciding which excursions to prioritize, or dreaming about this historic itinerary, you'll get our perspective on what makes this vacation spectacular and how to make the most of every magical moment.

The links below will help supplement this episode and take you to the tour companies we used to book excursions when we didn’t go through Viking: 



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