If you’re an Olympics enthusiast, no doubt you’re eagerly anticipating the 2008 Beijing Olympics. If you’re a fan of Olympic history as well, you may be interested in the latest cruise offered by MSC Cruises. They’re new Mediterranean cruise vacation ventures back to the origins of the modern international games.

In April of 2008, the Italy-based cruise line launched its latest flagship, MSC Poesia. One of its destinations this year is a stop at Katakolon on the Peloponnese peninsula in Greece, giving Olympic historians an opportunity to visit Olympia, the site of the very first Olympic games.

Visitors can see remains of the original stadium (which held 45,000 spectators), visit a small museum chronically the history of the site, and even stop by The Sanctuary of Olympia, where the flame for the game’s is still lit to this day.

The cruise will depart from Venice, Italy, and stop by Bari, Italy, Istanbul, Turkey and Dubrovnik, Croatia in addition to the Olympic stop-off.

You can find out more information about the 8-day, 7-night adventure at MSC Cruises.com.