Greek Isles & Istanbul Cruise

Day 1 - Athens

Arrive: Fri 20 June 2025 / Depart: Fri 20 June 2025 at 22:00

Piraeus, is a port city within the Athens urban area, in the Attica region of Greece. It is located in the Athens Riviera, 8 kilometres southwest of Athens’ city centre, along the east coast of the Saronic Gulf.

Day 2 - Santorini

Arrive: Sat 21 June 2025 at 08:00 / Depart: Sat 21 June 2025 at 19:30

Of all the Cyclades Islands, Santorini is often considered the most dramatic. Once an active volcano, in approximately 1620 BC, the volcano erupted with such force that the center of the island literally exploded, leaving a submerged crater. The island's small villages were preserved in the ashes giving a fascinating view of everyday life from 3,600 years ago. Santorini's landscape offsets its simple buildings, which shine in the brilliant sunlight. The rich volcanic soil is ideal for grapes and the local vines produce a crop known for its "special volcanic taste."

Day 3 - Kusadasi

Arrive: Sun 22 June 2025 at 08:00 / Depart: Sun 22 June 2025 at 21:00

Since the late 1970s, Kusadasi has grown from a fishing village into a sprawling tourist center, serving thousands of visitors who flock here to visit the nearby ruins of Ephesus. Despite an incredible building boom and an influx of shops, Kusadasi has managed to retain much of its original charm. The major attraction remains the archaeological site of ancient Ephesus, considered to be the most important one in all of Turkey. The history of this ancient city dates as far back as the 10th century BC. Many of the remarkable structures seen today are the result of an extraordinary excavation and restoration program. As you walk along the white marble road, grooved by ancient chariot wheels, the two-story Library of Celsus presents a striking sight. In addition, there are temples, houses of noblemen and community buildings lining the ancient streets. Nestled into the mountainside is the 25,000-seat amphitheater, still used today for performances during the Festival of Culture and Art.

Day 4 - Patmos

Arrive: Mon 23 June 2025 at 08:00 / Depart: Mon 23 June 2025 at 23:00

The Holy Isle of Patmos, one of the smaller Dodecanese Islands, occupies a narrow strip of land with numerous rocky hills and scant vegetation. The interior is sparsely populated with mostly shepherds and fishermen. In contrast, the waterfront areas see plenty of tourists during the summer months. There are only two main villages, Chora and Scala; whitewashed houses face Scala harbor or are scattered over the hillsides. The island's mild, healthy climate, year-round sunshine, delightful coves and numerous chapels combine to form a picture of unique beauty. The history of Patmos can be traced to Dorian and Ionian settlers who established a sanctuary to worship the goddess Artemis.

Day 5 - At Sea

Day 6 - Istanbul

Arrive: Wed 25 June 2025 at 08:00

A chaotic, colossal collision of east and west – start your day in Europe and end it in Asia, all without breaking a sweat. Sprawling across two continents, the city has been toed, froed and yanked between countless civilisations over its history, leaving a multi-layered, majestic tapestry of culture to untangle. An army of narrow minarets puncture the skyline, while the soaring towers of palaces and labyrinths of bazaars - where bargains are the reward for brave hagglers - fill up this dynamic city of 15 million people. View less With a rich portfolio of Byzantine and Ottoman architecture, Istanbul enjoys one of the world's most dynamic skylines and has an intense, infectious energy. The vast Aya Sofya is the starting point for exploring this huge city's deep wealth of cultural treasures. Built in the 6th century as a Greek Orthodox church, it was later transformed into an Ottoman imperial mosque – and latterly a museum. Cast your eyes up to take in the full scale of the colossal dome, one of the world's largest, which floats on a magnificent bed of light. See the Blue Mosque, with its glorious blue ?znik tiles, or head to the Galata Tower which was once the tallest structure in Istanbul, and is ideal for a panoramic view of the city. Grab handfuls of dates and spices, shop for jewellery and patterned fabrics as you're swallowed whole by the Grand Bazaar - one of the world's biggest and busiest covered indoor markets. To understand Istanbul is to visit its kahvehans. Few rituals are taken as seriously as Turkish coffee - prepared to be incredibly strong. Sweeten the aftertaste with Turkish delight, or baklava – try the smooth pistachio version called kuru baklava.

Day 7 - Istanbul

Depart: Thu 26 June 2025 at 23:00

A chaotic, colossal collision of east and west – start your day in Europe and end it in Asia, all without breaking a sweat. Sprawling across two continents, the city has been toed, froed and yanked between countless civilisations over its history, leaving a multi-layered, majestic tapestry of culture to untangle. An army of narrow minarets puncture the skyline, while the soaring towers of palaces and labyrinths of bazaars - where bargains are the reward for brave hagglers - fill up this dynamic city of 15 million people. View less With a rich portfolio of Byzantine and Ottoman architecture, Istanbul enjoys one of the world's most dynamic skylines and has an intense, infectious energy. The vast Aya Sofya is the starting point for exploring this huge city's deep wealth of cultural treasures. Built in the 6th century as a Greek Orthodox church, it was later transformed into an Ottoman imperial mosque – and latterly a museum. Cast your eyes up to take in the full scale of the colossal dome, one of the world's largest, which floats on a magnificent bed of light. See the Blue Mosque, with its glorious blue ?znik tiles, or head to the Galata Tower which was once the tallest structure in Istanbul, and is ideal for a panoramic view of the city. Grab handfuls of dates and spices, shop for jewellery and patterned fabrics as you're swallowed whole by the Grand Bazaar - one of the world's biggest and busiest covered indoor markets. To understand Istanbul is to visit its kahvehans. Few rituals are taken as seriously as Turkish coffee - prepared to be incredibly strong. Sweeten the aftertaste with Turkish delight, or baklava – try the smooth pistachio version called kuru baklava.

Day 8 - Cruise the Dardanelles

Day 9 - Thessaloniki

Arrive: Sat 28 June 2025 at 07:00 / Depart: Sat 28 June 2025 at 19:00

It is interesting to note that between the 17th and 20th centuries Jews made up more than half the population as a result of the arrival in 1492 of some 20,000 Jews who had been expelled from Spain. They engaged in all trades and professions and played a predominant part in commerce and industry. Thessaloniki's main hub centers around Aristotle Square, a traffic- free area surrounded by arcades that house cafes and restaurants. The pedestrian strip along the water's edge makes for a popular seafront promenade. Two of the main thoroughfares, Odos Mitropoleos and Odos Tsimski, are lined with luxury shops and boutiques. On either side of Aristotle Street extends the picturesque Central Market where you will find numerous shops supplying domestic needs

Day 10 - Volos

Arrive: Sun 29 June 2025 at 08:00 / Depart: Sun 29 June 2025 at 18:00

Volos is a commercial and industrial city; it is Greece's third-largest port. Much of it has been rebuilt after a severe earthquake in 1955. The location in the gulf of the same name and near scenic Mount Pelion ensures this town an attractive setting. Interesting sites in the surrounding areas include imposing monasteries perched atop craggy mountains and a fine Archaeological Museum. Volos was founded in the 14th century in an area which has been occupied by man since the Neolithic era. A short distance out of Volos, the second millennium saw the establishment of the Mycenaen city of Iolkos, seat of King Pelias and home of his nephew Jason, who sailed from here with the Argonauts. Remains of Mycenaen buildings have been discovered near the river, where a palace stood around 1400 B.C. The main reason visitors come to Volos is to depart on excursions to the monasteries of Meteora. Their lofty position atop gigantic pinnacles makes them the area's foremost attraction.

Day 11 - Mykonos

Arrive: Mon 30 June 2025 at 08:00 / Depart: Mon 30 June 2025 at 22:00

The island of Mykonos is the most easterly of the northern Cyclades. Its attractive setting and other captivating attributes make it one of the most celebrated holiday destinations in Greece. Mykonos Town is a colorful maze of narrow streets lined by whitewashed houses with bright blue doors and shutters. During the 1960s, it was the Bohemian jet set that discovered Mykonos. Many old houses along the waterfront are now restaurants, bars and discos, catering to an international yachting crowd. The tiny town of cube-shaped houses extends in a semicircle around the picturesque bay. As an attractive backdrop, the famous windmills are lined up like toy soldiers on the hillside, vestiges of a time when wind power was used to grind the island's grain.

Day 12 - Athens

Arrive: Tue 01 July 2025 at 07:00 / Depart: Tue 01 July 2025

Piraeus, is a port city within the Athens urban area, in the Attica region of Greece. It is located in the Athens Riviera, 8 kilometres southwest of Athens’ city centre, along the east coast of the Saronic Gulf.