DAY 1 Istanbul arrival

Arrive at Istanbul airport. You will be met and transferred to your hotel. Stay overnight in Istanbul.

DAY 2 Istanbul, cruise embarkation

Enjoy a full day tour of the Sultanahmet district, the heart of old Istanbul. Firstly we visit the magnificent Hagia Sofia, Hippodrome and the stadium of ancient Byzantium, where an Egyptian obelisk and a bronze sculpture of three entwined serpents from Delphi still survive. We then continue to the Blue Mosque, which owes it’s name to the exquisite tiles adorning it’s interior, the magnificent Hagia Sofia and the infamous Grand Bazaar. After lunch we visit the amazing Topkapi Palace, which from the 15th to the 19th Century was the principle residence of the Ottoman Sultans. After the tour you will be transferred to the port to embark on your cruise ship. At 18:00 the ship arrives in Istanbul, the most exotic city in Europe and the crossroad between two continents - Europe and Asia, a magical place of palaces, churches, mosques and minarets. Overnight in Istanbul on cruise ship. (All meals are included while on board the cruise ship)

DAY 3 Istanbul

After meeting with your guide at the exit of the harbour, you will visit to the Galata Tower where you will enjoy a 360 degree view of Istanbul. Next stop will be Underground Cistern, the structure known in Byzantium times as the Basilica Cistern. We then walk along Nuruosmaniye Street where you can visit many shops selling traditional Turkish wares and souvenirs. After lunch, we will proceed to Nisantasi, the modern district of Istanbul, where take time for a turkish coffee break. At the end of the day, we will return you to the port to re embark on your cruise ship. At 18.00 the ship departs for Mykonos.

DAY 4 Mykonos

We have from 15:00 to 00:00 in Mykonos, glittering white with its windmills and 365 churches. At midnight we begin our journey to Patmos.

DAY 5 Patmos & Kusadasi

At 7.00 until 10.30 we have the opportunity to visit the sacred island of Patmos, an island with an austere physiognomy, this is where St John the Evangelist wrote the Apocalypse. Depart for Kusadasi in Turkey where you can visit Ephesus, an ancient Greek city founded in the 8th Century BC and one of the best preserved archeological sites in the world. A half day private Ephesus Tour is included in your program. Meet your guide at the exit of the harbour to start your tour. First, visit the ruins of the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Then proceed to the Ancient City of Ephesus where you will explore some of the best preserved theatres, fountains and buildings in the world. A definite must while in Turkey. At the end of your time we will return you to the port to re embark on your cruise ship.

DAY 6 Rhodes

From 7:00 to 18:00 we enjoy our day in Rhodes, the legendary home of the sun god Apollo. Visit Lindos famous for its Acropolis and the old town of Rhodes, the Grand Master’s Palace and the Street of the Knights (optional excursion).

DAY 7 Crete & Santorini

From 7:00 to 12:00 we arrive in the main city of Heraklion on the island of Crete. Here you will be able to visit the Minoan Palace of Knossos (optional excursion). At 16:30 we alight in Santorini. Go ashore and take a donkey ride or the cable car up to the town of Fira. Santorini is an exceptionally beautiful island of white washed houses set into the steep cliffs shaped by the volcano. Be sure not to miss the dazzling sunset from one of Santorini’s many charming villages. We set sail for Athens at 21:00.

DAY 8 Athens

06:00 arrival in the port of Piraeus. Take an optional sightseeing tour of Athens which includes the Acropolis and Plaka area, definitely not to be missed. 18:00 Boat departs - dinner on board.

DAY 9 Istanbul, disembarkation

Arrive in Istanbul in the evening, disembarkation. The transfer man will transfer you to your hotel in Istanbul. Stay overnight in Istanbul.

INCLUDED SERVICES

Land

• 2 nights accommodation in 3 or 4 star accommodation in Istanbul including breakfast.

• Two full day Istanbul sightseeing tours including transportation, guidance and entrance fees.

• Half day Ephesus tour including transportation, guidance and entrance fees.

• Arrival and departure airport transfers.

• All transfers mentioned in the itinerary.

Cruise

• 7 nights accommodation in standard inside or outside cabin.

• All meals while on board cruise.

• Entertainment on board the cruise.

Departs every Friday from April to October

PRICES (per person) STARTING FROM

3 STAR ACCOMMODATION/INSIDE CABIN

4 STAR ACCOMMODATION/OUTSIDE CABIN