Ancient Wonders of the Aegean

Welcome to Athens. You have 1 night to explore the city.

Athens offers a looking glass back in time into Greece’s powerful ancient civilization. Art lovers, epicureans and history buffs will be delighted by the ancient ruins, museums and tavernas of this picturesque town. Just 10 minutes from the port, you’ll find the Archaeological Museum of Piraeus, filled with sculptures from the Bronze Age to the Romans. Walk to the Zea Harbour to discover how the Hellenic Maritime Museum will bring to life the grandeur of ancient Greece’s naval capacities. Jump onboard an Athens cruise and relax at the small harbor of Mikrolimano, enjoying a meal of grilled octopus and chilled white wine at a small restaurant overlooking the sea.

Santorini is one of the world’s most popular islands, known best for its dramatic scenery, whitewashed villages and fiery volcanic activity. Here adventure bubbles above the Aegean Sea in the most bold and breathtaking ways. A cable car takes you to the capital of Fira, a bustling cliff-top town awash with old cathedrals, enthralling museum collections and cosy tavernas. Venture to the coast for a swim in the deep blue waters that lap red and black pebbled beaches. And peel back layers of lava and history amongst excavated Akrotiri. Whether it’s by bicycle, ATV or on your own two feet, exploring this Cyclades isle never fails to impress.

Rhodestown’s medieval walled city is one of the best-preserved in the world — a UNESCO World Heritage site where the Knights of St John built their fortress capital in the 14th century and left it largely intact. The Street of the Knights, cobbled and flanked by the inns of the various European orders, leads up to the Palace of the Grand Masters, restored to its medieval grandeur and filled with Roman and early Christian mosaics. Beyond the walls, the new town opens onto a waterfront lined with cafés and the famous Mandraki Harbour, where the Colossus of Rhodes — one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World — is said to have stood. The old town’s maze of Ottoman-era lanes, Byzantine churches and Venetian archways rewards those who put away the map and simply wander. For beach lovers, the east coast of the island is within easy reach and the clear warm water in October is one of the Aegean’s best-kept secrets.

Home to the famous Greek historian Herodotus, the popular Aegean resort and yachting port of Bodrum is situated on a beautiful peninsula. During your visit, you’ll find enchanting villages of houses painted in white and trimmed with purple bougainvillea, miles of sandy beaches and a myriad of historical attractions. The nights seem longer and the city retains a certain charm that can only be experienced first-hand.

The UNESCO World Heritage ruins of Ephesus impress even those familiar with the world’s other ancient cities. Though excavations have been underway for 150 years, only 20 percent of the city has been uncovered. Check out the the Celsus Library — built in 117 A.D., the site is made up of towering columns highlighted by the statue of the goddess of wisdom. Cruises to Ephesus will give you a taste of Turkish life by strolling the seafront promenade and the bustling city center. Walk Marble Street, paved with actual marble slabs, which takes you from downtown to the Temple of Artemis — you can still see one lone remaining column from this wonder of the ancient world.

Nestled in the heart of Greece’s Cyclades archipelago, Mykonos pulses with irrepressible energy. With its powder white houses, sparkling blue waters and red-hot nightlife, The Island of the Winds is as colourful as the people who call the island home. You can walk narrow marble pathways laced with purple bougainvillea blooms, or go cycling on two wheels past off-the-beaten-track Ano Mera village. Explore Greece’s maritime history at Armenistis Lighthouse, and check out the Folklore Museum’s Mykonian ship models. Join in the raucous beach party on Super Paradise’s shimmering sands, or watch the sun burn out beyond an Aegean horizon from an open-air seaside taverna.

Once the seat of two massive empires, Istanbul has been shaped by its colourful history. From massive Byzantine churches that still captivate visitors’ attention to towering Ottoman mosques, history can be found in each building no matter what part of the city you wander through. Architecture buffs will get a thrill from the ancient buildings while foodies will spend their day indulging in traditional Turkish cuisine, like doner kebabs and lamb kefta. If you’re looking to take a memory home from the city, head to the Grand Bazaar and try your hand at haggling with the locals.

Your holiday comes to an end today. Interested in extending you stay? Ask us about our amazing range of packages available or speak with a Cruise Travel Advisor who will be able to customise your holiday with you.