Best of Turkey & Greece Cruise-Tour

Welcome to Turkey. Your private driver will be waiting for you at the airport in Istanbul to provide a transfer to your 5-star hotel in the city, your home for the next three nights. After getting settled in, you might enjoy exploring the neighborhood as Karaköy is renowned for its thriving food and drink scene. Fuel up with strong Turkish coffee and browse the shops and galleries before sitting down in one of the many outstanding restaurants, enjoying dinner on your own, and perhaps a drink in a local bar, bringing the opportunity to soak up the local atmosphere.

A full-day walking tour with your private guide provides the opportunity to get to know the highlights of Istanbul, particularly the magnificent Old City. Some of the top spots to look forward to include the world-famous Blue Mosque which was named for the impressive tiles decorating the interior. The grand Hagia Sophia will be visited too – it’s been a church and a mosque during its long history which includes serving as the city’s hub for the arts, religion, and politics during the Byzantine period. Stroll through the popular Grand Bazaar, filled with locals and visitors alike, and visit the Basilica Cistern among other impressive landmarks.

• Included Excursion: Private Walking Tour of Istanbul

You’ll continue your explorations of Istanbul on another full-day tour, this time by vehicle with your own private driver. You’ll cross the famous Bosphorus Strait which separates the European and Asian continents to experience both sides of the city, perhaps starting with a visit to the extensive Ottoman-style Topkapi Palace as well as the colorful Spice Bazaar. Your driver will travel into the modern part of the city for a visit to Taksim Square and bustling Istiklal street while you enjoy the scenic views before crossing the Bosphorus where the hottest gastronomic spots in your hotel’s neighborhood will be revealed.

• Included Excursion: Private Tour of Istanbul with Car & Driver

Today begins with a private transfer to Istanbul’s airport to hop on a flight to Nevsehir, or Cappadocia. You’ll be welcomed by another private driver, transferring to your four-star accommodation, overnighting in a Classic Cave Room. Settle in and then get ready for a tour of this fascinating region, including a visit to explore the ancient cave dwellings in the Göreme Open Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the small town of Avanos for a pottery workshop which reveals the reason why it’s so highly acclaimed for its pottery, and enjoy a hike in the Rose Valley through the stunning pink rock formations.

• Included Excursion: Private Walking Tour of Cappadocia

An exciting morning starts early to take advantage of the calm winds for a 2.5-hour hot-air balloon ride. You’ll soar over the incredible Cappadocia landscapes, enjoying a bird’s-eye view of the unusually shaped rock formations and deep canyons. Marvel at the surreal limestone pillars and spires with churches and other dwellings created right from the rock. Afterward, you’ll get ground-level views, including stunning panoramas, perhaps visiting Uchisar Castle along with the underground city of Kaymak….

• Included Excursions: Private Hot-Air Balloon Ride & Tour of Cappadocia with Car & Driver

The next part of your journey takes you to Greece, starting with a private transfer back to Nevsehir Airport. Catch your flight to the capital city of Athens where you’ll be welcomed by another private driver, enjoying a transfer to your 5-star hotel. It’s just steps from Syntagma Square bringing opportunities to explore many attractions, shops, and eateries, but we recommend resting up and taking advantage of the property’s facilities. There’s a rooftop pool for swimming with a view of the iconic Acropolis hill topped by the Parthenon that’s overlooked the city since the 5th-century BC. The view continues with fine dining at the rooftop restaurant.

While your cruise gets underway later today, you’ll enjoy an in-depth look at the Acropolis and its monuments that reveal a glimpse of life more than 2,500 years ago. During the two-hour private tour, your guide will reveal the stories behind them before walking through one of the oldest neighborhoods in Athens, Plaka. A colorful district under the shadow of the Acropolis hosts many other historical sites like Hadrian’s Library, the Ancient Agora, and Roman Agora. Conclude with a private transfer to your ship at Marina Zeas. Get settled into your spacious cabin as we sail to the Saronic Gulf island of Paros, cruising overnight.

• Included Excursion: Private Highlights of Athens Walking Tour

Having cruised throughout the night we’ll reach the largest uninhabited island in Greece this morning. Poliegos is known for its beaches edged by spectacularly clear blue waters that make it perfect for the first swim stop of your journey. Afterward, enjoy a Greek-style BBQ feast on board. Our next destination is the little island of Folegandros, wonderfully unspoiled with far fewer visitors than its famous neighbor Santorini. You’ll have time on your own for dinner this evening, with the cobbled streets of Chora not only enjoyable to stroll, but they host many excellent traditional tavernas serving authentic local fare.

Cruising into the port at Santorini, you’ll enjoy a dramatic view of the steep cliffs of the caldera rising above. You can explore Fira, the charming capital, on your own, or join an optional excursion. It includes two popular attractions, the archaeological site of Akrotiri which, similar to Pompeii, was blanketed with ash during a volcanic eruption some 3,700 years ago providing a fascinating glimpse of the past. Visiting Oia village, you’ll see its whitewashed buildings and blue-domed churches that spill down the caldera cliffs, with time to take in its world-famous sunset and enjoy an independent dinner with an awe-inspiring view.

On route to Paros Island this morning, there will be a swim stop at Antiparos to take advantage of its incredibly clear cobalt waters. After we’ve anchored for the day, you can enjoy Paros on your own. The main port of Parikia is particularly alluring with its streets lined with typical whitewashed Cycladic homes with blue doors and shutters. Continue to the village of Naoussa to wander its enticing alleyways before returning to the ship for our fun Greek night, complete with music, providing the opportunity to show off your dance moves. A great time for all, you might want to bring your camera.

While Mykonos will be our destination for the evening, an exciting stop just a few miles away offers the chance to delve into the ancient past. We’ll visit Delos, a sacred island and archaeological site where you can take an optional tour of the well-preserved ruins that date back some 2,500 years. That includes the Agora, Temple of Apollo, and remarkable mosaic floors. As we make our way to Mykonos, enjoy a swim stop in a secluded bay. Upon arrival, enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure, perhaps visiting the windmills in Little Venice before dining in one of the many world-class restaurants.

Before departing for Syros, enjoy a swim stop in a sapphire bay off Mykonos. Once we reach our destination for the day, you can enjoy the island on your own. In town, you’ll find many impressive neoclassical buildings lining the meandering narrow street. Miaouli Square, home to Ermoupolis’ city hall is well worth a visit and along the coast, there are both sandy and pebbly beaches for soaking up the sun. You’ll have time for an independent dinner here with a wide range of choices that include local tavernas with menus featuring authentic traditional fare, including lots of locally grown herbs and vegetables.

It’s time to start making our return to where it all began but you’ll enjoy your last swim stop in Kolones Bay at Kythnos Island. Soak up the surrounding natural beauty and then back on board we’ll continue cruising toward Marina Keas via Cape Sounion. The impressive view includes the Temple of Poseidon that overlooks the Aegean from atop the headland. Be sure and get your cameras ready for a great shot. This evening will be spent on board, providing time to exchange contact information with new friends made, and perhaps some of the many photos you’re bound to have taken.

You’ll want to be sure your bags are packed and ready this morning before enjoying breakfast on board. After your last meal of the cruise, it will soon be time to disembark and say your goodbyes to fellow passengers, the captain, and the crew. Private transfer can bring you to your onward hotel if you plan to spend more time in Athens or to catch your flight from Athens International Airport. Wherever your journey takes you we wish you safe travels and hope to host you again on another memorable trip.