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14 Days Treasures of the Aegean - Northbound Tour Package
Duration: 14 Days/ 13 Nights
Priced From: $6,990 pp Dbl. Occ.
Dates: May - Oct
This Turkey and Greek Island cruise explores Athens and Istanbul, and cruises through the Aegean aboard Wind Star / Wind Spirit, motor-sailing yachts that host just 148 guests. See the best of the ancient world, from the Parthenon to the Blue Mosque, plus museums stuffed with art and other treasures. Explore UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Acropolis, Mycenae, Delos, the medieval city of Rhodes, and the historic district in Istanbul. Examine ancient ruins in legendary Ephesus, and stroll the atmospheric towns of Mykonos, Fira, and Nafplion. In Istanbul, enjoy the Spice Bazaar, as well as ornate palaces and mosques.
Itinerary
• Indicates day of cruising
Day 1: Arrive in Athens
Tour begins 6:00 PM, Hotel Grande Bretagne, Athens, Greece. Transfer to your renowned Athens hotel. Meet fellow travelers at the welcome reception and dinner.
Meals: Dinner
Lodging: Hotel Grande Bretagne, Athens, Greece
Day 2: The Acropolis
In the quiet early morning, visit the Acropolis; this is the site of four of the greatest masterpieces of classical Greek art – the Parthenon, the Propylaea, the Erechtheum, and the Temple of Athena Nike. See one of the world’s best collections of ancient Greek art and artifacts at the National Archaeological Museum of Athens. In the afternoon, pursue your own interests in Athens.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Hotel Grande Bretagne, Athens, Greece
Day 3: More amazing ancient ruins
Discover the ancient ruins of Epidaurus. See the well-preserved theatre of Epidaurus, built in the 4th century BC to seat 15,000 people. Take a guided walk in Nafplion, with fine Neoclassical architecture crowned by hilltop fortresses, then poke around on your own and find a seaside taverna for dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Lodging: Nafplia Palace / Amphitryon Hotel, Nafplion, Greece
• Day 4: Mycenae magic
Journey to Mycenae; see the imposing Lion Gate and interesting tombs at this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Board your luxury motor-sailing ship, Wind Star / Wind Spirit, at Piraeus as your Greek Island cruise begins.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard Wind Star / Wind Spirit
• Day 5: Mykonos & Delos Islands
Your port-of-call today is glamorous Mykonos, weather permitting. Take a boat to the tiny island of Delos, the mythological birthplace of Apollo and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This religious pilgrimage destination features sacred temples, sanctuaries, theaters, and shrines to the Gods, and is one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece. Spend the afternoon in Mykonos, known for leather goods and jewelry.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard Wind Star / Wind Spirit
• Day 6: Spectacular Santorini
Rise early to catch spectacular water views of Santorini as the ship pulls into port. Tour the town of Fira with white washed, blue-domed buildings set on high, steep slopes above the sea. Meander around Fira on your own in the afternoon, and return to the ship by traditional means, the donkey.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard Wind Star / Wind Spirit
• Day 7: Discover Rhodes
Arrive at the island of Rhodes, Greece, with a wealth of monuments. Take a guided tour of the walled medieval city of Rhodes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and visit the Gothic Palace of the Grand Masters.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard Wind Star / Wind Spirit
• Day 8: Turkish coast wonders
Cruise to Bodrum, Turkey, to see the remains of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World: Halicarnassus Mausoleum, built in the 4th century BC and originally topped with an enormous horse-drawn chariot statue. Visit the Castle of St. Peter, built during the Crusades by the Knights of St. John, and the Museum of Underwater Archaeology, with artifacts from ancient shipwrecks.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard Wind Star / Wind Spirit
• Day 9: Antiquities of Ephesus
Dock in the port of Kusadasi, Turkey, and drive to Ephesus, once the chief port on the Aegean, now known for its spectacular antiquities and ruins. See the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian, Gate of Hercules, Greek Theater, and other temples, baths, and colonnaded streets. See artifacts in the Selçuk Museum, one of Turkey’s best museums.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard Wind Star / Wind Spirit
• Day 10: Cruising the Aegean Sea
Enjoy the views as your Greek Island cruise travels along the Aegean Sea. Take advantage of the ship’s swimming pool, hot tub, fitness center, and sauna. In the evening, try your luck in the casino, or check out a movie or novel from the library.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard Wind Star / Wind Spirit
Day 11: Topkapi Palace and Süleymaniye Mosque
Disembark from the ship in the exotic city of Istanbul, the crossroads of Europe and Asia. Tour the imperial seat of the Ottoman Empire, Topkapi Palace, including the living quarters for the Sultan’s harem. Drive to Süleymaniye Mosque and mausoleums, a glorious tribute to Ottoman artistry, finished in 1557.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Ceylan InterContinental Istanbul, Turkey
Day 12: The Spice Bazaar and Hagia Sophia
Explore the fragrant Spice Bazaar and Hagia Sophia, a 1,400-year-old Byzantine church with lovely figurative mosaics. Enjoy a lunch of Turkish favorites, followed by a boat trip on the historic Bosphorus.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Lodging: Ceylan InterContinental Istanbul, Turkey
Day 13: Blue Mosque & Covered Bazaar
Tour the Blue Mosque, one of Istanbul’s landmark sites with six minarets, a host of domes, and intricate blue tilework inside. Then see the piles of Turkish carpets and colorful kilims in the Covered Bazaar. View the Basilica Cistern, an underground Byzantine structure. Share favorite tour highlights during the farewell dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Ceylan InterContinental Istanbul, Turkey
Day 14: Journey Home
Tour ends in Istanbul. A transfer is included from Ceylan InterContinental Istanbul to Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport International Terminal. Allow a minimum of 2 1/2 hours before the departure of your flight.
Meals: Breakfast
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10/08
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