Athens, Turkey, and the Aegean

Explore Athens with your local guide, where ancient history and modern life meet. Visit the Acropolis, the heart of classical Athens, to see the Parthenon, dedicated to the goddess Athena, and the elegant Temple of Athena Nike. Admire sweeping views of the city before stopping at the 2004 Olympic site, a symbol of Greece’s enduring athletic spirit. Continue to Syntagma Square to watch the ceremonial changing of the guards at the Parliament, then to Omonoia Square, a lively gathering place surrounded by cafés and olive trees.

Set sail from Athens to some of the Mediterranean's most spectacular destinations. Cruise to Kusadasi and nearby Ephesus to experience Turkey's ancient past, then continue to Rhodes, Thessaloniki, Heraklion, Milos, Santorini, and Mykonos. Discover volcanic landscapes, historic cities, picturesque harbours, and whitewashed villages overlooking the sea. Your cruise includes three guided shore excursions: Oia Village in Santorini, Ancient Ephesus through the Hellenistic and Roman eras, and the Minoan Palace of Knossos in Heraklion. Itinerary and included excursions are subject to change based on your departure date.

Step off your cruise in Kusadasi and journey to the remarkable ruins of Ancient Ephesus, one of the best-preserved cities of the Roman world. Stroll along marble streets lined with temples and monuments, admire the impressive Library of Celsus and Great Theatre, and discover how this thriving city served as an important centre of commerce, culture, and religion in the ancient Mediterranean.

Once a political and religious hub of the ancient world and home to one of its seven wonders, Rhodes now welcomes visitors with sunny beaches and medieval charm. Explore its hilltop castle and the Palace of the Grand Master, built by Christian knights in the 1300s, later rebuilt by Italians after an 1856 explosion to serve as a summer retreat for Mussolini.

The largest city on Crete and the fourth-largest in Greece, Heraklion blends a vibrant modern atmosphere with a rich ancient past. Visit the Archaeological Museum to explore the city's Minoan heritage, then discover historic churches and ancient ruins, browse local markets, or sample traditional Greek fare.

Explore the whitewashed lanes, blue-domed churches, and cliffside viewpoints of Oia, one of the most iconic villages in the Cyclades. Discover how Santorini's volcanic history shaped the island's dramatic caldera, breathtaking scenery, and distinctive architecture.

Discover Mykonos, one of the most popular islands in the Aegean and among the smallest in the Cyclades. Stroll through whitewashed streets lined with shops and cafés, admire the island's iconic windmills and medieval architecture, and visit the capital of Hora, where colourful fishing boats and luxury yachts share the picturesque harbour.

Discover the unique coastline, colourful rock formations, and volcanic landscapes that make Milos one of the Aegean's most distinctive islands. Learn how volcanic activity and geological processes shaped the island's dramatic scenery over thousands of years.

Visit the Temple of Poseidon, perched high above the Aegean Sea at Cape Sounion, the southernmost tip of mainland Greece. Walk among the towering marble columns of this 5th-century BC temple, built around the same time as the Parthenon, and take in sweeping views of the coastline and sea.