Cruise Description

7 Night Cruise sailing from Istanbul to Athens aboard Azamara Journey.

Priceless archeological treasures and friendly Greek villages share the stage on this week-long voyage. From Kepez, explore ancient Troy, the World War II battleground of Gallipoli, or Assos where Aristotle lived and taught. You’ll have all day to experience the ruins of ancient Ephesus or nearby Priene, Miletus and Didyma. A late stay lets you relax in the tavernas and small towns of leafy green Kos, an island of fertile farms and spectacular beaches. In Rhodes, walk to the medieval Old Town from your ship, and get lost (in the best way) on the winding streets of old Lindos. Stunning views and sunsets are hallmarks of volcanic Santorini, and from Mykonos you can visit the archeological treasure chest of Delos, followed by lunch at a seaside taverna, and later, lively nightlife for which Mykonos is famous.

Highlights of this cruise:

Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul is supremely exotic, warmly welcoming, and quite unique – after all, where else can you tour Europe and Asia on the very same afternoon? Must sees include Haghia Sophia, decorated in 30 million tiny mosaic tiles, the greatest church in Christendom for 1000 years, then a mosque and now a museum; and Topkapi, palace of sultans, complete with harem quarters. And of course shopping in the Grand Bazaar, a medieval version of a mall, for unusual gifts to take home, stopping along the way in a café for a cup of Turkish coffee or mint tea.

Kusadasi (Ephesus), Turkey
Kusadasi is your port of access to an age-old civilization. Ephesus was once the second largest metropolitan area in the Roman Empire, eclipsed only by Rome herself. Explore this city of construction both monumental and mundane. It was famed for the Temple of Artemis, one of the wonders of the ancient world; the Library of Celsus, with its thousands of scrolls; and its amphitheater, with a capacity of 24,000 spectators. But you can also imagine yourself in the sandals of a resident as you stroll the streets, past marketplaces, and into bath complexes that offered piped-in hot water, massage, and sauna.

Rhodes (Lindos), Greece
Sailing into this port two millennia ago, you would have been stunned by the guardian 100-foot Colossus of Rhodes. Then as now the sun would likely have been shining, as Rhodes is said to have more fine days than anywhere else in Europe. Today diverse historical influences are evident in an old town remarkably intact – in particular the medieval presence of the Knights of St John, who occupied the island as a bastion of Christendom against the Turks. They left behind a turreted gateway citadel, and a fortified palace complete with crenellated walls, moat, and drawbridges.

Santorini, Greece
Your daydream of a Greek island meets reality in Santorini – its whitewashed villages cling to cliff sides, and bright blue roofs reflect the sea and sky. So beautiful is it, that you can almost believe the myths that claim it as the birthplace of gods. Born itself as a volcanic cone, the island blew its top in 1450 BC, its center sank, and it assumed its current crescent shape, outlined by three main islands. The capital, Fira, a pedestrian haven with narrow, meandering cobblestone lanes, is reachable only by cable car, donkey, or for the fit and fearless, a flight of 600 steps.

Mykonos, Greece
Mykonos is living proof that picture postcard destinations do exist. Its many charms include its iconic windmills, fabulous beaches, and an irresistible traditional town with a maze of twisting streets and alleys originally designed to confuse marauding pirates. Dazzling sunlight reflects off of whitewashed houses and hundreds of small chapels. Other adornments include shaded courtyards and balconies lush with flowers, and a lively nightlife that some claim is the best in Europe. Nearby you can visit the uninhabited island of Delos, birthplace of Apollo, fittingly the god of sunlight, music and beauty.

Piraeus (Athens), Greece
Athens has quite a reputation to live up to. Named for Athena, Goddess of Wisdom, the city is credited with being the cradle of European civilization and birthplace of democracy. Ruins and relics of its glory days are scattered throughout the modern city, popping up where you least expect them. Its crowning glory is the Acropolis, perched atop a hillside, and covered in carved and columned temples of varying degrees of antiquity. Not quite so old is the Plaka, an appealing neighborhood for a stroll down cobblestone streets, past old mansions and a plethora of outdoor tavernas ideal for watching the world go by, while munching tasty Greek snacks.