Cruise Description
9 Night Cruise sailing from Istanbul to Athens aboard Azamara Journey.

Pretty Greek villages, great nightlife and fascinating history make a perfect summer getaway. From Kepez, explore ancient Troy, the World War II battleground of Gallipoli, or lovely Assos where Aristotle once lived. You’ll be awed by Meteora’s monasteries, seemingly suspended in air on rock pinnacles, and by the ruins of ancient Ephesus. The seaside resort of Bodrum may be a surprise favorite with a mausoleum that’s one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, a pedestrian friendly shopping area and great nightlife. Soak up the sunset from Oia town on the caldera’s edge in Santorini, and the seaside tavernas and whitewashed villages of Mykonos. Lovely Hydra on a horseshoe bay is ideal for walking-and indeed you must, because motorized vehicles are banned in this artsy town of restaurants and shops.

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.

Volos (Meteora), Greece
The mythical “City of the Argonauts”, Volos is a modern city in the heart of Greece. Dating back to the Neolithic age, this prominent port overlooking the Pagasetic Gulf was built on ancient cities, and is a place of immense natural beauty and cultural heritage. Stroll along the famous seaside promenade to watch the fishing boats and yachts. Fill your day with swimming or sailing at one of the many beaches. Visit one of the area’s many archaeological sites or discover the city’s classic architecture, neoclassical buildings, churches, monuments and museums: the Tsalapatas Brickworks Museum, Kitsos Makris Folklore Center at the Topali Mansion or the impressive Archaeological Museum. Reward your palate with delicious flavors at any number of tavernas or fresh food markets. The traditional picturesque villages of Mount Pelion are the perfect backdrop to what truly is one of Greece’s most alluring cities.

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.

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.