Itinerary
- Day 1
Athens
Your Athens adventure starts with a transfer to your Emerald Cruises luxury yacht. The ship pulls in at 9:00 PM, so you'll have time to settle into your cabin, get oriented, and maybe grab dinner on board as the vessel prepares to set sail.
- Day 2
Milos
You arrive at Milos, known for its volcanic landscapes with distinctive colored soil ranging from yellow and orange to red and white against turquoise waters. This is where the Venus of Milo statue was discovered. Spend the day wandering around on your own, or book the optional Landscapes of Milos excursion to see the island's best spots with a guide.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Landscapes of Milos - Explore the dramatic coastline toward Papafranga, white stone inlet of Sarakiniko, traditional village architecture, local pastry shops, ancient Melos ruins, Roman amphitheatre, Venus of Milo discovery site, and the Plaka traditional capital (Moderate activity level, 5.5 hours, extra expense, must be pre-booked)
Landmarks Papafranga Sarakiniko Ancient Melos Plaka 
- Day 3
Santorini
Santorini comes into view with its white buildings clinging to dramatic cliffsides and the distinctive blue domes scattered across the island. The volcanic-sand beaches and sunset views here are really something. You can explore independently or join the optional excursion covering the ancient city of Akrotiri, a local winery with caldera views, and the village of Oia.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Akrotiri, Oia and winery visit - Explore the prehistoric city of Akrotiri (Greek Pompeii), enjoy wine-tasting at a famous winery overlooking the Santorini caldera, and visit the charming village of Oia with its iconic whitewashed houses before arriving at Thira, the capital (Moderate activity level, 5.5 hours, extra expense)
Landmarks Akrotiri Oia Thira 
- Day 4
Delos and Mykonos
This morning you'll explore Delos, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where myth says Apollo and Artemis were born. The archaeological remains here tell the story of ancient Greece quite well. After returning to the yacht for lunch, you head to Mykonos in the afternoon to walk through narrow streets with whitewashed buildings, blue shutters, and historic windmills.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Delos - Explore the sacred island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site believed to be the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis, walking through ancient sanctuaries and discovering the remnants of prosperous civilizations (Moderate activity level, 2 hours 30 minutes)
Optional Activities
- Island tour of Mykonos, Ano Mera Monastery and wine tasting experience - Visit the traditional village of Ano Mera, explore the 16th-century Monastery of Panagia Tourliani dedicated to Mykonos' patron saint, enjoy wine tasting at a Mykonian Farm, and explore iconic Mykonos town (Moderate activity level, 4 hours, extra expense)
Landmarks Delos Mykonos Town Ano Mera Monastery of Panagia Tourliani 
- Day 5
Patmos
Patmos has deep religious significance throughout history. You can take the included guided tour to see the Cave of the Apocalypse, the 11th-century Monastery of Saint John the Theologian, and Chora's charming streets, or opt for the EmeraldACTIVE downhill hike. By evening, head back to the yacht for a local folklore performance that captures the island's cultural traditions.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Chora, Monastery of Saint John the Theologian and the Cave of the Apocalypse - Visit the Cave of the Apocalypse where the Book of Revelation was conceived, drive to the historic village of Chora, explore the 11th-century Monastery of Saint John the Theologian, and visit a traditional Patmian home (Strenuous activity level, 3.5 hours)
- Downhill hike - Scenic drive to Chora village, visit the Monastery of St. John with its thick walls, battlements, and eight chapels, stroll through the Old Town's narrow streets and squares, and visit the Cave of the Apocalypse (Strenuous activity level, 3 hours)
- Local folklore performance on board - Experience traditional music and dance performed by a Patmian band featuring musicians and dancers (1 hour)
Landmarks Cave of the Apocalypse Chora Monastery of Saint John the Theologian - Day 6
Kusadasi
You dock at Kusadasi on Turkey's western Aegean coast, a beach resort town where history, sand, and vibrant markets all exist together. The ancient city of Ephesus sits nearby and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site worth seeing. The optional guided tour of Ephesus includes local culture experiences and wraps up with a folklore show.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Ephesus - Explore the legendary ancient city of Ephesus, immerse yourself in the vibrant culture at a local cooperative, witness a captivating folklore show performed by folk-dance students, and indulge in a delectable array of local delicacies (Moderate activity level, 5.5 hours, extra expense)
Landmarks Ephesus 
- Day 7
Kepez
Kepez on Turkey's coast offers authentic culture, traditional food, and plenty of outdoor options like hiking and cycling. Consider booking one of the optional excursions to Troy and its museum, or head to the Gallipoli Peninsula and ANZAC Cove if you're interested in this region's historical significance.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- The legendary city of Troy - Step into the world of myth and history exploring the ruins that inspired Homer's Iliad, learn about 19th-century excavations, walk among ancient walls, gates, and battlements hearing about the Trojan War and the Wooden Horse, and visit the state-of-the-art Troy Museum with artifacts spanning 5,000 years of history (Moderate activity level, 4.5 hours, extra expense)
- Guided tour of ANZAC Cove and Gallipoli Peninsula - Pay tribute to a pivotal World War I chapter starting at ANZAC Cove where Australian and New Zealand troops landed in 1915, explore surrounding cemeteries and memorials, visit key sites such as Lone Pine, Beach Cemetery, and Chunuk Bair, walk among preserved trenches, and learn about the legacy of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk (Moderate activity level, 5 hours, extra expense)
Landmarks Troy Troy Museum ANZAC Cove Gallipoli Peninsula Lone Pine Beach Cemetery Chunuk Bair - Day 8
Istanbul
Your cruise concludes in Istanbul as you disembark and get transferred to the airport for your flight home, or you could stay longer to continue exploring. This marks the end of your Aegean journey.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- DiscoverMORE tour (if available on disembarkation day - verify with Shore Excursion Manager onboard)
