Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Istanbul
Your escort meets you at Istanbul airport and drives you to the hotel, handling the transfer logistics. By evening, join the group at a welcome dinner where you'll get to know your fellow travelers.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Conrad Istanbul Bosphorus)
Included Activities
- Airport transfer
- Welcome dinner
- Day 2
Istanbul to Izmir to Şirince to Kuşadası
Fly to Izmir, then drive inland to Şeirince village nestled in the mountains. You'll do a wine tasting there, followed by time at the Çamlık Steam Locomotive Museum with its collection of over 30 engines. From there, continue to Kuşadası for dinner and the night.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Elite World Kuşadası)
Included Activities
- Flight to Izmir
- Visit Şirince village
- Wine tasting
- Çamlık Steam Locomotive Museum visit
- Dinner
Landmarks/POIs Çamlık Steam Locomotive Museum Şirince 
- Day 3
Kuşadası to Pamukkale via Aphrodisias
Drive through the Menderes River valley to reach Aphrodisias, an old city-state known for its marble work and sculpture. After checking out the site and its museum, grab lunch at a local restaurant. Later, head to Pamukkale to see the white travertine terraces.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Pamukkale)
Included Activities
- Aphrodisias archaeological site visit
- Local museum visit
- Lunch at local restaurant
Landmarks/POIs Aphrodisias Pamukkale 
- Day 4
Pamukkale
Start with the ancient spa city of Hierapolis, where you can see the old theatre and burial sites. Walk through Pamukkale's natural pools cascading down the hillside. After lunch at your hotel, you can choose to relax at the thermal spa or visit the ruins of Laodicea instead.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Pamukkale)
Included Activities
- Hierapolis ruins exploration
- Pamukkale pools visit
- Lunch at hotel
Optional Activities
- Relax at Doğa Thermal Health & Spa
- Visit Laodicea ancient city
Landmarks/POIs Hierapolis Laodicea - Day 5
Pamukkale to Antalya
Travel through the Taurus Mountains down to Antalya on the Mediterranean. Stop for lunch before exploring the Old Town of Kaleiçi, where the ancient harbor, city walls, and Ottoman quarter show centuries of history layered together.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Antalya)
Included Activities
- Taurus Mountains drive
- Lunch
- Kaleiçi Old Town exploration
- Hadrian's Gate visit
- Ancient harbour visit
Landmarks/POIs Kaleiçi Hadrian's Gate 
- Day 6
Antalya
Visit two major sites along the coast. At Aspendos, see the remarkably intact Roman Theatre built under Marcus Aurelius, plus the old aqueducts. Then move on to Perge to walk through colonnaded streets, check out the stadium, and see temples from different periods.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Antalya)
Included Activities
- Aspendos Roman Theatre visit
- Aspendos aqueducts visit
- Perge archaeological site visit
Landmarks/POIs Aspendos Perge - Day 7
Antalya to Konya
Drive through the Taurus Mountains toward Konya, home of the Sufi poet Rûmî. After lunch, visit the Mevlâna Museum containing his tomb and learn about this spiritual figure. Then walk through the Karatay Museum to see beautiful 13th-century tiles. Dinner happens back at your hotel.
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Konya)
Included Activities
- Taurus Mountains drive
- Lunch
- Mevlâna Museum visit
- Karatay Museum visit
- Dinner
Landmarks/POIs Mevlâna Museum Karatay Museum - Day 8
Konya to Cappadocia
Leave Konya and stop at the Sulțanhani Caravanserai on the old Silk Road. Explore the underground city of Kaymaklı, which has eight levels of tunnels and rooms carved into the rock. Visit Pigeon Valley and Uchisar Castle, then have an evening with traditional Turkish food, belly dancing, and a whirling dervish performance.
- Meals
- Dinner (Traditional Turkish fare with belly dancing and whirling dervish ceremony)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Cappadocia)
Included Activities
- Sultanhanı Caravanserai visit
- Kaymaklı underground city exploration
- Pigeon Valley visit
- Uchisar Castle photo stop
- Enchanting Evening in Cappadocia with dinner, belly dancing, and whirling dervish ceremony
Landmarks/POIs Sultanhanı Caravanserai Kaymaklı Pigeon Valley Uchisar Castle 
- Day 9
Cappadocia
Spend the day discovering Cappadocia's natural and historical sites. The Göreme Open-Air Museum shows rock-cut churches with Byzantine frescoes. Check out Paşabağı for the distinctive fairy chimney formations. Zelve Open-Air Museum has more caves and churches. End with either a pottery workshop or weaving center, then dinner.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Cappadocia)
Included Activities
- Göreme Open-Air Museum visit
- Paşabağı visit
- Zelve Open-Air Museum visit
- Pottery workshop or weaving centre visit
- Dinner
Landmarks/POIs Göreme Open-Air Museum Paşabağı Zelve Open-Air Museum - Day 10
Cappadocia to Istanbul
Fly to Istanbul, the sprawling city that bridges Europe and Asia. Check into your luxury hotel for two nights. The rest of the afternoon is yours to wander around and get your bearings in the city.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Conrad Istanbul Bosphorus)
Included Activities
- Flight to Istanbul
- Day 11
Istanbul
Take a half-day tour hitting Istanbul's main sights. You'll see the Hippodrome and Blue Mosque, then Hagia Sophia, which started as a church and became a mosque in 1453. The afternoon is free to explore on your own, then gather with the group for a farewell dinner.
- Meals
- Dinner (Farewell dinner)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Conrad Istanbul Bosphorus)
Included Activities
- Hippodrome visit
- Blue Mosque visit
- Hagia Sophia visit
- Farewell dinner
Landmarks/POIs Hippodrome Blue Mosque Hagia Sophia - Day 12
Istanbul Embarkation
Choose your morning activity: either tour Topkapi Palace and the Spice Market, or take a Bosphorus cruise followed by the Spice Market. In the afternoon, transfer to the Seabourn Venture luxury ship and get settled in your cabin.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Seabourn Venture)
Optional Activities
- Topkapi Palace and Spice Market tour
- Bosphorus Cruise and Spice Market tour
Landmarks/POIs Topkapi Palace Spice Market Bosphorus - Day 13
Çanakkale and Troy
Dock in Çanakkale and head out to Gallipoli Peninsula to explore Anzac history. Walk through the trenches and memorials, pay your respects at Anzac Cove. After lunch onboard, travel to the ancient city of Troy and tour its museum with artifacts and Bronze Age finds.
- Meals
- Lunch
Included Activities
- Gallipoli Peninsula excursion
- Anzac Cove visit
- Lone Pine Australian Memorial visit
- Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial visit
- Troy ancient city visit
- Troy museum visit
- Lunch onboard
Landmarks/POIs Gallipoli Peninsula Anzac Cove Lone Pine Chunuk Bair Troy - Day 14
Izmir and Ephesus
The ship docks in Izmir. Drive to Ephesus, one of the Eastern Mediterranean's best-kept classical cities. Wander broad streets, see the Library of Celsus, and explore the impressive buildings. You'll have authentic home-cooked lunch and a folklore show in Kuşadası before heading back to the ship.
- Meals
- Lunch (Authentic home-cooked lunch with folklore show)
Included Activities
- Ephesus ancient city exploration
- Library of Celsus visit
- Folklore Show and Traditional Lunch in Kuşadası
Landmarks/POIs Ephesus Library of Celsus - Day 15
Mykonos and Syros
Land on Mykonos and visit Ano Mela village, then relax at Kalafatis beach. Walk through Chora's whitewashed buildings with blue shutters and blue-domed churches, see the old port and windmills. Later, island-hop to Syros to check out the Holy Cathedral, Vaporia district, and Miaouli Square.
Included Activities
- Mykonos guided tour
- Ano Mera village visit
- Kalafatis beach time
- Chora walking tour
- Windmills visit
- Syros walking tour
- Holy Cathedral of the Dormition of the Virgin visit
- Vaporia district visit
- Miaouli Square visit
Landmarks/POIs Mykonos Ano Mera Kalafatis Beach Chora Syros Holy Cathedral of the Dormition of the Virgin 
- Day 16
Nafplion
Dock in Nafplion, a Greek town with layers of Venetian, Ottoman, and neoclassical architecture. Choose between a guided walk through the romantic Old Town, visiting two World Heritage sites (the Sanctuary of Asklepios and Mycenae), or going to a family winery in Nemea for wine and local food.
Optional Activities
- Nafplion Old Town Tour
- Epidaurus and Mycenae World Heritage sites tour
- Nemea Winery Visit with wine tasting
Landmarks/POIs Nafplion Palamidi Fortress Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus Theatre of Epidaurus Mycenae Lion Gate Nemea - Day 17
Athens
Tour Athens to see the city's most important landmarks. The Acropolis and Parthenon are World Heritage-listed and dedicated to Athena. Stroll through the Plaka neighborhood with its charming streets and neoclassical buildings. Afternoon and evening free, and the ship stays docked overnight so you can take your time.
Included Activities
- Acropolis visit
- Parthenon visit
- Plaka neighbourhood walk
Landmarks/POIs Acropolis Parthenon Plaka 
- Day 18
Monemvasia
Arrive in Monemvasia, a striking medieval fortress town perched on a massive rock connected by a narrow causeway. Choose between touring the castle and churches, taking a culinary walk to sample Peloponnese products, or exploring the ruins of Mystras with its Byzantine churches and monasteries.
Optional Activities
- Monemvasia Castle tour with church visit
- Monemvasia Culinary Walk with local product sampling
- Mystras Guided Tour with lunch at local restaurant
Landmarks/POIs Monemvasia Elkomenos Christos Church Mystras Agia Sofia Church Pantanassa Monastery Cathedral of Agios Dimitrios - Day 19
At Sea
Spend a full day at sea with nothing scheduled. Use the ship's spa for treatments (separate cost), eat at any of the restaurants onboard, or explore the various onboard facilities and activities.
Optional Activities
- Spa treatment (own expense)
- Day 20
Syracuse, Sicily
Cruise through a relaxing morning heading to Sicily. In the afternoon, explore Syracuse on the Ionian coast, founded by Corinthians in 734 BC. The Neapolis Archaeological Park has the Latomia del Paradiso quarry, Altar of Hiero II, Cave of Cordari, a Greek Theatre, and Roman Amphitheatre. Then check out the historic island of Ortigia.
Included Activities
- Syracuse walking tour
- Neapolis Archaeological Park visit
- Latomia del Paradiso visit
- Altar of Hiero II visit
- Cave of Cordari visit
- Greek Theatre visit
- Roman Amphitheatre visit
- Ortigia island exploration
Landmarks/POIs Syracuse Neapolis Archaeological Park Greek Theatre Roman Amphitheatre Ortigia - Day 21
Malta
Dock in Valletta, Malta's fortified capital on a peninsula between two natural harbors. Choose between a guided tour of Mdina (ancient walled city and former capital) and Valletta's distinctive architecture, or visit Vittoriosa and Marsaxlokk fishing village to wander the market and try local food.
Optional Activities
- Mdina and Valletta Guided Tour
- Vittoriosa Tour and Marsaxlokk Market Tasting
Landmarks/POIs Valletta Mdina Vittoriosa Marsaxlokk 
- Day 22
Cagliari, Sardinia
Pull into Cagliari on Sardinia's coast. Choose between a guided walk through the ancient city visiting Piazza Palazzo and the 13th-century Cathedral of Saint Cecilia, or head to a family winery founded in 1918 for wine tasting and a look at their traditional winemaking methods.
Optional Activities
- Guided City Tour of Cagliari
- Local Winery Visit with wine tasting
Landmarks/POIs Cagliari Piazza Palazzo Cathedral of Saint Cecilia - Day 23
Ajaccio, Corsica
Dock in Ajaccio on the French island of Corsica. You can tour the Old Town and Maison Bonaparte (Napoleon's birthplace, now a museum), visit the Maison des Senteurs distillery for essential oils and honey, or drive through the Prunelli Valley to Bastelicaccia for Corsican specialties tasting.
Optional Activities
- Maison Bonaparte Old Town Tour
- Etheric Oil and Honey visit at Maison des Senteurs and local honey farm
- Prunelli Gorges and Corsican Tasting scenic drive
Landmarks/POIs Ajaccio Maison Bonaparte Maison des Senteurs Prunelli Gorges Tolla Lake - Day 24
Menorca, Spain
Arrive at Menorca, known for wide open countryside and excellent beaches. The ship docks in Mahón, which has the Mediterranean's largest natural harbor. Choose an island tour hitting a fishing village and Monte Toro, a gin distillery tour to learn Mahón gin production, or a snorkeling excursion in Fornells Bay (extra cost).
Optional Activities
- Island Tour with fishing village, Monte Toro, and Binibeca
- Gin Distillery tour
- Snorkelling in Fornells Bay (additional cost)
Landmarks/POIs Mahón Monte Toro Binibeca Fornells Bay - Day 25
Port-Vendres, France
Dock in Port-Vendres on the Côte Vermeille close to Spain. Choose between a walking tour of Perpignan's center visiting the Cathedral and the unique Campo Santo cemetery cloister, exploring medieval Thuir and Caves Byrrh winery with its enormous oak casks, or driving to Salses-le-Château fortress on the France-Spain border.
Optional Activities
- Perpignan Guided Tour
- Caves Byrrh winery visit with tasting
- Salses-le-Château Guided Tour
Landmarks/POIs Port-Vendres Perpignan Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist Campo Santo Caves Byrrh Salses-le-Château - Day 26
Barcelona, Spain
Leave the ship and take a sightseeing tour of Barcelona. You'll see Montjuïc hill and Plaça d'Espanya. Drive by the impressive Sagrada Família. Later in the day, join the group for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
- Meals
- Dinner (Farewell dinner at local restaurant)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Le Méridien Barcelona)
Included Activities
- Montjuïc hill visit
- Plaça d'Espanya visit
- Sagrada Família visit
- Farewell dinner at local restaurant
Landmarks/POIs Montjuïc Plaça d'Espanya Sagrada Família - Day 27
Barcelona
Start with an exclusive early-morning visit to Casa Vicens, Gaudí's first house in the Gràcia neighborhood. It's a remarkable example of his distinctive architectural style. After that, the afternoon is yours to explore more of Barcelona at your own pace.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Le Méridien Barcelona)
Included Activities
- Before-Hours Visit to Casa Vicens
Landmarks/POIs Casa Vicens - Day 28
Barcelona Departure
Your tour wraps up this morning. Transfer to the airport for your connecting flight.
Included Activities
- Transfer to airport
