Itinerary
- Day 1
Athens
You'll arrive in Athens and head straight to your Emerald Cruises yacht. The city itself is worth your attention with the iconic Acropolis and Parthenon towering over everything, along with ancient ruins scattered throughout. The vibe here mixes history with modern energy and plenty of local culture to soak up.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome Reception & Dinner)
Optional Activities
- Explore Athens independently
- Visit the Acropolis and Parthenon
Landmarks/POIs Acropolis Parthenon - Day 2
Delos - Mykonos
This morning you'll visit Delos, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Greece's most significant archaeological locations. The ruins here include temples, dwellings, marketplaces, and theatres still standing in pretty good condition. Legend says Apollo and Artemis were born here. In the afternoon, the yacht heads to Mykonos where you'll walk through whitewashed buildings and narrow stone streets, check out 16th-century Venetian windmills, and explore the beach club scene.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided visit to Delos archaeological site
- Cruise to Mykonos
Optional Activities
- Beach club activities in Mykonos
- Shopping in Mykonos Town
- Restaurant and café visits in Mykonos
Landmarks/POIs Delos Mykonos Town Mykonos Windmills - Day 3
Patmos
You're heading to Patmos, called the 'Island of the Apocalypse' because the Apostle John wrote the Book of Revelation here. The medieval centre called Chora is a UNESCO site where you'll find whitewashed buildings, narrow cobblestone streets, and around 40 chapels throughout. Traditional tavernas dot the area, and the island has a spiritual significance along with rugged volcanic terrain and pebbled beaches that are mostly empty.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Explore Patmos island
Optional Activities
- Visit the historic centre Chora
- Explore the 40 chapels
- Visit the beaches
Landmarks/POIs Patmos Chora - Day 4
Kusadasi
Kusadasi in Turkey is your next stop, a busy cruise port with a beach resort vibe and traditional Turkish markets. From here you'll explore Ephesus, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important ancient cities. The Hellenistic and Roman ruins here are extensive, and you'll see what's left of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Ephesus ancient city
Optional Activities
- Explore Kusadasi markets and beaches
- Visit Temple of Artemis ruins
Landmarks/POIs Ephesus Temple of Artemis - Day 5
Kos
Kos is one of the Dodecanese islands and home to thousands of years of history. The Asklepion sits here, an ancient healing centre dedicated to the Greek God of medicine and a major draw for history enthusiasts. The Castle of the Knights offers nice views from its medieval fortress position. The main town blends different architectural styles from whitewashed houses to Muslim mosques and 1930s Italian-era buildings, plus this is the birthplace of Hippocrates.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Kos island
Optional Activities
- Explore the Asklepion
- Visit Castle of the Knights
- Beach and water activities
Landmarks/POIs Asklepion Castle of the Knights Neratzia Castle - Day 6
Santorini
You've reached Santorini, a Greek island famous for its dramatic whitewashed architecture and legendary sunsets over the Aegean. The villages cling to caldera cliffs and offer sea views from most angles. Head into Fira and Oia to walk past blue-domed churches with pink bougainvillea, navigate winding alleyways filled with tavernas and boutique shops, and soak in the whitewashed buildings everywhere you look.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Explore Santorini
Optional Activities
- Visit Fira
- Visit Oia
- Sunset viewing
- Shopping and dining in towns
Landmarks/POIs Fira Oia - Day 7
Paros
Paros has attracted people since the sixth century BC, mainly because of its high-quality Parian marble. You'll find ancient ruins here, Venetian castles, and traditional Greek architecture throughout. The beaches have clear waters and charming villages nearby. In Parikia, the main town, you can walk cobbled lanes, shop, grab a cafe, and try local Greek food, plus there's a historic Frankish castle from the 1200s. Naoussa is a picturesque harbour town worth checking out.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Explore Paros island
Optional Activities
- Visit Parikia
- Visit Naoussa
- Beach activities
- Shopping and dining
Landmarks/POIs Parikia Naoussa - Day 8
Athens
This morning and early afternoon are yours to spend freely in Athens, the ancient capital and birthplace of democracy and western civilization. You might visit the Acropolis and Parthenon or explore the city's architectural wonders and modern vibe. By afternoon, head back to board your Emerald Cruises yacht to start the second part of your journey.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Farewell Reception & Dinner)
Optional Activities
- Explore Athens independently
- Visit the Acropolis and Parthenon
- Explore architectural landmarks
Landmarks/POIs Acropolis Parthenon - Day 9
Syros
Syros is a charming Cyclades island with a rich history and vibrant culture backing it up. The architecture here is pretty distinctive, with neoclassical mansions in Ermoupolis creating a striking contrast against the Cycladic-style whitewashed houses found elsewhere on the island. The architectural development tells the island's story through its different periods.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Explore Syros island
Optional Activities
- Visit Ermoupolis
- Explore Cycladic villages
- Shopping and dining
Landmarks/POIs Ermoupolis - Day 10
Bodrum
You'll arrive at Bodrum on Turkey's southwest coast where twin bays stretch into the Aegean Sea. The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, built between 350 and 353 BC for the ruler Mausolus. Bodrum itself works as a modern playground these days with contrasting sides between east and west, each reflecting different aspects of the city's history.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Bodrum
Optional Activities
- Visit Mausoleum at Halicarnassus
- Beach activities
- Explore modern Bodrum
Landmarks/POIs Mausoleum at Halicarnassus - Day 11
Rhodes
Rhodes is known as the 'Island of Knights' and you'll spend time exploring the Medieval City in the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site surrounded by four kilometres of walls. Medieval buildings and the Street of the Knights transport you back centuries, while the Palace of the Grand Master dominates the area. Try local specialties like melekouni, a traditional sweet, or pitaroudia, which are chickpea fritters.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Explore Rhodes Old Town
Optional Activities
- Visit Street of the Knights
- Visit Palace of the Grand Master
- Local dining and shopping
Landmarks/POIs Medieval City (Old Town Rhodes) Street of the Knights Palace of the Grand Master - Day 12
Antalya
Antalya is a Turkish resort city with dense forests, mountains, and sun-soaked beaches backed by azure water. Nature lovers will find the varied scenery appealing, and history buffs can head into the Old Town Kaleiçi to see Roman-era harbour walls, Hellenistic gates, and Ottoman-era houses that reveal the city's storied past.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Explore Antalya
Optional Activities
- Visit Old Town Kaleiçi
- Beach activities
- Nature exploration
Landmarks/POIs Kaleiçi (Old Town Antalya) - Day 13
Limassol
You'll arrive in Limassol, Cyprus, a city known for blending Greek, Turkish, and British influences with rich culture and a welcoming feel. Just south of here sits the Akrotiri Salt Lake and wetlands, a great spot for birdwatchers especially during winter when flamingos congregate in large numbers.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Explore Limassol
Optional Activities
- Visit Akrotiri Salt Lake and wetlands
- Birdwatching
- Local dining and shopping
Landmarks/POIs Akrotiri Salt Lake - Day 14
Haifa
Haifa is Israel's third-largest city and a busy port with nice seaside views and urban energy. Mount Carmel, a coastal mountain range, creates an striking backdrop for the city. The Shrine of the Bab sits atop Mount Carmel, a majestic golden-domed structure surrounded by the Baha'i Gardens, often called the Hanging Gardens of Haifa.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Explore Haifa
Optional Activities
- Visit Mount Carmel
- Visit Shrine of the Bab
- Explore Baha'i Gardens
Landmarks/POIs Mount Carmel Shrine of the Bab Baha'i Gardens - Day 15
Sea Day
This is a day at sea aboard your Emerald Cruises yacht where you can relax and recharge. Slide into the infinity-style pool where water seems to blend into the horizon, head up to the Sky Deck for panoramic views and sunset watching, or settle into the Observation Lounge for some quiet time.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Infinity pool access
- Sky Deck access
- Observation Lounge access
- Day 16
Suez Canal Crossing
You're navigating through the Suez Canal and heading toward Egypt and the port of Ain Sokhna. This canal was constructed by Ferdinand de Lesseps and finished in 1869, connecting the Mediterranean Sea and Red Sea by cutting through 62 kilometres of desert.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Transit through Suez Canal
Landmarks/POIs Suez Canal - Day 17
Ain Sokhna
Ain Sokhna is an elegant seaside town on the western shores of the Red Sea's Gulf of Suez. Located two hours from Cairo, this serves as your base for visiting the Great Pyramids of Giza, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World if you want to make an excursion.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Explore Ain Sokhna
Optional Activities
- Visit Great Pyramids of Giza
Landmarks/POIs Great Pyramids of Giza - Day 18
Sharm el-Sheikh
Sharm el-Sheikh is a glamorous resort city on the tip of Egypt's Sinai Peninsula where desert meets sea. You can dive into the colourful world beneath the Red Sea's surface with lots of sea life, or walk through ancient mosques and bustling bazaars soaked in tradition. The city brings together different cultures in a unique way.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Explore Sharm el-Sheikh
Optional Activities
- Red Sea diving
- Explore ancient mosques
- Shop in bazaars
Landmarks/POIs Sharm el-Sheikh - Day 19
Aqaba
You've arrived at Aqaba, a picturesque city on Jordan's southern tip overlooking the Red Sea, perfect if you're into history. Explore archaeological sites like the Aqaba Fort and Ayla ruins to see what's left from thousands of years ago. From here you can reach the ancient city of Petra and Wadi Rum, known as the 'Valley of the Moon' and a UNESCO-protected desert wilderness.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Explore Aqaba
Optional Activities
- Visit Aqaba Fort
- Visit Ayla ruins
- Explore Petra
- Visit Wadi Rum
Landmarks/POIs Aqaba Fort Ayla ruins Petra Wadi Rum - Day 20
Aqaba
Your cruise wraps up in Aqaba, Jordan, a picturesque city with thousands of years of history behind it. History buffs will love exploring the Aqaba Fort and other archaeological sites. From here you can visit Petra and Wadi Rum, the 'Valley of the Moon' and a UNESCO desert wilderness, before transferring to the airport for your flight home or to continue exploring.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Aqaba Fort
- Explore Petra
- Visit Wadi Rum
Landmarks/POIs Aqaba Fort Petra Wadi Rum
