Isles of Myth and Legend - Greece & Turkey Small Ship Cruise

Greece's cosmopolitan capital, Athens, connected by Piraeus port, is an exciting blend of ancient and modern. The Grand Promenade seamlessly links the city's main archaeological sites, and a visit isn't complete without exploring the Acropolis—a hill housing ancient ruins, including the iconic Parthenon. For deeper insights, the Acropolis Museum awaits, and a marble path ascends Filopappou Hill, offering majestic views of the 'high city.'

The largest Cyclades island, Naxos's capital Chora is one of the most beautiful Cycladic villages, blending Venetian and Cycladic elements of whitewashed houses and cobblestone alleys. Endless beaches ring the coast, while the island's granite mountains host lush meadows, olive groves and citrus orchards. Whitewashed villages and Byzantine chapels speckle the landscape. In Greek mythology, Naxos is said to be where Ariadne settled and Zeus lived.

Once the crossroads for ancient Minoans, Chania's medieval harbour on Crete's northwest shore dates back to the 14th-century. A 16th-century lighthouse guards the harbour. The picturesque old town combines Venetian and Ottoman architecture, mosques, churches and fortifications. Food lovers enjoy the seafood eateries that grace the waterfront, while inland, fertile valleys support vines, olive and citrus groves.

Agios Nikolaos, on Crete's east coast, is a charming town with a picturesque harbour, cafes and a sandy beach. The town sits upon the ancient city ruins of Lato pros Kamara. The Archaeological Museum displays artefacts from local excavations. Close to the harbour, the freshwater Voulismeni Lake, a nearly circular pool, is reputed to have been the bathing place of the goddesses Artemis and Athena, and connects to the sea via a narrow canal.

Rhodes Town, one of Europe's best medieval walled towns, is known for the 14th century UNESCO-listed Old Town constructed by the Knights of St. John and the 100-foot Colossus statue that once stood in the harbour. Highlights include the bustling Turkish district, Grand Masters' Palace adorned with marble mosaics and Gothic Street of the Knights. Nearby Lindos offers whitewashed streets and an Acropolis with views over St. Paul's Bay.

Pythagorion, the picturesque port village on Samos Island, is named after famous ancient philosopher Pythagoras. Traditional red-roofed houses and winding alleys envelop the charming fishing harbour's inviting tavernas. Constructed on top of the ancient ruins of Samos, a UNESCO World Heritage site, key landmarks include the 6th-century BC Temple of Hera (Heraion) and the awe-inspiring Eupalinos Tunnel, a 1036-m aqueduct tunnel.

The birthplace of Greek poet Homer, Chios island In the Aegean Sea, is known for mastic production and medieval villages. Fortress-like mastic villages were built under Genoese rule in the 12th century. Highlights include Olympi and medieval Pirgi with its intricately patterned geometric house decorations, Mesta with its fortified alleyways and central Taxiarches Church, and the mastic tree groves used to produce the unique resin.

Mitilini with its medieval alleys, is capital of Lesbos, Greece's third-largest island and an Ancient Greek cultural centre. Sappho, a female ancient Greek poet who worshipped Aphrodite, is celebrated at her birthplace in Skala Eressos. Messa features a 4th-century BC temple dedicated to Zeus, Dionysus,and Hera. The Lesvos Island UNESCO Global Geopark showcases an ancient preserved forest. Lesbos is also famous for ouzo distilleries.

Istanbul bridges Europe and Asia, shaped by Greeks, Romans, Byzantines and Ottomans. This diversity infuses the city's architecture, cuisine, music and arts. Sites include the Hagia Sophia museum, a former church and mosque, the stunning Blue Mosque with six minarets, Topkapi Palace, the former residence of the Ottoman sultans, and the Grand Bazaar, one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world.

Itineraries are subject to change.