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Visit the impressive ruins at Ephesus

Classic Greek Isles & Ephesus

Piraeus-Istanbul - Example 8 Day Cruise aboard Seabourn Encore
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Explore the Classic Greek Isles and Ephesus on an 8-day cruise with Seabourn Encore. Your journey starts in Pireaus, Athens, then you have your first stop in Patmos, Greece, a place of scholarship and religious enlightenment ever since. After that, head to the attractive Venetian harbor surrounded by restaurants, outdoor cafes, and clusters of shops selling everything from necessities to souvenirs. Don't forget to visit the quintessential Greek island of Mykonos before concluding your journey in Istanbul, Turkey.
Sunset over Athens' portExplore ancient monasteries in GreeceCharming streets of Mykonos, GreeceHagia Sophia in IstanbulVisit the ruins of the MediterraneanVisit the impressive ruins at Ephesus
Highlights
  • Explore Bozcaada, the third-largest island in Turkey
  • Cruise along the coastline of Skiathos, passing the famous Blue Caves
  • Discover the magnificent Ephesus, a stunning standout among the ancient ruins
  • Tour Mykonos' whitewashed houses, domed churches, and windmills
Places Visited
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Pireaus,Greece | Embark

Piraeus has been the port for Athens since 482 BC. The busy harbor is filled with ferries and cruise ships making their way to the Greek Islands and other Mediterranean cities. The busy metropolis of Athens and its treasure trove of antiquities lie just a few miles from the port. Even as the reality of the modern city took hold, with its high-rise apartments, crowded sidewalks, and bustling traffic, the beauty of the Acropolis, the outstanding museums, charming cafés, sidewalk markets, and startling views come together in a cultural mosaic for all to enjoy.

Day 2: Patmos, Greece

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Deserted for centuries because of constant raids by pirates and the Turks, this tiny arid island was first settled in 1088 when the Emperor of Constantinople made it a gift to the monk Christodoulos Latinos so that he could establish a monastery in honor of St. John the Divine on the site. Patmos has been a place of scholarship and religious enlightenment ever since. Today this modern pilgrimage site is a quiet respite from the tourist havens many other Greek isles have become.
 

Day 3: Agios Nikolaos | Crete, Greece

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
This charming village of white houses climbing up the slopes is beautifully situated on the sparkling Gulf of Mirabello. The attractive Venetian harbor is surrounded by restaurants, outdoor cafes, and clusters of shops selling everything from necessities to souvenirs. The ship docks in the center of town, and you are able to wander at will and enjoy the atmosphere of Crete's foremost resort. 
 

Day 4: Kusadasi, Turkey

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Kusadasi, which means "bird island," is set in a superb gulf known for its sparkling water, broad sandy beaches, and large marina. The city has managed to retain a certain earthiness while doing a brisk trade in Turkish carpets and leather goods to visitors. The town's old quarter is a picturesque maze of winding streets and houses adorned with flowers and birdcages. In the center stands a 17th-century caravanserai, now converted into a hotel. The resort is also the gateway to important sites of archaeological and religious interest.

Day 5: Mykonos, Greece

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
The quintessential Greek island of Mykonos is marked by whitewashed houses, domed churches, imposing windmills, and a labyrinth of winding streets designed to disorient pirates. Everywhere there is a dash of bright, bold blue - doors, shutters and window frames, sea and sky. The harbor bustles with colorful fishing boats, vendors selling fish, and locals gathered with visitors in the casual seaside cafes. The port even comes with two beloved mascots, the pelicans Petros and Irini.

Day 6: Skiathos, Greece

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
This small island is the westernmost of the Northern Sporades group in the Aegean Sea. It is best known for its beaches, of which the island boasts 60 beaches along its 44 km coastline. These include the nearly legendary Kokounaries beach, Banana beach, and Lalaria beach with its picturesque rock arch, which is accessible only by small boats. Skiathos town curves around a pretty harbor and has lively nightlife during the tourist season. The campanile of the Panaghia Limnia church, built in 1837, rises above pine trees on a hill atop the town. A few miles away through the island’s handsome pine forests is the Evangelistria Monastery, only entered through an imposing stone gateway.

Day 7: Bozcaada, Bozcaada, Turkey

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
This tiny island 12 miles off the Turkish coast embodies the ideal of the “hidden gem.” Its harbor is dominated by a sprawling crenelated fortress with Byzantine, Venetian, Genoese and Ottoman provenance. Its compact town invites visitors to explore winding cobblestone streets with no other objective than to immerse themselves in the antique atmosphere. There is no compelling attraction here other than the picturesque, but the unpretentious charm of a quiet, unspoiled haven. Its small museum is the creation of a loving amateur, Hakan Gurney, who often personally leads visitors through his collection of objects and memorabilia recollecting his island’s, and in many ways his nation’s history. Much of the island’s fifteen square miles is dedicated to vineyards producing both red and white varietals. Ayazma beach offers clear water, although freshwater springs keep the water chilly even in the summer heat. At the peninsular Polenta Feneri, a white lighthouse is guarded by a picket of modern, three-bladed windmills. Local flavors worth tasting are red poppy syrup and a luscious tomato jam you won’t find anywhere else.

Day 8: Istanbul, Turkey | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
Spanning Europe and Asia, exotic Istanbul is one of the world's most fascinating cities. Domes and minarets enhance the skyline. In the old Stamboul area, traces remain of every city built since the community was established over 600 years before Christ. Once Rome's eastern capital, Istanbul was also the center of the huge Ottoman Empire. Landmarks include Hagia Sophia, once Christendom's greatest church; the Blue Mosque with its striking Iznik tiles; Topkapi Palace, containing a sultan's ransom of treasures; Chora Church with its Byzantine mosaics; and the Grand Bazaar, the ultimate shopping experience.

Ship/Hotel

Seabourn Encore

The poolside view of the Encore.
The gym at the Encore.
A view of the magnificent Encore bar.

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$4,499
Veranda Suite room at the Encore.The bathroom of the Veranda Suite.
Select a Date
Veranda Suite (OB)
Veranda Suite (OB) Total inside space of between 246 and 302 square feet (23 and 28 square meters) plus one veranda of between 68 and 83 square feet (6 and 7 square meters) All Veranda Suites feature A full-length window Glass door to private veranda Comfortable living area Queen-size bed or two twin beds Dining table for two Walk-in closet Interactive flat-screen television with music and movies Fully stocked bar and refrigerator Makeup vanity Spacious bathroom with separate tub and shower *Wheelchair accessible suites are roll-in shower only.
Veranda Suite room at the Encore.The bathroom of the Veranda Suite.
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Veranda Suite(V1)
Veranda Suite (V1) Located on Decks 7 and 9; total inside space of between 246 and 302 square feet (23 and 28 square meters) plus one veranda of between 68 and 83 square feet (6 and 7 square meters) All Veranda Suites feature A full-length window Glass door to private veranda Comfortable living area Queen-size bed or two twin beds Dining table for two Walk-in closet Interactive flat-screen television with music and movies Fully stocked bar and refrigerator Makeup vanity Spacious bathroom with separate tub and shower
Veranda Suite room at the Encore.The bathroom of the Veranda Suite.
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Veranda Suite(V2)
Veranda Suite (V3) Located on Decks 6, 7 and 11; total inside space of between 246 and 302 square feet (23 and 28 square meters) plus one veranda of between 68 and 83 square feet (6 and 7 square meters) All Veranda Suites feature A full-length window Glass door to private veranda Comfortable living area Queen-size bed or two twin beds Dining table for two Walk-in closet Interactive flat-screen television with music and movies Fully stocked bar and refrigerator Makeup vanity Spacious bathroom with separate tub and shower *Wheelchair accessible suites are roll-in shower only.
Select a Date
Veranda Suite (V3)
Veranda Suite (V3) Located on Decks 6, 7 and 11; total inside space of between 246 and 302 square feet (23 and 28 square meters) plus one veranda of between 68 and 83 square feet (6 and 7 square meters) All Veranda Suites feature A full-length window Glass door to private veranda Comfortable living area Queen-size bed or two twin beds Dining table for two Walk-in closet Interactive flat-screen television with music and movies Fully stocked bar and refrigerator Makeup vanity Spacious bathroom with separate tub and shower *Wheelchair accessible suites are roll-in shower only.
Select a Date
Veranda Suite (V4)
Veranda Suite (V4) Located on Decks 8 and 9; total inside space of between 246 and 302 square feet (23 and 28 square meters) plus one veranda of between 68 and 83 square feet (6 and 7 square meters) All Veranda Suites feature A full-length window Glass door to private veranda Comfortable living area Queen-size bed or two twin beds Dining table for two Walk-in closet Interactive flat-screen television with music and movies Fully stocked bar and refrigerator Makeup vanity Spacious bathroom with separate tub and shower
Select a Date
Veranda Suite(V5)
Veranda Suite (V5) Located on Decks 6 and 7; total inside space of between 246 and 302 square feet (23 and 28 square meters) plus one veranda of between 68 and 83 square feet (6 and 7 square meters) All Veranda Suites feature A full-length window Glass door to private veranda Comfortable living area Queen-size bed or two twin beds Dining table for two Walk-in closet Interactive flat-screen television with music and movies Fully stocked bar and refrigerator Makeup vanity Spacious bathroom with separate tub and shower *Wheelchair accessible suites are roll-in shower only.
Select a Date
Veranda Suite(V6)
Penthouse Suite Located on Deck 10 and 11; total inside space of between 449 and 450 square feet (42 square meters) plus one veranda of between 93 and 103 square feet (9 and 10 square meters) All Penthouse Suites feature: Dining table for two to four Separate bedroom Glass door to veranda Two flat-screen TVs Fully stocked bar Spacious bathroom with tub, shower and large vanity
The Penthouse Suite room at the Encore.The Penthouse Suite at the Encore.The bathroom at the Penthouse Suite.Room layout of the Penthouse Suite.
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Penthouse Suite
Penthouse Suite Located on Deck 10 and 11; total inside space of between 449 and 450 square feet (42 square meters) plus one veranda of between 93 and 103 square feet (9 and 10 square meters) All Penthouse Suites feature: Dining table for two to four Separate bedroom Glass door to veranda Two flat-screen TVs Fully stocked bar Spacious bathroom with tub, shower and large vanity
The Penthouse Spa Suite at the Encore.The Penthouse Spa Suite.The room layout of the Penthouse Spa Suite.
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Penthouse Spa Suite
Signature Suite Located on Deck 8; forward suites 800 and 801 inside space of approximately 977 square feet of inside space (90 square meters), plus one veranda of 960 square feet (89 square meters). Signature Suites feature Expansive ocean views Forward-facing windows Dining for four to six Bathroom with whirlpool bathtub Guest bath Pantry with wet bar Two flat-screen TVs Complimentary Internet/Wi-Fi service
The Owner's Suite at the Encore.The room layout of the Owner's Suite at the Encore.
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Owner's Suite
Signature Suite Located on Deck 8; forward suites 800 and 801 inside space of approximately 977 square feet of inside space (90 square meters), plus one veranda of 960 square feet (89 square meters). Signature Suites feature Expansive ocean views Forward-facing windows Dining for four to six Bathroom with whirlpool bathtub Guest bath Pantry with wet bar Two flat-screen TVs Complimentary Internet/Wi-Fi service
The room layout of the Signature Suite.
Select a Date
Signature Suite
Signature Suite Located on Deck 8; forward suites 800 and 801 inside space of approximately 977 square feet of inside space (90 square meters), plus one veranda of 960 square feet (89 square meters). Signature Suites feature Expansive ocean views Forward-facing windows Dining for four to six Bathroom with whirlpool bathtub Guest bath Pantry with wet bar Two flat-screen TVs Complimentary Internet/Wi-Fi service
The Wintergarden Suite.The bedroom at the Wintergarden Suite.Awesome view at the Wintergarden Suite.Room layout of the WIntergarden Suite.
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Wintergarden Suite
Located on Deck 8; Combine mid-ship suites 849 and 851 for suite 8491 or suites 846 and 848 for suite 8468 for a total inside space of 1,292 square feet (120 square meters) plus two verandas totaling 244 square feet (23 square meters) Grand Wintergarden Suites feature Large windows Dining for six Glass-enclosed solarium with tub and day bed Two bedrooms Two bathrooms (one whirlpool) Convertible sofa bed for one Pantry with wet bar Two flat-screen TVs Complimentary Internet/Wi-Fi service
The Grand Wintergarden Suite.The bedroom at the Grand Wintergarden Suite.The room layout of the Grand Wintergarden Suite.An awesome view of the beach at the  Grand Wintergarden Suite.
Select a Date
Grand Wintergarden Suite
Located on Deck 8; Combine mid-ship suites 849 and 851 for suite 8491 or suites 846 and 848 for suite 8468 for a total inside space of 1,292 square feet (120 square meters) plus two verandas totaling 244 square feet (23 square meters) Grand Wintergarden Suites feature Large windows Dining for six Glass-enclosed solarium with tub and day bed Two bedrooms Two bathrooms (one whirlpool) Convertible sofa bed for one Pantry with wet bar Two flat-screen TVs Complimentary Internet/Wi-Fi service
Included
  • 7 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 7 Dinners
  • 7 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Unlimited Wifi
  • Complimentary fine wines at lunch and dinner, and open bars throughout the ship
  • In-suite bar and refrigerator stocked with your preferences
  • All dining venues are complimentary
  • Personal Suite Host and Suite Attendant 
  • Marina and complimentary watersports
Excluded
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Medical and Evacuation insurance coverage.
  • Excursions

Map

When to Go

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Good to ideal period to travel, and many people choose to visit at this time.

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Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen

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