Cruising the Aegean: Turkey and the Greek Isles – with Smithsonian Journeys

Nestled on the Bosphorus, Istanbul stands as one of Turkey's most stunning cities. Founded by the Greeks as Byzantium and later renamed Constantinople under the Roman Empire, this historic city is a UNESCO World Heritage site. On Sultanahmet Hill, the majestic Blue Mosque, the enigmatic Hagia Sophia, and the expansive Topkapi Palace with its intricate mosaics dominate the Marmara Sea. In the Beyazit district, explore the Grand Bazaar's elegant covered passages. A short distance away, the enticing aromas of loukoum and spices captivate visitors at the Egyptian Bazaar.

Discover Canakkale on the edge of the Dardanelles in northwest Turkey. Stroll along the harbor promenade and encounter a modern sculpture of a giant wooden horse, symbolizing Odysseus' famous ploy to conquer Troy. Visit the Archaeological Museum to view artifacts unearthed from the ancient city. Travel about thirty kilometers south to explore the archaeological site of Troy, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Amidst lush Mediterranean vegetation, admire numerous stone walls, sculptures, inscriptions, and an ancient theater with stone tiers.

Included Excursions

Troy and Its Museum: Visit the ancient site of Troy, where excavations have revealed nine layers of cities, including the legendary setting of the Trojan War. Explore its significance as a crossroads of ancient civilizations and a key site in modern archaeology. Afterward, tour the Troy Museum, home to thousands of artifacts, including 3rd-millennium BCE gold jewelry and the famed Polyxena sarcophagus, depicting the sacrifice of King Priam's daughter.

The Gallipoli Campaign of WWI: Cross the Dardanelles via the new bridge to visit the Gallipoli Peninsula, the site of the pivotal 1915 battle. Begin at the Kabatepe Museum, showcasing artifacts from the campaign, then explore key landmarks: ANZAC Cove, Lone Pine Battlefield, and the Chunuk Bair Memorial, honoring the sacrifices of Australian and New Zealand forces.

The attractive seaside resort of Kusadasi is located in a gulf on the western coast of Turkey. You can bathe there in clear waters or stroll along the coastal walk, in the shade of palms. In the historical district, you can take a mosey down the narrow streets and explore the colorful shops in the bazaar. Close by, the Ephesus archaeological site in the hillsides provides an opportunity to discover the ruins of one of the most famous cities of Antiquity.

Included Excursions

The Goddess Artemis/Diana: This excursion explores Ephesus through its Archaeological Museum, showcasing artifacts from daily life, including statues of Artemis and treasures from Roman Villas. Visit the ruins of the 6th-century BCE Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the nearby Isa Bey Mosque, a 14th-century Anatolian architectural gem. Conclude with a visit to the Basilica of St. John and a tea break near the Roman Aqueducts.

Priene and Miletus: From Kusadasi, visit Priene, a well-preserved 4th-century BCE city with grid-planned streets. Explore the Temple of Athena, Agora, council chamber, and Hellenistic Theater. Continue to Miletus, known for its Roman theater and role as a trade, science, and philosophy hub.

The Ancient City of Ephesus and Its Terrace Houses: Explore the ancient city of Ephesus, one of the best-preserved Greco-Roman sites in the Mediterranean. Walk through its main streets, town hall, basilica, Odeon, Library of Celsus, State Agora, and Greek stadium. Visit the Terrace Houses, luxurious Roman villas offering insights into daily life.

Patmos is one of the legendary must-see islands in the Dodecanese. This is where Saint John resided, presumed author of the last book in the Bible. The Cave of the Apocalypse and the Saint John Monastery are dedicated to him. These sites, listed by UNESCO as World Heritage, are located at the top of a hillside planted with vines and orchards. On the shore, the crystalline coves of Kambos and Lampi offer gorgeous swimming areas.

Included Excursions

Monastery of St. John & Apocalypse Cave: On the island of Patmos, visit the Monastery of St. John, perched on a hill and housing a remarkable collection of Byzantine frescoes, icons, manuscripts, and liturgical treasures. Nearby, explore the Cave of the Apocalypse, where St. John is said to have lived and dictated his visions, with notable sites like his resting place and the spot where his disciple transcribed his revelations.

Photographing Patmos: Discover Patmos through a photographer's lens on this excursion. Begin in Chora with sweeping views of the 11th-century monastery and charming cobbled streets with striking light and shadow patterns. Visit the island's highest point at the Church of the Prophet Elijah for breathtaking landscapes, then stop at Petra Beach to photograph its prehistoric carved rock. Conclude at the seaside village of Diakofti, capturing scenes of local life and enjoying refreshments before returning to the ship.

The spectacular volcanic island of Santorini stands out proudly in the Cyclades. Its basalt cliffs offer particularly expansive views of the Aegean. To enjoy these views, you can head for the capital, Fira. Its floral belvederes of bougainvillea provide a bird’s-eye view of several thousand meters of coastline. Further away, the gorgeous village of Oia looks like a stairway of blue and white houses on the volcano's slopes. In the south of the island, you can visit the stunning ruins of Akrotiri, an ancient city destroyed by an eruption and covered with a thick layer of lava stone.

Included Excursions

Akrotiri & Picturesque Oia: Explore Santorini's rich history and stunning views. Start with a visit to the archaeological site of Akrotiri, where preserved buildings showcase the island's Bronze Age prosperity. Then, head to Oia, known for its breathtaking Aegean views and beautiful, restored architecture. Walk through the village, contrasting cave houses carved into cliffs with elegant neoclassical mansions. Conclude your tour in Fira, where you can take a cable car down to the port or enjoy some free time to explore the shops before returning.

Hiking the Volcano & Cruising the Caldera: Take a boat from Santorini's Caldera to Nea Kameni, a volcanic island. Hike to the crater's edge for stunning views of the caldera and Fira's cliffs. Explore the unique lava formations and sulfur-scented air before descending. Continue to Palea Kameni's thermal springs, where the warm waters create a natural hot tub, before cruising back to the pier.

Picturesque Oia & Wine Tasting: Visit Oia, a picturesque village offering stunning Aegean views. Explore its unique cave houses and neo-classical mansions, now converted into guesthouses. Afterward, enjoy a wine tasting at the Venetsanos Winery, known for its award-winning wines. End the tour in Fira, where you can take the cable car down to the port or shop before heading back.

Akrotiri & the Prehistoric Museum of Fira: Visit the archaeological site of Akrotiri, where well-preserved homes and artifacts offer a glimpse into ancient life before the volcanic eruption. Next, head to Fira to explore the Museum of Prehistoric Thera, showcasing artifacts from Akrotiri, including wall paintings and daily items. Afterward, enjoy free time to explore Fira's shops and cafes before taking the cable car down to the port and returning to the ship.

This legendary Cyclades island of Delos stands just a few miles southwest of Mykonos. The ceremonial solemnity of this ancient holy sanctuary will not leave you indifferent. This UNESCO World Heritage site's sheer size and importance, which covers over half of the island, is thrilling. From the Stoa of Antigonos, the Terrace of the Lions, to the carved marble animal statues, discover against a backdrop of the Aegean stretching to the horizon. The theatre steps on the hillside are a particularly good place to enjoy the expansive view.

Included Excursion

The Archaeological Wonders of Delos: Explore the island of Delos, an open-air museum filled with ancient ruins. Your tour begins at the pier, where you can stroll past fallen columns, mosaics, a stadium, and the Sanctuary of Zeus and Athena Cynthiens, offering panoramic views of the site. Key highlights include the Sanctuary of Apollo, the Terrace of the Lions, and the Theater District with its luxurious mansions. End your visit to the Archaeological Museum, showcasing expanded exhibits of the island's artifacts.

Nicknamed “little Venice,” Mykonos is famous for its Alefkandra district, where houses are built on the water’s edge. Their multi-colored loggias are emblematic of this Cyclades island, as are the pelicans and windmills. You can get close up to the birds on the quaysides of the old port. Up on the hillside, you can see the windmill sails turning. In the cobbled streets of the pedestrian center, bougainvillea bedecks immaculate facades. As you weave in and out of the little streets, snatches of coastline will undoubtedly call you to the island’s beaches, the quietest of which can be found on the northern coast.

Included Excursion

Experience Mykonos: Its white cubic houses, characteristic windmills, and numerous chapels make Mykonos the quintessential Cycladic island. Formerly a quiet fishing town, Mykonos is now a sophisticated island resort with smart cafes and boutiques. Enjoy an afternoon and evening at leisure to soak in all this dazzling town has to offer.

The engaging town of Nafplion is staggered up green hillsides of the Argolic Gulf, to the east of the Peloponnese. Do not be surprised by its extremely varied cultural heritage. Some of the must-see visits are the ancient agora on the plateau of Akronafplia, Italianate arcades in Syntagma Square, and the baroque fortress of Palamidi on a hillside of the same name. At the top of the hill, views of the gulf and the surrounding mountains are fantastic. If you want to chill out by the water’s edge, walk along the Arvanitia promenade to a beautiful creek in the shade of cedars and cypresses.

Included Excursions

Walking Tour of Nafplion: Explore Nafplion on a walking tour highlighting its rich history. Start at the Lion of Bavaria, commemorating King Otto, and visit historic churches, including Agios Georgios, The Transfiguration of the Savior, and Aghios Spyridon, where John Kapodistrias was assassinated. See the Museum of Komboloi with its collection of worry beads, and stroll through Syntagma Square to the Peloponnesian Folklore Foundation, showcasing folk costumes and textile traditions. The tour ends with Greek mezzes and ouzo at Karonis Wine Shop.

Epidaurus & Mycenae: Visit Epidaurus, home to the ancient Sanctuary of Asklepios and the 4th-century B.C. Theater, famous for its acoustics. Explore this UNESCO World Heritage site before heading to Mycenae, another UNESCO site. At Mycenae, see the Lion Gate, the acropolis, burial graves, and the Tholos tomb, once considered Agamemnon's. The site offers a glimpse into ancient Greece's wealth and legendary figures.

The Greek capital city is located on the edge of the Saronic Gulf, in the east of the country. It bears a plural name for the first villages that surround the Acropolis. Be enchanted by the rocky plateau presided by its monuments listed as UNESCO World Heritage. In the city below, you can visit some of the liveliest districts in Athens: Plaka, with its maze of colorful streets, and where, in the evenings the drifting aroma of moussaka and garlic prawns will tickle your taste buds. The National Archaeological Museum and the Cycladic Art Museum are also some of the city’s key attractions and allow visitors to discover Athens’ cultural past.