Voyage from the birthplace of Western civilization to the heart of the Byzantine Empire on this extraordinary Mediterranean voyage. Along the way, enjoy one of the most coveted itineraries on Earth: a cruise of the Greek isles. Touch the shores of the sacred island of Delos … Mykonos, beloved by jetsetters and celebrities … picturesque Santorini … historic Rhodes, renowned for its sunny climate … and Patmos, where St. John the Divine is said to have written the Book of Revelations. Then, continue your cruise to Turkey, where Kusadasi — the leading Mediterranean resort in the country — and Canakkale, site of an important World War I battle, await. It is an epic European journey whose memories will surely linger throughout your own personal history.
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Day 1: Embark the Tere Moana in Athens (Piraeus), Greece
The birthplace of Western civilization and modern capital of Greece, Athens is dominated by the spectacular Acropolis, where the ruins of the magnificent Parthenon still stand. You will embark the Tere Moana in Piraeus, the port for this illustrious city, and enjoy time to settle into your stateroom before the ship sets sail this evening for your Mediterranean cruise.
Day 2: Delos/Mykonos, Greece
A cruise of the Greek isles is one of the most coveted itineraries in travel. Your first port of call on this idyllic voyage is Delos, a stark, nearly treeless island whose pristine character is painstakingly preserved. One of the Cycladic Isles of the Aegean Sea, it is a treasure trove of history, boasting more than 5,000 years of civilization. The birthplace of Apollo and Artemis, according to Greek mythology, Delos is also considered a sacred island, as you’ll discover.
Day 3: Santorini, Greece
This stunningly beautiful island in the southern Aegean Sea was created by a volcanic explosion in 1600 BC. Today, it is renowned for its whitewashed villages and black-sand beaches. During today’s port call, you might venture to the rim of the now-dormant volcano, which is accessible by funicular or donkey.
Day 4: Rhodes, Greece
The largest of the Dodecanese islands, located in the Aegean between Crete and the near East, Rhodes boasts more sunny days than other cities in Europe and is known as the “Sun Island” for its subtropical climate. Its location on the crossroads of East and West explains the rich, 3,000-year, multicultural history that is yours to explore here. Or focus on the island’s ample shopping, dining, and glittering nightlife.
Day 5: Patmos, Greece
One of the Dodecanese Greek islands in the Aegean Sea, Patmos is important in both mythology and Christianity. It was named a Sacred Island by the Greek government in 1981 and a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999, and has long been a popular pilgrimage site. Boasting an enchantingly beautiful landscape, Patmos was the place of exile for St. John the Divine, one of Jesus’ disciples, who is believed to have written the Book of Revelations here. A monastery dedicated to him is visible almost everywhere throughout the island, as you’ll see.
Day 6: Kusadasi, Turkey
Turkey’s premier resort on the Mediterranean coast is a dazzling modern city of gracious, palm-lined boulevards, beaches, and parks. Its history, however, dates to prehistoric times, and may be seen in the 13th-century Yivli Minaret—the symbol of the city—and Kaleiçi, the old town of narrow cobbled alleys lined with Ottoman-era structures. The city also features a fine Archaeological Museum, two water parks, and Ataturk and Karalioglu parks, where exotic blooms are cultivated. Or perhaps you’ll explore nearby Ephesus, whose astonishing Greco-Roman ruins are one of the world’s great archaeological sites.
Day 7: Canakkale, Turkey
Straddling the Dardanelles—the narrow strait that links the Aegean Sea and the Sea of Marmara—the city of Canakkale, like Istanbul, lies on two continents: Europe and Asia. History buffs will remember Canakkale as the site of the World War I Battle of Çanakkale between the U.K., France, and the Ottoman Empire. You may delve further into the region’s history at the Çanakkale Museum, the Naval Museum in Çimenlik Fortress, and Korfmann Library here.
Day 8: Disembark in Istanbul, Turkey
Your Mediterranean idyll ends where it began, in exotic Istanbul. Enjoy breakfast aboard before disembarking for your return flight home.
Dates & Prices
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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
TrustScore 4.8 | 175 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 175 reviews on
1 day ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
3 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
4 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.