Cruise from Turkey to Cyprus

Istanbul connects Europe and Asia and reflects layers of Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman influence. Explore key landmarks like the Hagia Sophia, once both a church and a mosque. Visit the Blue Mosque, known for its six minarets, and walk through Topkapi Palace, once home to Ottoman rulers. Navigate the Grand Bazaar, one of the oldest and largest indoor markets globally.

The Dardanelles strait, known as the Hellespont in antiquity, links the Sea of Marmara to the Aegean Sea. This strategic 60 km passage between Europe and Asia has been contested for millennia, controlling access to the Black Sea. Mythology recalls Helle's drowning and Leander's legendary swim, later repeated by a 22-year-old Lord Byron. Today, tourists explore Gallipoli on the northern shore, the WWI campaign site where the Anzac legend was born.

Included Excursions:

Assos Antique Site
04 h 00 m

• Discover the incredible history of Assos founded by Methymians from the Island of Lesbos in the 7th century BC
• Have a full immersion in the history of this incredible site

Kusadasi is the gateway to 11th century BC Ephesus, a well-preserved ancient site. This UNESCO-listed treasure was a vital Roman capital and religious hub from 129 BC. It features marble streets, the Temple of Hadrian, mosaic-adorned Terrace Houses, the Library of Celsus and the amphitheatre where St. Paul spoke. Nearby stood the Temple of Artemis/Diana, once among the Seven Wonders. The Seljuk archaeological museum displays Ephesus artefacts.

Included Excursions:

Ephesus Roman Villas
03 h 30 m

• Visit the best preserved ancient site in Turkey as an exceptional testimony to the cultural, political, commercial and religious traditions of the Hellenistic, Roman Imperial and early Christian periods
• Admire the Terrace Houses "The Houses of the Rich", luxury Roman Villas
   

Easy Ephesus - PM Departure
03 h 00 m

• Visit the best preserved ancient site in Turkey as an exceptional testimony to the cultural, political, commercial and religious traditions of the Hellenistic, Roman Imperial and early Christian periods
• Walk by the Temple of Emperor Domitian, Hercules Gate, Temple of Trajan, Temple of Hadrian and the public latrines
• Learn about the cultural traditions and the enormous wealth of the city during the Roman Imperial period

Turkiye’s coastal crown jewel, the vibrant port town of Bodrum and its surrounding peninsula offer ancient ruins and natural beauty in equal measure. Bodrum is home to the ruins of the Tomb of Mausolus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The tomb was destroyed by a series of earthquakes. Its stone was later used to build the UNESCO-listed Bodrum Castle built by the Knights of St. John in the 15th century in the bay.

Included Excursions:

The Crusader Castle of St. John: A Legacy Carved in Stone
04 h 00 m

• Discover St. John Castle, the imposing fortress guards vital sea routes on the Bodrum Peninsula. Its towers and battlements echo tales of storied past
• Learn about the legend of the castle’s construction
• Explore amphorae and massive copper ingots recovered from offshore shipwrecks—a testament to Bodrum’s maritime legacy

Datcha is a port town in southwestern Turkey on the narrow Datcha Peninsula on the Aegean Sea. Eski Datcha, the town's old quarter, enchants with its stone houses, narrow streets, and bougainvillea-clad walls. At the Datcha Peninsula's western tip, the ancient ruins of Knidos invite visitors to explore a bygone era. Once a thriving Roman and Byzantine trading hub, Knidos boasts an amphitheatre, a temple to Aphrodite and a 4th-century BC sundial.

Included Excursions:

Ancient Marvels of Knidos
03 h 30 m

• Explore the 5th-century BC city of Knidos, where history comes alive. Wander ancient streets, touch weathered stones, and immerse yourself in the pas
• Stand before the legendary Temple of Aphrodite, a marvel of ancient craftsmanship. Its exquisite statue beckons admirers from across the Mediterranean
• Join our voyage through time, where every stone whispers tales of beauty, trade, and wonder.

Datcha is a port town in southwestern Turkey on the narrow Datcha Peninsula on the Aegean Sea. Eski Datcha, the town's old quarter, enchants with its stone houses, narrow streets, and bougainvillea-clad walls. At the Datcha Peninsula's western tip, the ancient ruins of Knidos invite visitors to explore a bygone era. Once a thriving Roman and Byzantine trading hub, Knidos boasts an amphitheatre, a temple to Aphrodite and a 4th-century BC sundial.

Dalyan, on Turkey's southwest coast, set along the turquoise Dalyan River, faces the ancient city of Kaunos with its famous amphitheatre and cliffside King Tombs resembling mini temples. Nearby is Iztuzu Beach, or Turtle Beach, a nesting site for loggerhead turtles. The area also features the natural Dalyan Mud Baths and hot springs of Sultaniye village on Lake Koycegiz, said to be a favorite of Cleopatra.

As part of Türkiye's Turquoise Coast, Fethiye is known for its aqua-colored waters. The modern town is built over the Ancient Greek city of Telmessos, the largest Lycian city. Lycian rock tombs were carved into a bluff overlooking the city. include the 350 B.C. Tomb of Amyntas. The 400-km Lycian Way Trail connects sites from here to Antalya. Nearby, Oludeniz's Belcekiz Beach features the Blue Lagoon, while Butterfly Valley is a nature reserve.

Included Excursions:

Tour Of Xanthos And Letoon
04 h 30 m

• Discover the remarkable archaeological complex of Xanthos-Letoon, the most unique extant architectural example of the ancient Lycian Civilization
• Begin your visit in Xanthos, which was the capital of ancient Lycia
• Continue then to Letoon, the ancient federal sanctuary, the place where all religious and political decisions

 

On Türkiye's Mediterranean coast, Alanya is known for its old town, Kaleiçi, a maze of cobblestone streets with Ottoman villas and Turkish bazaars. Perched above is Alanya Castle, a medieval Seljuk-era fortress. Beneath the heart of town lies Damlatas Cave with stalagmites and stalactites. Alanya's beaches and clear waters are perfect for swimming and water sports, particularly Cleopatra Beach, supposedly where the Egyptian queen herself swam.

Included Excursion:

Timeless Heritage of Alanya
03 h 15 m

• Alanya’s Archaeological Museum, where Bronze Age relics and the dramatic bronze ‘Hercules’ statue will surprise you
• Soak in breathtaking vistas of land and sea from the Castle
• Discover its rich history and architectural significance of the Red Tower

Limassol is the second-largest city in Cyprus, lies between the ancient sites of Amathous and Kourion. The city has witnessed various occupations. Modern waterfront buildings and a sleek promenade stand in contrast to the ancient core of the Old Town. Notably, Limassol Castle played a historic role, serving as the venue for Richard the Lionheart's marriage to Berengaria of Navarre after his conquest of the island in 1191.