Discover two fascinating destinations in the eastern Mediterranean on one of our cruises to Greece and Turkey, where you’ll be able to explore ancient ruins, taste delectable local cuisine, relax on blissful beaches, and learn all about some of the world’s most fascinating civilizations.
Admire Santorini’s sugar-cube houses and blue-domed churches scattered across the dramatic cliffs of an ancient caldera. Explore the bougainvillea-filled alleys and chic boutiques of Mykonos Town before heading to the beach. In Rhodes, you’ll see magnificent mansions built by the medieval Knights of St. John, while Kusadasi, in Turkey, is the gateway to the antiquities of Ephesus, as well as a great place for shopping in the bazaar. Istanbul, meanwhile, is rich in treasures, from elaborate mosques to the lavish Topkapi Palace, as well as a culinary scene that invites exploration.
Itineraries
Featured Ports of Call
Santorini
Discover Santorini, a semicircle of sheer, red-and-black cliffs rising out of the glittering Aegean Sea. Visit the archaeological site of Akrotiri to learn about the Minoans, who were driven from the island in 1600 B.C. by a cataclysmic volcanic eruption. Shop for jewelry inspired by designs from ancient Greece in pretty Fira, the whitewashed capital, and join a tour to Oia, on the northern tip, where you can dine on organic mezze and island wines with sweeping views across the caldera.
Ephesus
Ephesus is one of the world’s best-preserved Greco-Roman cities, where an ongoing archaeological dig reveals layers of history. Mary, mother of Jesus, and early Christians St. Paul and St. John all came here, and you can visit Mary’s house and St. John’s tomb. Marvel at the colonnaded facade of the Library of Celsus, the magnificent Amphitheater, Roman baths, and elaborate mosaics as you stroll the ancient streets.
Istanbul
Explore the fascinating neighborhoods of multicultural Melbourne, from cool, edgy Brunswick to upscale Brighton and Victorian Kew. Explore by tram, or head out into the Yarra Valley to sample the region’s finest wines. Visit the National Gallery of Victoria, take a tour of the laneways to see dazzling street art, and sip a flat white in one of the city’s famous coffee shops. For magnificent scenery, drive along the Great Ocean Road to see the dramatic limestone stacks of the Twelve Apostles.
