Greek Isles & Captivating Turkey

Day 1: Progressive Athens Mon 06 Sep · Departure 20:00 · Ship Docked in Port 

Athenians don’t live in the past. Ahead of its time, Athens exudes glamour and a sense of possibility - housing galleries, gelaterias, bijoux boutiques alongside a plethora of museums. And you can’t help but marvel at the archaeological wonders of the Acropolis and the Parthenon. Stroll through vibrant streets and markets, dance at buzzing bouzoukia, sing along in tavernas. At night, head to the harbour, where dimly lit bars serve the local ice cold beer. And, as you inhale the salty air and watch Greek fishing boats peacefully depart for their catch, reflect on this ancient city's progressive attitude.

Day 2: Romantic Nafplio Tue 07 Sep · Embarkation 08:00 · Departure 20:00 · Ship Docked in Port 

Neat Nafplio, one of Greece’s most romantic cities, leads us to the UNESCO dotted Peloponnese Peninsula. Namesake of Poseidon’s son, this rakish retreat is a dream to discover with its medieval old town, castle ramparts, and cafés lining Syntagma Square. Further afield, we vault into vestiges belonging to Bronze Age kings: colossal Mycenae fortress with its 14m (46ft) wide walls; the perfectly acoustic Epidaurus amphitheatre; and wedge-like Corinth Canal which was 2,500 years in the making.

Day 3: Have a Quiet Moment in Paros Wed 08 Sep · Embarkation 09:00 · Departure 21:00 · Arrive by Tender 

Unveil picturesque Paros' unadorned charms from ancient remains to traditional tavernas and sweet villages and bluedomed churches to a bounty of blonde-sand beaches. Head out to Parikia to find the awe-inspiring AD326 Byzantine monastery or take a ferry across to explore caves in the rugged natural beauty of Antiparos. Walk through the island's ancient archaeological history at the tiny museum and lose yourself in the labyrinth of lanes at the old Venetian port of Náoussa. Banish any tension on a sunlounger, then breeze through home-cooked mezze feasts in white-washed tavernas. Windsurf, kite-surf, dive, swim au naturel and enjoy a network of walking trails. Somehow Páros has managed to preserve more of the soft spirit than some of her Cyclade cousins.

Day 4: Shadows of Skiathos Thu 09 Sep · Embarkation 09:00 · Departure 18:00 · Arrive by Tender 

One of 24 islands along an ancient trade route in the Aegean on Greece’s east coast, Skiathos is part of the Sporades, Greek for scattered. Known for its sandy beaches and scented pine forests that fall right down to the water, this is a Greek island idyll, with whitewashed townhouses with terracotta-tiled rooves, ancient monasteries clinging to the hillside, lagoons secreted in the trees and fish restaurants in beautiful bays. And oh that water – on a small boat explore the island’s inlets and capes, the sea caves and Lalaria, the picture-perfect rock arch only accessible from the water.

Day 5: Primeval Peninsula of Volos Fri 10 Sep · Embarkation 07:00 · Departure 19:00 · Ship Docked in Port 

Volos deals a perfect blend of architectural gems, scented archaic landscapes and beach-fringed salty bays. Discover treasures in the mythical home of Jason and the Argonauts before bearing off to Pelion, homeland of the mythical Centaurs. Zig zag through a network of old cobbled donkey tracks linking villages and wander a botanist’s dream of eucalyptus, fruit trees and thyme-scented woodland. Dip in blissfully quiet Pagasitic waters, bring history to life on gorge and bridge crossing Moutzouris and paddle past secluded coves into eerie sea caves and the Secret School. Visit Damouchari for a riot of bougainvillea and silvery olive trees, Tsagarada for the oldest plane tree in Greece and Milies for murals and absurd acoustics. This playground of the gods remains a quiet memory of Greek gone by - the Centaurs have protected it well.

Day 6: Kuşadasi – Koosh-ah-dah-see Sat 11 Sep · Embarkation 09:00 · Departure 21:00 · Ship Docked in Port 

Prepare for an exclusive explosion of history, culture and carpets. Walk in Cleopatra's steps and pay homage to the Roman ruins of Ephesus. Journey through fields bursting with cotton, olives and peaches until the hills broaden and Ephesus arises. Dedicated to Artemis, visit monuments, shrines, columns and ruins. The place where Popes pray and pilgrims drink (holy water). Fully immerse yourself within this ancient spot of worship; wish for good health and meditate in the sacred thermal pools of Pamukkale. Travel out to Orthodox villages combining Turkish-Greek culture and feast on organic filo, feta and spinach. Learn about Turkish weavings, natural dyes and different materials; see looms in action, knotting carpets and kilims. Steeped in history and with terrain as diverse as the culture, it won't just be the traditional Turkish coffee that will make you sit up straight.

Day 7: At Sea