itinerary
| Day | Date | Port of Call | Arrive | Depart |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday | 09/17/22 | Athens (Piraeus), Greece | TBA | |
| Sunday | 09/18/22 | Santorini, Greece | TBA | |
| Monday | 09/19/22 | Rhodes, Greece | TBA | |
| Tuesday | 09/20/22 | Ephesus (Kusadasi), Turkey | TBA | TBA |
| Wednesday | 09/21/22 | Patmos, Greece | TBA | TBA |
| Thursday | 09/22/22 | Mykonos, Greece (overnight) | TBA | |
| Friday | 09/23/22 | At Sea | TBA | |
| Saturday | 09/24/22 | Athens (Piraeus), Greece | TBA |
*Ports, arrival, and departure times are subject to change without prior notice.
Athens
Day 1
Cradle of European Civilization
You could spend a lifetime in Europe’s oldest city and still not see everything it has to offer. Settled over 3,500 years ago, Athens is like a mythological crossroads of the past and present, where modern buildings share the skyline with spectacular ruins like the Parthenon.
For an archaeological walk, make your way to Vasilissis Amalias Street, winding through the heart of the ancient city. The route leads to landmarks like the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Ancient Agora, Arch of Hadrian, and of course, the Acropolis.
After all that, you’re probably going to work up quite an appetite. So, head to the Central Market for fresh fruit and veggies, nuts, olives, and Grecian cheese like feta, graviera, or aged kefalotyri. Snacking is not a bad idea since Athenians usually don’t head out for dinner until at least 9 p.m.
And if you need a little extra pick-me-up to make it that late, have a frappe, a Greek creation of strong iced coffee with milk and sugar. Additionally, neighborhoods like Pangrati, Exarhia, and Petralona feature fantastic tavernas where you can rub elbows with the locals while dining on the sidewalk well into the wee hours of the night.
Santorini
Day 2
Gem of The Aegean
It’s been said the sunset from Oia, on the island of Santorini, is the most beautiful in the world, but you don’t have to wait until dusk to see your share of postcard-worthy views, Santorini is stunning any time of day.
The capital, Fira, clings to the rim of the caldera 900 feet above the sea. Take the cable car or, if you’re looking for a more authentic experience, giddy up on a donkey to climb the 588 zigzagging steps to the top. The white cobblestone streets bustle with shops, tavernas, and cafes, perfect for sampling the tomatoes and white eggplant for which Santorini is renowned.
If you’re feeling ambitious, hike to nearby Oia, a quintessential Greek village. Plan your day accordingly to enjoy a glass of Vinsanto (a sweet, strong dessert wine) as the sun sinks into the sea.
To end the day, drive by black, white, and red volcanic beaches and head south to the 3,500-year-old Minoan town Akrotiri. Often called Greece’s answer to Pompei, the well-preserved ruins provide a glimpse into Santorini’s storied (and explosive) past.
Rhodes
Day 3
Island of the Knights
The island of Rhodes offers a stunning combination of sea, sand, and sights. With more than 300 days of sunshine per year, and over 10,000 years of history, you’ll find plenty to tickle your fancy here.
First on your agenda should be the picture-perfect city of Rhodes, one of the best-preserved medieval cities in all of Europe. With its combination of sandstone buildings, the cobblestoned Street of the Knights, and charming turreted buildings, it’s no wonder this is such a popular UNESCO World Heritage Site.
And speaking of wonders, next up on your magical history tour is the Rhodes waterfront, where once stood the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Although the nearly 100-feet statue of Helios, the Greek god of sun, was destroyed in an earthquake around 250 BC, you can imagine what it must have been like to arrive in this harbor thousands of years ago.
Just a short ride away, the medieval town of Lindos features ruins like the 4th-century BC temple of Athena Lindia, the castle of the Knights of Saint John, and stacked-like giant sugar cubes on a steep hill. Hitch a donkey ride to the acropolis for spectacular views of the town and Saint Paul’s Bay.
Ephesus
Day 4
An age-old civilization
We could chat about the resort town of Kusadasi and its beaches and restaurants, or nearby places like Dilek Peninsula National Park, but let’s talk Ephesus, once the second largest city in the Roman Empire, eclipsed only by Rome.
There’s the Library of Celsus –still magnificent almost 2,000 years later–, the Odeon, and the 24,000-capacity Great Theatre, where St. Paul used to preach. Stretching from this jaw-dropping amphitheater to the harbor is the marble-made Arcadian Street. Also, stroll past the marketplaces, colonnades, and the fields of wild fennel, and into bath complexes that once offered piped-in hot water and sauna.
Surrounding Ephesus, the sites are equally spellbinding. Explore the ruins of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World; the Basilica of St. John, which stands over the believed burial site of John the Apostle; and the House of Virgin Mary, where Mary is supposed to have spent her last days.
Patmos
Day 5
The Holy Island
The tiny island of Patmos is a place of deep importance for Christianity. It’s where the last book of the New Testament was allegedly written, and where an air of mystery still hangs over the island, like the misty fog that seems to be ever-present just off the shore.
Visit the ominous-sounding Cave of the Apocalypse, where John the Apostle stayed after Domitian exiled him in AD 95. Look up at the ceiling to see the crack where Jesus appeared to him and inspired him to write the Book of Revelations.
Fast-forward to 993 years in history by visiting the Monastery of Saint John the Theologian, found by Saint Christodoulou in honor of Saint John. The massive monastery still stands guard over Patmos town to this day.
Then, make the pilgrimage back to Skala (where all roads on the island seemingly lead). Find a lush Tamarisk tree to lounge beneath and indulge on a picnic of local delicacies like fresh octopus and savory cheese pie. Be on the lookout for celebrities, too, since folks like Richard Gere and Bono have all been spotted here, perhaps in search of their own divine inspiration.
Mykonos
Day 6
Picture-postcard destination
Mykonos looks like a scene straight from a postcard: whiter-than-white houses with brilliant blue shutters, vibrant bougainvillea, and a beautiful blue harbor drenched in warm sunlight. Iconic 16th century Venetian windmills stand in a row, their paddles spinning in the wind, and the district of Little Venice, which rises like a brightly colored wall coming out of the sea.
But beneath the idyllic scenery, Mykonos is vibrant and cosmopolitan, with a penchant for all-night parties and hedonistic good times. By day, stroll along the maze-like cobblestone streets, exploring artists’ shops and enjoying a couple of glasses of ouzo.
As soon as the sun goes down, it’s time to let loose. Known as “the Ibiza of Greece”, Mykonos has a serious party scene that’s not for the faint of heart.
Mykonos is also a perfect jumping off point for Delos. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the uninhabited island is said to be the birthplace of the twin deities Apollo (god of the sun) and Artemis (goddess off the moon). So, it’s little wonder so many flock to worship the sun by day, and dance beneath the moon at night.
At Sea
Day 7
There is so much to do while at sea. From sunrise to sunset, our onboard entertainment lineup is jam-packed with additional seductive activities and events. Additionally, the ship offers a full-service spa, a fitness center, and shopping stores. And as the day begins to fade, the celebrations will go on till dawn with our erotic theme nights to turn you on.
Athens
Day 8
Cradle of European Civilization
You could spend a lifetime in Europe’s oldest city and still not see everything it has to offer. Settled over 3,500 years ago, Athens is like a mythological crossroads of the past and present, where modern buildings share the skyline with spectacular ruins like the Parthenon.
For an archaeological walk, make your way to Vasilissis Amalias Street, winding through the heart of the ancient city. The route leads to landmarks like the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Ancient Agora, Arch of Hadrian, and of course, the Acropolis.
After all that, you’re probably going to work up quite an appetite. So, head to the Central Market for fresh fruit and veggies, nuts, olives, and Grecian cheese like feta, graviera, or aged kefalotyri. Snacking is not a bad idea since Athenians usually don’t head out for dinner until at least 9 p.m.
And if you need a little extra pick-me-up to make it that late, have a frappe, a Greek creation of strong iced coffee with milk and sugar. Additionally, neighborhoods like Pangrati, Exarhia, and Petralona feature fantastic tavernas where you can rub elbows with the locals while dining on the sidewalk well into the wee hours of the night.
