Where Are We Going?
Sunday, September 24 - ATHENS, GREECE (EMBARK)
With 3,000 years of history, you can't turn around in Athens without encountering the past. The Acropolis, a UNESCO site, the Plaka, and the Acropolis Museum are must-sees. But leave time if you can to climb Pnyx Hill for photos of the Parthenon at sunset, buy your own set of Greek komboloi (worry beads), and explore the metro stations that serve as mini-museums for the relics that are constantly being unearthed.
Monday, September 25 - CORINTH CANAL/DELPHI, GREECE
You'll want to be on deck today as we transit the narrow Corinth Canal with other private yachts and Greek mail steamers. It's a shortcut reserved for petite ships like ours, and as we cruise between the narrow-limestone walls, we are the envy of all the ancient Romans who once portaged their ships along this route before the canal.
Canal transit time and duration are subject to change based on traffic and canal authorities.
Before fortune cookies, there was the oracle of Delphi, dating back to 1400 B.C. The Oracle gave cryptic guidance to the leaders of the day and was so highly respected; that Delphi, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, became known as the center of the world. An optional tour lets you go exploring, from the Temple of Apollo to the Delphi Archaeological Museum, which contains some of the finest works of art in Greece.
Wednesday, September 27 - SANTORINI, GREECE
As our yacht approaches the spectacular cliffs rising from the deep azure sea, you'll understand the magic of this area, where some say the ruins of Atlantis remain hidden. Visit the village of Oia and see the iconic Santorini blue domes or take a guided tour of Bronze Age excavations at the UNESCO site of Akrotiri. Toast the day with a crisp, cold glass of local Assyrtiko wine.
Thursday, September 28 - BODRUM, TURKEY
The 15th-century Castle of St. Peter, built by the Crusaders, presides over the city's dual harbors. Colorful peacocks strut their stuff, trying to claim your attention, but they have nothing on the white sugar cube houses, palm-lined boulevards, and shockingly blue Aegean below. For a picture-perfect seaside playground, Bodrum offers a surprisingly rich history; or maybe it's the other way around. Visit the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, one of the original Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Surrender to the captivating magic of bathtub-warm waters and the Marina. Shop the bazaar for Milas cloth scarves and silver jewelry. Stroll the Marina to see the other private yachts in port. (None as grand as yours, of course.)
Friday, September 29 - KUSADASI, TURKEY
Few places offer such a rich combination of history and scenic beauty. In Ephesus, one of the most remarkable outdoor museums in the world, you'll explore legendary sites steeped in history. Also, visit the houses of Bulbul Mountain, where the roof of one forms the terrace of the next. This evening we present our Destination Discovery Event - dinner in the moonlight and a concert near the Celsus Library or on Harbor Street in ancient Ephesus.
Saturday, September 30 - MYKONOS, GREECE
Wake this morning to the postcard-like scene of Mykonos - a classic Greek isle dotted with hundreds of whitewashed churches and thatch-roofed windmills in a harbor bobbing with fishing boats and luxurious private yachts. An optional tour, including a scenic ferry ride, takes you back to the 6th century B.C. to the tiny island of Delos, a UNESCO site and the mythical birthplace of Apollo.
Sunday, October 1 - CANAKKALE, TURKEY
Steeped in antiquity and fascinating intrigue, the region, and its famous Trojan War, were considered a legend because no one could find them After approximately 4,000 years, the treasured antiquities; from the legendary city were uncovered. Enjoy the beauty of the strategically located coasts of the Marmara and Aegean Seas.
Monday, October 2 - ISTANBUL, TURKEY (DISEMBARK)
Ah, Constantinople, Queen of Cities and the Door to Happiness. Istanbul is the only city in the world built on two continents - Europe and Asia - and its appeal is truly universal. The Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans ruled their empires from here, leaving behind some of their finest monuments and a fascinating blend of cultures. Visit the harem at Topkapi Palac, where the clatter of silver soles once warned concubines of the approaching sultan. Admire the Iznik tiles and stained glass windows of the Blue Mosque and the mystical light bathing the nave of Hagia Sofia. Shop the Grand Bazaar for a coffee cezve, magic lamp, embroidered slippers, or hand-woven kilim. Temper a tiny cup of potent Turkish coffee with bites of sweet lokum (Turkish delight).