Greek Islands & Turkish Coastlines

It's no wonder that all roads lead to the fascinating and maddening metropolis of Athens. Lift your eyes 200 feet above the city to the Parthenon, its honey-color marble columns rising from a massive limestone base, and you behold architectural perfection that has not been surpassed in 2,500 years. But, today, this shrine of classical form dominates a 21st-century boomtown. To experience Athens—Athína in Greek—fully is to understand the essence of Greece: ancient monuments surviving in a sea of cement, startling beauty amid the squalor, tradition juxtaposed with modernity. Locals depend on humor and flexibility to deal with the chaos; you should do the same. The rewards are immense. Although Athens covers a huge area, the major landmarks of the ancient Greek, Roman, and Byzantine periods are close to the modern city center. You can easily walk from the Acropolis to many other key sites, taking time to browse in shops and relax in cafés and tavernas along the way. From many quarters of the city you can glimpse "the glory that was Greece" in the form of the Acropolis looming above the horizon, but only by actually climbing that rocky precipice can you feel the impact of the ancient settlement. The Acropolis and Filopappou, two craggy hills sitting side by side; the ancient Agora (marketplace); and Kerameikos, the first cemetery, form the core of ancient and Roman Athens. Along the Unification of Archaeological Sites promenade, you can follow stone-paved, tree-lined walkways from site to site, undisturbed by traffic. Cars have also been banned or reduced in other streets in the historical center. In the National Archaeological Museum, vast numbers of artifacts illustrate the many millennia of Greek civilization; smaller museums such as the Goulandris Museum of Cycladic Art Museum and the Byzantine and Christian Museum illuminate the history of particular regions or periods. Athens may seem like one huge city, but it is really a conglomeration of neighborhoods with distinctive characters. The Eastern influences that prevailed during the 400-year rule of the Ottoman Empire are still evident in Monastiraki, the bazaar area near the foot of the Acropolis. On the northern slope of the Acropolis, stroll through Plaka (if possible by moonlight), an area of tranquil streets lined with renovated mansions, to get the flavor of the 19th-century's gracious lifestyle. The narrow lanes of Anafiotika, a section of Plaka, thread past tiny churches and small, color-washed houses with wooden upper stories, recalling a Cycladic island village. In this maze of winding streets, vestiges of the older city are everywhere: crumbling stairways lined with festive tavernas; dank cellars filled with wine vats; occasionally a court or diminutive garden, enclosed within high walls and filled with magnolia trees and the flaming trumpet-shaped flowers of hibiscus bushes. Formerly run-down old quarters, such as Thission, Gazi and Psirri, popular nightlife areas filled with bars and mezedopoleia (similar to tapas bars), are now in the process of gentrification, although they still retain much of their original charm, as does the colorful produce and meat market on Athinas. The area around Syntagma Square, the tourist hub, and Omonia Square, the commercial heart of the city about 1 km (½ mi) northwest, is distinctly European, having been designed by the court architects of King Otho, a Bavarian, in the 19th century. The chic shops and bistros of ritzy Kolonaki nestle at the foot of Mt. Lycabettus, Athens's highest hill (909 feet). Each of Athens's outlying suburbs has a distinctive character: in the north is wealthy, tree-lined Kifissia, once a summer resort for aristocratic Athenians, and in the south and southeast lie Glyfada, Voula, and Vouliagmeni, with their sandy beaches, seaside bars, and lively summer nightlife. Just beyond the city's southern fringes is Piraeus, a bustling port city of waterside fish tavernas and Saronic Gulf views.

Fly from the UK to Athens. Your journey of Greece and Turkey begins in Athens, where you’ll be transferred to your Emerald Cruises luxury yacht. Athens, the capital city of Greece, is a remarkable blend of rich tradition and modern dynamism.

Flight to arrive into Athens prior to 02:00 PM.

Delos, a small rocky island in the heart of the Cyclades archipelago, is one of the most important mythological and archaeological sites in Greece. In the afternoon, you will venture to Mykonos. The island's allure lies in its blend of traditional Greek culture and cosmopolitan flair. Whitewashed houses with vibrant blue doors line the winding streets of Mykonos Town.

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Guided tour of Delos (extra expense, must be pre-booked)
Set foot on a journey to the sacred island of Delos, a cradle of ancient Greek mythology and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Delos holds a unique place in history, believed to be the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis. Explore the extensive site, where each step reveals the layers of history, from ancient sanctuaries to the remnants of prosperous civilizations.  
Activity Level: Moderate, Duration: 2.4 hours

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Island tour of Mykonos, Ano Mera Monastery and wine tasting experience (extra expense, must be pre-booked)
Begin your adventure in the traditional village of Ano Mera and explore the 16th-century Monastery of Panagia Tourliani, dedicated to Mykonos' patron saint. Admire intricate icons depicting scenes from the New Testament and unravel the monastery's rich history. Indulge your senses in the flavours of Greece with a wine tasting experience at a Mykonian Farm. Conclude your tour in the iconic Mykonos town, a labyrinth of whitewashed buildings and narrow streets.  
Activity Level: Moderate, Duration: 4 hours

Offshore: 07:30 - 11:00 | 12:30 - 22:00

Although the fishing boats still go out in good weather, Mykonos largely makes its living from tourism these days. The summer crowds have turned one of the poorest islands in Greece into one of the richest. Old Mykonians complain that their young, who have inherited stores where their grandfathers once sold eggs or wine, get so much rent that they have lost ambition, and in summer sit around pool bars at night with their friends, and hang out in Athens in winter when island life is less scintillating. Put firmly on the map by Jackie O in the 1960s, Mykonos town—called Hora by the locals—remains the Saint-Tropez of the Greek islands. The scenery is memorable, with its whitewashed streets, Little Venice, the Kato Myli ridge of windmills, and Kastro, the town's medieval quarter. Its cubical two- or three-story houses and churches, with their red or blue doors and domes and wooden balconies, have been long celebrated as some of the best examples of classic Cycladic architecture. Luckily, the Greek Archaeological Service decided to preserve the town, even when the Mykonians would have preferred to rebuild, and so the Old Town has been impressively preserved. Pink oleander, scarlet hibiscus, and trailing green pepper trees form a contrast amid the dazzling whiteness, whose frequent renewal with whitewash is required by law. Any visitor who has the pleasure of getting lost in its narrow streets (made all the narrower by the many outdoor stone staircases, which maximize housing space in the crowded village) will appreciate how its confusing layout was designed to foil pirates—if it was designed at all. After Mykonos fell under Turkish rule in 1537, the Ottomans allowed the islanders to arm their vessels against pirates, which had a contradictory effect: many of them found that raiding other islands was more profitable than tilling arid land. At the height of Aegean piracy, Mykonos was the principal headquarters of the corsair fleets—the place where pirates met their fellows, found willing women, and filled out their crews. Eventually the illicit activity evolved into a legitimate and thriving trade network. Morning on Mykonos town's main quay is busy with deliveries, visitors for the Delos boats, lazy breakfasters, and street cleaners dealing with the previous night's mess. In late morning the cruise-boat people arrive, and the shops are all open. In early afternoon, shaded outdoor tavernas are full of diners eating salads (Mykonos's produce is mostly imported); music is absent or kept low. In mid- and late afternoon, the town feels sleepy, since so many people are at the beach, on excursions, or sleeping in their air-conditioned rooms; even some tourist shops close for siesta. By sunset, people have come back from the beach, having taken their showers and rested. At night, the atmosphere in Mykonos ramps up. The cruise-boat people are mostly gone, coughing three-wheelers make no deliveries in the narrow streets, and everyone is dressed sexy for summer and starting to shimmy with the scene. Many shops stay open past midnight, the restaurants fill up, and the bars and discos make ice cubes as fast as they can. Ready to dive in? Begin your tour of Mykonos town (Hora) by starting out at its heart: Mando Mavrogenous Square.

For better or worse, it can be difficult to reach Patmos—for many travelers, this lack of access is definitely for the better, since the island retains the air of an unspoiled retreat. Rocky and barren, the small, 34-square-km (21-square-mi) island lies beyond the islands of Kalymnos and Leros, northwest of Kos. Here on a hillside is the Monastery of the Apocalypse, which enshrines the cave where St. John received the Revelation in AD 95. Scattered evidence of Mycenaean presence remains on Patmos, and walls of the classical period indicate the existence of a town near Skala. Most of the island's approximately 2,800 people live in three villages: Skala, medieval Chora, and the small rural settlement of Kambos. The island is popular among the faithful making pilgrimages to the monastery as well as with vacationing Athenians and a newly growing community of international trendsetters—designers, artists, poets, and “taste gurus” (to quote Vogue’s July 2011 write-up of the island)—who have bought homes in Chora. These stylemeisters followed in the footsteps of Alexandrian John Stefanidis and the English artist Teddy Millington-Drake who, in the early ’60s, set about creating what eventually became hailed as one of the most gorgeous island homes in the world. The word soon spread thanks to their many guests (who included Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis) but, happily, administrators have carefully contained development, and as a result, Patmos retains its charm and natural beauty—even in the busy month of August.

Patmos is a small Greek island in the Aegean Sea steeped in religious history. The Monastery of Saint John the Theologian, a UNESCO World Heritage site, towers over the island's capital, Chora. Nearby you'll find the Cave of the Apocalypse, where, according to tradition, Saint John the Theologian wrote the Book of Revelation. The local cuisine of Patmos is a delightful mix of traditional Greek dishes and fresh seafood. Today choose between our Included Excursion or our EmeraldACTIVE option.

Included Excursion
Chora, Monastery of Saint John the Theologian and the Cave of the Apocalypse 
The tour begins with a visit to the Cave of the Apocalypse, the site where the Book of Revelation, the final book of the Holy Bible, was conceived. After, drive to the historic village of Chora, the island’s capital home to the 11th-century Monastery of Saint John the Theologian. From the Monastery, stroll through Chora’s charming winding cobbled streets to the house of Simandiris where you will enjoy a unique experience, exploring the interior of a traditional Patmian home. 
Activity Level: Moderate, Duration: 3.5 hours

EmeraldACTIVE
Downhill hike 
Start your adventure with a scenic drive to Chora, a picturesque village that unfolds like a beautiful painting. Adorned with radiant white houses, Chora provides a striking contrast to the imposing Monastery of St. John. Step inside the Monastery, a bastion of faith featuring thick walls, battlements, and eight chapels. Stroll through the Old Town of Chora, a maze of narrow streets and delightful squares and visit to the Cave of the Apocalypse, the sacred site of the Revelation's origin—the final book of the Holy Bible.  
Activity Level: Strenuous, Duration: 3.5 hours

EmeraldPLUS
Local folklore performance on board 
A talented Patmian band, featuring both musicians and dancers, will treat you to an unforgettable evening of traditional music and dance. This folkloric ensemble will take you on a journey through the island's rich culture and history, performing to the captivating rhythms of Greece.  
Duration: 1 hour 

Docked: 08:00 - 23:00

Whilst the busy resort town of Kusadasi offers much in the way of shopping and dining – not to mention a flourishing beach life scene, the real jewel here is Ephesus and the stunning ruined city that really take centre stage. With only 20% of the classical ruins having been excavated, this archaeological wonder has already gained the status as Europe’s most complete classical metropolis. And a metropolis it really is; built in the 10th century BC this UNESCO World Heritage site is nothing short of spectacular. Although regrettably very little remains of the Temple of Artemis (one of the seven wonders of the ancient world), the superb Library of Celsus’ façade is practically intact and it is one of life’s great joys to attend an evening performance in the illuminated ruins once all the tourists have left. The history of the city is fascinating and multi-layered and it is well worth reading up on this beforehand if a visit is planned. Another point of interest for historians would be the house of the Virgin Mary, located on the romantically named Mount Nightingale and just nine kilometres away from Ephesus proper. Legend has it that Mary (along with St. John) spent her final years here, secluded from the rest of the population, spreading Christianity. An edifying experience, even for non-believers. For the less historical minded amongst you, Kusadasi offers plenty in the way of activities. After a stroll through the town, jump in a taxi to Ladies’ Beach (men are allowed), sample a Turkish kebap on one of the many beachfront restaurants and enjoy the clement weather. If you do want to venture further afield, then the crystal clear beaches of Guzelcamli (or the Millipark), the cave of Zeus and the white scalloped natural pools at Pamukkale, known as Cleopatra’s pools, are definitely worth a visit.

Visiting Kusadasi offers a fascinating blend of history, beautiful beaches, and vibrant markets. Its history dates to ancient times, with early settlements by the Lelegians and Carians around 3000 BC. The town has seen many rulers, including the Byzantines, Venetians, and Genoese.

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Priene, Miletus and Didyma (extra expense)
Embark on a journey through time as you explore the captivating ancient cities of Priene, Miletus, and Didyma. Step back in time as you wander the streets of Priene, one of the first cities to be meticulously planned with a grid system. Continuing with a 45-minute drive to the ancient city of Miletus, once a thriving metropolis on the Anatolian trade routes. Explore the legacy of renowned philosophers and architects. Indulge in a delicious lunch at a local restaurant with panoramic views of the magnificent Temple of Apollo in Didyma. Marvel at the awe-inspiring scale of this sacred site, where ancient worshipers sought divine guidance and inspiration.  
Activity Level: Strenuous, Duration: 6.5 hours

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Guided tour of Ephesus (extra expense)
Embark on an extraordinary excursion to the legendary city of Ephesus, a treasure trove of ancient wonders and archaeological marvels that have stood the test of time. Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of Ephesus at a local cooperative. Witness a captivating folklore show performed by talented folk-dance students and indulge in a delectable array of local delicacies prepared with fresh, local ingredients. 
Activity Level: Moderate, Duration: 5 hours

Docked: 08:00 - 22:00

Kos is a Greek island just four kilometres off the coast of Bodrum, Turkey. It's the birthplace of Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, and home to several historic ruins, including an ancient agora, a Roman Odeon, and the Asklepion, an ancient healing temple.

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Asclepion and Zia village with winery visit (extra expense)
Our adventure begins at the Asklipieion, an extraordinary sanctuary established in 460 B.C. in honour of Asclepius, the God of Medicine. Venture into the charming village of Zia, perched on the slopes of Mount Dikaion. With its narrow winding streets and traditional houses, Zia captures the authentic essence of rural Kos. The highlight of your excursion awaits at Winery, where you'll savour a wine tasting experience unlike any other.  
Activity Level: Moderate, Duration: 4.5 hours

Docked: 07:30 - 19:00

Undoubtedly the most extraordinary island in the Aegean, crescent-shape Santorini remains a mandatory stop on the Cycladic tourist route—even if it's necessary to enjoy the sensational sunsets from Ia, the fascinating excavations, and the dazzling white towns with a million other travelers. Called Kállisti (the "Loveliest") when first settled, the island has now reverted to its subsequent name of Thira, after the 9th-century-BC Dorian colonizer Thiras. The place is better known, however, these days as Santorini, a name derived from its patroness, St. Irene of Thessaloniki, the Byzantine empress who restored icons to Orthodoxy and died in 802. You can fly conveniently to Santorini, but to enjoy a true Santorini rite of passage, opt instead for the boat trip here, which provides a spectacular introduction. After the boat sails between Sikinos and Ios, your deck-side perch approaches two close islands with a passage between them. The bigger one on the left is Santorini, and the smaller on the right is Thirassia. Passing between them, you see the village of Ia adorning Santorini's northernmost cliff like a white geometric beehive. You are in the caldera (volcanic crater), one of the world's truly breathtaking sights: a demilune of cliffs rising 1,100 feet, with the white clusters of the towns of Fira and Ia perched along the top. The bay, once the high center of the island, is 1,300 feet in some places, so deep that when boats dock in Santorini's shabby little port of Athinios, they do not drop anchor. The encircling cliffs are the ancient rim of a still-active volcano, and you are sailing east across its flooded caldera. On your right are the Burnt isles, the White isle, and other volcanic remnants, all lined up as if some outsize display in a geology museum. Hephaestus's subterranean fires smolder still—the volcano erupted in 198 BC, about 735, and there was an earthquake in 1956. Indeed, Santorini and its four neighboring islets are the fragmentary remains of a larger landmass that exploded about 1600 BC: the volcano's core blew sky high, and the sea rushed into the abyss to create the great bay, which measures 10 km by 7 km (6 mi by 4½ mi) and is 1,292 feet deep. The other pieces of the rim, which broke off in later eruptions, are Thirassia, where a few hundred people live, and deserted little Aspronissi ("White isle"). In the center of the bay, black and uninhabited, two cones, the Burnt Isles of Palea Kameni and Nea Kameni, appeared between 1573 and 1925. There has been too much speculation about the identification of Santorini with the mythical Atlantis, mentioned in Egyptian papyri and by Plato (who says it's in the Atlantic), but myths are hard to pin down. This is not true of old arguments about whether tidal waves from Santorini's cataclysmic explosion destroyed Minoan civilization on Crete, 113 km (70 mi) away. The latest carbon-dating evidence, which points to a few years before 1600 BC for the eruption, clearly indicates that the Minoans outlasted the eruption by a couple of hundred years, but most probably in a weakened state. In fact, the island still endures hardships: since antiquity, Santorini has depended on rain collected in cisterns for drinking and irrigating—the well water is often brackish—and the serious shortage is alleviated by the importation of water. However, the volcanic soil also yields riches: small, intense tomatoes with tough skins used for tomato paste (good restaurants here serve them); the famous Santorini fava beans, which have a light, fresh taste; barley; wheat; and white-skin eggplants.

One of the most photogenic islands in the world, Santorini is an eye-catching place with whitewashed buildings clustered on top of soaring cliffs rising out of the ocean. Santorini is renowned for the beauty of its iconic architecture, domed rooftops, volcanic-sand beaches and world-famous sunsets.

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Akrotiri, Oia and winery visit (extra expense)
Explore the remnants of the prehistoric city of Akrotiri, often hailed as the "Greek Pompeii," embark on a sensory journey at one of the most famous wineries, perched above the port of Athinios and overlooking the breathtaking Santorini caldera. Indulge in a wine-tasting experience, savouring the distinct flavours of Santorini's renowned wines. Conclude your adventure in the charming village of Oia, celebrated for its iconic whitewashed houses before arriving to Thira, the capital of the island.  
Activity Level: Moderate, Duration: 5.5 hours

Offshore: 07:30 - 22:00

Paros is one of the prettiest Greek islands in the heart of the Aegean Sea. Its verdant green landscape is adorned with vineyards and orchards laden with citrus fruits and pomegranates. Wander the winding streets of the capital Parikia, to see the quintessential Cycladic architecture and quaint white houses with bright blue doors and window boxes full of blooming bougainvillea.

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Lefkes and Naoussa with wine tasting (extra expense)
Our adventure begins in the picturesque village of Lefkes, a hidden gem nestled amidst the breathtaking beauty of Paros and once the island's vibrant capital.  From there, make your way to the quaint fishing village of Naoussa, where you can meander through its inviting alleyways and lively harbour. The highlight of your journey awaits at a century-old winery, where you’ll embark on a guided tour that offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the art of winemaking on Paros. As the tour concludes, settle into the atmospheric surroundings of the underground cellars or on the terrace for a private tasting experience unlike any other.  
Activity Level: Moderate, Duration: 4 hours

Offshore: 08:00 - 18:00

It's no wonder that all roads lead to the fascinating and maddening metropolis of Athens. Lift your eyes 200 feet above the city to the Parthenon, its honey-color marble columns rising from a massive limestone base, and you behold architectural perfection that has not been surpassed in 2,500 years. But, today, this shrine of classical form dominates a 21st-century boomtown. To experience Athens—Athína in Greek—fully is to understand the essence of Greece: ancient monuments surviving in a sea of cement, startling beauty amid the squalor, tradition juxtaposed with modernity. Locals depend on humor and flexibility to deal with the chaos; you should do the same. The rewards are immense. Although Athens covers a huge area, the major landmarks of the ancient Greek, Roman, and Byzantine periods are close to the modern city center. You can easily walk from the Acropolis to many other key sites, taking time to browse in shops and relax in cafés and tavernas along the way. From many quarters of the city you can glimpse "the glory that was Greece" in the form of the Acropolis looming above the horizon, but only by actually climbing that rocky precipice can you feel the impact of the ancient settlement. The Acropolis and Filopappou, two craggy hills sitting side by side; the ancient Agora (marketplace); and Kerameikos, the first cemetery, form the core of ancient and Roman Athens. Along the Unification of Archaeological Sites promenade, you can follow stone-paved, tree-lined walkways from site to site, undisturbed by traffic. Cars have also been banned or reduced in other streets in the historical center. In the National Archaeological Museum, vast numbers of artifacts illustrate the many millennia of Greek civilization; smaller museums such as the Goulandris Museum of Cycladic Art Museum and the Byzantine and Christian Museum illuminate the history of particular regions or periods. Athens may seem like one huge city, but it is really a conglomeration of neighborhoods with distinctive characters. The Eastern influences that prevailed during the 400-year rule of the Ottoman Empire are still evident in Monastiraki, the bazaar area near the foot of the Acropolis. On the northern slope of the Acropolis, stroll through Plaka (if possible by moonlight), an area of tranquil streets lined with renovated mansions, to get the flavor of the 19th-century's gracious lifestyle. The narrow lanes of Anafiotika, a section of Plaka, thread past tiny churches and small, color-washed houses with wooden upper stories, recalling a Cycladic island village. In this maze of winding streets, vestiges of the older city are everywhere: crumbling stairways lined with festive tavernas; dank cellars filled with wine vats; occasionally a court or diminutive garden, enclosed within high walls and filled with magnolia trees and the flaming trumpet-shaped flowers of hibiscus bushes. Formerly run-down old quarters, such as Thission, Gazi and Psirri, popular nightlife areas filled with bars and mezedopoleia (similar to tapas bars), are now in the process of gentrification, although they still retain much of their original charm, as does the colorful produce and meat market on Athinas. The area around Syntagma Square, the tourist hub, and Omonia Square, the commercial heart of the city about 1 km (½ mi) northwest, is distinctly European, having been designed by the court architects of King Otho, a Bavarian, in the 19th century. The chic shops and bistros of ritzy Kolonaki nestle at the foot of Mt. Lycabettus, Athens's highest hill (909 feet). Each of Athens's outlying suburbs has a distinctive character: in the north is wealthy, tree-lined Kifissia, once a summer resort for aristocratic Athenians, and in the south and southeast lie Glyfada, Voula, and Vouliagmeni, with their sandy beaches, seaside bars, and lively summer nightlife. Just beyond the city's southern fringes is Piraeus, a bustling port city of waterside fish tavernas and Saronic Gulf views.

Your luxurious yacht cruise concludes in Athens, where you’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight to the UK or to continue your holiday. 

Flight to depart out of Athens after 01:00 PM.

The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons, including changes to port timings and berth status. Emerald Cruises cannot guarantee that the cruise will operate unaltered from the itinerary stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information.