| | Date | Port Click to Expand | Arrival | Departure |
| | Jun 27 - Thu | Civitavecchia (Rome) – Italy | | 21:00 |
Individual arrival in Rome ~ embarkation on the Crystal Symphony.
Civitavecchia, is the modern port of Rome located 80 km north-west of the city. Meaning ‘ancient town’ in Italian, this port town was built over the pre-existing Etruscan settlement and is the gate-way to Rome by sea. If True Greece has arranged for your pre-cruise experience at a luxury Rome hotel, before meeting your private car transfer to board your cruise at the port of Civitavecchia, enjoy a True Greece guided tour of Rome or as it is also known, the ‘Eternal City’.
Together with your local guide, explore the incredible city that grew to rule a vast empire and became the center of the Christian World. See the Senate and the Basilica of Constantine, ancient ruins including temples, basilicas, and Reggia. Walk the Via Sacra to the Arch of Tito and enjoy the Colosseum; head to the Basilica of St. Peter to see the Holy Chains of St. Peter and the Moses carved by Michelangelo! It is here that artists and architects flocked during the Renaissance and Baroque periods and this is evident at every turn. It is truly remarkable to see the generations of a city right before your eyes, as Rome is a city with an uninterrupted history. Following your tour, board your cruise ship at Istanbul’s main port and begin your journey of the Eastern Mediterranean. We wish you an exceptional cruise experience! |
| | Jun 28 - Fri | Sorrento – Italy | 08:00 | 18:00 |
Sorrento is a small town located in southern Italy, in the Gulf of Naples. Thanks to its geographical shape, suspended between green hills and the blue of the sea, this area has always been a great attraction. It is famous for the production of limoncello, a digestif made from lemon rinds, alcohol, water and sugar. Some other agricultural production includes citrus fruit, wine, nuts and olives. Overlooking the Bay of Naples, Mount Vesuvius and the Isle of Capri, this small town fascinates its visitors with its breathtaking views and landscapes. Following your tour, board your cruise ship at Istanbul’s main port and begin your journey of the Eastern Mediterranean. We wish you an exceptional cruise experience! |
| | Jun 29 - Sat | Taormina – Italy | 08:00 | 18:00 |
| Taormina is a small town on the east coast of the island of Sicily in Italy. Perched on a cliff overlooking the Ionian Sea, it has long been a popular tourist destination well-known for its clear salt-water beaches. Taormina has remnants of its Greek and Roman habitation, a fine medieval quarter and castle ruins, as well as modern shops and restaurants. Within its eternal stone walls, old Taormina has fascinating archaeological monuments and medieval homes. Stroll the narrow streets and indulge in the incredible views of the coast. Let yourself become enchanted; after all it is in romantic Taormina that the self-exiled D.H. Lawrence was inspired to write ‘Lady Chatterly's Lover’, one of the most passionate love stories of its era. |
| | Jun 30 - Sun | At Sea | | |
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| | Jul 1 - Mon | Mykonos – Greece | 08:00 | 22:00 |
Cosmopolitan Mykonos, with its wonderful beaches, impressive restaurants, and energetic nightlife, offers a more adventurous yet genuinely Greek experience. In Mykonos, freedom of expression is visible in every corner, and the combination of such a tranquil setting with a vibrant social scene has elevated the island to a premier destination for travelers from around the world. Get lost in the labyrinth of narrow streets lined with white washed houses, shops, cafes, and bars. Enjoy an exciting evening on this island and as the sun-sets, watch the island literally come alive!
If you have included a True Greece tour or excursion today in Mykonos, meet your guide or transfer agent upon arrival at the harbor and being your exploration of this incredible island under the care of True Greece. |
| | Jul 2 - Tue | Santorini – Greece | 08:00 | 18:00 |
Santorini, world-renowned for its widely photographed, romantic sunsets and unique, volcanic natural environment, is arguably the most striking of the Greek islands. Its dramatic red and black sand beaches, narrow white-washed alleys, exquisite traditional and international cuisine, as well as its agricultural and wine-making tradition, make Santorini a truly spectacular island.
If you have included a True Greece tour or excursion today in Santorini, meet your guide or transfer agent upon arrival at the harbor and begin your exploration of this incredible island under the care of a True Greece affiliate. |
| | Jul 3 - Wed | Kusadasi – Turkey | 08:00 | 24:00 |
Kusadasi – meaning “bird island” – is a lively resort town located on Turkey’s Aegean Coast. The area’s history dates back as far as 3000 B.C. and has been a center of art and culture of many civilizations since. Before becoming a popular vacation spot in the 1980’s, Kusadasi itself was a modest town with a population consisting mostly of farmers and fishermen, while today’s Kusadasi resembles a modern European city.
Head out for some shopping into the maze of pedestrian roads in the old quarter, where you can find some traditional Turkish goods, like leather, carpets, jewellery, ceramics, etc. On the way there, just outside the port you will pass the The Öküz Mehmet Pasha caravanserai. Built in the early 17th century, it once served as a roadside inn for travelers to rest and recover from the day's journey. Alternatively, take a walk along the bay and visit the peninsula Guvercin Adası ("Pigeon Island") that hosts a castle and several beaches, including a private beach with a café facing the town and the port, and public beaches facing the open sea.
If you have included a private guided tour of Ephesus, you will meet with your guide and driver and head toward this breathtaking ancient site. Ephesus boasts a rich and vibrant history and has become famous for its incredible historical landmarks, such as the Library of Celsus, the magnificent ancient theater, and the famous Terrace Houses. Explore this wonderful archaeological site with the assistance of your guide and marvel at one of the best preserved cities of the Ancient world. Reaching its climax during the Roman period, when it was regarded as the second largest city in the world, it is here where St Paul stayed for nearly three years preaching his beliefs. Considered as one of the seven Churches of Asia by Saint John in the Book of Revelations, Ephesus was also the site of the Temple of Artemis, which was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient world. |
| | Jul 4 - Thu | At Sea | | |
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| | Jul 5 - Fri | Istanbul – Turkey | 08:00 | Overnight |
If asked to name a city in the world that most evokes a sense of the exotic, of immense beauty, and of intrigue and mystery, many people would name Istanbul. Standing over two continents, three empires, several cultures, and thousands of years of history, it is a truly international city – one that seems to have long drawn people to project their own fantasies onto it. Arguably the greatest appeal of Istanbul is the unique combination of its rich history and historical structures with its cosmopolitan feel. While the city’s unique past will fascinate you and the various monuments will evoke a genuine sense of awe, perfectly combined with an oriental feel in many areas of the city. In Istanbul, there is no doubt that you are in a fabulous city like no other on this planet.
If you have included a True Greece guided tour to show you this multi-cultural and historic city through the eyes of a local, depending on the day, you will have the opportunity to visit the Blue Mosque and its superb inner courtyard, the Hippodrome originally built by the Roman Emperor Septimus Severus in 203 AD, the magnificent Byzantine church of St. Sophia, the Underground Cistern built during the reign of Constantine I, the Topkapi Palace where the Ottoman Sultans presided over their vast empire and the Grand Bazaar where almost 5,000 shops are spread out in a giant maze of small streets and passages that are arranged according to their trade. By the end of this fascinating day you will feel like a citizen of this “international” city. |
| | Jul 6 - Sat | Istanbul – Turkey | | |
Istanbul ~ individual departure.
If True Greece has arranged for your post-cruise experience, upon arrival at the cruise terminal meet your private driver who will transfer you to your luxury hotel in Istanbul. |