Date	Port Click to Expand	Arrival	Departure
	Oct 17 – Thu	Istanbul – Turkey		Overnight
Individual arrival in Istanbul ~ embarkation on the Crystal Serenity. Your first night will be spent on the Crystal Serenity, docked at the Istanbul port. If True Greece has arranged for your pre-cruise experience at a luxury Istanbul hotel, before meeting your private car transfer to board your cruise, enjoy a guided tour of the incredible city of Istanbul. Standing firmly over two continents, Istanbul is the personification of a true “cosmopolitan” city. Your True Greece guide will show you this multi-cultural and historic city through the eyes of a local. Depending on the day of your Istanbul tour 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. 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!
	Oct 18 – Fri	Istanbul – Turkey		18:00
If True Greece has arranged for your pre-cruise experience at a luxury Istanbul hotel, before meeting your private car transfer to board your cruise, enjoy a guided tour of the incredible city of Istanbul. Standing firmly over two continents, Istanbul is the personification of a true “cosmopolitan” city. Your True Greece guide will show you this multi-cultural and historic city through the eyes of a local. Depending on the day of your Istanbul tour 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. 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!
	Oct 19 – Sat	At Sea
	Oct 20 – Sun	Athens – Greece	08:00	18:00
Disembark your cruise ship at Athens’ main port of Piraeus - Greece's largest port and gateway to the Mediterranean since 482 BC! If True Greece has arranged for a tour experience, meet your private driver upon arrival at the Piraeus cruise terminal and enjoy a True Greece guided tour of Athens and the Acropolis. Together with your local True Greece guide, the highlights tour will expose you to this diverse city - birth place of modern democracy and cradle of western civilization. Follow your True Greece guide up the steps once taken by ancients like Socrates, Pericles and Plato, and gaze at the ‘sacred’ Acropolis, home to the magnificent and architecturally unique Parthenon. Allow your True Greece guide to bring the city of Athens and this exceptional experience to life, with a wealth of historical and cultural information. As part of your tour, you will also have the opportunity to visit significant and historically important sites, such as the Parliament Building, the Monument of the Unknown Soldier, the Columns of Olympian Zeus, and the Presidential Mansion. If you have had the opportunity of exploring Athens and its historically significant monuments, it would be our pleasure to arrange a guided tour to one of the many famous sites, perhaps a tour of the major historical museums including the New Acropolis Museum and the National Archaeological Museum; or perhaps you’d prefer an excursion to the Temple of Zeus at Sounio. Whatever your preferences, we can fulfil exactly what you are looking for…and more!
	Oct 21 – Mon	Nafplio – Greece	08:00	17:00
Nafplio is a beautiful town that was named the first capital of Greece in 1829; today Nafplio is a lively and charming seaside town. Enjoy a leisure stroll through the old city and become enchanted with its impressive combination of medieval and neoclassic characteristics. If you have included a True Greece guided tour of Nafplio and Mycenae, meet your driver and guide to explore and learn more about these exciting locations. Together with your local True Greece guide you will have the opportunity to see and learn about historically significant sights, such as the Venetian castles of Akronafplia, Bourtzi, and Palamidi. You will also have the opportunity to enjoy a guided tour of Mycenae - one of the best known ancient sites in Greece, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Cross the threshold of the ‘Lions Gate’ and enter the Mycenaean realm in all its glory. Dating back to the second millennium BC, the legendary ancient city of Mycenae exudes history and mythology, since it was King Agamemnon of Mycenae that stood by his brother’s side – King Menelaus of Sparta – and spearheaded the epic war on Troy. Your True Greece guide will lead you on this journey into one of the richest and prominent cities of the Late Bronze Age.
	Oct 22 – Tue	Katakolo – Greece	08:00	17:00
Katakolo is a picturesque port town located outside of Ancient Olympia. Enjoy a morning stroll through the local shops, perhaps a coffee at one of the many cafes or a light snack at one of the traditional tavernas. If you have included a True Greece guided tour of Ancient Olympia, meet your driver and local True Greece guide to explore and learn more about this incredible ancient site. Located on the western coast of southern Greece in the Peloponnesus, Olympia is the birthplace of the Olympic Games. First held in 776 BC, it is the place where the Olympic flame is still lit each and every Games, at the altar of the goddess Hera. Together with your local True Greece guide, you will have the opportunity to explore this ancient site, including the ruins of the great Temple of Zeus, which once housed the great Statue of Zeus - one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World!
	Oct 23 – Wed	Kotor – Montenegro	08:00	18:00
Located in a secluded part of the Gulf of Kotor, Kotor is an old Mediterranean port on the coast of Montenegro. As one of the best preserved medieval towns in the Adriatic, surrounded by impressive city walls built by the Republic of Venice, Kotor has been honored with being title a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in the shadow of the impressive St. John’s Hill, as one approaches the shores of Kotor, they can’t help but be in awe of the incredible natural landscape and of course of the picturesque city itself – it is immediately obvious that you have come to one of the world’s most beautiful bays.
	Oct 24 – Thu	Trieste – Italy	12:00	24:00
We are working on providing a description of this particular port of call - please check back later.
	Oct 25 – Fri	Venice – Italy	09:00	Overnight
Described by many as one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Venice, or Venezia in Italian, has been an important port city throughout history. Founded in the early 400s A.D., this city has been renowned for its beauty, architecture, musical and artistic culture, and of course its strategic maritime power during the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Stretched across 117 small islands in the Venetian Lagoon along the Adriatic Sea, Venice was a wealthy city throughout most of its history; while tourism has been a major sector of its industry since the 18th century. Venice continues to impress its visitors as one of the most visited destinations in Italy, if not the entire Mediterranean!
	Oct 26 – Sat	Venice – Italy
Venice ~ 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 Venice.

 

Cruises are subject to availability. Itineraries and times are subject to change. Click on ports for detailed information.

Since each individual’s accommodation preferences differ and cruise fares constantly change based on availability, to learn more about this cruise please contact a True Greece Concierge to begin planning a cruise trip customized to your needs.

Istanbul

• Istanbul Tour
  
  Standing firmly over two continents, Istanbul is the personification of a true “cosmopolitan” city. Your TrueTurkey guide will show you this multi-cultural and historic city through the eyes of a local. Depending on the day of your Istanbul tour 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.

Athens            

• True Greece Acropolis & Athens City Tour
  
  Meaning “peak of the city” in Greek, the Ancient Acropolis stands proudly above the city of Athens; birth place of modern democracy and the cradle of western civilization. Follow your True Greece guide up the steps once taken by ancients like Socrates, Pericles and Plato, and gaze at the “sacred” Acropolis, home to the magnificent and architecturally unique Parthenon. Allow your True Greece guide to bring the city of Athens and this exceptional experience to life, with a wealth of historical and cultural information. Visit significant and historically important sites, such as the Parliament Building, the Monument of the Unknown Soldier, the Columns of Olympian Zeus, and the Presidential Mansion.

• TrueGreece Cape Sounio & Temple of Poseidon Tour
  
  Legend has it that the Aegean Sea was named after the King of Athens at the time, Aegeus. The tragic King leapt to his death off the cliffs at Cape Sounio, after mistakenly thinking that his son Theseus had died at the hands of the Minotaur in Crete. The striking cliffs at Cape Sounio are crowned by the famous temple of Poseidon, which was constructed in c.440 B.C. Admire and explore this impressive structure that still stands tall with 16 of its 42 columns; it is a testament to ancient Greek architecture.

• TrueGreece National Archaeological Museum Tour
  
  Home to the more than 20,000 artifacts and the world’s greatest collection of ancient Greek masterworks, this amazing exhibition will enchant you, with its diversity and range. Allow your TrueGreece guide to take you on a journey through Greek civilization from the beginnings of Pre-history to Late Antiquity, and marvel at some of the most outstanding artistic achievements of each time period.

• TrueGreece Cycladic & Ancient Agora Museum Tour
  
  Visit one of the most notable private collections of ancient artifacts and art in Athens. Founded in 1986 by the Goulandris family, this museum is focused on the study and promotion of ancient cultures of the Aegean and Cyprus, with special emphasis on Cycladic Art of the 3rd millennium BC. Continue your tour with your TrueGreece guide to a visit to the Museum of the Ancient Agora. Home to artifacts closely connected to Athenian Democracy the Museum of the Ancient Agora, which is housed in the renovated building of the “Stoa of Atalos” will provide an array of objects used by ancient Athenians in their every day life.

• TrueGreece Benaki & Ancient Agora Museum Tour
  
  Visit one of the most impressive private collections of ancient artifacts and art in Athens. Hosting an admirable collection of works from the Neolithic Age to modern Greece, this museum will definitely leave you with plenty to think about.Continue your tour with your TrueGreece guide to a visit to the Museum of the Ancient Agora. Home to artifacts closely connected to Athenian Democracy the Museum of the Ancient Agora, which is housed in the renovated building of the “Stoa of Atalos” will provide an array of objects used by ancient Athenians in their every day life.

Nafplio            

• TrueGreece Nafplio & Mycenae Tour
  
  Named as the first capital of Greece in 1829, Nafplio is a lively and charming seaside town that will surely enchant you with its impressive combination of medieval and neoclassic characteristics. Your TrueGreece guide will show you imposing and historically significant sights, such as the Venetian castles of Akronafplia, Bourtzi, and Palamidi. You can also visit the Church of St. Spyridon and complete your journey into contemporary Greek history. Cross the threshold of the “Lions Gate” and enter the Mycenaean realm in all its glory. Dating back to the second millennium BC the legendary ancient city of Mycenae exudes history and mythology. It was King Agamemnon of Mycenae that stood by his brothers side – King Menelaus of Sparta – and spearheaded the epic war on Troy. Your TrueGreece guide will lead you on this journey into one of the richest and prominent cities of the Late Bronze Age.

• TrueGreece Nafplio & Epidavros Tour
  
  Named as the first capital of Greece in 1829, Nafplio is a lively and charming seaside town that will surely enchant you with its impressive combination of medieval and neoclassic characteristics. Your TrueGreece guide will show you imposing and historically significant sights, such as the Venetian castles of Akronafplia, Bourtzi, and Palamidi. You can also visit the Church of St. Spyridon and complete your journey into contemporary Greek history. Seating almost 14,000 spectators the magnificent Theater of Epidavros will definitely overwhelm you with its powerful ambiance. Stand on the stage that has hosted performances of famous ancient playwrights such as Sophocles, Euripides and Aeschylus and soak in the atmosphere. Test the outstanding acoustics of the theater with your TrueGreece tour guide and discover the secrets of this architectural masterpiece.

Katakolo

• True Greece Olympia Tour
  
  Dedicated to the father of the gods, Olympian Zeus, discover one of the most important sanctuaries of antiquity. The site of Olympia is located in the lush valley of the Alpheios River and is the birth-place of the Olympic Games. Walk on the ground that has been graced by thousands of athletes past and present, and explore the original Olympic stadium and facilities. Both a religious and athletic center of ancient Greece, this site will inspire you to strive for greatness.

Let our True Greece Concierges do what they do best ~ take care of you!

Our Concierges are experts in creating a travel experience that is exactly what you’re looking for. Take advantage of our expert knowledge and work together with one of our Concierges to plan your pre/post cruise experience or perhaps even extend your travel experience to include a True Greece customized trip or a True Turkey customized trip add-on. Experience our renowned ‘on-the-ground’ service and allow us the opportunity to create an authentic and memorable experience for you.