Date	Port Click to Expand	Arrival	Departure
	Aug 16 – Fri	Kusadasi – Turkey		18:00
Individual arrival in Kusadasi ~ embarkation on Sea Cloud. 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 True Greece has arranged for your pre-cruise experience at a luxury hotel in the area, before meeting your private car transfer to board your cruise at the port of Kusadasi, enjoy a True Greece guided tour of the breathtaking ancient site of Ephesus. 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.
	Aug 17 – Sat	Bodrum – Turkey	13:30	19:00
Tucked into a peninsula of the same name, Bodrum is a port town in the south-western Aegean Region of Turkey. It is an international center of tourism and yachting, renowned as a vacation paradise with a mix of sandy coasts, secluded bays, evergreen forests and rocky cliffs. As you approach the port, you will be welcomed by the white-washed houses that fan down a gentle slope to its superb enclosed harbor. Birth place of Herodotus (also known as “the father of written history”), Bodrum is the Turkish name for the ancient city of Halicarnassus, and the first town in Turkey to experience a tourist boom. Until the 6th century BC, Bodrum (also known as Halicarnassus) is said to have either been a Dorian city or at least a member of the Dorian Confederation, including the Greek island of Kos, as well as cities on the island of Rhodes. Eventually, Halicarnassus became a Christian city as part of the Byzantine Empire, but by 1392 the city was annexed to the Ottoman Empire. Around this time, the Knights of St. John were engaged in fights with the Turks and by 1402 the Knights were granted right to settle and govern the city. The city would again be surrendered to the Ottomans by 1522 and renamed Bodrum. During WW1, the city of Bodrum was taken over by Italian forces, but in 1923 it was awarded to the new Turkish Republic.
	Aug 18 – Sun	Patmos – Greece	08:00	13:30
Patmos is considered by many to be the secret gem of the Aegean. Sheltered from the herds of mass tourism, Patmos features a variety of truly beautiful village settlements, scenic beaches, elegant restaurants and traditional tavernas. Chora, one of its main villages, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, while the unique scenery and tranquillity of the island has inspired Forbes Magazine to describe Patmos as the most idyllic place to live in Europe! If you have included a True Greece guided tour of the Cave of the Apocalypse and the Monastery of St. John, Hora you will meet with your private tour guide upon arrival at the port. Explore the island's historic Monastery that St. Christodoulos built in 1088 AD, and visit its impressive exhibition of ecclesiastical embroideries, pendants, ceremonial artifacts, rare manuscripts and beautiful icons. Continue your tour by following your True Greece guide through the magical maze like streets of Hora, where you will be able to enjoy the authentic beauty of the best preserved medieval settlements in the Aegean. After this small adventure make your way to the Cave of the Apocalypse, where St. John is said to have written the Book of Revelation. Whether you identify with the pious or the religiously indifferent you will definitely feel the mysticism and spirituality of this location.
	Aug 19 – Mon	Delos – Greece Mykonos – Greece	08:00 14:00	13:00 24:00
During ancient times, according to Greek mythology, Delos was a moving island that freely roamed the sea. Today it is quite stable and only a short boat ride from Mykonos. If you have arranged a True Greece private guided tour, you local guide will show you this fascinating archaeological site, and guide you through the numerous statues, pillars, temples and mosaics. Walking amongst the ruins you will undoubtedly feel the spiritual ambiance of this island, which is regarded as one of the most important and sacred sites of the ancient world. If you have included a True Greece guided tour of Delos, today you will explore a neighboring island to Mykonos that during ancient times, according to Greek mythology, was a moving island that freely roamed the sea. Today it is quite stable and only a short boat ride from Mykonos. Your True Greece guide will show you this fascinating archaeological site, and guide you through the numerous statues, pillars, temples and mosaics. Walking amongst the ruins you will undoubtedly feel the spiritual ambiance of this island, which is regarded as one of the most important and sacred sites of the ancient world. 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!
	Aug 20 – Tue	Syros – Greece	08:00	13:30
One of the reasons Syros differs from so many Greek islands is that its port-city, Ermoupolis, is actually the capital of one of Greece’s 52 official counties (in Greek, a nomos), the Cyclades.   There is a touch of irony to Syros’s being the capital because it is probably the least like the stereotypical Cycladic island. Ermoupolis is a bustling, “working” city, one in which most of the inhabitants conduct their affairs independent of tourists, and its charms derive from the period of its moment in the sun, its 19th-century private mansions and public buildings. But if modern Syros has a different appearance and ambiance from most of the Cycladic islands, its history also differs in several ways from that of much of Greece. It boasts, for example, of some of the major sites of the early Bronze Age period known-- no surprise--as the Early Cycladic culture (c. 3000-2000 BC).
	Aug 21 – Wed	Mytilini – Greece	08:00	13:30
We are working on providing a description of this particular port of call - please check back later.
	Aug 22 – Thu	At Sea
	Aug 23 – Fri	Istanbul – Turkey	08:00
Arrival Istanbul ~ individual departure. If True Greece has arranged for your post-cruise experience, meet your private driver upon arrival at the cruise terminal who will transfer you to your luxury hotel in Istanbul. 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 did not have the opportunity to enjoy our True Greece guided tour of Istanbul, this is the perfect time to have us make these arrangements for you. As a guest of True Greece, we can fulfil exactly the experience that you are looking for during your stay in Istanbul!

 

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.

Kusadasi

• Ephesus Tour
  
  Located close to the coast in the Aegean Region, 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 you TrueTurkey 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 3 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.

Patmos

• TrueGreece Cave of the Apocalypse, Monastery of St. John & Patmos Hora Tour
  
  Explore the island's historic Monastery that St. Christodoulos built in 1088 AD, and visit its impressive exhibition of ecclesiastical embroideries, pendants, ceremonial artifacts, rare manuscripts and beautiful icons. Continue your tour by following your TrueGreece guide through the magical maze like streets of Hora, where you will be able to enjoy the authentic beauty of the best preserved medieval settlements in the Aegean. After this small adventure make your way to the Cave of the Apocalypse where St. John is said to have written the Book of Revelation. Whether you identify with the pious or the religiously indifferent you will definitely feel the mysticism and spirituality of this location.

Mykonos

• True Greece Delos Tour
  
  During ancient times, according to Greek mythology, Delos was a moving island that freely roamed the sea. Today it is quite stable and only a short boat ride from Mykonos. Your True Greece guide will show you this fascinating archaeological site, and guide you through the numerous statues, pillars, temples and mosaics. Walking amongst the ruins you will undoubtedly feel the spiritual ambiance of this island, which is regarded as one of the most important and sacred sites of the ancient world.

• True Greece Mykonos Town Tour
  
  An archetype of Cycladic architecture, Mykonos Town or Hora is protected by Greek law in order to sustain its beauty and elegance. Follow your True Greece guide and get a local’s perspective of this architecturally exceptional location. Visit a rare jewel of traditional Greek Architecture, the Church of Panayia Paraportyanni which dates back to the 15th century. Learn the history and significance of the trademark windmills of Mykonos and visit a local bakery where you can sample some of their fresh produce. You will also have a chance to visit the quaint local archaeological museum and walk around “Little Venice.”

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.

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.