Istanbul to Athens Adventure: 8 days Istanbul to Athens (Piraeus)

Your memorable cruise begins in Turkey and Istanbul, a timeless city where east meets west and diverse cultures, rich history and modernity seamlessly intertwine. From here, you’ll be transferred to your Emerald Cruises luxury yacht to begin your incredible voyage of discovery through Turkey and Greece.

Please book your flight to arrive into Istanbul prior to 05:00 PM.

Begin your day with a graceful sail through the legendary Dardanelles Strait, a narrow passage where history and natural beauty converge between Europe and Asia. Take in the  marvellous views from the deck as you cruise past rugged shorelines, ancient ruins and rolling hills. After lunch, you’ll arrive in Kepez, ready to explore this charming seaside town.

Located along Turkey's stunning coast, this popular destination comes steeped in history, with ancient sites such as the Old Town and Hadrian's Gate and famed for its culture and culinary traditions. In addition, Kepez offers numerous outdoor pursuits, including hiking and cycling in the surrounding parks and verdant forests, or simply relaxing on the enticing beaches.

Set along Turkey’s western Aegean coast, Kusadasi offers a fascinating blend of history, beautiful beaches and traditional Turkish markets. This beach resort town’s origins date back to ancient times and has witnessed many rulers, including those from the Byzantine, Venetian, and Genoese eras. Kusadasi is located near several historical ruins, including the ancient city of Ephesus, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which today, offers a glimpse into the grandeur of one of the ancient world's most important cities.

Today, you’ll arrive in Patmos, a small Greek island in the Aegean Sea revered for its religious significance. The Monastery of Saint John the Theologian, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, towers over the island's delightful capital, Chora, which is charming itself, with its quaint whitewashed buildings lining the narrow cobblestone streets. Nearby, you'll find the Cave of the Apocalypse, where, according to local legend, Saint John wrote the ‘Book of Revelation.’ Patmos is also renowned for its delicious regional cuisine, a mix of traditional Greek dishes and freshly- caught seafood.

A small, rocky island at the heart of the stunning Cyclades archipelago, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Delos is one of the most important mythological and archaeological sites in Greece, believed to be the birthplace of the Greek God Apollo and his twin sister, Artemis. In the afternoon, you’ll sail on to another beautiful Greek Island, Mykonos. The allure of this world-famous islandlies in its blend of traditional Greek culture and cosmopolitan flair. Whitewashed houses adorned with vibrant blue doors lining the narrow, cobblestone streets ofatmospheric Mykonos Town further add to the charm; so too, the island’s historic windmills and pretty beaches.

One of the most world’s photogenic islands, Santorini presents a spectacular destination, iconic for its whitewashed buildings clustered across soaring cliffs that overlook the Aegean Sea. This hugely popular Greek island is also renowned for its volcanic landscapes and black sand beaches. The picturesque main town, Fira, dramatically rests on the edge of a caldera cliff, presenting jaw-dropping vistas, while Oia, one of Santorini’s charming traditional villages, is especially worth a visit for its quaint narrow streets, trademark blue-domed churches and legendary sunsets.

Welcome to Milos, a Greek island renowned for its unique natural beauty, often referred to as the ‘Island of Colours’ due to its diverse soil shades, featuring hues of yellow, orange, red, and dazzling white. This extraordinary landscape, extending to unique rock formations, appears even more dramatic, set against the backdrop of sparkling turquoise waters. Milos is also famous as the original home of the iconic marble statue, Venus of Milo, an ancient sculpture believed to represent the Goddess Aphrodite and now displayed in the Louvre Museum, Paris, France.

Your luxurious yacht cruise concludes in the ancient Greek capital, Athens, the birthplace of democracy and Western civilisation and an enthralling city that seamlessly blends rich heritage with modern dynamism. From your yacht, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your return flight home, or to continue your holiday.

Please book your flight to depart out of Athens after 01:00 PM.

The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Emerald Cruises cannot guarantee the cruise will operated unaltered from the itinerary states above.