Celestyal : 8D7N Eclectic Aegean

Departure at 16hr00. Your cruise ship is reading for boarding. We leave the historic and classical capital of Greece and set sail on our overnight voyage to one of the most iconic and evocative places in the world, stunning Istanbul. Your first night will give you the opportunity to relax, indulge in our Inclusive hospitality and anticipate the adventures ahead on your very own Aegean Odyssey of discovery.

NOTES: We highly recommend you stay one night in Athens before this day. 

There is no place on earth like Istanbul. We have two days in this vibrant city. The Greeks, Romans, Venetians and the Ottomans have all held sway over this city that straddles Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus between the Sea of Marmara and the Black Sea. You will see the stunning Sultan Ahmet (Blue) Mosque, Church of Hagia Sophia, the Topkapi Palace, Galata Bridge, Taksim Square and of course the incomparable Grand Bazaar. And all this just touches the surface of the place once known as Byzantium and Constantinople. There will be plenty of time to enjoy the great food in one the many buzzing restaurants..

Continue to explore this beautiful city on own before we set sail to next destination in this late afternoon.

The Island of the Winds awaits. We have plenty of time for sightseeing or just strolling through the atmospheric Old Town with its immaculate whitewashed houses, winding alleys, lovely little churches and delightful restaurants. You will undoubtedly recognise the picture postcard white windmills sitting side by side, overlooking the sea. You may also want to see the ancient temples on neighbouring Delos.

Our morning arrival gives us all day in Kusadasi, plenty of time to explore the colourful beach town that is the coastal gateway to the Hellenistic ruins of Ephesus, famed for one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Temple of Artemis.

His remains are nowhere to be seen, of course, but the Colossus of Rhodes once bestrode the harbour which gives us another link to the Seven Wonders. Lose yourself in the maze of atmospheric cobbled streets of the Old Town (a World Heritage Site) in that will transport you back to the Byzantine Empire and be sure to wander through the Knights Quarter and the Palace of the Grand Master. Indeed, Rhodes is also known as the Island of the Knights. Our itinerary allows us a whole day here which gives plenty of opportunity to discover the clear waters, wonderful beaches and lush wooded valleys.

The beautiful face of Santorini is instantly recognisable across the world. We are sure she will take your breath away, with her soaring landscapes, clusters of whitewashed houses in the capital, Fira, and, of course the iconic blue-domed church at Oia.

Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning. We arrive back in port at around 7am after our epic journey.