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Island Charm & Ancient Treasures – Greek Isles & Turkiye Sailing from Athens to Istanbul

Island Charm & Ancient Treasures – Greek Isles & Turkiye Sailing from Athens to Istanbul

From EUR €4,412

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Description

Set sail on a mesmerizing journey through Greece and Turkey, beginning in Athens before venturing to the elegant car-free island of Spetses. Discover the rich history of Nauplio and the ancient fortress city of Mycenae. Explore the Cyclades’ Milos, the Dodecanese’s Patmos with its significant monastery, and the bustling port of Kusadasi, near the renowned ruins of Ephesus. Enjoy a relaxing day at sea before arriving in Istanbul, where you’ll be immersed in the vibrant culture of Turkey’s modern metropolis. This itinerary offers a blend of historic landmarks, serene islands, and dynamic city experiences.
Some departures may have slightly modified itineraries. Please confirm the itinerary with an Expedition Specialist.

Trip Name
Island Charm & Ancient Treasures - Greek Isles & Turkiye Sailing from Athens to Istanbul
Days
8
Overview
Vessel Type: Tall Ship (Sailing) Length: 105 metres Passenger Capacity: 88 Built: 2001 Sea Cloud II is a romantic tall ship that masterfully blends the elegance of classic sailing with the comfort and convenience of modern luxury. Inspired by her legendary predecessor from the 1930s, this three-masted barque is fitted with 23 sails and is hand-sailed whenever possible, adding a sense of theatre and tradition to every voyage. With 44 cabins accommodating just 88 guests, the atmosphere aboard remains intimate and relaxed, while the interiors evoke the charm of a bygone era—polished wood, sweeping staircases, and vintage nautical style—all paired with the contemporary standards of a premium expedition ship. Guests aboard Sea Cloud II enjoy spacious decks for sun-soaked sailing days, al fresco dining on the Lido Deck, and a wellness area featuring a sauna, massage therapy, and fitness facilities. The ship’s welcoming indoor spaces include an elegant dining room and a comfortable lounge for evening Recaps hosted by expert field staff such as historians and photo instructors. Meals focus on locally sourced ingredients and regional cuisine, served in an informal yet refined setting. With an open Bridge policy and wide, accessible passageways, Sea Cloud II invites guests not just to relax, but to immerse themselves fully in the experience of life under sail.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 Athens (Piraeus), Greece
Departure 7:00 pm"A ship will come...", declared the singer Melina Mercouri to the port of Piraeus. Later, as Greek Minister for Culture, she made Athens the first European Capital of Culture in 1985. The city is considered the birthplace of Europe, of philosophy and of democracy, and is the embodiment of the Olympic ideal. World-famous and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987, its landmark is the magnificent Parthenon temple, lying high up on the Acropolis in all its glory. At the foot of the Acropolis hill is the Plaka, the oldest quarter of Athens, and the world's most modern archaeological museum, the new Acropolis Museum, has been here since 2009.
Day 2 - Day 2 Spetses, Saronic Islands
Arrival 2:00 pm, Departure 11:00 pmExclusive, noble, traditional: Far away from mass tourism, a small, relaxed island with beautiful patrician houses basks in the turquoise waters of the Aegean Sea. Wealthy Athenians like to spend their vacation days on Spetses – and this evident on the well-kept Saraonic Island. Lush flower gardens adorn the historic shipping villas, chic cafes line the old harbor, and horse-drawn carriages roll by with aristrocratic elegance on the car-free streets. On Spetses, its worth taking a look down: Here, colorful pebble mosaics adorn the streets, and many a visitor gets a kick out of finding the prettiest one.
Day 3 - Day 3 Nauplio, Peloponnese
Arrival 8:00 am, Departure 7:00 pmThe old town of Nauplio has a picturesque peninsula setting and three Venetian fortresses guard the pretty town. In ancient times, the excavation site of Mycenae, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was one of the most important towns in Greece. Its legendary king, Agamemnon, has a large role in Homer's Iliad. The palace grounds were surrounded by a cyclopean stone wall. Now you can only gain entrance through the famous Lion Gate. In Epidaurus, also protected by UNESCO, the impressive 14,000-seat theatre is one of the most important buildings in this archaeological site.
Day 4 - Day 4 Milos, Cyclades
Arrival 8:00 am, Departure 1:30 pmThe unique character of Milos' landscape was formed by volcanic activity. Hot springs, spectacular cliffs and distinctive rock formations give the various beaches their own individual character. The colors of Milos are most obvious where the water meets the stone and forms the coastline. Minerals have colored the sand and stones and each rock along the coastline seems to glow in a different color. Plaka, the picturesque old capital with its typical dazzling-white houses, is overlooked by a mighty castle which offers a superb view over Adamos Bay and the surrounding islands.
Day 5 - Day 5 Patmos, Dodecanese
Arrival 8:00 am, Departure 1:30 pmThe idyllic little island of Patmos houses one of the most important monasteries of the Greek Orthodox church. The monastery of St John is a World Heritage Site, protected by UNESCO. It was built in honour of the Apostle John, who is said to have lived in a cave on the island. It is also said that he wrote down his Revelation of the Apocalypse there. The whole island is considered holy ground and is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the Greek Orthodox world.
Day 6 - Day 6 Kusadasi, Turkey
Arrival 8:00 am, Departure 1:30 pmNot far from Aegean's sizeable marina is the famous ancient port of Ephesus. One of the Seven Wonders of the World stood here, St Paul preached a new doctrine, and Heraclitus reordered his thoughts and understanding of the world – everything flows, panta rhei. Once it was one of the oldest and most important Greek cities in Asia Minor and a centre for trade between Mesapotamia and the Middle East. Today is one of the best preserved ruins of the ancient world. Only the memory remains of the legendary Temple of Artemis, the magnificent Library of Celsus has become world famous and the theater at the end of the marble road is still extremely lively to this day.
Day 7 - Day 7 Day at sea
Spend the day sunbathing, enjoy the fresh wind breeze, and relax into the day!
Day 8 - Day 8 Istanbul, Turkey
Arrival 8:00 amIstanbul, formerly Constantinople, is situated on a peninsula surrounded on three sides by the Sea of Marmara, the shimmering Bosphorus and the Golden Horn. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Hagia Sophia mosque forms the pinnacle of this Byzantine display of splendour. The ostentatious Topkapi Palace was the seat of government for the Ottoman sultans from the 15th century. The Sultan Ahmet mosque with its six minarets, also called the Blue Mosque because of its 20,000 wonderful blue faience tiles, dates from the 17th century. A lively city, divided between east and west by the sea, Istanbul is the most easterly city in Europe and the most westerly city in Asia.
Day 9 - Please note:
Itineraries are subject to change. 

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
03-07-202610-07-2026EUR €4,930Category F Upper/Lower Beds. From
03-07-202610-07-2026EUR €5,690Category E. From
03-07-202610-07-2026EUR €6,640Category D. From
03-07-202610-07-2026EUR €6,830Category C. From
03-07-202610-07-2026EUR €7,590Category B. From
03-07-202610-07-2026EUR €8,730Category A. From
07-07-202714-07-2027EUR €6,792Category B. From
07-07-202714-07-2027EUR €7,812Category A. From
07-07-202714-07-2027EUR €4,412Category F Upper/Lower Beds. From
07-07-202714-07-2027EUR €5,092Category E. From
07-07-202714-07-2027EUR €5,942Category D. From
07-07-202714-07-2027EUR €6,112Category C. From
14-07-202721-07-2027EUR €4,412Category F Upper/Lower Beds. From
14-07-202721-07-2027EUR €5,092Category E. From
14-07-202721-07-2027EUR €5,942Category D. From
14-07-202721-07-2027EUR €6,112Category C. From
14-07-202721-07-2027EUR €6,792Category B. From
14-07-202721-07-2027EUR €7,812Category A. From

Inclusions

    • Distinctive Destination: Spetses is a car-free upscale island far from mass tourism.
    • Living History: Explore the ancient fortress city of Mycenae, including its acropolis, palace, and tomb.
    • A Profound Revelation: St. John’s Monastery on Patmos is an important pilgrimage and World Heritage Site.
    • One of the Ancient World's Seven Wonders: Explore the legendary ruins of Ephesus with the Temple of Artemis.

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