Tour Details - Highlights of Turkey 7 Day Aegean Cruise Superior 2012

Transfer to your hotel on arrival. Meet later with your Travel Director and travelling companions for a Welcome Reception.(Welcome Reception)

Visit the impressive Topkapi Palace, one of the greatest palaces of the Ottoman period, which has a superb position overlooking the Bosphorus. Explore the magnificent St. Sophia’s Basilica built by Constantine the Great. After lunch, discover the wonders of the Blue Mosque, famous for its six minarets and beautiful blue Iznik tiles. Finally, tour the Byzantine Hippodrome, where chariot racing and other sporting events were held.(Buffet Breakfast)

In Gallipoli, see the Lone Pine Cemetery and the battlefields, including Anzac Cove and Chunuk Bair, where some of the fiercest fighting took place during World War I.(Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

Explore the legendary city of Troy, immortalised by Homer in the stories of King Priamus, Hector, Paris and the beautiful Helen. Admire the archaeological excavations revealing nine separate periods of settlement, plus the symbolic replica wooden Trojan horse commemorating the epic war machine constructed in the 13th century BC. Visit the Asclepion Medical Centre at the ancient kingdom of Pergamon. Dine tonight at your hotel.(Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

Your fascinating walking tour of the ancient city of Ephesus includes the House of the Virgin Mary, the Temple of Hadrian guarded by Medusa’s head, and the Great Theatre, which was built by the Romans between 41 and 117 AD and is still in use today. Later, relax and enjoy the blissful thermal pools at your hotel in Pamukkale!(Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

Visit the ancient ruins of Hierapolis at Pamukkale, which is also famous for white ‘Cotton Castles’ formed by limestone-laden thermal springs. Finish your day in the city of Bursa.(Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

Wander through the old silk market and visit the Green Ottoman Complex. Continue to Istanbul and spend time haggling for souvenirs in the vast, bustling Grand Bazaar! Join your fellow travellers this evening for a Farewell Dinner to mark the end of your holiday.(Buffet Breakfast / Farewell Dinner)

Spend the day exploring more sights in the fascinating city of Istanbul.(Buffet Breakfast)

This afternoon, sail towards the Greek Islands.(Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

Relax on board and enjoy the ship’s facilities. Arrive at Izmir with time to take an excursion to ancient Ephesus.(Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

Arrive early in Patmos with plenty of time for an excursion to the fortified Monastery of St. John. Sail to Mykonos with time to explore this picturesque island.(Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

In Rhodes, discover the medieval Old Town and ancient temples at Lindos.(Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

Explore Heraklion on the island of Crete. Later, cruise to the spectacular volcanic island of Santorini, arriving late afternoon.(Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

Disembark at Piraeus and transfer to your hotel for the next two nights in Athens.(Breakfast)

Your sightseeing includes a walking tour of the Acropolis and the Parthenon. Spend the afternoon as you wish.(Buffet Breakfast)

Say goodbye to your newfound friends and transfer to the airport for your return flight home.(Buffet Breakfast)