Spotlight With Mark Bittman: Athens (Piraeus) – Istanbul

Overview

ALL-INCLUSIVE ULTRA LUXURY CRUISES
Luxury Cruise

Step aboard the extraordinary and enjoy The Most Inclusive Luxury Experience®. We offer thousands of Unlimited Shore Excursions to explore however you please when sailing to over 550 ports of call across the globe. Travel with the security and comfort of The World’s Most Luxurious Fleet®, enjoying the freedom that comes with our Unrivalled Space at Sea®.

SHIP - SEVEN SEAS VOYAGER

Every suite on Seven Seas Voyager® has a private balcony along with marble bath accents and roomy closets. Sip a cup of coffee or glass of wine and dine alfresco on room service as you take in the endless views and fresh sea air. Seven Seas Voyager® is designed for a holistic experience that makes the most of our all-inclusive fares and every luxury they include. Enjoy every space, from an elegant dining room to the quiet comfort of your private balcony.

Itinerary

1. Day 1Athens (Piraeus), Greece

   Piraeus is the gateway to the ancient city of Athens, known as the “Cradle of Western Civilization” because of its immense impact on cultural and political achievements throughout the world. Due mainly to tourism and the 2004 Olympics, Greece has redeveloped many sites in Athens. A historian’s delight, Athens is home to such magnificent wonders as: the Acropolis, the Parthenon, the atmospheric winding streets of the Plaka, Temple of Olympian Zeus and Temple of Athena Nike, and the Archaeological Museum with the world’s finest collection of ancient artifacts.

2. Day 2Cruising the Adriatic Sea

   Stop into our boutiques and browse a wide range of items – upscale handbags to exclusive fragrances to fine jewelry – in an intimate and unhurried setting. You’ll also find swim wear, Regent Seven Seas Cruises® logo wear and gift items to share with friends and family. Our boutiques are staffed by friendly salespeople. Opening hours vary and are printed in the Passages daily newsletter.

3. Day 3Split, Croatia

   Split is the largest Croatian city on the Adriatic coast. Split achieved fame when the Roman emperor Diocletian, noted for his persecution of early Christians, had his retirement palace built here. The spectacular stone edifice and its grounds and cellars are a major highlight of any city tour. Other points of interest include the Cathedral of St. Duje, built on the remains of an ancient shrine purported to be the oldest in the world; and the Mestrovic Gallery, where the impressive works of Croatian sculptor Ivan Mestrovic are available for viewing in this home and atelier.

4. Day 4Cruising the Ionian Sea

   As the flagship restaurant aboard each of our ships, the wonderfully spacious Compass Rose serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and features an exceptional variety of European-inspired Continental cuisine, as well as flavorful vegetarian and kosher dishes. Elegantly decorated in blues and silvers with stunning Versace tableware, this sumptuous eatery delights with a beautifully refined atmosphere bathed in natural light during the day.

5. Day 5Heraklion (Crete), Greece

   The capital city of Greece’s largest island, Heraklion beguiles with a pair of Crete’s must-see sights: the state-of-the-art Heraklion Archaeological Museum, home to treasures of Minoan civilization and finds covering over 5,500 years of Crete’s history; and the Palace of Knossos, a center of Minoan power that dates back to 2000 BC and revered as the location of the mythic Minotaur’s Labyrinth. Take in spectacular harbor views from Iraklion’s 13th-century fortress and revitalized waterfront, where ‘fish taverns’ serve authentic Cretan dishes like sweet or salty kaltsounia washed down with raki, Crete’s local spirit.

6. Day 6Mykonos, Greece

   Steeped in Greek mythological history, Mykonos was named after Apollo’s grandson, Mykons, and was the location of the grand battle between Zeus and the Gigantes. Today, this island is one of Greece’s most adored destinations due to its picture- postcard setting and growing nightlife. Mykonos is a superb example of Cycladic architecture, and by law even new buildings have to be built in the same style of whitewashed, organic, cube-like buildings. Be sure to plan a day trip to take in picturesque Little Venice, the unique Paraportiani church, and the archeological dig at Delos.

7. Day 7Ephesus (Kusadasi), Turkey

   Europe’s classical metropolis, Ephesus, was one of the largest cities in all of the Roman Empire, boasting one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Temple of Artemis. Explore the ruins of its massive Theater, the Temple of Hadrian and the magnificent Celsus Library.

8. Day 8Mytilini (Lesbos), Greece

   Officially named Lesbos, more often called Mytilini after its principal city, the island is the third largest in Greece, famed for its olive oil. Its undulating hills are said to support 11 million olive trees, which glisten silver in the sunlight, while the higher peaks are swathed in deep pine forests. It was the birthplace of leading figures in the intellectual world, such as Sappho, the world’s greatest lyrical poetess; Pittacus, one of the Seven Sages of antiquity; the poet Alcaeus and many, many others.

9. Day 9Cruising the Aegean Sea

   At the hub of the ship, our Atrium is an inspiring testament to the grandeur of luxury ocean travel. Center staircases connect conveniences on Deck 5 to the social spaces of the Voyager lounge and Casino, as well as Compass Rose on Deck 4. This makes it a natural gathering place for guests, signified by a beautiful compass-shaped tile floor at the landing.

10. Days 10 to 11Istanbul, Turkey

    Once serving as the capital of the Ottoman and Byzantine Empires, Istanbul today offers impressive architecture, historic sites, dining, shopping, nightlife and exotic atmosphere. Spend time in the Old City to explore renowned places, like the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace.

Rates and dates

Current sailings only, in Malaysian Ringgit per person.

Good to know

Ship

SEVEN SEAS VOYAGER

Route

Athens to Split to Heraklion to Mykonos to Ephesus to Mytilini to Istanbul

Suites

Deluxe Veranda Suite H · Deluxe Veranda Suite G · Deluxe Veranda Suite F · Concierge Suite E

Gallery