Encore, Aegean Splendors from Athens to Istanbul
Cruise Line Seabourn
Ship Seabourn Encore
Destination EU Mediterranean
Nights 21
Departure Date 07 Aug 2022
Description 21 Night Cruise sailing from Athens to Istanbul aboard Seabourn Encore.

Seabourn Encore is as strikingly beautiful and as excitingly innovative as any Seabourn has ever debuted. It will crown a fleet that is already the newest, most modern and most acclaimed in the ultra-luxury segment. Modeled on the award-winning trio of ships introduced with Seabourn Odyssey in 2009, Seabourn Encore represents another welcome stage in the evolution of small-ship cruising, which Seabourn pioneered and has consistently expanded and enriched.

Highlights of this cruise:

Athens, Greece
The port of Piraeus is one of the last old-style Mediterranean ports from where you can catch ferries to all of the Greek islands and travel a short distance to Greece's capital city Athens. In the heart of the city lies the ancient Plaka district, with its honeycomb of streets, little shops - and tavernas that come alive at night. Situated on the north and east slopes of the Acropolis, it is rich with historic sites, such as ancient monuments and churches. Within Athens there are eight large hills, including the Acropolis, and on the outskirts, Mount Parnitha, Mount Pendeli and Mount Hymettos surround the city. A trip to Athens' most famous tourist attraction, the impressive Parthenon built on the Acropolis around 2,500 years ago, will be memorable to say the least. There are an extraordinary number of historic tourist sights in Athens and many of these are known world-wide. Some of the top Athens attractions include the Agora - a grand, ruined Roman building, Hadrian's Arch - originally the city gate linking the Roman quarters with original town of Athens and the stunning Dionysos Theatre - the world's oldest theatre where many great plays have been performed over the years.

Cesme, Turkey
A popular holiday and resort destination, Cesme is located on a promontory on the tip of a peninsula that carries the same name. The town itself is dominated by the medieval Cesme Castle, while the back streets invite a casual stroll with their old Ottoman and Greek houses that charm passers-by. South of the castle there is an Ottoman caravanserai built in 1528 that has since been transformed into a lovely boutique hotel, and check the Greek Orthodox church of Ayios Haralambos to see the current art exhibition. Along with the historical attractions, visitors will enjoy local pleasures, such as a dip in the thermal baths followed by the culinary delights of native fruits, artisan cheeses and local wines.

Mykonos, Greece
The quintessential Greek island of Mykonos is marked by whitewashed houses, domed churches, imposing windmills, and a labyrinth of winding streets designed to disorient pirates. Everywhere there is a dash of bright, bold blue - doors, shutters and window frames, sea and sky. The harbor bustles with colorful fishing boats, vendors selling fish and locals gathered with visitors in the casual seaside cafes. The port even comes with two beloved mascots, the pelicans Petros and Irini.

Bodrum, Turkey
Today Bodrum is a picturesque yacht harbor filled with traditional wood-varnished sailboats, charming outdoor cafes and streets bursting with small shops selling carpets, leatherwear, jewelry and local artwork. In antiquity, it was the site of ancient Halicarnassus. Under King Mausolus, the city prospered, and in death, the king left the city its most enduring legacy, his majestic tomb, from which we derive the term "mausoleum." Only its massive foundations remain today but it was the largest tomb ever built by the Greeks and one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Models on the site recreate its form for visitors. Alexander the Great attacked the city in 334 BC, leveling all but the Mausoleum, which was later destroyed by an earthquake.

When the Knights of St. John lost their castle in Smyrna in 1402, they came here. Finding the mausoleum in ruins, they used the stone to construct the Castle of St. Peter, which proudly stood sentinel to the city. Together with their fortifications on Kos and Rhodes, the Knights dominated the southeastern Aegean, running a hospital for passing pilgrims and ruling the seas as privateers in swift vessels. They remained until 1523, when Ottoman ruler, Suleyman the Magnificent, conquered Rhodes and the Knights' position became untenable. The castle still dominates the harbor and houses an archeological museum.

Thira (Santorini), Greece
"Thira, the Wild Island" and "Kalliste, the Fairest One" - all terms of endearment for this seductive, volcanic Greek island in the Sea of Crete. Extraordinary for its black sand beaches and sheer limestone cliffs, Santorini also showcases remnants of the Phoenician, Spartan and Minoan cultures, which fell under the island's spell - an unvarying, irresistible lure that continues to this day. Fira, the picturesque, pedestrian-only capital, is reached from the seaport via a short cable car ride that offers thrilling views as you ascend.

Skiathos, Greece
This small island is the westernmost of the Northern Sporades group in the Aegean Sea. It is best known for its beaches, of which the island boasts 60 beaches along its 44 km coastline. These include the nearly legendary Kokounaries beach, Banana beach and Lalaria beach with its picturesque rock arch, which is accessible only by small boats. Skiathos town curves around a pretty harbor and has a lively nightlife during the tourist season. The campanile of the Panaghia Limnia church, built in 1837, rises above pine trees on a hill atop the town. A few miles away through the island’s handsome pine forests is the Evangelistria Monastery, only entered through an imposing stone gateway.

Bozcaada, Bozcaada (Tenedos), Turkey
This tiny island 12 miles off the Turkish coast embodies the ideal of the “hidden gem.” Its harbor is dominated by a sprawling crenelated fortress with Byzantine, Venetian, Genoese and Ottoman provenance. Its compact town invites visitors to explore winding cobblestone streets with no other objective than to immerse themselves in the antique atmosphere. There is no compelling attraction here other than the picturesque, but unpretentious charm of a quiet, unspoiled haven. Its small museum is the creation of a loving amateur, Hakan Guruney, who often personally leads visitors through his collection of objects and memorabilia recollecting his island’s, and in many ways his nation’s history. Much of the island’s fifteen square miles is dedicated to vineyards producing both red and white varietals. Ayazma beach offers clear water, although freshwater springs keep the water chilly even in the summer heat. At the peninsular Polente Feneri, a white lighthouse is guarded by a picket of modern, three-bladed windmills. Local flavors worth tasting are red poppy syrup and a luscious tomato jam you won’t find anywhere else.

Istanbul, Turkey
Spanning Europe and Asia, exotic Istanbul is one of the world's most fascinating cities. Domes and minarets enhance the skyline. In the old Stamboul area, traces remain of every city built since the community was established over 600 years before Christ. Once Rome's eastern capital, Istanbul was also the center of the huge Ottoman Empire. Landmarks include Hagia Sophia, once Christendom's greatest church; the Blue Mosque with its striking Iznik tiles; Topkapi Palace, containing a sultan's ransom of treasures; Chora Church with its Byzantine mosaics; and the Grand Bazaar, the ultimate shopping experience.
Sailing Dates
  • 07 Aug 2022
Itinerary

Cruise Itinerary

DayDateActivityArriveDepart
1 07/08 Athens (Piraeus) Greece 06:00 PM
2 08/08 Aghios Nikolaos, Greece 09:00 AM 07:00 PM
3 09/08 Patmos, Greece 08:00 AM 05:00 PM
4 10/08 Kusadasi, Turkey 07:00 AM 11:00 PM
5 11/08 Cesme, Turkey 08:00 AM 06:00 PM
6 12/08 Mykonos, Greece 08:00 AM 09:00 PM
7 13/08 Skiathos, Greece 08:00 AM 05:00 PM
8 14/08 Athens (Piraeus) Greece 07:00 AM 06:00 PM
9 15/08 Ermoupolis, Greece 08:00 AM 06:00 PM
10 16/08 Rhodes, Greece 08:00 AM 11:00 PM
11 17/08 Fethiye, Turkey 08:00 AM 06:00 PM
12 18/08 Bodrum, Turkey 08:00 AM 09:00 PM
13 19/08 Santorini, Greece 08:00 AM 05:00 PM
14 20/08 Spetses, Greece 08:00 AM 05:00 PM
15 21/08 Athens (Piraeus) Greece 07:00 AM 07:00 PM
16 22/08 Skiathos, Greece 08:00 AM 05:00 PM
17 23/08 Patmos, Greece 08:00 AM 06:00 PM
18 24/08 Aghios Nikolaos, Greece 07:00 AM 05:00 PM
19 25/08 Kusadasi, Turkey 07:00 AM 11:00 PM
20 26/08 Mykonos, Greece 08:00 AM 06:00 PM
21 27/08 Bozcaada (Tenedos), Turkey 08:00 AM 05:00 PM
22 28/08 Istanbul, Turkey 07:00 AM
All itineraries and ports of call at the discretion of the cruise line subject to local weather conditions and may change without notice.

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