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Athens Roundtrip
April 23 - May 7, 2023
  14 Nights on Seabourn Encore 

Picture yourself surrounded by historic wonders and scenic fascinations...​

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April 23 - Athens, Greece (Piraeus) Embark PM

Piraeus has been the port for Athens since 482 BC. The busy harbor is filled with ferries and cruise ships making their way to the Greek Islands and other Mediterranean cities. The busy metropolis of Athens and its famous icons are a few miles from the port.

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April 24 - Spetsai, Nisos Spetsai (Spetses), Greece 8 AM to 5 PM

Nicknamed “The Isle of the Aromas”, Spetsai is a delight to all of the senses. The island’s historic old town is a yachtsman’s paradise, boasting a stunning harbor, quaint shops and some of the finest restaurants in the Saronic Gulf. The rest of the island is relatively unpopulated and is ringed by a single road, along which you can travel in a horse-drawn carriage. 

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April 25 - Agios Nikolaos, Crete, Greece 7 AM to 5 PM

This charming village of white houses climbing up the slopes is beautifully situated on the sparkling Gulf of Mirabello. The attractive Venetian harbor is surrounded by restaurants, outdoor cafes and clusters of shops selling everything from necessities to souvenirs. The ship docks in the center of town, and you are able to wander at will and enjoy the atmosphere of Crete's foremost resort. 

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April 26 - Kusadasi (Ephesus), Turkey 7 AM to 11 PM

Kusadasi, which means "bird island," is set in a superb gulf known for its sparkling water, broad sandy beaches and large marina. The town's old quarter is a picturesque maze of winding streets and houses adorned with flowers and birdcages. In the center stands a 17th-century caravanserai, now converted into a hotel. The resort is also gateway to important sites of archaeological interest.

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April 27 - Mykonos, Greece 8 AM to 9 PM

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. The port comes alive in the evenings, with music, dining and shopping into the wee hours.​

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April 28 - Skopelos, Greece 8 AM to 5 PM

The “green island” of the Northern Sporades consists of steep cliffs, though the island does have a few beaches. Atop one of these cliffs stands the chapel of Agios Ioannis, which was the location for the wedding scene in the film “Mamma Mia.”  The port town of Skopelos, or Chora, is famous for its protected stock of traditional Pelion-style houses.

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April 28 - Skiathos, Greece 7 PM to 9 PM

This small island is the westernmost of the Northern Sporades group in the Aegean Sea. It is best known for its beaches, including 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.

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April 29 - Bozcaada, Bozcaada (Tenedos), Turkey 8 AM to 5 PM

This tiny island 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. Local flavors worth tasting are red poppy syrup and a luscious tomato jam you won’t find anywhere else.

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April 30 - Istanbul, Turkey 7 AM to 5 PM

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 in 600 BC. Once Rome's eastern capital, Istanbul was also the center of the huge Ottoman Empire. Landmarks include Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Chora Church, and the Grand Bazaar, the ultimate shopping experience.

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May 1 - Myrina, Nisos Limnos, Greece 9 AM to 5 PM

Limnos is an arid, volcanic island located near the mouth of the Dardenelles. The volcano and sulphurous springs on the island inspired many legends in ancient times. Limnos was the mythological home of Hephaistos (Vulcan), who was cast off Mount Olympus by his father Zeus and landed on Limnos, breaking his leg in the process. Lame ever since, the God of Fire lived on the island and toiled at his forges, the volcanoes of the island, teaching the people of the island the art of metalworking. Jason and the Argonauts stopped here during their quest for the Golden Fleece and during the Trojan War, Hercules' companion, Philoctetes was cured of a gangrenous wound by the magical earth of the island.

 

May 2 - Cesme, Turkey 8 AM to 6 PM

Cesme is located on a promontory on the tip of a peninsula. 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.

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May 3 - Bodrum, Turkey 8 AM to 11 PM

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. 

 

May 4 - Symi, Greece 8 AM to 5 PM

Symi island is located just offshore of the Turkish coast in the Dodecanese chain near Rhodes. The harbor is fronted by ranks of unusually colorful neoclassical houses, and steps lead to the upper town of Ano Symi and the requisite Kastro. The town has dozens of churches and chapels, many dating to the Byzantine era of its multifaceted history. In the harbor is a War Memorial with a bas relief of an ancient trireme fronted by a Dove of Peace.

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May 5 - Thira (Santorini), Greece 8 AM to 11 PM

This seductive, volcanic Greek island id known for its black sand beaches, sheer limestone cliffs, and the Caldera. The island of honeymooners will put a spell on you with its bright white homes and bright blue roofs.  Fira, the picturesque, pedestrian-only capital, is reached from the seaport via a short cable car ride that offers thrilling views as you ascend.

 

May 6 - Ermoupolis, Nisos Syros, Greece 8 AM to 6 PM

Syros is an important island in the Cyclades, but rather off the tourist map. The town (named for Hermes) is the capital of the island group, and its airy Miaouli Plaza is a wonderful, palm-lined place to sit in a cafe and have a drink. The medieval Venetian village of Ano Syros crowns a hilltop nearby.

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May 7 - Piraeus (Athens), Greece Arrive 7 AM

Returned to where it all began.  Consider a Post-cruise stay to enjoy more of what Greece has to offer.