Crete is the largest and the most rugged of the Greek islands. It is also the home of the great Minoan Civilization and the mythological home of Zeus. Taking the National Road along the North coast you will get to Heraklion where the tour will start with the visit of Knossos excavations. Here, Sir Arthur Evan's archaeological discoveries revealed a civilization dating back to 4000 B.C., when a great empire flourished on the island of Crete.

Based on the wealth of artefacts that were found, Evans theorized that this was the site of the ancient Minoan Kingdom. These findings will be viewed in detail, as your guide will lead you on a journey of discovery to learn of the sophisticated culture that flourished thousands of years ago on this island.

The Palace, decorated with frescoes and shields houses the Hall of the Royal Guard, the Hall of the Double Axes, the King's Chamber with the alabaster throne, the Queen's Apartment, beautiful courtyards and shrines. After the visit of Knossos Palace, the tour will go back to Agios Nikolaos to embark your ship and continue the trip in the Aegean Sea.

Leaving St. Nicholas, capital city of Eastern Crete, and its cosmopolitan atmosphere you will drive north and enjoy a wonderful view of both Mirabelo and Elounda Bay. Elounda is the most renowned cosmopolitan location, not only in the island of Crete, but also in the entire Aegean Sea, much acclaimed for its outstanding hotels and tourist establishments in a magnificent natural environment. The combination of the landscape and the sea is something you will never forget!

At the Northwest entrance of Elounda Bay lies the island of Spinalonga, impressive for its well preserved Venetian Fortress yet tragic due to its past role as a leper colony. It is notable for being one of the last active leper colonies in Europe, existing for this purpose until 1957. It is truly amazing to imagine the presence of an entire community hidden within the imposing fortification and isolated from the rest of the world.

After visiting Spinalonga, you will continue your journey to St. Nicholas. The landmark of the city is a small lake, known as "Voulismeni" that is located in the centre of the city, at the foot of the cliffs. According to mythology, the goddess Athena used to take her bath in this lake. It is an especially picturesque site with many open-air cafes and restaurants along the waterfront. Here you will be given free time to browse in this beautiful town before you return to the ship.

Take part in the entertainment and night life at one of the finest night clubs in the city. Depart by motor coach and after a short drive through the illuminated streets of Istanbul you will arrive at one of the best known Night Club of Istanbul. Enjoy a variety of Turkish specialties while you are entertained by Turkish musicians, belly dancers and folk dancers, performing dances from different regions of Turkey. At the end of the show, join in the singing of popular and favourite songs. Board your motor coach and continue your sightseeing by night before returning back to the ship.

Begin the excursion with a drive through the business centre of the modern city, across the Galata Bridge, along the banks of the Golden Horn and under the Byzantine Aqueduct of Valens. On the way, you can see the Süleymaniye Mosque, dedicated to Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent. Continue around the mighty city walls, which once protected Constantinople from the many invasions and attacks it suffered over the centuries. In the Old City, the first visit will be to the Byzantine Hippodrome, which was once one of the largest chariot race arenas in the Byzantine Empire.

Visit the Sultanahmet Mosque, where large groups of pilgrims start their pilgrimage to Mecca. It is decorated with 21.000 blue Iznik tiles from where it gets its name, the "Blue Mosque". Walk to the famous Hagia Sophia, the Byzantine Church of Divine Wisdom, where you can admire the superb mosaics and the marble decorations. Walk through the large gardens to Konyali Restaurant and experience typical Turkish cuisine. After lunch, the tour continues with a visit to the magnificent Topkapi Palace, the official residence of the Ottoman Sultans. See the famous treasury and the "Spoonmaker's Diamond", the 7th biggest diamond in the world. Visit the kitchen buildings, displaying the third richest collection in the world of Chinese and Japanese porcelain.

During the tour you will also have the opportunity to get a cultural taste of Turkey by enjoying an exhibition of oriental carpets, jewellery or leather goods.

This tour is designed to give you a glimpse of the best and the most famous monuments in Istanbul remaining from the Byzantine Empire era. Depart from the pier for an interesting tour of Istanbul with a city sightseeing drive through the business centre of the modern city, across the Galata Bridge, along the banks of the Golden Horn and under the Byzantine Aqueduct of Valens. On the way, you can see the Süleymaniye Mosque dedicated to Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent, built by the famous Turkish Architect, Sinan.

Arrive at Chora Museum. This 11th century church of St. Savior in Chora is the most important Byzantine monument in Istanbul after St. Sophia museum. There is a collection of fourteenth century frescoes, gold-inlaid mosaics and some of the World's finest Byzantine paintings. Continue with a drive along the ancient Byzantine city walls to the Byzantine Hippodrome where the chariot races and celebrations in honour of the emperors, once took place during the Byzantine era. Visit the ancient church of St. Sergius and Bachus which belonged to the monastery of Hormisdas and was built as the result of a vow made by Justinian when he was on the point of being executed for conspiring against his predecessor. The tour continues with a visit to an Underground Cistern, consisting of a network of waterways built as far back as the third century B.C., to protect the city against long sieges.

Continue to Balat area, another historical part of Istanbul, for lunch at Fener Kosku, an old historical Greek building. After lunch, visit The Patriarchate which is located just 50 meters away from the restaurant or just relax strolling along the Golden Horn. Drive to Rustem Pasha Mosque, located at Eminonu close to the Spice Market. This Mosque was built by Sinan in 1550 for Rustem Pasha, a grand vizier who married one of the daughters of Süleyman the Magnificent. Inside and on the façade you can see some beautiful Iznik faience. The mihrab, completely covered with faience tiles and the mimbar are particularly striking.

Drive through the colourful town of Kusadasi to reach Mt. Koressos. Situated in a small valley, the humble chapel lies on the site of the little house where the Virgin Mary is believed to have spent her last days. Despite the many controversies, the Christian World still favours this belief and the site has been officially sanctioned by the Vatican for pilgrimage. Continue on to Ancient Ephesus accompanied by your guide walk through the Magnesian Gate which is the entrance to the ancient city of Ephesus.

Your guided walking tour will take you through one of the most magnificent excavations in the world. See the Odeon (concert hall), the Fountain of Trajan, the steam-heated Baths of Scolastika, the Temple of Hadrian and the Latrians, the Library of Celsus and The Great Theatre, the largest one in antiquity with a capacity of 24.000 seats where St. Paul preached. Walk back to the coach along the Arcadian Way, where Mark Anthony and Cleopatra once rode in procession. While driving back to Kusadasi and just outside Ephesus, view the Basilica of St. John, which was erected over his grave in the 6th century A.D. by Emperor Justinian. Before returning to the ship, enjoy free time in Kusadasi or get a cultural taste of Turkey by enjoying an exhibition of oriental carpets, jewellery or leather goods.

Internationally famous for its hot, endless summer days and sultry sleepless party nights where crowds dressed in the latest fashion or wearing as little as possible for comfort, gyrate in rhythm to the sounds of music spreading like a wave across the white washed narrow streets of town. Join a specially designed tour of Mykonos by night and experience an unforgettable evening ashore with dinner in a local Greek tavern, full of colour and ambience as only Mykonos knows how to capture the visitor's expectations. Enjoy authentic native dishes and wine. For your entertainment, a folkloric presentation will take place during dinner. Join the revelry and partake in the dancing or simply clap your hands in rhythm to the music.

Depart from the port of Scala and enjoy a short drive to the village of Chora, where the monastery of St. John is built within the walls of a strong fortification. As you walk uphill towards the entrance of the monastery marvel at this magnificent structure, which was built 900 years ago. View the courtyard, the monks' dining room and the old bakery before you visit the main church noted for its outstanding frescoes and interior decoration. Next, visit the small museum where priceless ecclesiastical treasures, books, manuscripts, mosaics, icons, splendid medieval textiles, vestments and jewelry are housed.

Return to your motor coach and continue to the nearby Grotto of the Apocalypse and the Monastery of the Apocalypse above it. Walk down the steps to the Grotto of the Apocalypse. Here you will see the niches in the wall that mark the pillow and ledge used as a desk by the author of the Book of the Revelation and the crack in the rock made by the voice of God honouring the Holy Trinity. Afterwards, drive back to the port of Scala and enjoy some free time in this quaint and picturesque town.

Drive along the picturesque south-eastern coastline, dotted with white-washed villages, to Lindos, one of the most important of the three great cities of ancient times. See how this entire city is guarded by medieval walls which were constructed by the knights of St. John in the 13th century. Within them stands the ancient Acropolis of Lindos, on the brink of a precipice 400 feet above the sea.

From the Acropolis, marvel at the breathtaking views covering the great expanse of the Aegean Sea and St. Paul's bay, where the apostle cast anchor during his historic voyage to Ephesus. Proceed on foot uphill, to the great staircase leading from the Hellenistic Portico to the Acropolis and Temple of Athena. Should you wish to make your way up by mule, a fee must be paid to the local muleteer. After the guided tour of the Acropolis, enjoy some free time on your own in Lindos village before meeting up with your motor coach.

Return to Rhodes city and enjoy a panoramic drive through the new part of the city before continuing to Mount Smith to see the ruins of ancient Rhodes, the Temple of Apollo and Diagoras Stadium. Afterwards your motor coach will drop you off at Porte d'Amboise, the start of the walking tour through the medieval city of Rhodes. Follow your guide through the northern part where once lived the knights and their attendants. View the Palace of the Knights, continue your walk down Chevaliers Road to the Marine Gate and return back to the ship. A short visit to a ceramic factory is included.

Departure from the ship. Drive alongside the walls of the Medieval city stopping at Porte D'Amboise where you start your stroll through the old town. Walk down Chevaliers Road and view the Palace of the Knights and the medieval houses of the knights. Continue passing by the hospital of the Knights of St. John before meeting up with your motorcoach at the Marine Gate for the trip to Lindos.

Enjoy a relaxing drive along the southeastern coastline on the way to Lindos. On arrival follow your guide and proceed on foot uphill to explore the Acropolis of Lindos which overlooks the Aegean Sea and St. Paul's Bay and marvel at the breathtaking views. Afterwards there is free time to discover this lovely town at your own pace before meeting up with your guide. Continue to Louis Colossos Hotel a modern luxury hotel, where you will be able to swim either in the crystal clear waters of the sea in front of the hotel or in the swimming pool.

A buffet lunch with a variety of traditional Greek dishes is served in the hotel. You can use the hotel's changing facilities and sunbeds. Return to the ship driving alongside the East coastline. A short visit to a ceramic factory is included. A short stop at a ceramic factory is included.

Driving along the road you will have the unique opportunity to admire the panoramic view of the Aegean sea and the neighboring islands. A unique sight is the various layers of lava that can be seen on the face of the rock, each layer being another phase of the activity of the volcano. Built on the Caldera rim, Oia Village is an excellent example of Cycladic architecture. Accompanied by your guide, explore the village walking along the cobble-stone streets and the white washed houses with blue shutters where one gets the impression that they are a beautiful travel poster.

The tour will then proceed to the town of Thira, an attractive town perched on the Caldera rim. Here, you will have time to stroll along the lanes of the little town or relax over a coffee as you gaze down upon Kamenes, the two black volcanic islets in the Caldera bay. A short cable car ride will take you down to the pier to rejoin the ship.