Cruise itinerary - Aegean Discovery

Cities, sights and sensational scenery...

Ticking off temples, mosques and beaches, this trip is a mixed bag of the Aegean’s best bits. Leaving Marmaris behind, you’ll head to Bodrum. Boasting a beautiful coastline and charming bougainvillea-clad towns, it’s the perfect introduction to Turkey. From here, it’s on to Izmir, your gateway to the ancient city of Ephesus. The Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, used to stand here, but nothing remains of it today. Instead, check out the Greco-Roman theatre – past visitors include Mark Anthony and Cleopatra. On day four, you’ll head to the small Greek island of Mykonos where sugar-cube houses and whitewashed windmills await. Wander down the maze of narrow streets in the capital, Mykonos Town, and you’ll come across tiny churches, flower-filled piazzas and outdoor cafés. Next up is Athens, a superstar of a city that packs in more than 3,000 years of history. Must-sees include the Panathenian Stadium, which hosted the Ancient Greek version of the Olympic Games, and the Parthenon, a breathtaking temple that’s perched high on top of a hill. And the old treasures keep on coming in Nauplion, Greece’s first capital. Tackle the 999 steps up to the crumbling Palamidi Castle – the views from the top are well worth the effort. And don’t miss the old temples, forums and the basilica of Corinth. The final day of the cruise is all about taking it easy in Crete where the shops, restaurants and beaches of Aghios Nikolaos are yours for the taking.

What's included...

* Gratuities - no need to tip!
* Top class onboard activities/entertainment
* 24 hour dining
* Port taxes

Day 1 Monday, Marmaris - TURKEY

* Turkey's biggest beach resort, Marmaris has a definite 'Riviera' feel to it. An elegant, palm-lined promenade weaves its way around the shoreline, while the marina plays host to a flotilla of gleaming white yachts.

* Stretch out on the long ribbon of gleaming sand, then scratch the surface to find traditional Turkey. Explore the rabbit's warren of streets which hide a treasure trove of authentic delights, including a colourful bazaar.

* Smother yourself in therapeutic mud in celebrity haunt Dalyan. You'll feel film star fabulous in no time.

* Set sail for Cleopatra Island. Draped in olive groves and ringed by white sandy beaches, it's a real Turkish delight. So much so, Cleopatra and Mark Anthony couldn't get enough of the place.

Day 2 Tuesday, Bodrum - TURKEY 08:00 - 18:00

* Modern Bodrum is a bit like St-Tropez, only with belly dancers. Mega-yachts slide into the town’s twin harbours. Celebs lunch in trendy waterfront eateries. And bronze-limbed beauties lounge at wood-decked beach clubs. What’s the draw? For a start, the stop-and-stare scenery – think whitewashed houses dripping in bougainvillea, and olive-green hillsides melting into the Aegean. Then there’s the history – this place is home to one of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World. And, of course, there’s its traditional Turkish charm. Bodrum’s jet-set following and blow-out night scene may have catapulted the place into the 21st century, but bazaars, belly dancing and backgammon are still the mainstay of life in these parts.

* Potter around the ruined Mausoleum of Halicarnassus. It might be no more than crumbling columns and fragmented foundations, but it’s one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

* Don’t miss Bodrum’s imposing 15th-century Castle of St Peter. Standing on a spit of land dividing the town’s twin bays, it’s home to an astonishing Underwater Archaeology Museum.

* Venture further afield and explore Ephesus. This is where the Temple of Artemis once stood and they’ve recently unearthed a gladiator graveyard – the first ever found.

* Pummukale is well worth a day trip. It started life as a Roman health spa and, over the years, the warm spring waters have solidified into bright white rock shapes and surreal-looking stalactites.

Day 3 Wednesday, Izmir - TURKEY 08:00 - 18:00

* One of Turkey's biggest hubs, Izmir is your gateway to Ephesus, the Mediterranean's best-preserved classical city. It was in Ephesus that one of the seven Ancient Wonders of the World once stood, the Temple of Artemis. Be whisked back to the Roman age and feast on its architectural riches.

* Follow the city's marble-lined streets to the magnificent centrepiece - the Greco-Roman theatre. In its heyday it could seat 25,000 people and famous visitors include Mark Anthony and Cleopatra.

* Walk along the flagstone road of Curetes Way. It's lined with ancient pillars and has the Library of Celsus standing proudly in the background.

* Legend has it that the Virgin Mary came here with St Paul towards the end of her life. Make sure you visit the ruined 4th-century Church of the Virgin Mary.

Day 4 Thursday, Mykonos Town* - MYKONOS 08:00 - 16:00

* A jewel in the Aegean, this sun-blushed island is sprinkled with sugar-cube houses and whitewashed windmills. It’s a popular corner of Greece loved by everyone, from millionaires to backpackers, yet somehow it’s managed to stay delightfully unspoilt.

* Wander through the narrow labyrinthine-like lanes of Mykonos Town, or Chora as it’s also called, crammed with tiny churches, shrines, shops and cafés. Pause for a photo opportunity at the striking white Paraportiani Church.

* Take a stroll along the seafront known as Little Venice. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for places that appeared in Shirley Valentine, like the colourful harbour for instance.

Day 5 Friday, Piraeus (for Athens) - GREECE 08:00 - 17:00

* Trip over reminders of the past in ancient Athens, where cultural treasures twinkle back at you at every turn. It’s a real gold medal winner of a city.

* Scale the heights of the sun-bleached Acropolis for awesome views, then take a look at the Parthenon, perched atop Athens’ most famous hill.

* Be in Syntagma – or Constitution - Square in time to see the skirted soldiers perform the changing-of-the-guard.

* Explore Plaka, the Medieval quarter at the foot of the Acropolis. The 19th-century lanes are crammed with tavernas, and twist and turn to meet the equally atmospheric Monastiraki street markets.

* From old to new – take a wander round the up-market Kolonaki district, which is packed with chic boutiques and ritzy restaurants.

* Finally, pull up a chair in a Syntagma Square pavement café and simply soak up the atmosphere of this thrilling city of contrasts.

Day 6 Saturday, Nauplion* - GREECE 09:00 - 18:00

* Nauplion sweeps down a hillside to an elegant harbour gazing out on the Argolic Gulf. Its narrow streets are packed with ornate mansions, majestic mosques and whitewashed houses dotted with fragrant blooms. Don your explorer’s hat and dive right in…

* See the crumbling Palamidi Castle. Built by the Phoenicians, it’s the town’s most famous landmark. OK, so you’ll need to climb 999 steps to reach it, but the breathtaking views and hidden passages make it well worth the effort.

* Don’t miss the ancient ruins of Corinth. Sights include the Temple of Apollo, a large forum, a basilica and the Temple of Aphrodite.

* Mycenae, too, is well worth a trip. It was, after all, once the most powerful kingdom in Greece. Pass through the Lion Gate and see the ruins of Agamemnon’s Palace with its Great Court and Throne Room.

Day 7 Sunday, Aghios Nikolaos - CRETE 08:00 - 18:00

* Affectionately known as ‘Ag Nik’, this lively holiday hub has come a long way since the early 20th century when just 95 inhabitants were listed on its electoral role. Built around a so-called ‘bottomless’ lake, it’s grown into one of the island’s most popular spots. The area immediately around the lake is the most happening part, with vibrant cafés, restaurants and bars, bustling with chat and bouzouki music.

* Pop into the town’s little namesake church, with its beautiful 9th-century frescoes. Then check out some of the museums. In the Folk Museum exhibits include icons, embroidery and stamps. In the Archaeological Museum, meanwhile, you’ll find artefacts from all over eastern Crete.

* Don’t miss a trip to the Palace of Knossos, where the fearsome Minotaur’s said to have lurked. To give you an idea of its importance, it’s the most famous archaeological site in Crete and the second most visited place in all of Greece after the Acropolis.

* If you want to kick back and relax, pad down to one of the small, pebbly coves, or make the trip to nearby Kala Chorio, where the sand is cashmere soft.

Day 8 Monday, Marmaris - TURKEY

* Turkey's biggest beach resort, Marmaris has a definite 'Riviera' feel to it. An elegant, palm-lined promenade weaves its way around the shoreline, while the marina plays host to a flotilla of gleaming white yachts.

* Stretch out on the long ribbon of gleaming sand, then scratch the surface to find traditional Turkey. Explore the rabbit's warren of streets which hide a treasure trove of authentic delights, including a colourful bazaar.

* Smother yourself in therapeutic mud in celebrity haunt Dalyan. You'll feel film star fabulous in no time.

* Set sail for Cleopatra Island. Draped in olive groves and ringed by white sandy beaches, it's a real Turkish delight. So much so, Cleopatra and Mark Anthony couldn't get enough of the place.