Eastern Mediterranean Cruise - from Istanbul - 130993

A world city with a unique character. A city filled with beauty and contrast, with a breathtaking history - from Byzantium to Constantinople to the present day. But Istanbul has more to offer than culture - inexpensive shopping, oriental cuisine or meeting new people are just examples of the many things one can do here. The city is full of buildings, monuments, churches and mosques, all steeped in history.

Rhodes, the island of the Sun God Helios, is the largest and most popular island in the south-eastern Aegean. Due to its favourable geographic position it was once an important link between the Orient and the Occident. The 220 km long coastline is a mix between coves with beautiful flat sandy beaches and steep cliffs. The landscape inland is dominated by mountains, valleys and plateaus. Rhodes' history goes back more than 3,000 years. There are many archaeological excavation sites of ancient buildings, bearing witness to Rhodes' eventful past. Sights include: ruins from the Mycaean era, the ancient theatre, the gothic buildings, the round fort dating from the time of the Knights of St. John, the Turkish mosque and the Turkish baths.

The city was founded in the year 158 B.C. by Atalos, the King of Pergamon. Today, Antalya is the capital of the southern Turkish province of the same name. The city's landmarks are: the Yivli Minaret (dating from the 13th century) and the clock tower at the entranceway to the old part of the city with a city wall and the Hadrian's Gate (built in 130 A.D. to commemorate a visit by the Roman emperor Hadrian). There are lots of little winding streets, old buildings and mosques. The Bazaar in particular is the perfect place to take a stroll and maybe buy some gold or silver jewellery or a carpet. In the new town of Antalya you will find the bus station (Otogar), from where you can travel at little expense to all parts of Turkey.

Limassol is the second-largest city and the largest port in Cyprus. The harbour houses the largest wine cellars and boasts a picturesque coast with several small bays that are perfect for swimming. The old town with its narrow streets and traditional Cypriot markets is the perfect place to take a stroll. There are lots of shops at the waterside too. The town is surrounded by many important historic sites, such as e.g. the Apollo temple or the excavations of the ruins of ancient Curium. The vibrant city of Limassol, located centrally in the Greek part of Cyprus, is the ideal starting point for excursions. From here you can enjoy a daytrip to various beautiful areas of the surrounding countryside.

The capital of Crete, also known as "Iraklion" or "Heraklion" is a town with many attractions and a buzzing nightlife. Its many cafés, restaurants and bars are the perfect place to spend an exciting and enjoyable evening. Sights include: the Archaeological Museum, the Venetian fort, churches with icons dating from the 16th century, and the oldest town in Europe, Knossos, which is 5 km from the capital.

Piraeus, today a modern port town, has been Athens' port since ancient times and used to be connected with the capital by means of city walls. Only remnants of these wall remain. Piraeus has made a name for itself primarily on account of its appealing nightlife and the romantic fish restaruants by the sea. Sights include: the ancient harbour Zea Marina, the remnants of the long walls (5th century B.C.), the Archaeological Museum with ancient shipwrecks, statues of Apollo and Athena, the Hellenic Marine Museum and the Veakio Theatre.