Eastern Mediterranean Cruise - from Istanbul - 120823

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.

Kavala: a modern trading town that has been able to preserve many elements from its past and integrate them into present day life. For instance, in the narrow cobbled streets you can still find old houses in the traditional style, with wooden verandas and flower gardens next to the large squares with the no-nonsense, reserved high-rise buildings. With its modern facilities, recreational areas and taverns the city is perfectly equipped for tourists. The harbour is particularly pretty with all the little fishing boats and the Byzantine castle (16th century) that stands tall over the city. Other sights include the city wall, St. Mary's church (15th century) and "Kamares" (an aquaduct dating from the 16th century). Beautiful sandy beaches just a short distance outside of town are perfect for a day in the sun.

Appointed European City of Culture five years ago, Thessalonica with its historic areas, museums filled with treasures and oriental markets, is symbolic of Greek and Byzantine tradition. This is where hustle and bustle and a cosy atmosphere meet. The second-largest city in Greece with its buildings dating from the late Christian, Byzantine and post-Byzantine eras has been a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site since 1988. Sights include: Agia Sophia church and the Agios Demetrius basilica dating from the 6th century, the apostolic church (8th century), the citadel, the white tower and the Archaeological Museum.

Lovingly referred to by the Turks as "beautiful Izmir", the town lies at the opening of a broad gulf, busy with ships and yachts. Behind the palm-lined waterside promenade the city is built in terraces up the slopes of the surrounding mountains. The Jewish quarter 'Asansör' has many lovingly restored houses. The Archaeological Museum not far from Konak square has an excellent collection of ancient works of art. The Hisar mosque is the largest and most important in the city.

This Turkish port town was built on the ruins of the ancient Greek city of Halikarnassos. Archaeological finds are evidence of a history going back 5,000 years. The multi-cultural city was home to various civilisations and was repeatedly conquered. Bodrum was annexed to the Ottoman Empire in 1523 A.D., following the victory of Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent over Rhodes. Sights include: the amphitheatre, St. Peter's castle (built in 1495 by the Knights Hospitallers) and the Museum for Underwater Archaeology. The Mausoleum, which holds the tomb of King Mausolus, who died in 353 B.C., is considered to be one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Alexander the Great also reached as far as Bodrum. The historian Arianus reported the prolonged battles at Myndos Gate.

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.

Santorini is one of the Cyclades islands in the Greek Aegean. This unique, craggy island was created by a volcanic eruption. Today, its inhabitants live on the edge of the crater of the volcano. White villages lie at dizzying heights close to the edge. The most beautiful of the Cyclades combines blue sea, breathtaking views and a bizarre landscape. The typical architecture of the cyclades consists of cube-shaped houses with coloured window frames and lots of small chapels with blue domes. Sights include: the excavations at Akrotiri, the beach at Mavro Rachidi with its impressive black and red-coloured cliffs, the beach of Perissa with finest black sand, the rock massif of Mesa Vuno, Dorf Pyrgos.

Die Hafenstadt beherbergt den größten Teil der ca. 3.500 Einwohner der griechischen Insel Mykonos. Die Altstadt ist am besten vom Ufer aus zu betreten. Im Zentrum der Stadt befindet sich der Drei-Brunnen-Platz "Platia Tria Pigadia" mit drei Ziehbrunnen, die noch bis in die Fünfzigerjahre des 20. Jh. hinein die Altstadt mit Wasser versorgen. Sehenswürdigkeiten: "Nautiko Moussío", eines der reizvollsten Museen aus dem 19. Jh. zum Thema Seefahrt in Griechenland mit schönem schattigen Garten, das "Haus der Lena", das ca. 200 Jahre alt, mit Möbeln und Kunst ausgestattet ist und einen Einblick in ein Bürgerhaus des 19. Jh. gibt, die kleine "Agios-Nikolaos-Kirche", das Rathaus mit rotem Ziegeldach.

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.