Athens (Piraeus) to Istanbul - RVA240928 Riviera departing 28 Sep 2024

Climb up the magnificent Acropolis and stand in awe of the Parthenon, the beautiful temples and the view over Athens stretched out before you. See city highlights including the new and old Olympic stadiums. Journey to Cape Sounion and the temple of Poseidon overlooking the sea, or visit ancient Corinth and the narrow Corinth Canal cut through miles of solid rock.

Enjoy wandering through the narrow, winding streets of this delightful seaside village with its whitewashed houses, flowers and brightly painted shutters and doors. Stand beneath the windmills on the hill. Visit the archaeological museum and an old bakery still using a 15th century wood-burning stove.

Visit the beautiful whitewashed hilltop towns of Oia and Fira and their breathtaking views of the caldera below. See the stunning artifacts in Fira’s museum, including recent finds from the excavation of Akrotiri, thought by many to be the legendary city of Atlantis, or visit a winery. Stroll through the winding streets with fantastic views around every corner.

A playground for yachters, tourists and jet setters, modern Bodrum stands on the site of the ancient city of Halicarnassus. You can still see the foundations of the mausoleum, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, which was destroyed by earthquakes. The Knights of St. John used its stones to build Bodrum Castle, fascinating not only as a medieval monument but also for the Museum of Underwater Archaeology within its walls, which includes a display of the oldest known shipwreck.

Meander through the ruins of ancient Ephesus and marvel at the famed Library of Celsus, the huge amphitheater, the marble roads with their chariot marks, the amazing mosaic sidewalks and the superb, rarely opened Terrace Houses. Or journey to three monumental cities of antiquity – Priene, Miletus and Didyma – renowned for their majestic temples and impressive, beautifully preserved stadiums.

Experience centuries of history as you walk through this lovely city and see the famed Potemkin Steps rising from the waterfront, the stunning five-domed Uspensky Cathedral and Shevchenko Park with its views of the Black Sea and remnants of Catherine the Great’s Odessa fortress. Shopping: Look for toys, dolls, cloisonné, hand painted wooden boxes, embroidery, glass, and nested matyushka dolls. Dining: Enjoy shashlik – marinated grilled lamb on a skewer, chicken Kiev or blini with sour cream and caviar, washed down with a chilled glass of vodka.

Wander along the Black Sea coast through the marvelous ruins of ancient Histria, which began as a Greek colony and ended as a Byzantine outpost, or those of Tropaeum Traiani, a Roman city. Enjoy Constanta’s Roman relics and archaeological and folk museums, capped by a lively show of Romanian music and dance.

Wander along the Black Sea coast through the marvelous ruins of ancient Histria, which began as a Greek colony and ended as a Byzantine outpost, or those of Tropaeum Traiani, a Roman city. Enjoy Constanta’s Roman relics and archaeological and folk museums, capped by a lively show of Romanian music and dance.

Indulge your eyes and senses in this magnificent city astride two continents. Visit beautiful Topkapi Palace, the awesome Hagia Sophia and the impressive Blue Mosque. Cruise the Bosphorus to see the city and its surroundings from another perspective. Visit one of the many museums or stroll through the spice market and the famous Grand Bazaar.