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europe: mediterranean

Turkey & Greece: A Sailing Odyssey

Turkey & Greece: A Sailing Odyssey is a celebration of ancient history with extraordinary shore visits and a window on island life. While navigating the Aegean under full sail, discover Istanbul, the city that is a bridge between East and West; Ephesus, one of the great centers of the Greek world rich with Classical and Christian meaning; intriguing Didyma, home to one of Apollo’s oracles and Greece’s Cycladic islands of Santorini, Folégandros and sacred Delos, home to some of the greatest works created by the ancients. Aboard the square-rigged yacht Sea Cloud, sail though millennia of human history, as shown to us by the evocative sites we visit and our knowledgeable, enthusiastic expedition staff.

There are two optional Pre or Post-Voage extensions offered to either Athens or Istanbul. Details are below itinerary. Please call our experts for more information.

Day 1 - Arrival Istanbul, Turkey

Fly overnight to Istanbul, Turkey

Accommodations: n/a
Included Meals: n/a

Day 2 - Istanbul, Turkey

Arrive in Istanbul and check in to the Four Seasons at Sultanahmet hotel, located in the heart of the historic district. After lunch take a brief driving tour that includes a visit to the Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace or Hagia Sophia. This afternoon, rest or explore on your own and then gather for dinner.

Accommodations: Four Seasons at Sultanahmet
Included Meals: lunch and dinner

Day 3 - Istanbul, Izmir, Ephesus - Embark

Today board a flight to Izmir and drive to Ephesus, an ancient Greco-Roman city that was for many years the second largest city of the Empire, ranking only behind Rome. Ephesus was famed for one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Temple of Artemis (Diana), who had her chief shrine there; for the Library of Celsus; and for its theater, which was capable of holding 25,000 spectators. Explore the Great Theater and the ruins of the Library. After lunch, drive the short distance to the port of Kusadasi and embark Sea Cloud.

Accommodations: Sea Cloud
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4 - At Sea & Didyma

On deck, watch as nimble sailors climb the lines to raise Sea Cloud’s sails by hand. Under full sail head for Didyma. Once a shrine of ancient Greece, Didyma was established preceding literacy, and even before the Hellenic colonization of Ionia. Next to Delphi, this site was home to the most renowned oracle of the Hellenic world. Here visit the Temple of Apollo and learn the site’s meaning in the ancient world. Late this afternoon return to Sea Cloud.

Accommodations: Sea Cloud
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5 - Bodrum

Bodrum enjoys a picturesque setting on the Aegean. On a small promontory lies the Castle of St. Peter, built in the 15th century by Crusader knights and later captured by Suleiman the Magnificent. It houses the fabulous Museum of Underwater Archaeology, enjoy a special visit seeing many items excavated from shipwrecks of the Bronze Age and subsequent eras, including artifacts from all over the Mediterranean.

Accommodations: Sea Cloud
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6 - Sailing the Aegean

Today set the sails and cruise among the Cycladic islands, watching the crew up in the rigging, trimming the sails. Listen to presentations from our Historians and Naturalist, catch-up on reading and experience the 5-star service and cuisine for which the Sea Cloud is famous. There may even be time for a swim or make an impromptu stop in the late afternoon.

Accommodations: Sea Cloud
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7 - Santoríni, Greece

Incomparable Santoríni is an island archipelago that was once a single volcanic cone. It erupted in the second millennium BC and buried what some say might have been the legendary island of Atlantis. Stand on deck while sailing into the caldera (the center of the old volcano) and observe the cliffs from the sea. On shore, drive through windswept vineyards characteristic of Santoríni, and along the rimmed town of Oia before visiting the main town of Thira. Perched high on the volcanic cliff, Thira affords unrivaled views of the caldera below. Santoríni is, quite simply, one of the most spectacular islands on earth.

Accommodations: Sea Cloud
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 8 - At Sea & Folégandros

At Folégandros, head up to the stunning cliff side town of Hora. With quiet lanes, cafés and great vistas, Folégandros is quintessentially “undiscovered.” This afternoon the crew climb the rigging and set sail to chart a course for the renowned island of Santoríni.

Accommodations: Sea Cloud
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 9 - Delos & At Sea

Tiny Delos is where the twin gods Artemis, goddess of animals and the hunt, and Apollo, god of healing, reason and light, were said to have been born. Today Delos is a magnificent archaeological site. Explore among other places, the Street of the Lions and the marble Temple of Apollo. On our final afternoon, relax, unwind and set sail one last time bound for Piraeus.

Accommodations: Sea Cloud
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 10 - Piraeus/Disembark/Athens/U.S.

Disembark Sea Cloud this morning for transfers to Athens airport.

Accommodations: n/a
Included Meals: breakfast

There are two optional Pre or Post-Voage extensions offered to either Athens or Istanbul. Details are below. Please call our experts for more information.

Optional Extension to Athens
Day 1 - Fly overnight to Athens
Days 2&3 - Explore Athens
Day 4 - Athens/Piraeus/Embark or Fly home

Optional Extension to Istanbul
Day 1 - Depart
Days 2-4 - Explore Istanbul
Day 5 - Istanbul/Izmir/Ephesus/Embark or Fly home

Extend Your Trip: Call AdventureSmith Explorations about the possibilities of combining trips to other regions of Europe.

Itinerary Notes: Read this itinerary as a guide only; our exact route and program varies according to weather conditions and the wildlife/culture we encounter. Flexibility is the key to the success of this expedition.

Included: All accommodations per itinerary or similar, all meals and nonalcoholic beverages aboard ship, meals on land as indicated, air transportation where indicated as included, shore excursions, sightseeing and entrance fees, special access permits, transfers to and from group flights, use of snorkeling equipment and wet suits, use of kayaks (where available), gratuities (except to ship’s crew), taxes and service charges, services of a ship physician on most voyages, and services of our staff.

Exclusions: Air transportation (charter airfare $1200 per person), extensions, passport, visa, immigration fees, scuba diving (where available), meals not indicated, baggage/accident/travel protection plan, items of a personal nature, such as alcoholic beverages, e-mail, and laundry. Gratuities to ship's crew at your discretion.

Room Configurations: Arrangements for roommate shares for solo travelers at the double occupancy rate in Category 1 and 2 only can be made. You will be matched with a cabin mate(s) of the same gender. If no cabin mate can be found for you, no single supplement will be charged. Third person rates are available in certain categories at one half the double occupancy rate.

Families & Children: Travelers aged 17 years old and under save $500. Specially skilled staff who are trained in organizing activities that inspire curiosity in young people of all ages. These staff members have gone through a course designed by travel experts with years of experience in childhood and environmental education. This course has also been created in conjunction with the National Geographic Education department and NG Kids Magazine. And don't worry – even though these are educational travel gems, the primary emphasis is on "fun". After all, you are on a family cruise vacation!

We believe sharing an expedition with your kids or grandkids is a life-enhancing experience. So, take $500 off the Double Occupancy price for each person under 21.

Arrival & Departure: We have charter flights available. Our specialists can help with booking flights.

Payment & Cancellation: To reserve your place, an advance payment for the program as outlined is required and is payable by Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover or check. The per person amount due is $850. For expeditions of nine nights or more, final payment is due 90 days prior to departure.

Cancellation Penalties are as follows:
120 or more days prior to departure - $150 fee per person
119-90 days prior - Advance payment cost forfeited
89-60 days prior - 25% of trip cost forfeited
59-30 days prior - 50% of trip cost forfeited
29-0 days prior - No refund

Terms & Conditions: This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A packing list and extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information is sent upon confirmation.

Travel Insurance: We highly recommend our travelers protect their investment with travel insurance. Please note that you must purchase your travel insurance policy within 14 days of booking your trip for it to cover pre-existing medical conditions. Click the link below for a selection of policies from our partners at Travelex.



Qualifications: Turkey & Greece: A Sailing Odyssey will be enjoyed by anyone who is in good health and leads an active life. Daily excursions from the boat will be made in Zodiacs. Trip members will take excursions to specific areas for wildlife observation. Hiking time for most landings will be a couple of hours roundtrip with lots of time to stop to study, photograph and enjoy the flora and fauna. Some landings are dry but many are "wet", requiring cautious footing on slippery rocks. The boat staff will be on hand to assist.

For additional information and reservations, please contact us:

800-728-2875 | 530-583-1775 | fax 530-583-1711 | travel@AdventureSmithExplorations.com