Explore Athens and the famous Acropolis before you set sail on an Aegean discovery, cruising from Athens to Istanbul, exploring the modern hot spots and ancient settlements of the Greek islands. See Rhodes, site of the Colossus, one of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World. Sail to Crete, centre of the ancient Minoan civilization. Make landfall in Santorini, world renowned for its sunsets, and Mykonos, the nightlife capital of the Cyclades. You'll cruise to Istanbul, capital of Turkey, and site of nearly 9000 years of human settlement, as well as Izmir, gateway to the ancient city of Ephesus. History and culture abound, this cruise has plenty to offer.

Available Cruise Departure Dates (2012):

Mar 30, Apr 6, 13, 20, 27, May 4, 11, 18, 25, Jun 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, Jul 6, 13, 20, 27, Aug 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, Sep 7, 14, 21, 28, Oct 5, 12, 19, 26

Athens, the capital of Greece is named after Athena, the goddess of wisdom, who, according to legend, won the city after defeating Poseidon in a duel. The goddess' victory was celebrated by the construction of a temple on the Acropolis, the site of the city's earliest settlement in Attica. As a city state, the coastal capital of Athens reached its heyday in the fifth century BC as a centre for the arts, learning and philosophy, home of Plato’s Academy and Aristotle's Lyceum. Athens is also the birthplace of Socrates, Pericles, Sophocles and its many other prominent philosophers, writers and politicians of the ancient world. Nowadays, the city retains a vast variety of Roman and Byzantine monuments, as well as a smaller number of remaining Ottoman monuments projecting the city's long history across the centuries.

Enjoy your private airport transfer today.

Athens Gate Hotel (4*) is located in the historic district of Athens, opposite the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the Gate which was constructed by the Athenians to welcome the Roman emperor Adrianos (Hadrian). Very easy to access, it is located 500 meters from the Acropolis and 100 meters from the New Acropolis Museum. Constitution (Syntagma) Square, and the commercial center of Athens are only 500 meters away. The entrance to the Plaka is just a couple of blocks away. The view of the city from the hotel's Roof Garden is possibly the best in all of Athens. It was fully renovated in 2007. The style is modern and simple, as befits the area. The hotel has 7 floors, a roof garden bar and a la carte restaurant, a lobby bar-cafeteria and a cozy area with fireplace in the lobby.

Overnight at Athens Gate (4*).

This private tour gives you an opportunity to observe the striking contrasts that make Athens such a fascinating city. Your expert guide takes you to see the centre of the city, Constitution Square (Syntagma), the House of Parliament, the Memorial to the Unknown Soldier, and the National Library. Driving down Herod Atticus Street, you will see the Evzones in their picturesque uniform and the Presidential Palace. On your way to the Acropolis, you will see the Hadrian's Arch, visit the Temple of Olympian Zeus and you will make a short stop at the Panathenaic Stadium where the first Olympic Games of the modern era were held in 1896. On the Acropolis, visit the architectural masterpieces of the Golden Age of Athens: the Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion, and finally, the Parthenon. You will complete your visit with the Museum of Acropolis. Entrance fees to the New Acropolis Museum is included.

Overnight at Athens Gate (4*).

In ancient times, the Aegean Sea was the birthplace of two ancient civilizations – the Minoans of Crete and the Mycenean civilization of the Peloponnese. Later arose the city-states of Athens and Sparta among many others that constituted the Athenian Empire and Hellenic civilization, followed by Persian and Roman invasions leading to inhabitations by the Byzantine Empire, the Seljuq Turks, and the Ottoman Empire. Enjoy a relaxing cruise through the waters that the earliest civilizations of the Eastern Mediterranean sailed, and make landfall to explore historic port cities along the way.

Enjoy a private port transfer in Athens with private vehicle and driver.

Welcome aboard! Take some time to get settled in to your cabin and explore the facilities aboard your ship. You'll have the opportunity to meet some of your new cruisemates throughout the day today.

Port charges for your multi-day cruise are included.

The Louis Cristal, accommodating 1,200 passengers and featuring 476 spacious staterooms and suites, is a luxurious cruise ship with a unique yacht–like modern design and a cruising speed of 18 knots. Elegant lounges, cozy restaurants and open promenades make the experience of sailing with Louis Cristal truly memorable, while you can also enjoy a vast array of amenities and diverse onboard activities, all with the comfort of a ultra-modern and sophisticated vessel. Ship facilities include: 3 lounges & disco, 1 restaurant, 2 dining rooms, bar, terrace bar, pool bar, Casino, Internet corner, duty free & travel value shops, photo gallery, shorex office, reception-cruise office, beauty salon, wellness center, swimming pool, whirlpool bath, telephone, satellite telephone, and an on board doctor.

Overnight at Louis Cristal (7N).

The Port of Istanbul is the most important one in the country. The old port on the Golden Horn serves primarily for personal navigation, while Karaköy port in Galata is used by the large cruise liners. Istanbul is a major highlight for any cruise in the Mediterranean and Aegean Sea, with ships arriving in from the Marmara Sea, past the Princes' Islands and Golden Horn to dock at the start of the Bosphorus strait, between Asia and Europe. The main cruise ship ports used in Istanbul are usually on the European side of the city, about 30 mins from the Old City.

Overnight at Louis Cristal (7N).

Overnight at Louis Cristal (7N).

The port of Izmir brings you in to Izmir city, with almost 3,500 years of recorded urban history. Lying on an advantageous location at the head of a gulf running down in a deep indentation midway on the western Anatolian coast, the city has been one of the principal mercantile cities of the Mediterranean Sea for much of its history. Modern Izmir also incorporates the nearby ancient cities of Ephesus, Pergamon, Sardis and Klazomenai, and centers of international tourism such as Kusadasi, Çesme, Mordogan and Foça.

Overnight at Louis Cristal (7N).

Patmos is a small Greek island in the Aegean Sea, one of the northernmost islands of the Dodecanese complex. Patmos' main communities are Chora (the capital city), and Skala, the only commercial port. Other settlements are Grikou and Kampos. The churches and communities on Patmos are of the Eastern Orthodox tradition. In 1999, the island's historic center Chora, along with the Monastery of Saint John the Theologian and the Cave of the Apocalypse, were declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.

Mykonos is a Greek island renowned for its sandy beaches, cosmopolitan atmosphere and its intense nightlife. The island is part of the Cyclades, lying between Tinos, Siros, Paros and Naxos. Many Greek and a few international celebrities have summer residences in Mykonos and can often be spotted having dinner at a small street-side table of an expensive restaurant or in a cozy taverna. The island has a legendary nightlife featured by a vast number of bars and nightclubs, but peace and tranquility can easily be found away from these areas.

Overnight at Louis Cristal (7N).

Rhodes is a Greek island approximately 18 kilometres (11 mi) southwest of Turkey in eastern Aegean Sea. It is the largest of the Dodecanese islands in terms of both land area and population. Historically, Rhodes was famous worldwide for the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The medieval Old Town of the City of Rhodes has been declared a World Heritage Site and continues to draw flocks of tourists. The Palace of the Grand Master is impressive, and the shopping is diverse. There are a wide variety of good restaurants.

Overnight at Louis Cristal (7N).

Heraklion is the largest city and capital of Crete, and the fourth largest city in Greece. The ruins of Knossos are nearby. Crete has a warm Mediterranean climate. Although Heraklion is further south than Athens, it has milder temperatures. It is the second busiest airport of Greece, mostly due to the fact that Crete is a major destination for tourists during summer. There are regular domestic flights to and from Athens, as well as the surrounding islands.

Santorini is a Greek island located in the southern Aegean Sea. Santorini is essentially what remains after an enormous volcanic explosion that destroyed the earliest settlements on what was formerly a single island, and created the current geological caldera. Sunsets at Oia, a municipality on the island, are said to be the best in the world, where the characteristically Greek white-washed buildings create an enchanting atmosphere. 

Overnight at Louis Cristal (7N).

Back in Piraeus, you'll disembark from your cruise ship this morning. Bid farewell to your fellow cruisemates as you make landfall, concluding your voyage.

Enjoy a private port transfer in Athens with private vehicle and driver.

 End of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart .