Depart the United States for Istanbul, Turkey

Arrive in Istanbul and transfer to embark Corinthian II. Sail in the evening.

Arrive at the port of Canakkale on Turkey’s north Aegean coast to visit the ancient site of Troy. Before the walls of Troy, Aeneas fought bravely by the side of Hector during the Trojan War until the city of old King Priam finally fell to a clever scheme of Odysseus—the Trojan Horse. The archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann began the first of a series of excavations, uncovering an extraordinary treasure trove that he promptly identified as the “treasure of Priam.” The excavations have revealed not one city, but 9 or even more cities built on top of each other from 3000 B.C. to 400 A.D. Explore the site and visit the town’s archaeological museum, which has an excellent collection of Trojan artifacts.

Legend identifies the pristine island of Delos, situated in the center of the Aegean, as the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis. Here, the oracle of Apollo informed Aeneas that he must seek out the “ancient mother” which Aeneas interpreted to be Crete. A walking tour includes the shrine of Apollo, as well as the Terrace of the Lions, which guards over the Sacred Lake. Sail from here to the beautiful island of Syros, where the town is divided by two hills, one home to the Roman Catholic district, and the other, to the Greek Orthodox. Each hill is crowned by its respective church, and the streets lined with ornate villas, monasteries, and cathedrals.

Arrive in Crete, where Aeneas and his followers began to build a city, but were soon driven away by plague and warnings from the gods. An excursion leads to one of the finest achievements of Minoan civilization: the partially reconstructed Palace at Knossos. The palace contains an underground labyrinth—legendary domain of the Minotaur—and its corridors, stairways, and chambers are decorated with frescoes illustrating life as it was 4,000 years ago. Tonight, Corinthian II navigates past the Strophades Islands, where Aeneas and his companions landed after being thrown off course by a storm.

Sail to Actium, the area where the Trojans called after Crete. From Preveza, a port town that faces Actium on the Ambracian Gulf, tour Nikopolis, founded by Octavius after his victory at Actium and the most extensive Roman site in Greece. Continue to the 4th-century B.C. ruins of Kassope in the rugged mountain.

Spend the morning at sea, arriving this evening in Syracuse and following the course of the Trojans who also landed in Sicily, only to be driven away by the Cyclops

This morning, explore the town’s ancient sites including the spectacular 15,000-seat Greek theater and other remains. Also visit the Archaeological Museum, which contains an extensive collection of artifacts.

Visit the ruins of the legendary city of Carthage, where Aeneas met the lovely Dido. Highlights include Tophet, the sanctuary of the Carthaginian divinities Tanit and Baal; Bystra Hill; and the Antonine Baths. Also see splendid mosaics in the Bardo Museum and enjoy time shopping in the souks.

Another storm forced Aeneas and his people to seek refuge in Eryx, near the present-day port of Trapani. Visit the medieval town of Erice (Eryx), whose foundation goes back to the Phoenician period. Then, drive to Segesta to explore the Doric temple and theater. Reboard Corinthian II and set sail for Naples.

Arrive in Naples for an excursion to the Phlegraean Fields, where Aeneas traveled to the Underworld and met his father, Anchises. Also visit the ancient site of Cumae. In the afternoon, either tour the ruins of Pompeii, the city both destroyed and remarkably preserved by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D., or visit the national archaeological Museum.

Disembark and transfer to the airport for return flights to the U.S.