Istanbul Icons & Aegean Artifacts via the Corinth Canal Cruise Tour

With 3,000 years of history, you can&rsquo;t turn around in Athens without encountering the past. The Acropolis, a UNESCO site, the Plaka, and the Acropolis Museum are must-sees. But leave time if you can to climb Pnyx Hill for photos of the Parthenon at sunset, to buy your own set of Greek <em>komboloi</em> (worry beads), and to explore the metro stations that serve as mini-museums for the relics that are constantly being unearthed.&nbsp;

You&rsquo;ll want to be on deck today as we transit the narrow Corinth Canal with other private yachts and Greek mail steamers. It&rsquo;s a shortcut reserved for petite ships like ours, and as we cruise between the narrow limestone walls we are the envy of all the ancient Romans who once portaged their ships along this very route before there was a canal.<br />
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<em>Canal transit time and duration is subject to change based on traffic and canal authorities</em>.

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Before there were fortune cookies there was the oracle of Delphi, dating back to 1400 B.C. The oracle gave cryptic guidance to the leaders of the day and was so highly respected that Delphi, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, became known as the center of the world. An optional tour lets you go exploring, from the Temple of Apollo to the Delphi Archaeological Museum, which contains some of the finest works of art in Greece.&nbsp;</div>

As our yacht approaches the spectacular cliffs rising from the deep azure sea, you&rsquo;ll understand the magic of this area, where some say the ruins of Atlantis remain hidden. Visit the village of Oia and see the iconic Santorini blue domes or take a guided tour of Bronze Age excavations at the UNESCO site of Akrotiri. Toast the day with a crisp, cold glass of local Assyrtiko wine and appreciate the magic accessible to small ships like ours.

The 15th century Castle of St. Peter, built by the Crusaders, presides over the city&rsquo;s dual harbors. Colorful peacocks strut their stuff trying to claim your attention, but they have nothing on the white sugar cube houses, palm-lined boulevards, and shockingly blue Aegean below. For a picture-perfect seaside playground, Bodrum offers a surprisingly rich history, or maybe it&rsquo;s the other way around. Visit the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, one of the original Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Surrender to the captivating magic of bathtub-warm waters and the Marina. Shop the bazaar for Milas cloth scarves and silver jewelry. Stroll the marina to see the other private yachts in port. (None as grand as yours, of course.)

Few places offer such a rich combination of history and scenic beauty. In Ephesus, one of the greatest outdoor museums in the world, you&rsquo;ll explore legendary sites steeped in history. Also visit the houses of Bulbul Mountain, where the roof of one forms the terrace of the next. This evening we present our Destination Discovery Event -- dinner in the moonlight and a concert near the&nbsp; Celsus Library or on Harbour Street in ancient Ephesus.&nbsp;<br />
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Wake this morning to the postcard-like scene of Mykonos, the classic Greek isle dotted with hundreds of whitewashed churches and thatch-roofed windmills, in a harbor bobbing with fishing boats and luxurious private yachts. An optional &nbsp;tour including a scenic ferry ride takes you back to the 6th&nbsp;&nbsp; century B.C. to the tiny island of Delos, a UNESCO site and the mythical birthplace of Apollo.

Limnos is a delightful, off the beaten path island with wild mountainous geology and large, uncrowded, sandy beaches all along the coastline. Windsurfing is becoming increasingly popular here. Sites to see here include the Medieval Castle of Myrina, Ancient Poliochni, Ancient Kavirio and the legendary cave of Philocetes.

Ah, Constantinople, Queen of Cities and the Door to Happiness. Istanbul is the only city in the world built on two continents&mdash;Europe and Asia&mdash;and its appeal is truly universal. The Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans all ruled their empires from here, leaving behind some of their finest monuments and a fascinating blend of cultures. Visit the harem at Topkapi Palace, where the clatter of silver soles once warned concubines of the approaching sultan. Admire the Iznik tiles and stained glass windows of the Blue Mosque, and the mystical light bathing the nave of Hagia Sofia. Shop the Grand Bazaar for a coffee cezve, magic lamp, embroidered slippers, or hand-woven kilim. Temper a tiny cup of potent Turkish coffee with bites of sweet lokum (Turkish delight).&nbsp;

Following disembarkation, meet your guide at the port and depart to the old city for a full day of sightseeing starting with a scenic drive across the Galata Bridge into the heart of Istanbul, where the historic area of Istanbul is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the newly restored Serefiye Cistern, one of the greatest surviving examples of Byzantine architecture. Visit the Byzantine Hippodrome, one of the largest chariot race grounds of the Byzantine Empire. See the Egyptian Obelisk, Serpentine Column, and Constantine Column. View the Blue Mosque, with its six elegant minarets and exceptional Iznik tile work inside. Visit one of the greatest buildings in the world: St. Sophia Mosque, built in AD 537, the greatest church in Christendom until 1453.&nbsp;Lunch is on your own possibly at recommended Konyali Restaurant. Following lunch enter the magnificent Topkapi Palace Museum, located on the promontory between the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn. Steps away, visit the Harem Section offering a revealing look into how the sultans of the Ottoman Empire lived in private. At the end of the day, you will be transferred to the hotel. Dinner is suggested at Mikla Restaurant (in walking distance).<br />
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( Includes overnight at Pera Palace Hotel )<br />
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Please note: Modest attire is required; when visiting St. Sophia Mosque, knees, shoulders and midriffs must be covered and women must cover their head with a scarf, provided at the Mosque. Shoes must be removed and shoe bags will be provided for the visit. There is ongoing restoration of the Topkapi Palace, which may result in some exhibits being closed. There are approximately 25 steps to negotiate at the entrance to the Serefiye Cistern and a further 25 steps to exit. Professional photography and flash are not allowed. All tours in the old town require considerable walking, as it is closed to traffic.&nbsp;

After breakfast, meet your professional guide at the lobby for your private sightseeing. Visit the beautiful Dolmabahce Palace. Stretching over 1,960 feet on the shore of the Bosphorus Strait, the palace stands as a symbol of glamour and decadence. Your knowledgeable guide will lead you through the Palace, considered the grandest of all the Ottoman imperial palaces boasting 43 large salons, a 4.5-ton Bohemian crystal chandelier and a glass façade that measures over 3,000 feet long.&nbsp; Drive to visit the Suleymaniye Mosque, situated atop one of the city&rsquo;s seven hills. &nbsp;Among its innovative construction features were the use of Juniper trees to absorb the shock of earthquakes and 255 pots suspended from the central dome to provide better acoustics and thermal insulation. Return to the hotel for lunch and some time on your own. In the late afternoon, meet your guide in the lobby for a short drive to the Kabatas Pier to embark your motor yacht. This relaxing tour features a 2-hour motor yacht cruise along the Bosphorus waterway, with excellent views of the Asiatic and European shores. Enjoy views of the Dolmabahce Palace, Beylerbeyi Palace, and the few remaining towers of the Anadolu fortress. Passing underneath the Sultan Mehmet Bridge find Rumeli Fortress. Istanbul has one of the loveliest skylines in the world and is without doubt a city built to be appreciated from the water. A refreshment of coffee, tea or local soft drink and local wine will be served during your cruise. &nbsp;&nbsp;At the end of the cruise, transfer to Sunset Restaurant where dinner is suggested and return to your hotel.<br />
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(Includes breakfast and overnight at Pera Palace Hotel)<br />
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Please note: Modest attire is required; when visiting the Suleymaniye Mosque, knees, shoulders and midriffs must be covered and women must cover their head with a scarf, provided at the mosque. Professional photography and flash are not allowed. Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a shawl or light jacket. Not suitable for guests using a wheelchair.