Greece via the Corinth Canal & Turkey: The Marvels of Ancient Rivals10 nights, call for pricing

Itinerary

Anticipate the unforgettable and immerse yourself in a distinctly different Eastern Mediterranean cruise that explores the Peloponnese in ways inaccessible to large-ship cruise lines. Walk among weathered marble blocks and the faded echoes of ancient athletic glory during the first Olympic Games nearly 3,000 years ago near Katakolon. Step inside the restored stone arches of Meryemama Evi—the House of the Virgin Mary—a Catholic and Muslim shrine situated near the steep, stony slopes of Mount Koressos, before making your way to a delicious and exclusive Turkish dinner among the towering walls and columns of Ephesus. Wander the Grand Bazaar, Topkapi Palace, and the majestic Blue Mosque before taking in the endless parade of busy Bosporus shipping lights during an overnight stay in Istanbul. Your journey circumnavigates the Peloponnese Peninsula by slipping through the narrow, high-walled Corinth Canal, an ancient engineering dream that wasn't completed until the late 1800s, but remains inaccessible to large freighters and cruise liners. You eventually end up back where you started in Piraeus, adjacent to Athens and a perfect culinary jumping-off point for sampling the countless tavernas and psistarias serving up savory grilled Greek meats paired with tart wines and chilled beers within the shadow of the Parthenon.