Mediterranean from Istanbul

Many say this is the most beautiful city in the world. What is certain is that it’s a unique city, the gateway to the East with a portion of its heart still in the West. The city of Istanbul is located on the border between Europe and Asia. It’s the largest city in Turkey and is included on the UNESCO World Heritage list. The port of Istanbul is located on the Bosphorus, in Karaköy. From there you can easily reach the city centre on foot or by tram. During the stop you can take a walk to visit the main historical monuments and browse through the bazaars you will encounter along the way. Let yourself be carried away by this incredible experience and fascinating culture that unites Europe and Asia.

Capital of a province, with nearly three million inhabitants, Smirne (Izmir in Turkish) is Turkey’s second city, after Istanbul, thanks to its busy port and to the intense industrial activity which, from traditional fields tied to agriculture, has expanded to include shipbuilding, mechanical and chemical plants for oil refinery. Located within a beautiful bay, surrounded by lovely hills, the town has changed in the course of recent years, into a modern metropolis with an established urbanistic structure and new residencial areas.

Volos is a coastal port city in Thessaly situated midway on the Greek mainland, about 330 kilometres north of Athens and 220 kilometres south of Thessaloniki. It is the sixth most populous city of Greece. It is the capital of the Magnesia regional unit of Thessaly Region.

Think of a trip to Greece and you will imagine Mykonos. The port of Mykonos, or perhaps it would be more correct to say of Chora, is located on the west coast of the island. The Cyclades islands in the Aegean are wonderful and the beaches are no less marvellous, with the pleasant distinction of being among the most festive in the archipelago. After docking at the port of Mykonos, enjoy the numerous natural coves, beaches and cliffs of this beautiful island. You can enjoy the clean, azure sea of Paradise Beach, while in the evening let yourself be carried away by the rhythm of this cosmopolitan and youthful island. The harbour district, the Kastro, is known as the ‘little Venice’. In its alleys, the shops and restaurants alternate with white houses with blue doors and windows. On a trip to Mykonos, take advantage of the stop to go on shore excursions, stroll through the maze of streets and alleys where you can discover the beauty of the architecture and the design of the city. The small white houses with shutters as blue as the sky, the pigeon houses and the numerous small churches of Mykonos will simply enchant you.

One of the Cyclades islands, Santorini is a spectacular jewel of the Aegean. Born out of a volcanic eruption in approximately 1500BC, which formed the two islands of Aspronissi and Terrasia, Santorini is a magnificent mixture of dramatic cliffside villages, glorious black sand beaches and ancient treasures. Steep cliffs plunging into a crystalline sea distinguish the west coast, while the east coast is gentler, featuring a fertile plain and delicate bays, with the Profitis Ilias mountains in the background.

The cradle of Greek culture, Athens welcomes us to its port of Piraeus, watching us from above the wonderful Acropolis. Piraeus is the port of Athens, the largest in Europe, allowing you to visit the city, a place of dreams. A place of emigration, it has inspired numerous songs. Most ships will be making a stop in Athens before resuming the Mediterranean route or returning to the Atlantic. Take the time to visit the Acropolis and maybe the museum located at its base. Before flying out, enjoy the spectacle of a sunset at Capo Sunio. Try not to visit the city when it’s too hot in summer, much of the population moves out of town. Not to be missed: • The mythical Parthenon • The Ancient Agora • The Olympic Stadium

Many say this is the most beautiful city in the world. What is certain is that it’s a unique city, the gateway to the East with a portion of its heart still in the West. The city of Istanbul is located on the border between Europe and Asia. It’s the largest city in Turkey and is included on the UNESCO World Heritage list. The port of Istanbul is located on the Bosphorus, in Karaköy. From there you can easily reach the city centre on foot or by tram. During the stop you can take a walk to visit the main historical monuments and browse through the bazaars you will encounter along the way. Let yourself be carried away by this incredible experience and fascinating culture that unites Europe and Asia.