Aegean Voyage: Istanbul to Athens - Southbound

Tour begins: 6:00 PM, InterContinental Hotel Istanbul. A transfer is included upon arrival from Istanbul International Airport to the InterContinental Hotel Istanbul, ideally located in Taksim with stunning views of the Bosphorus and Istanbul's world-famous skyline. Join us for a welcome reception and dinner tonight at the hotel.

Begin your day at the Hippodrome, also known as Sultanahmet Square, once the chariot-racing and social heart of Constantinople and home to monuments such as the Obelisk of Theodosius. Gain insight into the city's history with expert local guides before continuing to the Blue Mosque, built in the early 1600s and renowned for its six minarets and classic Ottoman design. Inside, more than 20,000 blue Iznik tiles and light from 260 windows create a striking interior. Still an active place of worship, the mosque is closed to visitors during prayer times. Next, descend into the Basilica Cistern, a vast 6th-century underground reservoir built during the reign of Emperor Justinian I. Supported by 336 marble columns – many reused from Roman temples – the softly lit space features shallow reflecting waters and the famed Medusa head carvings.After lunch at a local restaurant, visit the Grand Bazaar, one of the world's oldest covered markets. Explore its labyrinth of vaulted passages lined with stalls selling textiles, ceramics, jewelry, and more. Return to the hotel for an afternoon and evening at leisure.

Guided sightseeing today includes a morning visit to the 15th-century Topkapi Palace, home of the Ottoman Sultans for almost four centuries. One of the world's largest surviving palaces, it was built under the orders of Sultan Mehmed II, a few years after he conquered Constantinople. Enjoy a glimpse of the imperial life of the sultans as you walk through the grand courtyards, pavilions, and ceremonial rooms that display an impressive collection of artifacts and treasures. And venture into the Harem, where over 400 exquisitely decorated rooms were shared by the sultan, his wives, concubines, and children. After lunch in the old city, visit Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, one of the world's greatest architectural achievements. Built in the 6th century under Emperor Justinian I, Hagia Sophia stood as the largest cathedral in the world for nearly a thousand years. Its soaring dome, immense marble pillars, and intricate mosaics tell the story of its layered history as a Byzantine church, an Ottoman Mosque, a museum, and now, once again, a mosque. Gaze up at the vast dome, suspended seemingly weightless above the cavernous space, and take in the interplay of Christian and Islamic elements – glowing calligraphic medallions juxtaposed with ancient depictions of Christ and the Virgin Mary. This evening, join us for a special dining experience in the old city of Istanbul, exclusive to Tauck guests.

This morning, embark on a private sightseeing boat for a cruise along the legendary Bosphorus Strait, the waterway that has shaped the history of Istanbul for centuries. Separating Europe and Asia, the strait is lined with striking landmarks—ornate Ottoman palaces, elegant mosques, and grand waterfront mansions known as yali, once the summer retreats of Istanbul's elite. As you glide past intercontinental bridges linking two continents, take in views of the 15th-century Rumeli Fortress, the domes and minarets of the city's skyline, and the ever-changing rhythm of life along the water's edge. With local guides and your Tour Director on hand, gain insight into the strategic importance of this vital corridor, from its role in ancient trade routes to modern-day maritime navigation. After disembarking on the shores of the "old European side" of the City, learn about the Five Pillars of Islam from a local guide during a visit to one of Istanbul's most revered mosques, Rustem Pasha or Yeni Cami Mosque. Continue on to Misir Çarsisi, the center for the spice trade in Istanbul, for a guided walk through the many stalls of this large bazaar, followed by free time to explore – and shop – as you wish. Embark your ship after lunch today, departing for Lemnos, Greece before dinner.

This morning, arrive at Lemnos for a choice of shore excursions. Blessed with abundant agricultural riches and a millennia-long historically strategic position in the northern Aegean, Lemnos is one of Greece's best-kept secrets. Discover it your way on a sightseeing drive that visits a national archaeological site and a British Commonwealth cemetery honoring the soldiers who fought in the nearby Gallipoli campaign in World War I, and learn about the crops that provide Lemnos with its economic base. Alternatively, join an island guide for a visit to a local winery, tempting with tastings and locally produced cheese, followed by free time in the capital city of Myrina. Your third choice is a walking tour of Myrina that samples its culinary specialties for an authentic taste of daily life here. Return to the ship for an afternoon sail bound for Mykonos. Have dinner onboard as you please.

Dock in the port city of Kusadasi this morning and head out to explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ephesus. Evoking the grandeur of the ancient Roman Empire, Ephesus, founded in the Bronze Age and important from ancient Greek times, served as a crossroads between the East and West for centuries.  Its excavated remains reflect centuries of history, from classical Greece to the Roman Empire to the spread of Christianity. Marble-paved streets wind past squares, baths, and monumental ruins. See the Temple of Hadrian, built before 138 A.D. for Emperor Hadrian's visit; the Library of Çelsus, which once housed between 12,000-15,000 scrolls; and an acoustically amazing theatre built to hold and entertain some 24,000 spectators. See the mosaic-filled Terrace Houses where wealthy citizens lived from the first to the seventh centuries. Have a traditional lunch before a visit to a local weaving center with the opportunity to witness a Turkish weaving demonstration. This evening, return to the site of ancient Ephesus to dine under the stars with live music by the Aegean Chamber Orchestra for an evening you are sure to remember.

The gateway to the Bodrum Peninsula in the Republic of Türkiye, the picturesque port of Bodrum – often called the "St. Tropez of Türkiye" – lies along the South Aegean coast amid crystal-clear waters, dramatic landscapes, and historic sites dating back millennia. Enjoy a private transfer to town aboard a traditional wooden gulet, a classic vessel of the region.Once ashore, you may choose to join a guided tour of the medieval Castle of St. Peter, an impressive example of 15th-century Crusader architecture, and the Museum of Underwater Archaeology, home to remarkable artifacts recovered from ancient shipwrecks. Afterward, opt for a more active walk to the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, or spend time exploring Bodrum's inviting shops and beachfront cafés. This afternoon, if you wish, join a relaxing cruise aboard a gulet in the waters surrounding Bodrum, with time to swim, conditions permitting. Your ship departs for Santorini after dinner tonight.

Your morning arrival in Santorini reveals a dramatic landscape of multicolored volcanic cliffs crowned with whitewashed villages and blue-domed churches, rising above the deep blue Aegean Sea. Formed by a massive volcanic eruption thousands of years ago, the island encircles a flooded caldera now considered one of Greece's most spectacular natural settings. Disembark by tender and begin a scenic driving tour of the island, followed by a visit to the Prehistoric Museum in Fira, home to important artifacts from ancient Thera. Afterward, return to the ship for lunch or enjoy free time to explore Fira independently, taking in its cliffside views, shops, and cafés at your own pace. Later, descend from Fira to the port by gondola and rejoin the ship by tender. Those who return aboard are rewarded with Windstar's famed open-deck barbecue dinner, enjoyed against the backdrop of Santorini's legendary sunset, before setting sail for Itea, gateway to Delphi.

This morning, dock in the port town of Itea in central Greece. Disembark for a guided visit to the nearby archaeological site of Delphi. A UNESCO World Heritage Site dating to the 8th century BC, Delphi was an ancient religious sanctuary dedicated to the Greek god Apollo and was home to the Oracle of Delphi. It was here that the priestess Pythia, who was famed throughout the ancient world for divining the future and consulted before all major undertakings. Join a local guide as you explore the site on a walking tour before returning to your ship for an afternoon of sailing, navigating the Corinth Canal. 2,500 years in the making, the Corinth Canal links the Ionian Sea with the Aegean. When it was completed in 1893, it effectively turned the Peloponnese peninsula into an island and created an international maritime hub that transformed navigation in southern Europe. Accessible only by small ship, your morning transit through this narrow canal cuts off hundreds of miles of your journey around the Peloponnese.

Disembark ship this morning for a drive to Athens and a panoramic tour of the city, with a visit to the National Archaeological Museum. Considered one of the greatest museums in the world, the museum contains a rich collection of Greek artifacts from prehistoric times to late antiquity discovered on finds throughout the country. A locally guided visit to the museum showcases ancient Greek sculpture from 700 BC to the 5th century AD; stunning gold masks, cups, dishes, and jewelry unearthed from the site of Mycenae; metalwork dating back to the first century BC; Egyptian art; some 2,500 Greek vases and much more. Enjoy lunch, followed by check-in at a landmark hotel in Athens, The Grand Bretagne, just steps from the enchanting cobblestoned Plaka neighborhood where archeological sites are tucked amidst cozy tavernas, flower stands and artisan shops. Settle into your hotel and enjoy a free evening to experience as you wish.

Begin your exploration of ancient Greece at the citadel of the Acropolis today, perched atop a hill overlooking Athens since the fifth century BC and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site as "the greatest architectural and artistic complex bequeathed by Greek Antiquity to the world." Imagine being here thousands of years ago as your local guide shares insights about the white marble ruins you will see, including one of the most important buildings in ancient Athens, the Parthenon; the Erechtheion; the Temple of Athena Nike; and the Propylea. Enjoy time at leisure to walk about as you like, taking in spectacular views deserving of the goddess Athena, for whom the magnificent complex was built, before a guided tour of the Acropolis Museum, housing priceless finds from the Acropolis. After time at leisure this afternoon, join us for a farewell reception and dinner at the hotel.