7 nights. Greece

Day 1

istanbul, turkey

Departure: 18:00

Istanbul's historical significance and its incredible cultural and architectural legacy can be attributed to its ideal strategic location, spanning the Bosphorus straits that divide Europe and Asia Minor. Throughout most of its 2,500-year history, the city (initially known as Byzantium, then Constantinople, and since 1930, Istanbul) has been a cultural melting pot. Today, its population of over 13 million is predominantly Turkish, with many of its residents being recent migrants from rural Turkey, drawn by the prospect of employment and career opportunities in this dynamic, rapidly expanding city. Although Istanbul is no longer the capital of the country, it remains Turkey's economic and cultural hub - a status emphasized by its designation as a European City of Culture in 2010 and the UNESCO World Heritage recognition of many of its key landmarks. These range from breathtaking Ottoman mosques and Byzantine churches and catacombs, to the pillars of Hellenistic temples and the remnants of enormous medieval city walls. However, Istanbul offers more than just Byzantine and Ottoman heritage. A rapidly growing economy has led to a thriving arts and music scene, with an abundance of new bars, clubs, private art galleries, restaurants, and designer fashion stores.

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Day 2-3

mykonos, greece

Arrival: 15:00 - Departure: 01:30

Mykonos is a favored vacation spot located in the Cyclades group of Greek islands, nestled in the heart of the Aegean Sea. In the 1960s, Mykonos emerged as a bohemian hotspot and has since evolved into one of the most glamorous holiday resorts in the country, proudly showcasing its vibrant style and reputation. For many years, this central Cyclade was the top Mediterranean destination for gay travelers, although recently Mykonos has been working to attract a more diverse crowd. Despite this, the nightlife remains very gay-friendly and the island is a haven for any party-goer with its loud and lengthy nights. The main town on the island is Chora, or Mykonos town, which is filled with narrow, winding streets, buildings painted white with blue accents, delightful restaurants, clothing and jewelry stores, a fish market, and a vegetable market. It is one of the most cosmopolitan and bustling towns in the Aegean. Apart from Chora, there is only one other town on the island, Ano Mera, which is quieter and less frequented by tourists. While visiting, be sure to see the Monastery of Panagia Tourliani, a traditional Greek Orthodox Church featuring a beautiful iconostasis. The island itself is arid and barren, but it boasts some excellent sandy beaches, the most famous of which are Paradise and Super Paradise. However, there are many other beaches to explore around the island. From the quaint port, you can take a boat to the beaches or to Delos, transitioning from the present to the ancient past, from one set of myths to another.

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Day 3

heraklion (iraklion), crete

Arrival: 09:00 - Departure: 19:00

Heraklion is the capital of Crete and often serves as the starting point for holiday visitors eager to explore the island. With a population of about 130,000, it ranks as the fifth largest city in Greece. The city bears the marks of various influences from the Venetians, Saracens, and Greeks. History is very much alive in Heraklion, as it is in most Greek cities. Throughout the old part of the city, visitors can stroll along the ancient Venetian walls that converge at a bastion known as Koules Fortress, which dominates the city's old harbor. The Venetians began constructing the city walls in 1462, and it took them over a century to complete. The walls stretch about 4 km in length, forming a triangular shape with seven bastions, and they have become one of the city's iconic features. The central square, surrounded by shops, cafes, and restaurants, is highlighted by the Lions Fountain, built by a Venetian governor in the 17th century. The Archaeological Museum in Heraklion is impressive and is the pride and joy of the city. The exhibits are comprehensive and well-organized, covering all aspects of life in Crete from prehistory to the Roman period in a series of spacious galleries. The Palace at Knossos is the second most popular tourist site in all of Greece, second only to the Acropolis. The site is in remarkable condition and offers much to see. It is also set in a beautiful location with stunning views of the countryside. Heraklion offers a wide range of historic and archaeological attractions, including its world-famous museum and the nearby site of Knossos, the heart of the ancient Minoan civilization. The city's shoreline, Amoudara, features a three-kilometer stretch of sandy beach, numerous cafes, bars, and hotels, and is home to Technopolis, a modern multiplex cinema and open-air theater. The most beautiful beaches outside the city can be found in Kartero and Malia.

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Day 4

rhodes, greece

Arrival: 07:00 - Departure: 18:00

Rhodes is the biggest of the Dodecanese islands in terms of land size and is also the historical capital of the island group. Administratively, the island is a separate municipality within the Rhodes regional unit, which is part of the South Aegean region. The main town of the island and the seat of the municipality is Rhodes. It is situated northeast of Crete, southeast of Athens, and just off the Anatolian coast of Turkey. Rhodes is also known as The Island of the Knights. MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS • Asklipio Inland from Kiotari. Inside the small church, there are intriguing exhibits that honor the continuity of the healing cult from ancient times to a modern midwife and nurse. • Cape Prasonisi. This is the southernmost point of Rhodes. A sand bar connects a peninsula to the main island. • Castle with acropolis over Lindos. • Castle of Kastellos. • Castle of Monolithos. • Epta Piges. • Filerimos Hill. This site features medieval remains, a monastery, and a chapel. • Kamiros. This site features ancient ruins. • Tsambika Peak. • Rhodes Old Town - Palace of the Prince Grand Master. - Street of Knights. - Fortifications. • Valley of the Butterflies.

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Day 5

santorini, greece

Arrival: 06:00 - Departure: 18:30

Created by a massive volcanic eruption that is believed to have inspired the legend of Atlantis, Santorini is the most visually stunning island in the Aegean Sea. The island is essentially the outer edge of a submerged volcano, with its entire eastern coast consisting of a series of small towns situated on tall hills. Fira, the island's dramatically located capital, is perched on the cliffs overlooking the sea. Fira, along with the Parthenon, is one of the most recognized images of Greece. Its narrow streets are filled with souvenir shops, charming boutiques, and numerous jewelry stores. It is home to two beautiful churches, the Greek Orthodox and the Catholic Cathedral of St John the Baptist, as well as a small local museum. Fira also boasts a vibrant nightlife, with excellent restaurants and bars, and a few nightclubs. The city itself is a spectacle, especially at sunset. Another great spot to watch the sunset is the town of Ia, a small village perched on the rocky point of land at the northern tip of the island, 300m above the sea. The beaches in Santorini are unique compared to other Greek beaches due to their distinctive geographical features. Red and black volcanic pebbles cover the shores of Santorini's beaches, and steep cliffs create a scenic atmosphere. The most famous of these beaches is the Red beach, while Perissa, Kamari, and Perivolos are also very popular. Santorini is a truly magnificent destination. The placement of some of its main towns along the cliff-top edge of the caldera is one of the most breathtakingly beautiful sights in the world. The buildings seem to defy gravity as they cling to the cliffs and are stacked one on top of the other like a pile of sugar cubes. The sandy, multicolored beaches are just the cherry on top.

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Day 5

Santorini Archipelago - Photo Shoot

Arrival: 19:00 - Departure: 21:00

The sunset over Santorini is one of the most beautiful in the world and seen from the sea is even more special. The sun slowly descends, creating incredible shadows in the sky. Capture the uniqueness of the panorama in a photo while sipping your favorite snack. An unmissable spectacle awaits you, a moment that will leave you speechless. The timetable is indicative and may vary. In the event of adverse weather conditions, the experience may be modified or suspended. Once on board, we recommend that you check our Costa App to stay up to date.

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Day 6

athens (piraeus), greece

Arrival: 07:00 - Departure: 23:00

Here is the text adapted into standard American English: Piraeus is a port city in the region of Attica, Greece. Piraeus is located within the Athens urban area, about 5 miles (8 kilometers) southwest of downtown Athens (the municipality of Athens), along the east coast of the Saronic Gulf. According to the 2011 census, Piraeus had a population of 163,688 within its administrative limits, making it the fifth-largest municipality in Greece and the second-largest within the urban area of the Greek capital, after the municipality of Athens. The municipality of Piraeus and four other suburban municipalities form the regional unit of Piraeus, sometimes called the Greater Piraeus area, with a total population of 448,997. It is part of the Athens urban area. Piraeus has a long recorded history dating back to ancient Greece. The city was founded in the early 5th century BC, when this area was chosen to become the new port of classical Athens and was developed as a model harbor, concentrating all of Athens’s import and transit trade. During the Golden Age of Athens, the Long Walls were built to fortify Athens and its port (Piraeus). As a result, it became the main harbor of ancient Greece but declined gradually after the 3rd century BC. It grew again in the 19th century, after Athens was declared the capital of Greece. In the modern era, Piraeus is a large, busy city and an integral part of Athens. It is home to the country’s largest harbor and has all the characteristics of a major maritime and commercial-industrial center. The Port of Piraeus is the main port of Greece, the largest passenger port in Europe, and the second-largest in the world, serving about 20 million passengers annually. With a throughput of 1.4 million TEUs, Piraeus ranks among the top ten European ports for container traffic and is the leading container port in the Eastern Mediterranean. The municipality hosted events in both the 1896 and 2004 Summer Olympics held in Athens. The University of Piraeus is one of the largest universities in Greece and has the country’s second-oldest business school, as well as the oldest academic department in the field of finance.

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Day 7

Dardanelles Strait

Arrival: 17:45 - Departure: 18:45

The Dardanelles (Turkish: Çanakkale Boğazı, Greek: Δαρδανέλλια, Dardanellia) is a strait located between Europe and Asia. It is the ancient Hellespont (Ἑλλήσποντος) of classical Greece. It connects the Aegean Sea with the inland Sea of Marmara and its archipelago. It is 61 km long, between 1600 and 6500 m wide and has an average depth of about 50 m. Just as the Bosphorus Strait divides the city of Istanbul between the Asian and European continents, the Dardanelles Strait separates Europe (in this case the Gallipoli Peninsula, Gelibolu in Turkish) and Asia.

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Day 8

istanbul, turkey

Arrival: 07:00

Istanbul's historical significance and its incredible cultural and architectural legacy can be attributed to its ideal strategic location, spanning the Bosphorus straits that divide Europe and Asia Minor. Throughout most of its 2,500-year history, the city (initially known as Byzantium, then Constantinople, and since 1930, Istanbul) has been a cultural melting pot. Today, its population of over 13 million is predominantly Turkish, with many of its residents being recent migrants from rural Turkey, drawn by the prospect of employment and career opportunities in this dynamic, rapidly expanding city. Although Istanbul is no longer the capital of the country, it remains Turkey's economic and cultural hub - a status emphasized by its designation as a European City of Culture in 2010 and the UNESCO World Heritage recognition of many of its key landmarks. These range from breathtaking Ottoman mosques and Byzantine churches and catacombs, to the pillars of Hellenistic temples and the remnants of enormous medieval city walls. However, Istanbul offers more than just Byzantine and Ottoman heritage. A rapidly growing economy has led to a thriving arts and music scene, with an abundance of new bars, clubs, private art galleries, restaurants, and designer fashion stores.

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7 nights. Greece

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