Patmos , Greece Meteora , Greece
DAY 11 • Kalymnos • Sponge fishing conversation Meet a sponge workshop owner and a marine biologist to hear both sides of the issue of Kalymnos ’ sponge fishing industry and its impact on the area ’ s delicate ecosystem . Then , set off on a tour of the island of Kalymnos , known for its majestic mountains , including a visit to the Traditional House museum , for a glimpse into how people lived on this island in ages past .
Meals : B , L , D | M / V Arethusa or M / V Athena
ADVENTURE HIGHLIGHT
DAY 12 • Patmos • Kusadasi , Turkey The volcanic island of Patmos is where St . John the Evangelist is said to have dictated the Book of Revelation . Visit the Monastery of St . John and the Holy Cave of the Apocalypse to see where the holy man lived and worked , followed by a walk through Patmos Town .
Meals : B , L , D | M / V Arethusa or M / V Athena
DAY 13 • Kusadasi • Ephesus Today we ’ ll walk among the ruins of ancient Ephesus — considered to be one of the world ’ s best-preserved and most extensive classical Greco-Roman cities . The remainder of the afternoon is free . Later , gather for a Captain ’ s Farewell Dinner onboard .
Meals : B , L , D | M / V Arethusa or M / V Athena
DAY 14 • Kusadasi • Disembark ship • Fly to Istanbul
We ’ ll disembark our ship this morning and fly to Istanbul . After we arrive and check into our hotel , our Trip Experience Leader will take us on a discovery walk through an area of the city popular with locals .
Meals : B | The Galata Istanbul Hotel - MGallery or similar
before making our way to the Spice Bazaar — one of the largest and most colorful bazaars in the city .
Meals : B , L | The Galata Istanbul Hotel - MGallery or similar
DAY 16 • Istanbul • Topkapi Palace • Bosphorus cruise
This morning we ’ ll visit the sprawling palatial complex of Topkapi Palace before embarking on a scenic cruise on the Bosporus Strait . Following lunch on your own , enjoy an afternoon of independent discoveries prior to our Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant .
Meals : B , D | The Galata Istanbul Hotel - MGallery or similar
DAY 17 • Return to U . S . Transfer to the airport for your flight home or begin your Cappadocia ’ s Unique Landscapes & Vibrant Ankara post-trip extension .
Meals : B
See the full deck plan for our 50-passenger M / V Arethusa or M / V Athena on page 122 .
On Day 16 , we ’ ve recently enhanced this adventure to include an extra day exploring historic Istanbul
DAY 15 • Istanbul • Hippodrome & Hagia Sophia • Spice Market
Enjoy a full morning of discoveries in Istanbul , beginning at the city ’ s lively central square — the Hippodrome of Constantinople . From there , we ’ ll continue on to the magnificent Hagia Sophia , a sixth century Byzantine church famous for its mosaics ,
For full itinerary details , visit www . oattravel . com / tgr
28 The Aegean Islands , Athens & Istanbul