Symi Island , Greece
THE MEDITERRANEAN
M / V Arethusa , Patmos harbor , Greece Kalymnos , Greece
ITINERARY
DAY 1 • Depart U . S . Fly from the U . S . to Istanbul , Turkey .
DAY 2 • Istanbul , Turkey Arrive in Istanbul and meet your fellow travelers , including those who took our Cappadocia ’ s Unique Landscapes & Vibrant Ankara pre-trip extension .
The Galata Istanbul Hotel - MGallery or similar
DAY 3 • Istanbul • Topkapi Palace & Hagia Sophia Today your discoveries begin in the Old Town of Istanbul , a UNESCO World Heritage Site . You ’ ll first explore the Topkapi Palace , which served as the seat of the Ottoman Empire between the 15th and 19th centuries . Then , journey to Hagia Sophia , which began its life as an Orthodox Christian church in the sixth century before its conversion into a mosque by the Ottomans in 1453 . In 1935 , it was turned into a museum and is now an active mosque once again . Later , you can choose to take the optional excursion to the elegant Suleymaniye Mosque , the second-largest alabaster mosque in the city . You have time at leisure before a Welcome Dinner this evening .
Meals : B , D | The Galata Istanbul Hotel - MGallery or similar
DAY 4 • Istanbul • Controversial Topic : Turkish women ’ s rights • Optional Cruising Between Continents tour
Today we ’ ll meet with two feminist activists for a conversation about the Controversial Topic of the erosion of women ’ s rights in contemporary Turkey . They ’ ll share firsthand perspectives of how it affects their daily lives . The rest of the day is free to explore , or you can join a full-day optional Cruising Between Continents tour , with lunch included .
Meals : B , D | The Galata Istanbul Hotel - MGallery or similar
DAY 5 • Spice Market • Çanakkale After exploring Istanbul ’ s bustling Spice Bazaar , the largest and most colorful market in all of Turkey , we ’ ll travel overland to Çanakkale . We ’ ll enjoy an afternoon of free time after checking in to our hotel , followed by an included dinner .
Meals : B , D | Kolin Hotel or similar
DAY 6 • Ancient Troy • Çanakkale Old Town Today we ’ ll visit Troy , the city immortalized by Homer in the Iliad . Once thought to be mythical , excavations have revealed the remains of a total of nine subsequent cities of Troy . Following lunch at a local restaurant , explore Canakkale ’ s Old Town , founded over 6,000 years ago . The rest of the afternoon will be on your own .
Meals : B , L , D | Kolin Hotel or similar
DAY 7 • Dikili • Home-Hosted Lunch • Bergama • Embark ship
On our way to the coastal town of Dikili , we ’ ll stop at a Turkish mountain village for a Home-Hosted Lunch with a local family . Following lunch , we ’ ll embark on a journey to explore the ruins at Pergamum , known today as farming village of Bergama . We ’ ll continue on to explore the Acropolis , an ancient Greek city . After , we ’ ll arrive at the port in Dikili to board
our private small ship . This evening , enjoy a Captain ’ s Welcome Dinner onboard .
Meals : B , L , D | M / V Arethusa
DAY 8 • Chios • Greek dance performance Arrive at the island of Chios , and visit the medieval fortified settlement of Mesta , followed by the “ painted village ” of Pyrgi . Later , enjoy a walking tour of Chios Town , and view its imposing medieval castle . Enjoy a traditional Greek folk dance performance during dinner .
Meals : B , L , D | M / V Athena
ADVENTURE HIGHLIGHT
On Day 13 , bask in the splendor of Symi , one of the most beautiful islands in all of Greece and famous for the sponge-diving trade
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