Theater of Dionysus, Athens, Greece Ephesus, Turkey
and explore the blue-and-white Church of Panagia Platsani. Meals: B, D | M / V Arethusa or M / V Athena
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
On Day 7, embark your 50-passenger small ship, where you’ ll spend the next 7 nights cruising to new port cities and historic towns.
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 • Carpet weaving demonstration 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. Then, visit a local carpet cooperative to learn how Turkish carpets are made. 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 | Elite World Istanbul Taksim or similar
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, before making our way to the
Spice Bazaar— one of the largest and most colorful bazaars in the city. Meals: B, L | Elite World Istanbul Taksim 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 | Elite World Istanbul Taksim 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 the M / V Arethusa or M / V Athena small ship on page 216.
Want to know more? Find the full itinerary and dates & pricing at www. oattravel. com / tgr
190 The Aegean Islands, Athens & Istanbul