So near yet so far. This is how this cruise will make you feel. Although you will be far from the West, from your home, you will feel very close to the ancient East. The cultural diversity of this cruise is unique in the world given that the geographical location of Istanbul and the strategic importance of Izmir is also unique. Moreover, the idyllic Greek islands of Mykonos, Rhodes and Santorini are dreamlike. Not to mention Athens, a true crossroads in history and time.

DAY 01, Saturday / Istanbul
Arrival to Istanbul. Transfer to your hotel by private luxury coach with English speaking professional guide. After settling in the hotel, departure for Istanbul panoramic city tour. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 02, Sunday / Istanbul
Day at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.  

DAY 03, Monday / Istanbul
Day at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 04, Tuesday / Istanbul - Embarkation
Transfer from Hotel to Port of Istanbul. Cruise Ship Embarkation Procedures. After settling in your cabin, enjoy the activities of your luxury cruise ship.
23:00 - Departure from port of Istanbul. Dinner and overnight on board.

DAY 05, Wednesday / At Sea
Enjoy your cruise on all inclusive basis. Activities on board. Overnight on board. 

DAY 06, Thursday / Santorini & Athens
08:00 - Arrival to Santorini.
It has been said that the sunsets in Santorini are the best in the world. From the Caldera breathtaking views of the volcano & neighboring islands. From the east, miles of dark sandy or pebbled beaches. Everywhere one sees small domed churches and remnants of days gone by. This is Santorini seen through the eyes of people who know & love it.
19:00 - Departure from Santorini for Athens. Overnight on board.

DAY 07, Friday / Athens
Enjoy your day in Athens. Piraeus is Greece's third largest city in terms of population and its biggest port. It was first settled in the ages of Themistocles, when the Long Walls were built (478 BC), and the town was being laid out to the plans of the architect Hippodamus. It gained considerably in importance when Athens became a naval power. The ancient harbors of Piraeus were Zea and Munichia. Zea, now called Pasalimani, is one of the largest marinas in the Mediterranean. Munichia, also known as Mikrolimano or Tourkolimano, is a pretty little harbor with yachts and fishing-boats and ringed with fish taverns. Above Mikrolimano is the hill of Kastella, much mentioned in popular songs, with its traditional houses and offers a panoramic view. Above it is the Church of the Prophet Elijah and the Veakeio Theatre, well known for its summer performances, is nearby situated. The commercial harbor of Piraeus is one of the most important in the Mediterranean. The city itself with its suburbs is an industrial zone of particular importance for the Greek economy, but nevertheless its centre has broad streets, spacious squares, tree-lined avenues, and parks.
19:00 - Departure from Athens for Mykonos. Overnight on board. 

DAY 08, Saturday / Mykonos

08:00 - Arrival to Mykonos.
Mykonos, the most famous of the islands in Greece and one of the world's most popular holiday resorts has been welcoming visitors for over half a century. To all who wish to experience the magic of this little island, the information on this site will provide a well-rounded and honest picture of what it has to offer. Mykonos is a grand example of unique cycladic architecture set around a picturesque fishing-village bay. Totally whitewashed organic cube-like buildings fit closely together to form a kind of haphazard maze of narrow alley ways and streets. The earthen colors of the bare hills which surround the town's gleaming whiteness is set between the aura of an incredibly blue sky and even deeper blue sparkling sea. Its many well preserved windmills and hundreds of tiny red-roofed churches adds a flavor of culture and custom to the scene, enhanced even further by many museums and the historical ancient site of nearby Delos. Together with being friendly and open people, the locals have a healthy understanding of what it means to have a good time. Put this together with all the island's other qualities and it is no wonder Mykonos has been often named "the jewel" of the Aegean Sea.
18:00 - Departure from Mykonos for Rhodes. Overnight on board.

DAY 09, Sunday / Rhodes
08:00 - Arrival to Rhodes.
Rhodes today offers the visitor a plethora of all year round leisure alternatives, covering all types of tourist activity. The natural beauty of the island, the monuments from her long and often turbulent history, a rodosmopolitan character, as well as the warm hospitality generously offered by the people of Rhodes, and an excellent tourist infrastructure boasting the most modern hotels, all captivate the visitor. The modern city of Rhodes is one of the biggest municipalities in the Greek islands, with about sixty thousand permanent residents. It is the financial and cultural centre of the southeastern Aegean, and successfully combines a lively present with a rich historical past. There are many reasons why Rhodes is one of the most popular resorts in the Mediterranean: the natural surroundings (many parks and recreational facilities), the bright sun and the warm hospitality of the islanders themselves. The city has an excellent tourist infrastructure and offers a wide variety of entertainment (night-life, sports, cultural events, and day trips to wonderful and the neighboring islands like Kos, Patmos, Karpathos, Kalymnos and Leros). Finally, visitors have the opportunity to learn something of the eventful history of the city, visit the.
17:00 - Departure from Rhodes for Izmir. Overnight on board.

DAY 10, Monday / Izmir
08:00 - Arrival to Izmir.
Ephesus, made of stone and marble, is one of the most beautiful cities in Antiquity. Formerly it was a flourishing port where the from Sardis naturally opened on the sea, but because of the silting up of its different harbors, it lost its pre-eminence. Ephesus was not only the meeting point of ancient religions, but was above all a place from where spread. Between 55 and 58, St Paul spent two and a half years in Ephesus on his. Through his sermons and proselytism, he made many conversions among the Jewish and Greek colonies. But as he damaged the profit that priests and others were making out of the cult of goddess whose supporters were more powerful, a riot finally forced him to flee. Paul is also believed to have been imprisoned in Ephesus where he wrote a part of his epistles. Between 37 and 48, John and the Virgin Mary came to Ephesus and lived here. Christianity finally prevailed over paganism and Ephesus became the third city of the Christian world after Jerusalem and Antioch. Between 196 and 476, six councils were held in Ephesus. In 431 Emperor Theodosius II convoqued a third ecumenical council at which the dogm relating to the divine maternity of the Virgin Mary was established, making her the "Theotokos" (Mother of God), as well as Christ's double human and divine nature. Ephesus was among the Seven Churches of Revelation. In the 6th century, the harbor totally silted up by the alluvial deposits of the Cayster river, the new city spread around the Basilica of St.John. In the 8th century, repeated raids by the Arabs and once again the impossibility for the ships to come alongside gave the city the deathblow. Conquered by the Turks at the end of the 14th century, the fifth settlement called Ayasuluk took the name Selçuk centuries later, in 1914. Ephesus was also home for the philosopher Heraclitus who lived in the 6C BC. The House of the Virgin Mary (Meryemana) is located in the heights above Ephesus, and can be reached by a 9 km/ 5.6 miles long scenic road leading to the Bülbül Mountain. According to an opinion based on the decisions of, and thus at least as old as the Council of Ephesus held in431, John the Apostle came to Ephesus with the Virgin Mary: as he was dying on the cross, Jesus asked his beloved disciple John to take care of his mother.
15:00 - Departure from Izmir.

DAY 11, Tuesday / Istanbul - Disembarkation
09:00 - Arrival to Istanbul. End of Cruise. Transfer to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Flight home.  

Notes:
** This tour does not require visa.

 HORIZON

A dream holiday in the most absolute of tranquility. On board the Horizon everything is designed to make time go more slowly and give you the chance to enjoy every minute of it. Everything counts on the Horizon... Its elegance and comfort make sailing an unrepeatable experience, except when you come back on board in a peaceful dream. You'll feel great at all times wherever you are on the Horizon... You are going to enjoy yourself in its restaurants and be refreshed in its bars. In the outdoor swimming pools, in the Jacuzzis, in the gym and in the Spa you are going to feel amazing about yourself again. You are going to be entertained in the theatre, in the nightclub and in the casino. And, meanwhile, the children in the Tibu Club will be busy with non-stop activities. Making stop-offs with the Horizon is another essential feel-good experience, because your visits and excursions are different if you know that what awaits you on your return is the excellent service of the Horizon crew.

Technical Details
Year of launch: 1990 (renovated in 2009)
Capacity: 1,828 passengers
Tonnage: 46,811 tones Flag Malta
Length: 208 meters
Beam: 29 meters
Top speed: 21.4 Knots
Passengers decks: 9
Crew: 620 members
Electric current: 110Volts