Viking Cruises
Ancient Mediterranean Treasures
including
Greece & Turkey

All Aboard

The Viking Sky

Departing October 19th for 9 days / 8 nights

itinerary:

Day 1  Departure Airport to Athens, Greece
After checking-in at your designated departure airport, please go directly through to the departure gate so you don’t get caught in a long line for security. Once aboard your transatlantic flight, sit back and relax on your overnight flight.
Overnight aircraft – Meals as provided by the airline.

Day 2  Arrive Athens, Greece and overnight. aboard Ship.
When you arrive in Athens, proceed through Immigration and Customs to the baggage re-claim area for your flight and an ABS Travel Representative will meet you there. After all bags have been re-claimed, you will be directed to your transportation for transfer to the ship.for overnight.

ATHENS:
Athens offers a looking glass back in time into Greece's powerful ancient civilization. Art lovers, epicureans and history buffs will be delighted by the ancient ruins, museums and tavernas of this picturesque town. Just 10 minutes from the port, you'll find the Archaeological Museum of Piraeus, filled with sculptures from the Bronze Age to the Romans. Walk to the Zea Harbour to discover how the Hellenic Maritime Museum will bring to life the grandeur of ancient Greece's naval capacities. Jump onboard an Athens cruise and relax at the small harbor of Mikrolimano, enjoying a meal of grilled octopus and chilled white wine at a small restaurant overlooking the sea.

In addition to being the birthplace of democracy, Athens is also considered the cradle of western civilization. This is due to their progress in the fields of philosophy, literature and even architecture. Athens was the heart of ancient philosophy. It was the location of Plato's Academy as well as Aristotle's Lyceum.
Overnight Athens, Greece

Day 3  Athens.
Today, you will have the entire day to journey into ancient Athens via a panoramic drive, passing the promenade at Mikrolimano Marina as you enter the city’s heart. There, you will see the Hellenic Parliament, Syntagma (Constitution) Square, the Panathenaic Stadium, the Temple of Zeus and the iconic Acropolis. Explore the bustling Plaka District at the base of the Acropolis. Or, as an option, explore the interior of this UNESCO Site; climb 80 steps to the entrance for an unforgettable view of the Parthenon at its peak.
Overnight Ship.

Day 4  Heraklion, Crete
Home to the ancient Minoans and a former Venetian stronghold, Crete harbors a millennia-old history. Greek mythology tells us that Zeus was born here, and Theseus destroyed the Minotaur at Knossos. Later, Saint Titus of Crete preached in Heraklion’s streets. Bask in Aegean breezes while exploring the café-lined Lions Square and the arched gallery of the celebrated Venetian Loggia.
Overnight Ship

Day 5  Rhodes, Greece
Discover the Old Town of Rhodes today. This “Island of Knights” prospered from the wealth brought here from the Holy Land by the Knights of Saint John of Jerusalem. Follow the Street of the Knights to the most imposing building in Rhodes: the Palace of the Grand Masters, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tour this fascinating building, which was first a castle, then a royal palace. Our berth is near the city’s historic quarter, allowing you to linger at your leisure after your included walking tour. Or, opt to visit the Acropolis of Lindos; from its rocky perch, you will have magnificent views of the whitewashed village and harbor below.
Overnight Ship

Day 6  Kusadasi for Ephesus, Turkey
One of antiquity’s best-preserved cities, Ephesus offers an unparalleled look into the lives of the ancients. Many of its ruins have endured from the time Ephesus was one of the largest metropolises of the ancient world. Excavations reach back to the 10th century BC, when this city hosted one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World—the Temple of Artemis. Today, Ephesus is still full of wonders: the towering facade of the Library of Celsus, the massive amphitheater that once sat 25,000 spectators and residences adorned with frescoes.
Overnight Ship

Day 7  Troy, Turkey
Located on the Dardanelles, a key waterway linking the Sea of Marmara to the Aegean Sea, Çanakkale was an object of desire dating back to the ancient Greeks. Today, explore Çanakkale or the nearby ruins of Troy, once a powerhouse of Asia Minor. The remarkably preserved structures of this UNESCO World Heritage Site provide a glimpse of the region’s former glory and offer hints of life here in the days of Alexander the Great and the Roman emperor Augustus.
Overnight Ship

Day 8  Istanbul, Turkey
Discover where East meets West as you arrive today in Istanbul. Take time to admire this city that straddles two continents across the Bosphorus Strait, with its Old Quarter skyline of domes and minarets and the twinkling lights of modern Istanbul across the water. Sample delicious cuisine for a taste of this fusion, combining fresh Mediterranean fare with spices from the Far East and Asia. Enjoy a wealth of religious sites, such as the spectacular “Blue Mosque” and the legendary Hagia Sophia. 
Overnight Ship

Day 9 — Friday 27^th October 2023 - Istanbul, Turkey and Flight back to USA

Pre and Post hotel stays available in Athens and Istanbul - please call for details.

Pricing for Private Balcony STATEROOM

$5,995 per person based on double occupancy.

Itinerary at a Glance

Starts: Thursday October 19th 2023
Ends: Friday October 27th 2023

   

What's Included

• Flight from most US Airports including Rapid City, SD to Athens, Greece
• All transfers
• 7 night cruise around the Greek Islands & Turkey
• 1 complmentary shore excursion in each port of call 
• Free Wifi
• All main meals and entertainment aboard ship
• Alternative restaurant dining at no extra charge
• Complimentary Beer & Wine with Lunch and Dinner aboard ship
• 24 hour room service.
• Six Ports of Call
• Return flight to home airport from Istanbul
• Fully escorted from Athens

Pricing

• Price: from $5,995pp double occupancy 
• Single Supplement: Call for pricing

Tour Brochure

• Itinerary (PDF)

How to Book

• Full Payment at time of Booking 
• Booking Form

What You'll Need

• A camera is a must
• Binoculars would be a great idea
• Dress is Casual and smart Casual evenings
• Passports are required for this tour (note a Passport Card WILL NOT be sufficient, full Passport is required)
• Please bring your Covid Vaccination Certificates with you just in case!