11D10N Istanbul – Athens (TURKISH TREASURES)

Once serving as the capital of the Ottoman and Byzantine Empires, Istanbul today offers impressive architecture, historic sites, dining, shopping, nightlife and exotic atmosphere. Spend time in the Old City to explore renowned places, like the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace.

Once serving as the capital of the Ottoman and Byzantine Empires, Istanbul today offers impressive architecture, historic sites, dining, shopping, nightlife and exotic atmosphere. Spend time in the Old City to explore renowned places, like the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace.

Stop into our boutiques and browse a wide range of items – upscale handbags to exclusive fragrances to fine jewelry – in an intimate and unhurried setting. You’ll also find swim wear, Regent Seven Seas Cruises® logo wear and gift items to share with friends and family. Our boutiques are staffed by friendly salespeople. Opening hours vary and are printed in the Passages daily newsletter.

Curled around a cerulean bay, Izmir buzzes with a remarkably cosmopolitan vibe considering its estimated 4,000 years of history. Soak up sublime Mediterranean atmosphere along a café-laden waterfront, noshing on boyoz, kumru, kokoreç and lokma (‘king of desserts’) over kahve, Turkey’s thick, strong coffee. Snap photos roaming the archways and columns of Izmir’s Roman agora before visiting the intricately patterned clock tower in Konak Square. Haggle at 500-year-old Kemeralti Bazaar, visit Izmir’s archaeological museum and ride a teleferic (cable car) for panoramic views of the ‘Pearl of the Aegean’.

Tucked away in the Horizon Lounge, Chartreuse is a hidden gem featuring modern French fare with attentive servers and a maître d' on hand to ensure your dining experience is flawless and accompanied by the finest French wines. Savor ‘new’ flavors to Chartreuse like frog legs in a garlic cream sauce with rutabaga or bite into the tender veal rack of loin with caramelized endive, grape chutney and the earthy tones of a walnut veal jus sauce.

With an azure-blue sea lapping golden beaches, a multitude of wood-hulled yachts bobbing in marinas and pine-covered hillsides framing it all, Marmaris earns its stripes as a popular resort town. Take in the views along the walls and ramparts of Marmaris Castle (1522) before stopping off at its artifact-rich museum, which includes fascinating finds from surrounding archaeological sites and Marmaris Bay shipwrecks. Admire Old Town’s traditional buildings, then head to the waterfront for dizzying varieties of Greek and Turkish food – and maybe a sip (or two) of ouzo.

Limassol is the jumping off point to explore the ancient riches of Cyprus.View ruins, vast groves of lemons, oranges and olives, majestic mountains and scenery, and stunning beaches. Visit Lemesos Castle, where Richard-the-Lionheart married Berengaria of Navarre, and its fascinating museum. Or stroll through ancient Curium and admire its stunning mosaics, theater, basilica and panoramic views over the sea. Venture inland to Nicosia and its wonders, the Cathedral of St. John, the Venetian fortifications, a restored old town and mosque and the Museum. Take home some lovely lace, copper items, jewelry and pottery. Enjoy a selection of appetizers so extensive it can be a hearty meal as well as fresh seafood accompanied by a delicious glass of wine.

Renowned as the site of the former Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, Rhodes was home to the Knights of St. John from the 12th to 16th centuries. Their famous Palace of the Grand Masters remains a “must-see,” as are many of the inns occupied by the Crusaders and the replica of the old church. For a more in-depth look at the city, visitors can take in the Archeological where the Acropolis of Rhodes and the ancient stadium offer perfect photo opportunities.

The capital city of Greece’s largest island, Heraklion beguiles with a pair of Crete’s must-see sights: the state-of-the-art Heraklion Archaeological Museum, home to treasures of Minoan civilization and finds covering over 5,500 years of Crete’s history; and the Palace of Knossos, a center of Minoan power that dates back to 2000 BC and revered as the location of the mythic Minotaur’s Labyrinth. Take in spectacular harbor views from Iraklion’s 13th-century fortress and revitalized waterfront, where ‘fish taverns’ serve authentic Cretan dishes like sweet or salty kaltsounia washed down with raki, Crete’s local spirit.

Steeped in Greek mythological history, Mykonos was named after Apollo’s grandson, Mykons, and was the location of the grand battle between Zeus and the Gigantes. Today, this island is one of Greece’s most adored destinations due to its picture- postcard setting and growing nightlife. Mykonos is a superb example of Cycladic architecture, and by law even new buildings have to be built in the same style of whitewashed, organic, cube-like buildings. Be sure to plan a day trip to take in picturesque Little Venice, the unique Paraportiani church, and the archeological dig at Delos.

Piraeus is the gateway to the ancient city of Athens, known as the “Cradle of Western Civilization” because of its immense impact on cultural and political achievements throughout the world. Due mainly to tourism and the 2004 Olympics, Greece has redeveloped many sites in Athens. A historian’s delight, Athens is home to such magnificent wonders as: the Acropolis, the Parthenon, the atmospheric winding streets of the Plaka, Temple of Olympian Zeus and Temple of Athena Nike, and the Archaeological Museum with the world’s finest collection of ancient artifacts.