Aegean Sea Odyssey via Corinth Canal

• $4.00
• 1 mg
• Windstarcruises.com

Greek temples and Turkish mosques punctuate the golden coastlines of these ancient rival nations throughout this 8-day coastal exploration of the Aegean Sea, scenic Dardanelles and the Sea of Maramara. Transit the narrow, time-saving Corinth Canal to Itea and the sacred ruins in the Sanctuary of Apollo, the former home of the ancient world’s most respected oracle. Sip tart and flavorful white wines made from local Assyrtiko, Athiri and Aidani grapes grown atop the windy ridges of Santorini. Hike between black lava rocks and white pumice stones to the smoldering crater on Nea Kameni. Shop for fresh fruit and vegetables in an open Turkish market with a local chef, then return to his Bodrum restaurant and cook up Turkish meals paired with regional wines and beer. Stroll in the shade of former terrace houses and columned buildings in ancient Ephesus prior to a late-night stay in the markets and cafes of Kusadasi, Türkiye. With 3,000 years of history, you can’t turn around in Athens without encountering the past. The Acropolis, a UNESCO site, the Plaka, and the Acropolis Museum are must-sees. But leave time if you can to climb Pnyx Hill for photos of the Parthenon at sunset, to buy your own set of Greek komboloi (worry beads), and to explore the metro stations that serve as mini-museums for the relics that are constantly being unearthed.