Escape on a relaxing cruise to Greece and Turkey, visiting the most exquisite islands of Greece and the exciting resort town of Kusadasi in Turkey. Spend time on your cruise ship lying on the sundecks next to the onboard pool, take time out in the onboard jacuzzis and have fun socialising in the comfortable onboard lounges and bars. Enjoy the vibrant and cosmopolitan island of Mykonos, with the scenic windmills and white washed houses. Sail on to Turkey’s popular resort of Kusadasi for shopping at the colourful bazaar or perhaps take a visit to the breathtaking ancient ruins of Ephesus. Take in the holy atmosphere of Patmos where St John wrote the Apocalypse. Experience the beauty of Rhodes, full of fabulous beaches with clear blue waters, and a medieval city centre which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Discover the Venetian city of Heraklion in Crete and perhaps join an optional tour to the famous archaeological site of Knossos to see the extraordinary remains of the Minoan civilisation. Finally, on the island of Santorini, enjoy the stunning sunset and the magnificent view over the Aegean, before returning to Athens and a City Tour of this historic city which includes a visit to the Acropolis.

Athens. Today is a joining day, so if you arrive into Athens early then you are free to explore. Please ensure that you are at the joining hotel at 6pm where you will meet your fellow travellers, and also the Local Guide who will confirm the transfer time to the port. The Local Guide will also brief you on the cruise ship and cruise.

Please note that you will be able to leave your luggage with hotel reception if you arrive early and wish to explore the area.

Kusadasi, Turkey then Patmos. Overnight sail to Rhodes. We arrive into Kusadasi early in the morning with time to explore until midday, or the chance to take an optional shore excursion.

Ancient Ephesus Shore Excursion (Euros 59 pp - 3 hours). Through the colourful town of Kusadasi, drive along the coast and into the verdant countryside to reach Ephesus, famous in antiquity for its Temple of Artemis - one of the seven wonders of the ancient world – and later the home of St. John. During the years of the Roman Empire, the Greek port of Ephesus became the greatest city in Asia Minor. Upon arrival at Ephesus, follow your guide to enter this amazing ancient city through the Magnesian Gate. Here, discover innumerable monuments including the Forum, the Odeon, the Library of Celsus, the Thermal Baths of Scolastika and the Great Theatre of Antiquity built in the Greek era and reconstructed in the Roman period, which is still noted for its remarkable acoustics. View the symbols all around and marvel at the fact that one is still able to read the inscriptions in the ancient Greek language. Walk back to your motor coach along the Arcadian Way, where once Mark Antony and Cleopatra rode in procession. As you drive back to Kusadasi, on a hill above Selcuk, just outside Ephesus, view the Basilica of St. John, which was erected over his grave in the 6th Century AD by the Emperor Justinian. Just downhill, is the site of the famous Temple of Artemis (Diana), one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, today in ruins. For the people who actually visited it, the answer was simple. It was not just a temple... It was the most beautiful structure on earth... described by Philon of Byzantium: “I have seen the walls and Hanging Gardens of ancient Babylon, the statue of Olympian Zeus, the Colossus of Rhodes, the mighty work of the high Pyramids and the tomb of Mausolus. But when I saw the temple at Ephesus rising to the clouds, all these other wonder were put in the shade”. Before returning to the ship, enjoy free time in Kusadasi to shop for every conceivable item, such as carpets, jewellery, local souvenirs, leather goods and Turkish delights.

Please Note! Due to some walking at certain sites, comfortable and non-slip shoes are recommended

At noon we commence our sail to Patmos arriving at about 16.30pm. Disembarkation is by tender boats (weather permitting). Explore on your own, or join one of the optional shore excursions.

Patmos Island Tour. (Euros 34 pp - 2.5 hrs). A delightful scenic island tour has been designed for those guests who prefer to discover the beauties of Patmos within the comfort of the air-conditioned motor coach. Commencing your tour from the port of Skala, you will drive to the dominating central part of the island "Chora", which is the location of the Majestic Byzantine Monastery of St. John the Divine, built in 1088. Your sightseeing will first bring you to the windmills of Chora, once the landmark of all Aegean islands. Enjoy the view and photo opportunity and then, continue to visit the new active convent of Evangelismos (Annunciation) in the south part of the island, which has a significant number of nuns who follow the traditions. Afterwards, continue your drive around the island to see its landscape of outstanding natural beauty with dozens of peninsulas of land reaching out into the sea, tranquil beaches and many picturesque inlets. Arriving at the village of Kambos located in the north part of the island, you will be welcomed with refreshments and a traditional local sweet. Your tour will end in the port of Scala where you may enjoy some free time in this quaint and picturesque little harbour

Please Note! Modest dress is required in the Religious Sites, no bare shoulders and knees must be covered. There is a strenuous uphill climb involved to reach the site

Monastery of St John & Grotto (Euros 49pp - 2.5 hrs). Departing from the port of Scala you will enjoy a short journey to the village of Chora, where the Monastery of St. John is built within the walls of a strong fortification. As you walk uphill towards the entrance of the Monastery marvel at this magnificent structure which was built 900 years ago, exceptional in its architecture. View the courtyard, the Monks' dining room and the old bakery before you visit the main church noting its outstanding frescoes and interior decoration. Next, see the priceless ecclesiastical treasures housed in the beautiful but small museum: books and manuscripts, mosaics, icons, splendid medieval textiles and vestments as well as jewellery. Return to your motor coach to continue on to the nearby Grotto of the Apocalypse, above which stands the church of the Apocalypse, a sub-unit of the main Monastery. Walk down the steps to visit the Grotto of the Apocalypse. Here you will see the silver niches in the wall, that mark the pillow and ledge used as a desk by the author of the Book of Revelations as well as the three-fold fissure made by the Voice of God emphasizing the honour of the Trinity. Afterwards, drive back to the port of Scala and enjoy some free time in this quaint and picturesque harbour.

Please Note! Modest dress is required in the Religious Sites, no bare shoulders and knees must be covered. Please watch your step when visiting the Grotto of Apocalypse. There is a strenuous uphill climb involved to reach the site. Tour timeline may vary

Please Note: Shore excursions are NOT included in the tour cost. All shore excursions may be booked and paid for locally. Prices are a guide and may be subject to change.

At 9pm the ship departs heading for Rhodes overnight.

Crete (Heraklion), Santorini, Overnight Sail to Athens. We arrive into Heraklion early, and several shore excursions are available.

Panoramic Heraklion and Wine Tasting (Euros 52 pp - 3 hrs). Your tour begins from the Venetian lion-guarded port of Heraklion and having a scenic drive through the city to the famous wine producing of Peza, south of Heraklion. Driving through breathtaking landscape of countryside and vineyards as old as Minoan times on your way to your first stop, a modem winery, were you will see the updated procedures of wine making and sample some of the delicious Cretan wines. Your drive continues through rural villages to the village of Archanes, the municipality in the area. Arriving to the village which is situated 10 km south of the Palace of Knossos, enjoy the quaint market town of Archanes where you can see many restored sandstone houses dating from the Turkish period. After your walking tour, you will have the opportunity to sample an assortment of Cretan snacks and locally produced wine at a local tavern in the village’s tree shaded square. Free time to browse will be given before the return drive to the port of Heraklion and the ship.

Palace of Knossos (Euros 56pp - 3 hrs). Enjoy a drive from the Venetian lion-guarded port of Heraklion town to Knossos (approximately 30 minutes), once the capital city of the prehistoric Minoan civilization, and thought to be the basis for the original Labyrinth housing the mythological Minotaur. Follow your guide in order to visit a portion of the excavated and partially reconstructed Palace of King Minos, as well as the surrounding area. The Palace houses the Hall of the Royal Guard, decorated with frescoes and shields, the Hall of the Double Axes, and from above, the King's Chamber housing the alabaster throne amidst paintings of griffins and lilies and the Queen's Apartment adorned with murals of dolphins and spirals, a reminder of the legend of the Labyrinth. Moreover, view the beautiful courtyards & shrines. Return to your motor coach and drive to the city of Heraklion, where you will have free time visiting the open exhibits at the local Archaeological Museum or visit the town and browse the shops. Afterwards, return to the port by motor coach in time for ship's departure.

Please Note! The King's Chamber and the Queen's Apartment may be closed due to temporary restoration but can be viewed from above. Entrance fee to the Archaeological Museum is not included

At 11am we set sail for Santorini arriving at about 1630pm.

Santorini Sailing & Volcano (Euros 50pp - 3.5 hrs). Enjoy a cruise around the active crater of Nea Kameni islet. Sail along the peculiar formations of its volcanic shores, where black lava rocks and white pumice are combined beautifully with the red colour of lava. Take a walk to the top of the volcanic island where sulphur is spewed into the air by one of the craters. Enjoy this surreal landscape as your guide narrates the creation and history of the volcano and the last eruption leading to the destruction of the island of Santorini. The tidal wave created by the eruption was of such an immense magnitude, it destroyed the thriving city of Knossos on the island of Crete. As your caique enters the narrows of the two lava islets, Palea and Nea Kameni, note the changing colours of the water from dark blue to sulphur green. In the background, admire the breathtaking sight of Fira Town with its white washed houses clinging precariously on the rim of the Caldera. Sail to Athenios harbour, where your motor coach will take you to Fira Town, the island's capital. Here the tour ends and you will have free time to walk around on your own or shop, time permitting. Later, use your tour ticket on the cable car to descend to Skala, the pier at the bottom of the cliff where ship's tenders will be waiting to take you back to the ship.

Please Note! The hike up the volcano is considered steep, challenging, and strenuous. Rubber-soled, closed-toe shoes are essential for this tour. We also recommend light dress, comfortable enclosed flat shoes, hat, sunglasses and bottled water. You will see that donkeys are made available to descend Skala. However, we are very concerned for the welfare of the Santorini donkeys and the cruise ship has teamed up with the charity, The Donkey Sanctuary, to help try to improve their working and living conditions. As well as this, for our guests own safety, you are advised that descending to Skala on mule back may be uncomfortable as the animals lean forward at a considerable angle due to the very steep incline. On this basis we kindly ask you to use the cable car or to walk instead.

Island Tour & Oia Village (Euros 53 pp - 3.5 hrs). Sailing into the Caldera of Santorini is like floating inside a giant open-air geological museum. Oia Village is the crowning glory of peace and tranquillity. Built on the northern tip of the Caldera rim, it is here where many artists have been inspired due to its magnificent location. As you will see for yourself, it has “out of this world" views of the Caldera, the island itself and many of the broken off islands surrounding the Caldera and Aegean Sea. Take a short trip by boat to Athenios harbour where you will meet up with your motor coach and guide. Drive uphill along the rocky sides of the Caldera and pass through many traditional villages in order to reach the listed settlement and unique village of Oia, with its typically Cycladic architecture and its houses perched on the cliffs edge like seagulls poised for flight on this dramatic cliff-side. Accompanied by your guide, walk through the village along cobble, stoned streets marvelling at the breathtaking panoramic views and admiring the traditional architecture Enjoy free time on your own, where you may either wander through the many art galleries available or perhaps relax over a coffee. At the specified place and time, meet back up with your guide and make your way to Fira, the capital town of the island, built on the centre of the Caldera rim. Enjoy the town at your own leisure, time permitting, and return to the small pier of Scala, where the vessel's tendering service awaits to take you back to your ship.

Please Note! You will see that donkeys are made available to descend Skala. However, we are very concerned for the welfare of the Santorini donkeys and the cruise ship has teamed up with the charity, The Donkey Sanctuary, to help try to improve their working and living conditions. As well as this, for our guests own safety, you are advised that descending to Skala on mule back may be uncomfortable as the animals lean forward at a considerable angle due to the very steep incline. On this basis we kindly ask you to use the cable car or to walk instead. Guests are encouraged to wear comfortable walking shoes for this tour which involves strenuous walking. In unfavourable weather conditions, this tour will commence from Fira Town not from Athenios harbour.

The ship sets sail at 9pm bound for Athens.

Your passport is a valuable document and you should exercise extreme care in keeping it safe. We recommend that you keep your passport on you at all times, preferably in a money belt that is worn under your clothing. We advise that you take copies of relevant pages in your passport and any visas that you may purchase in case of loss or damage. Your tour leader will require your passport details at the pre-departure meeting. Again, we recommend that you have a photocopy of all passport details, kept separate. Your passport must be valid for six months after the END of your tour, and must have one blank page for each country to be visited.

Vaccinations:

No vaccinations are compulsory in Europe however you may need additional inoculations so please contact your G.P or a travel medical centre for further information.

We also recommend:

• A dental check-up prior to travelling.
• That you know your blood group in case of emergency.
• That if you have any pre-existing medical conditions which might affect you on tour, you make these known to your tour leader and your agent/Kumuka at the time of your booking.          

You can also visit www.kumuka.com for further details.

Medical Supplies:

Your tour leader has a well-equipped medical kit that by law must remain sealed and can only be used in an emergency. We advise that all passengers bring along their own personal first aid kit. Below is a list of some recommended items:

 Band Aids/Bandages, Laxatives, Upset stomach remedy, Anti-diarrhoea remedy, Panadol/Aspirin, Rehydration remedy, Antiseptic cream/powder, Sterile dressing, any relevant course of medication such as contraceptive pills.

A complete Travellers Medical Pack can be purchased for approximately US$25 at most Vaccination Centres, Chemists and outdoor travel shops.

We recommend an average of €40-50 per day. This of course depends on your own spending habits, the number of optional excursions you wish to take and the amount of additional snacks, souvenirs and drinks you wish to buy along the way. Be aware that some countries are more expensive than others and that if you are travelling through several your expenses will vary enormously. Similarly there will be some days when you spend nothing at all and others when you exceed your budget.

• We advise that you carry a mixture of cash mainly Euros and credit/debit cards with you on your trip. 
• Credit cards are accepted virtually everywhere in Europe. They can also be used to obtain money from ATMs. You should make sure you know your PIN number.
• ATM cards can be used widely in Europe. Again, you will need your PIN. Your bank will provide you with more details.
• Euro cheques are now valid for all EU countries except the UK, Switzerland, Hungary and the Czech Republic. The Euro has come into effect as a cash currency from 2002
• Travellers cheques are difficult to cash and always have a transaction fee applied..

- A frameless or internally framed backpack is the best way to carry your belongings since it is easy to lift on and off vehicles.

- A small daypack is practical for keeping general items (e.g. camera, books, wallets etc.) at hand when your main pack is out of reach. It is also handy for day trips and excursions.

- We also recommend that you keep your passport, credit cards Travellers Cheques etc. on you at all times, preferably in a money belt worn under your clothes.

TRAVEL TIP: You might be tempted to buy a few souvenirs here and there, so leave a little room for those extra purchases!

Please use your discretion and be sensitive to cultural differences in the countries that you visit, in particular visits to religious buildings and when taking photographs. Your Tour Leader will advise you of any specific customs to observe.

For detailed climate information see www.kumuka.com.

Travel Tip: Always bring a lightweight, waterproof jacket and/or an umbrella even during the height of summer - this should prepare you for anything!

English will be widely spoken in the major tourist attractions of the main cities. Take the time before your trip to read up on the country you will be visiting and perhaps learn a few words of the language. Your effort will always be welcomed and will make your trip all the more enjoyable.

All types of camera film are readily available in Europe; however, it is often cheaper to purchase it in your country of origin or through duty free.

As a guideline, most people use approximately one to two rolls of 36 per week. Fast film (200-400 ASA) may be useful at times and black & white film is nice to use for portraits of local people. A zoom lens is also useful.

Please remember, we are guests in the countries through which we travel and we may sometimes inadvertently cause offence by taking photographs without first asking permission.

Under no circumstances are any illegal drugs allowed on any part of the trip. Anyone discovered in possession of any such drugs, will be asked to leave the tour immediately without question or refund.

Tour Questionnaire - We would like to hear about your experiences on tour. One week after your tour ends you will automatically receive a feedback questionnaire via email. If we do not have your email address you can still complete a questionnaire by visiting www.kumuka.com/feedback

Email - If you have any specific comments about your tour then please write to us by email to operations@kumuka.com