Cruises > Cultural Crossroads: Athens, Istanbul and Rome

About Your Trip

Cultural Crossroads: Athens, Istanbul and Rome

A cruise from Greece through Turkey and Malta to Italy offers a fascinating journey through some of the most beautiful, culturally and historically rich regions of the Mediterranean. In Greece, enjoy the stunning scenery, ancient history and delicious local cuisine. In Turkey, explore the cosmopolitan city of Istanbul before heading to the ancient ruins of Ephesus. Continue to Malta, where you can explore the undiscovered and unspoilt island of Gozo. Finally, the journey ends in Italy, with stops in Salerno, Lipari and Rome, giving you a chance to experience the art, culture and cuisine of this stunning country.

Reference: TTS23323253

More About This Cruise

What to Expect

Cruise Features

Oceania Cruises Sirena

Overview

The better-than-new Sirena blends sophistication with a contemporary flair to create a casually elegant ambiance that embodies the most treasured elements of our celebrated ships. Every surface of every suite and stateroom is entirely new, while in the public spaces, a refreshed colour palette of soft sea and sky tones surrounds a tasteful renewal of fabrics, furnishings and lighting fixtures that exquisitely encompasses the inimitable style and comfort of Oceania Cruises.

Dining

The superb gourmet restaurants aboard Sirena serve delectable dishes created à la minute and offer a remarkable array of choices, from Continental cuisine and vibrant Asian dishes to casual all-American favourites. Every restaurant on board Sirena is complimentary and features open seating so you may dine wherever and whenever suits your taste and schedule. Enjoy dinner for two or a gathering with newfound friends, knowing the experience is certain to be extraordinary.

Entertainment

Pick up a steaming cappuccino and settle in to the welcoming ambiance of the classic library on board Sirena with the novel or bestseller you’ve been meaning to read. Read, relax and feel right at home with more than 2,000 books and periodicals to choose from as you sail from one destination to the next. Unwind from a busy day ashore by playing your favourite games of chance and skill in the casino. Enjoy a fun and exciting range of ways to play, from card and table games such as blackjack and roulette to slot machines. World-class musical performances will delight you, showcasing an ever-changing array of guest entertainers such as pianists, classical string quartets, dynamic vocalists and spectacular headliners. Stylish boutiques feature a tastefully curated selection of items ranging from sundries to chic resort wear and fine jewellery. Before sitting down to a gourmet meal, sample a rare vintage or savour your favourite apéritif as you enjoy spirited conversation with newfound friends amid the refined atmosphere of the convivial Grand Bar.

Wellness

On the sparkling pool deck, take a refreshing dip in the large saltwater pool or relax in one of the two whirlpool spas. Plenty of comfortable chaise lounge chairs and luxurious day beds on the beautiful teak lido deck invite you to lounge poolside while you sip your favourite cocktail from Waves Bar. From Pilates and yoga to full-body strength training, you are certain to find a complimentary fitness class to suit your preferences. One-on-one personal training is also available, as is the latest exercise equipment, such as treadmills, cycling and elliptical machines, and free weights. You can also take advantage of the Kinesis® exercise wall to improve core strength, flexibility and posture. Revel in the benefits of restorative therapies and treatments, savour healthy Aquamar Vitality Cuisine, enjoy immersive wellness experiences ashore, benefit from nutrition and lifestyle consultations, and so much more. You naturally enhance your well-being on board Oceania ships because the entire experience nurtures that most cherished gift – your health and vitality.

 

To find out more contact Dean on 01 905 9008 or email sales@thetravelsuite.ie

DAY 1

Athens (Piraeus), Greece

Just beyond the Athen’s southern fringes is Piraeus, a bustling port city of waterside fish tavernas and Saronic Gulf views. It’s no wonder that all roads lead to the fascinating and maddening metropolis of Athens. Lift your eyes 200 feet above the city to the Parthenon, its honey-colour marble columns rising from a massive limestone base, and you behold architectural perfection that has not been surpassed in 2,500 years. But, today, this shrine of classical form dominates a 21st-century boomtown. To experience Athens fully is to understand the essence of Greece: ancient monuments surviving in a sea of cement, startling beauty amid the squalor, tradition juxtaposed with modernity. Locals depend on humour and flexibility to deal with the chaos; you should do the same. The rewards are immense. Although Athens covers a huge area, the major landmarks of the ancient Greek, Roman, and Byzantine periods are close to the modern city centre.

Arrive: 16/08/2023- Depart: 16/08/2023

 

DAY 2

Lesbos, Greece

Lesbos is the third-largest island in Greece, located in the northeastern Aegean Sea, known for its stunning landscapes, traditional villages and rich history.

Arrive: 17/08/2023- Depart: 17/08/2023

 

DAY 3

Istanbul, Turkey

The only city in the world that can lay claim to straddling two continents, Istanbul—once known as Constantinople, capital of the Byzantine and then the Ottoman Empire—has for centuries been a bustling metropolis with one foot in Europe and the other in Asia. Istanbul embraces this enviable position with both a certain chaos and inventiveness, ever evolving as one of the world’s most cosmopolitan crossroads. It’s often said that Istanbul is the meeting point of East and West, but visitors to this city built over the former capital of two great empires are likely to be just as impressed by the juxtaposition of old and new. Office towers creep up behind historic palaces, women in chic designer outfits pass others wearing long skirts and head coverings, peddlers’ pushcarts vie with battered old Fiats and shiny BMWs for dominance of the noisy, narrow streets, and the Grand Bazaar competes with modern shopping malls. At dawn, when the muezzin’s call to prayer resounds from ancient minarets, there are inevitably a few hearty revellers still making their way home from nightclubs and bars.

Arrive: 18/08/2023- Depart: 19/08/2023

 

DAY 5

Kusadasi, Turkey

Whilst the busy resort town of Kusadasi offers much in the way of shopping and dining – not to mention a flourishing beach life scene, the real jewel here is Ephesus and the stunning ruined city that really take centre stage. With only 20% of the classical ruins having been excavated, this archaeological wonder has already gained the status as Europe’s most complete classical metropolis. And a metropolis it really is; built in the 10th century BC this UNESCO World Heritage site is nothing short of spectacular. Although regrettably very little remains of the Temple of Artemis (one of the seven wonders of the ancient world), the superb Library of Celsus’ façade is practically intact.

Arrive: 20/08/2023- Depart:  20/08/2023

 

DAY 6

At sea

Arrive: 21/08/2023- Depart: 21/08/2023

 

DAY 7

Gozo, Malta

Malta is situated approximately 58 miles (about 93 kilometres) south of Sicily, and approximately 179 miles (about 288 kilometres) north of Africa. The Maltese Archipelago lies at the centre of the Mediterranean. Gozo, the ‘Isle of Calypso’, is a unique island that forms a part of the Maltese Archipelago, and is famous for its mythical legends, folklore and crafts. Some parts of Gozo are still undiscovered and unspoilt. The southern part of the island facing Malta is low-lying, but it rises near the coast and forms the vertical cliffs of Ta’ Cenc that jut out like a bastion into the sea. Several narrow valleys cut through and dissect the plateau; the best-known being Xlendi.

Arrive: 22/08/2023- Depart: 22/08/2023

 

DAY 8

Lipari, Italy

The largest and most developed of the Aeolians, Lipari welcomes you with distinctive pastel-colour houses. Fields of spiky agaves dot the northernmost tip of the island, Acquacalda, indented with pumice and obsidian quarries. In the west is San Calogero, where you can explore hot springs and mud baths. From the red-lava base of the island rises a plateau crowned with a 16th-century castle and a 17th-century cathedral.

Arrive: 23/08/2023- Depart: 23/08/2023

 

DAY 9

Salerno, Italy

Salerno is an Italian city located on the Gulf of Salerno. Famous for being home to the first medical university, Salerno is a great destination for anyone looking for gorgeous sea views filled with sunshine and Italian food.

Arrive: 24/08/2023- Depart: 24/08/2023

 

DAY 10

Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy

Italy’s vibrant capital lives in the present, but no other city on earth evokes its past so powerfully. For over 2,500 years, emperors, popes, artists, and common citizens have left their mark here. Archaeological remains from ancient Rome, art-stuffed churches, and the treasures of Vatican City vie for your attention, but Rome is also a wonderful place to practice the Italian-perfected il dolce far niente, the sweet art of idleness. Your most memorable experiences may include sitting at a caffè in the Campo de’ Fiori or strolling in a beguiling piazza.

Arrive: 25/08/2023- Depart: 25/08/2023

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