Capadocia and Aegean Cruise
We are flying to Istanbul for a few days then onto Capadocia and will spend some time exploring the above and underground houses before flying back to Istanbul to cruise to Athens
Arrive in Istanbul
Today we arrived in the city of many names – Istanbul, Byzantium, Constantinople, Queen of Cities and the Door to Happiness. Istanbul is the only city in the world built on two continents—Europe and Asia—and its appeal is truly universal. The Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans all ruled their empires from here, leaving behind some of their finest monuments and a fascinating blend of cultures.
A quick transfer got us to the Pera Palace Hotel, a 5-star historic hotel originally built to host passengers on the Orient Express. (It’s said that Agatha Christie wrote Murder on the Orient Express in Room 411 during one of her visits.)
Istanbul
Today we had a leisurely day to get over the flights and after a late breakfast browsed the shops and cafes on pedestrian-only Istiklal Street then ate at the elegant Mikla Restaurant on the roof of the Marmara Pera hotel just across the street, which has been on The Worlds 50 Best Restaurant list since 2015.
Istanbul
After breakfast it was off to the Byzantine Hippodrome which was one of the largest chariot race grounds of the Byzantine Empire, where chariots used to race and were cheered on by thousands of fans. You can still see the footprint of the track and the exquisite artworks that used to decorate the infield.
Then the Blue Mosque, with its six elegant minarets and exceptional Iznik tile work and stained glass windows inside.
Next St Sophia Mosque, built during the reign of Emperor Justinian (AD 537) and remained the greatest church in Christendom until the conquest of Constantinople in 1453 and has mystical light bathing the nave with its soaring dome, and sunlit interior.
Next Topkapi Palace that brings Istanbul’s romantic history of sultans, harems, and exotic lifestyles to life, where the clatter of silver soles once warned concubines of the approaching sultan.
Next the Underground Cistern, an amazing underground cavern measureing roughly 210 feet wide and 420 feet long, with a capacity of 80,000 cubic meters of water. The 336 beautiful columns that support the cistern were salvaged from pagan temples destroyed during the Roman Empire’s conversion to Christianity.
Finally the Grand Bazaar – 64 streets and more than 4,000 shops – a mecca of handicrafts, oriental carpets, magic lamp, embroidered slippers and rare jewels are just a few possibilities or simply a Temper a tiny cup of potent Turkish coffee with bites of sweet lokum (Turkish delight).
Istanbul and flight to Capadocia
Enroute to the airport a scenic drive took us across the Galata Bridge into the heart of Istanbul, where the historic area of Istanbul was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986. We saw the Egyptian Obelisk, Serpentine Column, and Constantine Column which are remaining from the original Hippodrome.
After a short flight to Kayseri it was off to the Argos in Cappadocia Hotel, our home for the next few nights.
Capadocia
Firstly it was off to Kaymakli to see the Underground City with its five subterranean levels of living space carved out by early Christians.
Then onto The Goreme Valley, known as the valley of the churches, with some dating back to the 6th century. And not just any churches – these are rock-cut churches complete with beautiful wall frescoes.
An underground cave gallery in the pretty town of Avanos is our last stop of the day, and we had a chance to meet the pottery artisans.
Then a scenic drive through Devrent and Pasabag Valleys to see the incredible other worldly pink-hued rock formations formed by centuries of erosion. The Pasabag Valley is where you’ll find incredible cave dwellings and stone towers early inhabitants called fairy chimneys.
Day 4 : Istanbul
After an early breakfast it was back to Kayseri Airport to catch our flight to Istanbul. Once in Istanbul, a quick visit to the Spice Bazaar also known as the Egyptian Bazaar to kill a little time before we embark the yacht. Built in 1663, it is still the second largest covered bazaar in Turkey and the best place to buy Turkish delight, dried fruit, exotic herbs and all the spices of the East including cardamom, turmeric, saffron, rose water and much more.
Day 5 : Myrina
Lemnos is a delightful, off the beaten path island with wild mountainous geology and large, uncrowded, sandy beaches all along the coastline. Windsurfing is becoming increasingly popular here. Sites to see here include the Medieval Castle of Myrina, Ancient Poliochni, Ancient Kavirio and the legendary cave of Philocetes.
Day 6 : Mykonos
This morning we woke up to the postcard-like scene of Mykonos, the classic Greek isle dotted with hundreds of whitewashed churches and thatch-roofed windmills, in a harbor bobbing with fishing boats and luxurious private yachts.
We explore the tiny uninhabited island of Delos, one of the most important archaeological sites in all Greece, starting with a 45-minute ferry ride to this richly historic site. Delos was the major center of the ancient Greek world and the mythical birthplace of the god Apollo and his twin sister Artemis. The stroll includes such attractions as the Sanctuary of Apollo with its three temples dating from the 6th and 5th centuries B.C. To the west of this sanctuary lies the Sacred Lake, where Apollo was reputedly born. Standing guard over the Sacred Lake are nine replicas of the famous marble lions, which were a gift from the people of Naxos in the 7th century B.C. Other attractions include the amphitheater and the nearby theater quarter where wealthy owners built opulent houses with grand colonnaded courtyards. The island’s checkered history finally led to its destruction in 88 B.C. by Mithridates, the King of Pontus. Large-scale restoration work has continued for many years and in 1990 the island was declared a World’s Cultural Heritage Site, protected by UNESCO.
Day 7 : Kusadasi
Few places offer such a rich combination of history and scenic beauty as Ephesus, one of the greatest outdoor museums in the world.
The first place we visited was the Virgin Mary’s House. Archaeological evidence shows that the little house dates from the 6th century but that the foundations were from the first century.
Next the Ephesus ruins, a UNESCO World Heritage Site predominantly from the later Roman period.
Next the Ephesus Archaeological Museum. This small museum in Selcuk boasts an incredible collection of Hellenistic and Roman statues, carved reliefs and artifacts unearthed from the ruins of Ephesus. The famous statue of Artemis (goddess of fertility) is housed here.
Then on to the Basilica of St John. The Basilica had a cruciform plan with four domes along its longitudinal axis and a pair flanking the central dome to form the arm of the cross. Under the central dome was the grave of St John.
We visited the houses of Bulbul Mountain, where the roof of one forms the terrace of the next.
This evening we had dinner in the moonlight and a concert near the Celsus Library or on Harbour Street in ancient Ephesus.
Day 8 : Bodrum
The 15th century Castle of St. Peter, built by the Crusaders, presides over the city’s dual harbors. Colorful peacocks strut their stuff trying to claim your attention, but they have nothing on the white sugar cube houses, palm-lined boulevards, and shockingly blue Aegean below. For a picture-perfect seaside playground, Bodrum offers a surprisingly rich history, or maybe it’s the other way around. We visited the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, one of the original Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Then on to the Castle of Bodrum. To obtain stone to build the castle, the Knights of Rhodes tore down the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
We visited the Sunken Boat Museum, with artifacts found underwater including cargo from a 13th century B.C. Syrian trade ship.
Next on to the Mausoleum, which is Bodrum’s oldest antiquity and one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, built by Artemisia II in honor of her husband King Mausolos. The entire structure stood at over 150 feet tall and featured frescoes and other objects, some of which are now on display in the London Museum.
Day 9 : Santorini
Allegedly Santorini is where some say the ruins of Atlantis remain hidden.
We headed to the southern part of the island for a quick photo stop at the ruins of an old windmill that has a panoramic view then on to the Akrotiri Archaeological Site, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There we were taken back in time as these amazing ruins leave you to imagine what life was like before the village was destroyed around 1650 B.C., by the eruption of the volcano. It remains a question why there were no people left in the village at the time of the eruption, as it was abandoned for reasons unknown. It is often said in a whimsical way that perhaps Akrotiri is really the lost city of Atlantis.
Next on to Oia with its picturesque, blue-domed churches, old 2-story mansions, and narrow cobblestone streets. It is the perfect place to fully appreciate the beauty of this remarkable island. As you traverse its narrow-cobbled streets you will come across many tiny shops which offer an unusual collection of handmade works of ceramic art, paintings and semi-precious jewelry. Coffee shops perched on the edge of the cliffs offer spectacular views of Fira and the volcano.
Day 10 : Delphi
Before there were fortune cookies there was the oracle of Delphi, dating back to 1400 B.C. The oracle gave cryptic guidance to the leaders of the day and was so highly respected that Delphi, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, became known as the center of the world. An optional tour lets you go exploring, from the Temple of Apollo to the Delphi Archaeological Museum, which contains some of the finest works of art in Greece.
In antiquity Delphi was one of the world’s most important religious centers. The Sanctuary of Apollo attracted a host of pilgrims who came to consult the oracle. Even now an aura of mystery surrounds the ruins of Delphi,a UNESCO World Heritage Site, exposed on a rocky slope. For sheer grandeur of natural beauty combined with ancient ruins, there is probably no other spot on earth that rivals Delphi. Visit the ancient Sanctuary of Apollo, where the celebrated oracle Pythia dwelt. Her ambiguous prophecies were known and respected all over the ancient world. Visit the Temple of Apollo, the Sacred Way, the amphitheater, the best preserved stadium of Greece, and the Castalian spring, where in ancient days the pilgrims had to wash before they were allowed to consult the oracle. In theDelphi museum, see such treasures as the Omphalos, which marked the center of the world, and the magnificent bronze Charioteer, one of the finest pieces surviving from the 5th century BC.
Day 11 : Athens
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.
The ancient remains of Athens constitute one of the brightest jewels of the Mediterranean. The Ancient City and the Acropolis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, have been kept fairly intact. You will see perhaps the most famous temple of the Ancient City, the Parthenon. Walking up a winding path towards the Acropolis, you will pass through the Propylaea, which is the entrance to the Acropolis and see the Erechtheum Temple, built between 421-405 B.C. and famous for its exquisite attention to detail. You will also see the Porch of the Caryatids, (or Porch of the Maidens), in the distance. Reinforced by man, the natural fortress of the Acropolis stands 230 feet above the city. You cannot help but be impressed by the wide-sweeping view below. The intent of the new Acropolis Museum is to house every artifact found on the archaeological site. You will see the unsurpassed quality of the masterpieces of ancient Athens, including the entire sculpted decoration of the Parthenon as it was on the building. You will see many architectural phases and thousands of finds that provide valuable insight into the everyday activities of ancient Greece.