Itinerary

1. Arrive Istanbul
Tour begins: 6:00 PM, Ceylan InterContinental Istanbul, Turkey. Transfers are included from Istanbul Ataturk International Airport to your hotel, overlooking the Bosphorus River. Join us for a welcome dinner tonight. Meals D

2. Topkapi Palace / Süleymaniye Mosque
Begin the day with a visit to exotic Topkapi Palace where you will see the legendary “Harem.” Drive to Süleymaniye Mosque to explore the fascinating Mausoleums. Meals BLD

3. Hagia Sophia / Covered Bazaar
Sightseeing includes the vast underground Basilica Cistern and one of the world’s true architectural gems, beautiful Hagia Sophia. Stroll through the 4,000 shops in the Covered Bazaar, a kaleidoscope of Turkish tradition. Meals B

4. Blue Mosque / Embark Ship
Tour one of Istanbul’s most imposing structures, the Blue Mosque. Enjoy lunch and a boat ride on a historic waterway before boarding the Wind Star / Wind Spirit. Meals BLD

5. Day at Sea – Cruising the Aegean Sea
A relaxing day awaits as you cruise the Aegean Sea; enjoy the amenities and entertainment aboard the ship, including a saltwater pool, fitness center and casino. Meals BLD

6. Kusadasi / Ancient Ephesus
Travel from the port city of Kusadasi to Ephesus, one of the world’s best preserved classical cities; visit the Selçuk Museum, and see the Odeon, Temple of Hadrian, Fountain of Trajan, Celsus Library, and the Arcadian Way. Meals BLD

7. Discover the Island of Rhodes
Arrive on the island of Rhodes, and tour the medieval town. Visit the Palace of the Grand Masters, and take a guided tour of the Old Town of Rhodes. Return to the ship for lunch or continue exploring on your own. Meals BLD

8. Bodrum / Turkish Coast Antiquities
Drop anchor in Bodrum this morning, where you’ll see the remains of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World – Halicarnassus Mausoleum. Visit the Castle of St. Peter and the castle’s Museum of Underwater Archaeology. Meals BLD

9. Cruise to Santorini Island
Rise early to observe the ship’s arrival in Santorini. Travel to Fira, the island’s capital city, whose iconic whitewashed, blue-domed buildings afford splendid views of the port. Lunch is on the ship – if you return to Fira this afternoon, arrive back at the ship by traditional means, the donkey! Meals BLD

10. Explore Mykonos and Delos
First stop is at Mykonos, weather permitting. Transfer by boat to the smaller island of Delos, a key archaeological site, and return to Mykonos for an afternoon at leisure. Meals BLD

11. Visit Epidaurus / Nafplion
Disembark in Piraeus and travel to the ancient ruins of Epidaurus for a visit to its spectacular theater. Spend the night in the harborside town of Nafplion, one of the most charming towns in the Peloponnese. Meals BL

12. Mycenae / Athens
Journey to Mycenae, where you will visit the Lion Gate and Agamemnon’s Tomb. Continue on to Athens for a two-night stay at a luxurious city-center hotel. Meals BL

13. The Acropolis
An early morning visit to the Acropolis avoids the crowds found later in the day. You’ll also visit the National Archaeological Museum of Athens. Spend the afternoon at leisure in Athens; join us for a farewell dinner tonight. Meals BD

14. Journey Home
Tour ends: Athens. A transfer from the Hotel Grande Bretagne to Eleftherios Venizelos, Athens’ International Airport, is included. Allow a minimum of 21⁄2 hours before the departure of your flight. Meals B

Dates & Prices

International Airfare is additional. Call Tauck for special rates on international air for travel originating in the U.S. (subject to availability).

Travel North or South: Cruise operates North from Athens and South from Istanbul. Sightseeing is identical; the Northbound itinerary is available upon request.

Please ask at time of booking about additional hotel nights before your tour begins and about our comprehensive Cruise Protection Plan.

Note: Land portion of this cruise involves significant walking, as vehicle access to antiquities and ruins is often limited. Sightseeing in Athens, Istanbul, and the Greek Islands features ancient sites with steps and uneven terrain, where walking is more difficult.
 

7-Night Cruise on Wind Star / Wind Spirit ~ Athens ~ Santorini ~ Istanbul

• Traveling with Tauck’s private group and the same Tauck Director on land and at sea aboard the ship
• Private Tauck Shore Excursions, in every port, included in your price – $700 Value!
• 3 nights at the Ceylan InterContinental, Istanbul, in a room overlooking the Bosphorus and 2 nights at the deluxe Hotel Grande Bretagne in the heart of Athens
• Special Tauck Experiences include local entertainment and music, and a boat trip in Istanbul on the Bosphorus
• Wine with dinner aboard Wind Star / Wind Spirit
• All gratuities to cruise ship staff on Wind Star / Spirit
 

Itinerary

Westbound (Monte-Carlo – Barcelona)

1. Arrive Monte-Carlo
Tour begins: 6:00 PM, Fairmont Monte Carlo. A transfer is included from Nice Côte d’Azur Airport to Fairmont Monte Carlo, a luxury hotel set next to the stunning Belle Époque casino in the heart of Monte-Carlo. Join us this evening for a welcome cocktail reception. Meals D

2. Magic of the Riviera
The Principality of Monaco, smaller than New York City’s Central Park, is one of the most alluring destinations on the Mediterranean. A guided sightseeing tour of Monaco includes the many sights of Monte-Carlo, the best known of Monaco’s four quarters. Visit Monaco-Ville (the seat of government) to see 13th-century Palais du Prince, and the Cathedral with the tombs of Prince Rainier and Princess Grace. Just beyond the horizon lies Italy – and the afternoon is spent exploring along the Italian Riviera. Panoramic views of the seascape, with its cliffs, coves and beautiful beaches, include a chance to glimpse the lifestyle of the aristocracy who live in luxurious villas. Return to Monte-Carlo, where the rest of the day is free. Meals B

• 3. Nice / Embark Le Ponant
Nice is not only one of the largest Mediterranean resorts, with its temperate climate, gorgeous flowers and lively atmosphere, but it is also steeped in a colorful history going back to the Greeks and Romans. An orientation sightseeing tour shows you landmark sights, followed by time at leisure to explore as you please. A visit to Musée Matisse in the hilly Cimiez district overlooking the town provides a wonderful opportunity to view some of the finest works by Henri Matisse, who spent years in Nice inspired by the Mediterranean light. Late afternoon, board Le Ponant for the start of your 7-day cruise. Meals BD

• 4. Ile de Porquerolles
The best benefit of cruising the Mediterranean by small ship is the opportunity to explore ports, harbors and islands that are not easily accessible. Glamorous Iles d’Hyères (also known as Iles d’Or due to the islands’ gold cliffs) are comprised of three islands off the southern French coast. Make a wet landing on the largest island, Porquerolles. A walking tour introduces you to the unusual vegetation, much of which was imported from exotic climates, as well as historic sites such as Fort Ste. Agathe and the lighthouse. The rest of the day is spent as you please, enjoying the island’s marvelous beaches, visiting the colonial town, or weather permitting, swimming off Le Ponant’s stern platform. Join us for the Captain’s welcome dinner. Meals BLD

• 5. La Camargue, Nature’s Sanctuary
A full day ashore brings you to one of the world’s great ecological preserves, La Camargue. This vast plain is an island surrounded by water, and is one of Europe’s largest river deltas; you’ll learn about the natural history of the Rhone Delta, and about the famous fleur de sel (flower of salt) that is harvested by hand. La Camargue is a wildlife sanctuary, home to black bulls that eventually engage in bullfighting; wild white horses, free to roam without stables; a kaleidoscope of flamingoes; and birds of prey. Meals BLD

• 6. Abbeys and Fortresses
A full-day journey first takes you to the beautiful wine region of Narbonne for a visit to Abbaye de Fontfroide. Set in a peaceful valley, surrounded by cypress trees, the cloisters of this 12th-century Benedictine Abbey will long be remembered. A visit to the Citadel of Carcassonne, in one of Europe’s best examples of a medieval town, includes a walk along the ramparts and Basilique St-Nazaire. Meals BLD

• 7. Spain’s Marvelous Costa Brava
Dock at Palamós for a choice of sightseeing today. For those who are inspired by the works of Salvador Dali, we’ve arranged visits to Figueres, his home town, and the lovely seaside resort of Cadaqués, where he spent time. Alternatively, visit the medieval town of Girona, where Roman and Moorish history blends together. Meals BLD

• 8. Hidden Coves of Minorca
You’ll discover that the Balearic island of Minorca is rich with beautiful beaches, archaeological treasures and a really colorful history when you go ashore in Ciutadella for a walking tour. Afternoon brings a swim in a cove and a visit to Mahón, the island’s capital. Dine tonight on the ship at the Captain’s Farewell Dinner. Meals BLD

• 9. Majorca / Leisure Time for a Swim
Le Ponant docks near the center of famous Palma de Majorca, where a sightseeing tour includes a visit to the magnificent Gothic Cathedral – views of the cathedral from the sea are more than memorable. Free time in Palma de Majorca is followed by an afternoon of swimming in small coves (weather permitting) directly from Le Ponant. Meals BLD

10. Disembark Barcelona
Your Mediterranean voyage concludes in the beautiful city of Barcelona. Disembark Le Ponant, where a sightseeing tour with local guides includes some of the magnificent works of architect Gaudí – Sagrada Família, his unfinished basilica, and Parc Güell. Explore Las Ramblas before spending the rest of the day as you please. Meals B

11. Barcelona – Gothic and Gaudí
Delve into Barcelona’s history this morning on a visit to the Gothic district, Barri Gòtic, where a walking tour reveals traces of civilizations dating back thousands of years. You have a choice of a visit to the Maritime Museum, or Gaudí’s La Pedrera, or the Museu Picasso. Join us this evening for a farewell dinner. Meals BD

12. Journey Home
Tour ends: Barcelona. Transfers are included from Le Méridien Barcelona to Barcelona International Airport. Allow 21/2 hours for flight check-in. Meals B

Dates & Prices

International Airfare is additional. Call Tauck for special rates on international air for travel originating in the U.S. (subject to availability).

Land / Cruise Price includes private Tauck shore excursions, cruise fare, port charges, wine with dinner aboard Le Ponant, and gratuities to ship staff.

Travel East or West – Cruise operates West from Nice and East from Barcelona. Sightseeing is identical; Eastbound itinerary is available at www.tauck.com or upon request.

Please ask at time of booking about additional hotel nights before your tour begins and about our comprehensive Cruise Protection Plan.
 

7-Night Cruise on Le Ponant ~ Monaco ~ Minorca ~ Majorca ~ Barcelona

• An exclusive cruise aboard Le Ponant with only 60 Tauck guests
• 2 nights in Monte-Carlo and 2 nights in Barcelona at luxury hotels in the heart of the cities
• Private Tauck Shore Excursions – $655 Value!
• Small yacht benefits such as swimming directly off the back of Le Ponant in Mediterranean coves, and access to islands and small ports that large ships can’t go to
• Wine with dinner aboard Le Ponant
• Dine both on and off the ship with meals ashore
• All gratuities to ship staff, local guides and drivers