Cruise from Turkey to Cyprus

Istanbul bridges Europe and Asia, shaped by Greeks, Romans, Byzantines and Ottomans. This diversity infuses the city's architecture, cuisine, music and arts. Sites include the Hagia Sophia museum, a former church and mosque, the stunning Blue Mosque with six minarets, Topkapi Palace, the former residence of the Ottoman sultans, and the Grand Bazaar, one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world.

The Dardanelles strait, known as the Hellespont in antiquity, links the Sea of Marmara to the Aegean Sea. This strategic 60 km passage between Europe and Asia has been contested for millennia, controlling access to the Black Sea. Mythology recalls Helle's drowning and Leander's legendary swim, later repeated by a 22-year-old Lord Byron. Today, tourists explore Gallipoli on the northern shore, the WWI campaign site where the Anzac legend was born.

The culturally significant seaport of Çanakkale is the gateway to the Dardanelles, connecting the Sea of Marmara to the Aegean Sea. This historic city in northwestern Turkey, on the Asian side of the Dardanelles Strait, is renowned for its role in the poignant Gallipoli Campaign during World War I, commemorated at the Gallipoli Peninsula Historical National Park. The ancient city of Troy, immortalised in Greek mythology, lies nearby.

Kusadasi is the gateway to 11th century BC Ephesus, a well-preserved ancient site. This UNESCO-listed treasure was a vital Roman capital and religious hub from 129 BC. It features marble streets, the Temple of Hadrian, mosaic-adorned Terrace Houses, the Library of Celsus and the amphitheatre where St. Paul spoke. Nearby stood the Temple of Artemis/Diana, once among the Seven Wonders. The Seljuk archaeological museum displays Ephesus artefacts.

Türkiye’s coastal crown jewel, the vibrant port town of Bodrum and its surrounding peninsula offer ancient ruins and natural beauty in equal measure. Bodrum is home to the ruins of the Tomb of Mausolus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The tomb was destroyed by a series of earthquakes.Its stone was later used to build the UNESCO-listed Bodrum Castle built by the Knights of St. John in the 15th century in the bay.

Datcha is a port town in southwestern Turkey on the narrow Datcha Peninsula on the Aegean Sea. Eski Datcha, the town's old quarter, enchants with its stone houses, narrow streets, and bougainvillea-clad walls. At the Datcha Peninsula's western tip, the ancient ruins of Knidos invite visitors to explore a bygone era. Once a thriving Roman and Byzantine trading hub, Knidos boasts an amphitheatre, a temple to Aphrodite and a 4th-century BC sundial.

Dalyan, on Turkey's southwest coast, set along the turquoise Dalyan River, faces the ancient city of Kaunos with its famous amphitheatre and cliffside King Tombs resembling mini temples. Nearby is Iztuzu Beach, or Turtle Beach, a nesting site for loggerhead turtles. The area also features the natural Dalyan Mud Baths and hot springs of Sultaniye village on Lake Köycegiz, said to be a favorite of Cleopatra.

As part of Türkiye's Turquoise Coast, Fethiye is known for its aqua-coloured waters. The modern town is built over the Ancient Greek city of Telmessos, the largest Lycian city. Lycian rock tombs carved into a bluff overlooking the city. include the 350 B.C. Tomb of Amyntas. The 400-km Lycian Way Trail connects sites from here to Antalya. Nearby, Ölüdeniz's Belcekiz Beach features the Blue Lagoon, while Butterfly Valley is a nature reserve.

On Türkiye's Mediterranean coast, Alanya is known for its old town, Kaleiçi, a maze of cobblestone streets with Ottoman villas and Turkish bazaars. Perched above is Alanya Castle, a medieval Seljuk-era fortress. Beneath the heart of town lies Damlatas Cave with stalagmites and stalactites. Alanya's beaches and clear waters are perfect for swimming and water sports, particularly Cleopatra Beach, supposedly where the Egyptian queen herself swam.

Paphos enchants with its neolithic origins and mythical ties to the goddess Aphrodite. The city and surrounding Paphos Archaeological Park hold UNESCO World Heritage status. Key sites include the Sanctuary of Aphrodite, an 11th-century necropolis, and the impressive Tombs of the Kings carved into rock. However, the crown jewels are the remarkable Roman mosaics within the House of Dionysos, House of Theseus, House of Aeon and House of Orpheus.

Limassol is the second-largest city in Cyprus, lies between the ancient sites of Amathous and Kourion. The city has witnessed various occupations. Modern waterfront buildings and a sleek promenade stand in contrast to the ancient core of the Old Town. Notably, Limassol Castle played a historic role, serving as the venue for Richard the Lionheart's marriage to Berengaria of Navarre after his conquest of the island in 1191.