Departure at 13h00. Your cruise ship is reading for boarding. We leave Athens and head for beautiful Mykonos in the Cyclades. The island, according to Greek mythology, was formed by the bodies of giants slain by Hercules. The most recognisable site on Mykonos is the row of immaculate picture postcard white windmills overlooking the water. Every visitor takes that picture. The Old Town has many delightful cafes and tavernas along its winding alleys and time will pass very quickly in these lovely, relaxing surroundings.

NOTES: We highly recommend you stay one night in Athens before this day.

Vibrant and colourful, Kusadasi in Turkey is the gateway to the Hellenistic ruins of Ephesus, famed for the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Our next port of call is Patmos, a small and charming island a little over 20 square kilometres in size and lying in the Dodecanese. It is most famous for being where the Book of Revelations was written, and the location of John the Baptist’s vision, which is detailed in the text.

His remains are nowhere to be seen, of course, but the Colossus of Rhodes once bestrode the harbour which gives us another link to the Seven Wonders. Lose yourself in the maze of atmospheric cobbled streets of the Old Town (a World Heritage Site) in that will transport you back to the Byzantine Empire and be sure to wander through the Knights Quarter and the Palace of the Grand Master. Indeed, Rhodes is also known as the Island of the Knights. Our itinerary allows us a whole day here which gives plenty of opportunity to discover the clear waters, wonderful beaches and lush wooded valleys.

From one evocative island to another. Crete is Greece’s largest island and the fifth largest in the Mediterranean, a place of myths and legends. There will be the opportunity to visit the capital Heraklion and absorb some of its extraordinary history. We then enjoy an evening in incomparable Santorini where you may get the chance to see the blue domed church at Oia. There will also be time for a wonderful, traditional meal at one of the many cliffside restaurants.

We return to the capital after a whirlwind few days of adventure and discovery. Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.