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-color 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—Athína in Greek—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 humor 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 center.
You can easily walk from the Acropolis to many other key sites, taking time to browse in shops and relax in cafés and tavernas along the way.
From many quarters of the city you can glimpse "the glory that was Greece" in the form of the Acropolis looming above the horizon, but only by actually climbing that rocky precipice can you feel the impact of the ancient settlement.
The Acropolis and Filopappou, two craggy hills sitting side by side; the ancient Agora (marketplace); and Kerameikos, the first cemetery, form the core of ancient and Roman Athens.
Along the Unification of Archaeological Sites promenade, you can follow stone-paved, tree-lined walkways from site to site, undisturbed by traffic.
Cars have also been banned or reduced in other streets in the historical center.
In the National Archaeological Museum, vast numbers of artifacts illustrate the many millennia of Greek civilization; smaller museums such as the Goulandris Museum of Cycladic Art Museum and the Byzantine and Christian Museum illuminate the history of particular regions or periods.
Athens may seem like one huge city, but it is really a conglomeration of neighborhoods with distinctive characters.
The Eastern influences that prevailed during the 400-year rule of the Ottoman Empire are still evident in Monastiraki, the bazaar area near the foot of the Acropolis.
On the northern slope of the Acropolis, stroll through Plaka (if possible by moonlight), an area of tranquil streets lined with renovated mansions, to get the flavor of the 19th-century's gracious lifestyle.
The narrow lanes of Anafiotika, a section of Plaka, thread past tiny churches and small, color-washed houses with wooden upper stories, recalling a Cycladic island village.
In this maze of winding streets, vestiges of the older city are everywhere: crumbling stairways lined with festive tavernas; dank cellars filled with wine vats; occasionally a court or diminutive garden, enclosed within high walls and filled with magnolia trees and the flaming trumpet-shaped flowers of hibiscus bushes.
Formerly run-down old quarters, such as Thission, Gazi and Psirri, popular nightlife areas filled with bars and mezedopoleia (similar to tapas bars), are now in the process of gentrification, although they still retain much of their original charm, as does the colorful produce and meat market on Athinas.
The area around Syntagma Square, the tourist hub, and Omonia Square, the commercial heart of the city about 1 km (½ mi) northwest, is distinctly European, having been designed by the court architects of King Otho, a Bavarian, in the 19th century.
The chic shops and bistros of ritzy Kolonaki nestle at the foot of Mt.
Lycabettus, Athens's highest hill (909 feet).
Each of Athens's outlying suburbs has a distinctive character: in the north is wealthy, tree-lined Kifissia, once a summer resort for aristocratic Athenians, and in the south and southeast lie Glyfada, Voula, and Vouliagmeni, with their sandy beaches, seaside bars, and lively summer nightlife.
Just beyond the city's southern fringes is Piraeus, a bustling port city of waterside fish tavernas and Saronic Gulf views. Undoubtedly the most extraordinary island in the Aegean, crescent-shape Santorini remains a mandatory stop on the Cycladic tourist route—even if it's necessary to enjoy the sensational sunsets from Ia, the fascinating excavations, and the dazzling white towns with a million other travelers.
Called Kállisti (the "Loveliest") when first settled, the island has now reverted to its subsequent name of Thira, after the 9th-century-BC Dorian colonizer Thiras.
The place is better known, however, these days as Santorini, a name derived from its patroness, St.
Irene of Thessaloniki, the Byzantine empress who restored icons to Orthodoxy and died in 802.
You can fly conveniently to Santorini, but to enjoy a true Santorini rite of passage, opt instead for the boat trip here, which provides a spectacular introduction.
After the boat sails between Sikinos and Ios, your deck-side perch approaches two close islands with a passage between them.
The bigger one on the left is Santorini, and the smaller on the right is Thirassia.
Passing between them, you see the village of Ia adorning Santorini's northernmost cliff like a white geometric beehive.
You are in the caldera (volcanic crater), one of the world's truly breathtaking sights: a demilune of cliffs rising 1,100 feet, with the white clusters of the towns of Fira and Ia perched along the top.
The bay, once the high center of the island, is 1,300 feet in some places, so deep that when boats dock in Santorini's shabby little port of Athinios, they do not drop anchor.
The encircling cliffs are the ancient rim of a still-active volcano, and you are sailing east across its flooded caldera.
On your right are the Burnt isles, the White isle, and other volcanic remnants, all lined up as if some outsize display in a geology museum.
Hephaestus's subterranean fires smolder still—the volcano erupted in 198 BC, about 735, and there was an earthquake in 1956.
Indeed, Santorini and its four neighboring islets are the fragmentary remains of a larger landmass that exploded about 1600 BC: the volcano's core blew sky high, and the sea rushed into the abyss to create the great bay, which measures 10 km by 7 km (6 mi by 4½ mi) and is 1,292 feet deep.
The other pieces of the rim, which broke off in later eruptions, are Thirassia, where a few hundred people live, and deserted little Aspronissi ("White isle").
In the center of the bay, black and uninhabited, two cones, the Burnt Isles of Palea Kameni and Nea Kameni, appeared between 1573 and 1925.
There has been too much speculation about the identification of Santorini with the mythical Atlantis, mentioned in Egyptian papyri and by Plato (who says it's in the Atlantic), but myths are hard to pin down.
This is not true of old arguments about whether tidal waves from Santorini's cataclysmic explosion destroyed Minoan civilization on Crete, 113 km (70 mi) away.
The latest carbon-dating evidence, which points to a few years before 1600 BC for the eruption, clearly indicates that the Minoans outlasted the eruption by a couple of hundred years, but most probably in a weakened state.
In fact, the island still endures hardships: since antiquity, Santorini has depended on rain collected in cisterns for drinking and irrigating—the well water is often brackish—and the serious shortage is alleviated by the importation of water.
However, the volcanic soil also yields riches: small, intense tomatoes with tough skins used for tomato paste (good restaurants here serve them); the famous Santorini fava beans, which have a light, fresh taste; barley; wheat; and white-skin eggplants. Spilling down from the pine-covered heights of Mount Carmel, Haifa is a city with a vertiginous setting that has led to comparisons with San Francisco.
The most striking landmark on the mountainside is the gleaming golden dome of the Baha'i Shrine, set amid utterly beautiful garden terraces.
The city is the world center for the Baha'i faith, and its members provide informative walking tours of the flower-edged 100-acre spot, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
At the top of the hill are some small but interesting museums, the larger hotels, and two major universities.
At the bottom is the lovingly restored German Colony, a perfect area for strolling.Israel's largest port and third-largest city, Haifa was ruled for four centuries by the Ottomans and gradually spread its tendrils up the mountainside into a cosmopolitan city whose port served the entire Middle East.
The climate is gentle, the beaches beautiful, and the locals friendly.You don't see the religious garb of Jerusalem or the tattoos and piercings of Tel Aviv in this diverse but fairly conservative city.
In fact, you can't always tell at a glance who is part of an Arab or Jewish Israeli family, or if someone is a more recent immigrant from the former Soviet Union.
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-color 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—Athína in Greek—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 humor 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 center. You can easily walk from the Acropolis to many other key sites, taking time to browse in shops and relax in cafés and tavernas along the way. From many quarters of the city you can glimpse "the glory that was Greece" in the form of the Acropolis looming above the horizon, but only by actually climbing that rocky precipice can you feel the impact of the ancient settlement. The Acropolis and Filopappou, two craggy hills sitting side by side; the ancient Agora (marketplace); and Kerameikos, the first cemetery, form the core of ancient and Roman Athens. Along the Unification of Archaeological Sites promenade, you can follow stone-paved, tree-lined walkways from site to site, undisturbed by traffic. Cars have also been banned or reduced in other streets in the historical center. In the National Archaeological Museum, vast numbers of artifacts illustrate the many millennia of Greek civilization; smaller museums such as the Goulandris Museum of Cycladic Art Museum and the Byzantine and Christian Museum illuminate the history of particular regions or periods. Athens may seem like one huge city, but it is really a conglomeration of neighborhoods with distinctive characters. The Eastern influences that prevailed during the 400-year rule of the Ottoman Empire are still evident in Monastiraki, the bazaar area near the foot of the Acropolis. On the northern slope of the Acropolis, stroll through Plaka (if possible by moonlight), an area of tranquil streets lined with renovated mansions, to get the flavor of the 19th-century's gracious lifestyle. The narrow lanes of Anafiotika, a section of Plaka, thread past tiny churches and small, color-washed houses with wooden upper stories, recalling a Cycladic island village. In this maze of winding streets, vestiges of the older city are everywhere: crumbling stairways lined with festive tavernas; dank cellars filled with wine vats; occasionally a court or diminutive garden, enclosed within high walls and filled with magnolia trees and the flaming trumpet-shaped flowers of hibiscus bushes. Formerly run-down old quarters, such as Thission, Gazi and Psirri, popular nightlife areas filled with bars and mezedopoleia (similar to tapas bars), are now in the process of gentrification, although they still retain much of their original charm, as does the colorful produce and meat market on Athinas. The area around Syntagma Square, the tourist hub, and Omonia Square, the commercial heart of the city about 1 km (½ mi) northwest, is distinctly European, having been designed by the court architects of King Otho, a Bavarian, in the 19th century. The chic shops and bistros of ritzy Kolonaki nestle at the foot of Mt. Lycabettus, Athens's highest hill (909 feet). Each of Athens's outlying suburbs has a distinctive character: in the north is wealthy, tree-lined Kifissia, once a summer resort for aristocratic Athenians, and in the south and southeast lie Glyfada, Voula, and Vouliagmeni, with their sandy beaches, seaside bars, and lively summer nightlife. Just beyond the city's southern fringes is Piraeus, a bustling port city of waterside fish tavernas and Saronic Gulf views.
Day 2
29 September 2024
Santorini
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Undoubtedly the most extraordinary island in the Aegean, crescent-shape Santorini remains a mandatory stop on the Cycladic tourist route—even if it's necessary to enjoy the sensational sunsets from Ia, the fascinating excavations, and the dazzling white towns with a million other travelers. Called Kállisti (the "Loveliest") when first settled, the island has now reverted to its subsequent name of Thira, after the 9th-century-BC Dorian colonizer Thiras. The place is better known, however, these days as Santorini, a name derived from its patroness, St. Irene of Thessaloniki, the Byzantine empress who restored icons to Orthodoxy and died in 802. You can fly conveniently to Santorini, but to enjoy a true Santorini rite of passage, opt instead for the boat trip here, which provides a spectacular introduction. After the boat sails between Sikinos and Ios, your deck-side perch approaches two close islands with a passage between them. The bigger one on the left is Santorini, and the smaller on the right is Thirassia. Passing between them, you see the village of Ia adorning Santorini's northernmost cliff like a white geometric beehive. You are in the caldera (volcanic crater), one of the world's truly breathtaking sights: a demilune of cliffs rising 1,100 feet, with the white clusters of the towns of Fira and Ia perched along the top. The bay, once the high center of the island, is 1,300 feet in some places, so deep that when boats dock in Santorini's shabby little port of Athinios, they do not drop anchor. The encircling cliffs are the ancient rim of a still-active volcano, and you are sailing east across its flooded caldera. On your right are the Burnt isles, the White isle, and other volcanic remnants, all lined up as if some outsize display in a geology museum. Hephaestus's subterranean fires smolder still—the volcano erupted in 198 BC, about 735, and there was an earthquake in 1956. Indeed, Santorini and its four neighboring islets are the fragmentary remains of a larger landmass that exploded about 1600 BC: the volcano's core blew sky high, and the sea rushed into the abyss to create the great bay, which measures 10 km by 7 km (6 mi by 4½ mi) and is 1,292 feet deep. The other pieces of the rim, which broke off in later eruptions, are Thirassia, where a few hundred people live, and deserted little Aspronissi ("White isle"). In the center of the bay, black and uninhabited, two cones, the Burnt Isles of Palea Kameni and Nea Kameni, appeared between 1573 and 1925. There has been too much speculation about the identification of Santorini with the mythical Atlantis, mentioned in Egyptian papyri and by Plato (who says it's in the Atlantic), but myths are hard to pin down. This is not true of old arguments about whether tidal waves from Santorini's cataclysmic explosion destroyed Minoan civilization on Crete, 113 km (70 mi) away. The latest carbon-dating evidence, which points to a few years before 1600 BC for the eruption, clearly indicates that the Minoans outlasted the eruption by a couple of hundred years, but most probably in a weakened state. In fact, the island still endures hardships: since antiquity, Santorini has depended on rain collected in cisterns for drinking and irrigating—the well water is often brackish—and the serious shortage is alleviated by the importation of water. However, the volcanic soil also yields riches: small, intense tomatoes with tough skins used for tomato paste (good restaurants here serve them); the famous Santorini fava beans, which have a light, fresh taste; barley; wheat; and white-skin eggplants.
Day 3
30 September 2024
Cruising the Mediterranean Sea
View Details
Undoubtedly the most extraordinary island in the Aegean, crescent-shape Santorini remains a mandatory stop on the Cycladic tourist route—even if it's necessary to enjoy the sensational sunsets from Ia, the fascinating excavations, and the dazzling white towns with a million other travelers. Called Kállisti (the "Loveliest") when first settled, the island has now reverted to its subsequent name of Thira, after the 9th-century-BC Dorian colonizer Thiras. The place is better known, however, these days as Santorini, a name derived from its patroness, St. Irene of Thessaloniki, the Byzantine empress who restored icons to Orthodoxy and died in 802. You can fly conveniently to Santorini, but to enjoy a true Santorini rite of passage, opt instead for the boat trip here, which provides a spectacular introduction. After the boat sails between Sikinos and Ios, your deck-side perch approaches two close islands with a passage between them. The bigger one on the left is Santorini, and the smaller on the right is Thirassia. Passing between them, you see the village of Ia adorning Santorini's northernmost cliff like a white geometric beehive. You are in the caldera (volcanic crater), one of the world's truly breathtaking sights: a demilune of cliffs rising 1,100 feet, with the white clusters of the towns of Fira and Ia perched along the top. The bay, once the high center of the island, is 1,300 feet in some places, so deep that when boats dock in Santorini's shabby little port of Athinios, they do not drop anchor. The encircling cliffs are the ancient rim of a still-active volcano, and you are sailing east across its flooded caldera. On your right are the Burnt isles, the White isle, and other volcanic remnants, all lined up as if some outsize display in a geology museum. Hephaestus's subterranean fires smolder still—the volcano erupted in 198 BC, about 735, and there was an earthquake in 1956. Indeed, Santorini and its four neighboring islets are the fragmentary remains of a larger landmass that exploded about 1600 BC: the volcano's core blew sky high, and the sea rushed into the abyss to create the great bay, which measures 10 km by 7 km (6 mi by 4½ mi) and is 1,292 feet deep. The other pieces of the rim, which broke off in later eruptions, are Thirassia, where a few hundred people live, and deserted little Aspronissi ("White isle"). In the center of the bay, black and uninhabited, two cones, the Burnt Isles of Palea Kameni and Nea Kameni, appeared between 1573 and 1925. There has been too much speculation about the identification of Santorini with the mythical Atlantis, mentioned in Egyptian papyri and by Plato (who says it's in the Atlantic), but myths are hard to pin down. This is not true of old arguments about whether tidal waves from Santorini's cataclysmic explosion destroyed Minoan civilization on Crete, 113 km (70 mi) away. The latest carbon-dating evidence, which points to a few years before 1600 BC for the eruption, clearly indicates that the Minoans outlasted the eruption by a couple of hundred years, but most probably in a weakened state. In fact, the island still endures hardships: since antiquity, Santorini has depended on rain collected in cisterns for drinking and irrigating—the well water is often brackish—and the serious shortage is alleviated by the importation of water. However, the volcanic soil also yields riches: small, intense tomatoes with tough skins used for tomato paste (good restaurants here serve them); the famous Santorini fava beans, which have a light, fresh taste; barley; wheat; and white-skin eggplants.
Day 4
1 October 2024
Haifa
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Spilling down from the pine-covered heights of Mount Carmel, Haifa is a city with a vertiginous setting that has led to comparisons with San Francisco. The most striking landmark on the mountainside is the gleaming golden dome of the Baha'i Shrine, set amid utterly beautiful garden terraces. The city is the world center for the Baha'i faith, and its members provide informative walking tours of the flower-edged 100-acre spot, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At the top of the hill are some small but interesting museums, the larger hotels, and two major universities. At the bottom is the lovingly restored German Colony, a perfect area for strolling.Israel's largest port and third-largest city, Haifa was ruled for four centuries by the Ottomans and gradually spread its tendrils up the mountainside into a cosmopolitan city whose port served the entire Middle East. The climate is gentle, the beaches beautiful, and the locals friendly.You don't see the religious garb of Jerusalem or the tattoos and piercings of Tel Aviv in this diverse but fairly conservative city. In fact, you can't always tell at a glance who is part of an Arab or Jewish Israeli family, or if someone is a more recent immigrant from the former Soviet Union.
Day 5
2 October 2024
Haifa
View Details
Spilling down from the pine-covered heights of Mount Carmel, Haifa is a city with a vertiginous setting that has led to comparisons with San Francisco. The most striking landmark on the mountainside is the gleaming golden dome of the Baha'i Shrine, set amid utterly beautiful garden terraces. The city is the world center for the Baha'i faith, and its members provide informative walking tours of the flower-edged 100-acre spot, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At the top of the hill are some small but interesting museums, the larger hotels, and two major universities. At the bottom is the lovingly restored German Colony, a perfect area for strolling.Israel's largest port and third-largest city, Haifa was ruled for four centuries by the Ottomans and gradually spread its tendrils up the mountainside into a cosmopolitan city whose port served the entire Middle East. The climate is gentle, the beaches beautiful, and the locals friendly.You don't see the religious garb of Jerusalem or the tattoos and piercings of Tel Aviv in this diverse but fairly conservative city. In fact, you can't always tell at a glance who is part of an Arab or Jewish Israeli family, or if someone is a more recent immigrant from the former Soviet Union.
Day 6
3 October 2024
Port Said
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Port Said is located by the Suez Canal in the Northeast of Egypt. The city is steeped in history and culture as well as being an ideal place to enjoy seafood, shopping and fishing.
Day 7
4 October 2024
Alexandria
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Founded by Alexander the Great, Alexandria was Egypt's capital for over 1,000 years. Now, it is visited by tourists looking to enjoy some diving and those interested in the Great Library, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Day 8
5 October 2024
Cruising the Mediterranean Sea
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Founded by Alexander the Great, Alexandria was Egypt's capital for over 1,000 years. Now, it is visited by tourists looking to enjoy some diving and those interested in the Great Library, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Day 9
6 October 2024
Kusadasi
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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 and it is one of life’s great joys to attend an evening performance in the illuminated ruins once all the tourists have left. The history of the city is fascinating and multi-layered and it is well worth reading up on this beforehand if a visit is planned. Another point of interest for historians would be the house of the Virgin Mary, located on the romantically named Mount Nightingale and just nine kilometres away from Ephesus proper. Legend has it that Mary (along with St. John) spent her final years here, secluded from the rest of the population, spreading Christianity. An edifying experience, even for non-believers. For the less historical minded amongst you, Kusadasi offers plenty in the way of activities. After a stroll through the town, jump in a taxi to Ladies’ Beach (men are allowed), sample a Turkish kebap on one of the many beachfront restaurants and enjoy the clement weather. If you do want to venture further afield, then the crystal clear beaches of Guzelcamli (or the Millipark), the cave of Zeus and the white scalloped natural pools at Pamukkale, known as Cleopatra’s pools, are definitely worth a visit.
Day 10
7 October 2024
Istanbul
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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 revelers still making their way home from nightclubs and bars. Most visitors to this sprawling city of more than 14 million will first set foot in the relatively compact Old City, where the legacy of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires can be seen in monumental works of architecture like the brilliant Aya Sofya and the beautifully proportioned mosques built by the great architect Sinan. Though it would be easy to spend days, if not weeks, exploring the wealth of attractions in the historical peninsula, visitors should make sure also to venture elsewhere in order to experience the vibrancy of contemporary Istanbul. With a lively nightlife propelled by its young population and an exciting arts scene that’s increasingly on the international radar—thanks in part to its stint as the European Capital of Culture in 2010—Istanbul is truly a city that never sleeps. It’s also a place where visitors will feel welcome: Istanbul may be on the Bosphorus, but at heart it’s a Mediterranean city, whose friendly inhabitants are effusively social and eager to share what they love most about it.
Day 11
8 October 2024
Istanbul
View Details
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 revelers still making their way home from nightclubs and bars. Most visitors to this sprawling city of more than 14 million will first set foot in the relatively compact Old City, where the legacy of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires can be seen in monumental works of architecture like the brilliant Aya Sofya and the beautifully proportioned mosques built by the great architect Sinan. Though it would be easy to spend days, if not weeks, exploring the wealth of attractions in the historical peninsula, visitors should make sure also to venture elsewhere in order to experience the vibrancy of contemporary Istanbul. With a lively nightlife propelled by its young population and an exciting arts scene that’s increasingly on the international radar—thanks in part to its stint as the European Capital of Culture in 2010—Istanbul is truly a city that never sleeps. It’s also a place where visitors will feel welcome: Istanbul may be on the Bosphorus, but at heart it’s a Mediterranean city, whose friendly inhabitants are effusively social and eager to share what they love most about it.
Sister ship to Marina, stunning Riviera was designed to be special in so many ways and reflects a new level of grace and elegance through designer touches, upholstery and fabrics throughout. She features multiple gourmet restaurants and along with Marina, offers unforgettable food and wine pairings at La Reserve by Wine Spectator as well as the opportunity for private dining at opulent Privée. From the Lalique Grand Staircase to the Owner's Suites furnished in Ralph Lauren Home, designer touches that create a casually elegant atmosphere are everywhere. Riviera's refined ambiance truly embodies the unparalleled Oceania Cruises experience.
Riviera blends sophistication with a contemporary flair to create a casually elegant ambiance. From the sparkling Lalique Grand Staircase to the stunning Owner's Suites furnished with Ralph Lauren Home, designer touches are everywhere, highlighting the finest residential design and furnishings. More than anything, Riviera personifies the Oceania Cruises experience.
Riviera Facilities
Dining
Culinary Masterpieces
Designed for epicureans and travel connoisseurs, Riviera features an array of complimentary specialty restaurants and unique dining experiences you’ll remember long after your cruise ends. The gourmet restaurants each serve a distinctive set of dishes created à la minute, from Continental and wellness-inspired cuisine at The Grand Dining Room and classic French fare at Jacques to vibrant Asian cuisine at Red Ginger and steakhouse favourites at Polo Grill.
The Luxury of Casual
You’ll savour cuisine renowned as the finest at sea no matter where you choose to dine or relax on Riviera – whether that means a poolside burger, a scoop of Humphry Slocombe’s bourbon-flavoured cornflake-studded Secret Breakfast ice cream or a perfectly prepared cappuccino accompanied by freshly baked biscotti. Our culinary team’s attention to detail, passion for artisanal ingredients and dedication to technique extends to our casual dining, poolside experiences, Baristas coffee bar and the cherished ritual of Afternoon Tea at Horizons too.
Exclusive Dining Experiences
Celebratory, indulgent and unforgettable – a night in either of Riviera’s exclusive culinary venues, Privée and La Reserve by Wine Spectator, offers a divine experience. La Reserve by Wine Spectator creates distinctive pairing dinners and also features sommelier-led tastings and wine seminars. Meanwhile, the opulent private dining venue of Privée transforms a dinner into a luxurious affair. Each creates an extraordinary evening to laugh, savor and remember.
Entertainment
Life On Board
From sipping fine vintages at a wine tasting to attending a show-stopping performance in the ship lounge, a wonderful spectrum of enriching activities and lively entertainment awaits you on board Riviera. Join one of our esteemed Guest Speakers to discover their unique cultural expertise, indulge in a treatment at Aquamar Spa + Vitality Centre or take a hands-on cooking class at The Culinary Centre. As the sun lowers, gather with friends in one of the convivial bars, attend a spectacular production show or take in an unforgettable musical performance.
Music & Entertainment
World-class musical performances will dazzle you, showcasing an ever-changing array of guest entertainers such as pianists, classical string quartets, dynamic vocalists and spectacular headliners. Riviera features a unique lineup of onboard shows and entertainers to ensure that your interests are constantly piqued. Unforgettable evenings at energetic, show-stopping performances are just steps from your suite or stateroom.
Bars & Lounges
From chic Martinis to the laid-back poolside Waves Bar, there's a perfect enclave on board Riviera for every mood. Visit the elegant Grand Bar for a pre-dinner cocktail, catch a headline act in the Lounge or watch the sun set in Horizons accompanied by a glass of wine and lively music. As you explore the world, these bars and lounges are the place to unwind, gather together, laugh and take in one-of-a-kind shows and musical performances.
Enrichment
The satisfying balance of enriching activities and relaxing havens encourages you to enjoy your voyage exactly as you wish. Attend an engaging talk by a historian, naturalist or former ambassador eager to share insider knowledge. Learn to prepare a variety of exquisite dishes at The Culinary Centre, our state-of-the-art cooking school aboard Riviera, or embrace your inner artist at Artist Loft, where talented Artists in Residence offer inspiring workshops. Curl up with a classic novel in the cozy library or join one of the many other lively activities hosted each day.
Health & Fitness
Whether you want to stay active or relax and be pampered, the ship features a fantastic array of programmes and facilities aimed at improving your personal well-being. From the indulgent treatments of the spa, to fitness programmes tailored specifically for your needs, there is plenty to keep your mind and body happy whilst at sea.
A Spa Within a Spa
Take advantage of time during your Oceania Cruises voyage to focus on your wellness. Unwind, relax and reconnect with your inner balance. Explore our rejuvenating massages, body therapies, facials and more below.
Riviera Includes
Sail & Sustain
Mission Statement
Our mission is to continually improve our sustainability culture through fresh innovation, progressive education and open collaboration.
Our environmental commitment is continually evolving and expanding into additional areas of our operations, both shipboard and shoreside. Our industry is inextricably linked to the condition of our oceans and as such, continual improvement is one of our core responsibilities. In line with this accountability comes our commitment to preventing accidents and incidents involving pollution, reducing the environmental impact of our operations, managing waste through methods that promote recycling and reusing materials and ensuring continual refinement of our ISO 14001 certification objectives and targets.
Our objectives:
Minimise Waste to Landfills
Reduce our CO2 Emissions Rate
Increase Our Sustainable Sourcing
Invest in Emerging Technologies
Water Conservation & Management
Oceania Cruises has introduced the Gold Standard in still and sparkling water service on board with our new Vero Water® service. All suites and staterooms will be stocked with refillable and reusable Vero Water decanters as well as all restaurants and bars.
We have also expanded Vero service to our shoreside experience, providing guests with keepsake refillable water bottles to take Vero Water ashore with them, eliminating several million more bottles per year.
VERO Facts
Oceania Cruises became the first cruise line to introduce Vero Water, the gold standard in still and sparkling water. With the introduction of Vero, we will eliminate several million single-use plastic bottles per year from onboard use. Later in the year, we will extend Vero service to our shoreside experience, providing guests with keepsake refillable water bottles to take Vero Water ashore with them, eliminating several million more bottles per year.
Vero Water – eliminates 3 million+ single-use plastic bottles per year
80% of all fresh water consumed on board is produced on board
On average, daily water consumption per guest is 30% below the daily U.S. average
Going Green Through Technology
We are eliminating the consumption of millions of pages of paper per year via new digital technology on board.
Interactive TV System
Digital Newspaper &
Digital Guest Survey
These new digital initiatives will help us save millions of pieces of paper and thus reduce waste and reduce our carbon footprint.
Smoking Policy
For the safety and security of all guests and staff on board, Designated Smoking Areas are available on the forward, starboard corner of the Pool Deck and in the aft, port corner of Horizons. These areas are comfortably furnished and conveniently located near food and beverage areas. Smoking is expressly forbidden in all staterooms and suites, on verandas, or in any areas of the ship other than officially Designated Smoking Areas. Smoking in a stateroom or suite or on a veranda represents a serious fire and safety hazard to all guests and staff. Guests choosing to disregard this policy will be disembarked at the next port of call and may also be subject to additional fees that will be imposed to cover the costs associated with any damage to and the required cleaning of furnishings, verandas and surrounding deck and accommodation areas. All areas other than those specified as Designated Smoking Areas will remain smoke-free. This includes all guest suites and staterooms, verandas, restaurants, public areas, the Casino and all other areas of the ship. Cigar and pipe smoking is only permitted on the forward, starboard corner of the Pool Deck. The use of electronic cigarettes is allowed within designated smoking areas only.
Wi-Fi
Wireless Internet service is available throughout all ships.
Medical Facilities
Each ship is equipped with limited medical facilities and staffed by international medical personnel. Customary Emergency Room fees and charges do apply for medical services and are dictated by the services performed by the ship's medical staff.
Our doctors are international and meet American College of Emergency Physicians and ICCL (International Council of Cruise Lines) guidelines, including: current physician licensure, three years of post-graduate / post-registration clinical practice in general and emergency medicine or Board certification in: emergency medicine, family practice or internal medicine or competent skill level in advanced life support and cardiac care.
Dress Code
Recommended onboard clothing is resort or country club casual. For evening dining, elegant casual resort wear is suggested. We request that casual jeans, shorts, t-shirts, baseball caps, or tennis shoes not be worn in the restaurants after 6 PM. Baseball caps may be worn in the Terrace Café after 6 PM.
Special Dietary Requirements
Special arrangements can be made if you require diabetic, gluten-free, lactose-free, kosher, vegetarian and vegan meals. Other diets must be requested for approval and, in some cases, may require additional medical documentation.
Kosher Dining
Please contact special services at least 90 days in advance of your sailing so that we may provide your preferred selections.
The chefs of Oceania Cruises have worked with Sterling Kosher Catering to provide up to 70 kosher meal options, prepared with the finest USDA Certified glatt kosher meats, Grade A produce and ingredients, in facilities which are under strict Rabbinical supervision and daily USDA inspection. Each meal is frozen and delivered to our ships in double-wrapped packaging to allow the kosher meals to be reheated in non-kosher ovens. Each meal is served on kosher china with proper flatware.
While Oceania Cruises’ vessels do not have separate kosher kitchens, guests may also order a variety of kosher meats that can be cooked to taste (medium, well done, etc.) in addition to the Sterling Kosher Catering meal options. Please note that although the food is kosher, the onboard preparation and galley environments are not.
We are pleased to serve guests kosher meals in the Grand Dining Room restaurant. Please contact the Maître d' to make arrangements once on board. We regret that kosher meals cannot be served in other restaurants at this time. Please contact reservations for additional information.
Age Restrictions
Although children and teenagers are welcome onboard, there are no specially designed amenities and facilities. Families travelling with Oceania should be aware that the on-board experience is focused around providing adults with a relaxing and sophisticated cruise.
The sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages is limited to guests aged 21 years or older. Oceania Cruises reserves the right to prohibit and retain all alcohol bought ashore for consumption onboard the vessel.
Disabled Facilities
Guests with any medical condition(s) or special needs that may require treatment or attention or accommodation during the voyage, or needing to travel with medical apparatus, including wheelchairs, motorised scooters, oxygen therapy, etc., must advise Oceania Cruises in writing at the time of deposit. Please note some ports of call may not be suitable for guests with limited mobility and in such cases, may disallow debarkation with a wheelchair or motorised scooter or for any individual with limited mobility. Oceania Cruises is unable to accommodate women past their sixth month of pregnancy. Oceania Cruises has the right to refuse or revoke passage to anyone who, in its judgment, is in a physical, mental or emotional condition unfit for travel or whose comfort onboard may be compromised due to situations beyond the care that can be provided by Oceania Cruises. Oceania Cruises will under appropriate circumstances permit its guests to use special equipment such as those noted above, which satisfy the criteria stated in the Oceania Cruises' Policy Statement.
Guests and travel partners inquiring about rental equipment to use on any of our cruises are to be referred to Scootaround Personal Transportation Solutions at the telephone numbers or website provided below:
The avowed crème de la crème of accommodations, our Owner’s Suites, Vista Suites, Oceania Suites and Penthouse Suites are studies in perfection. Their grandeur and spaciousness are truly astonishing. Guests who desire only the best need not look further than these extravagant suites. Simply ring the Butler for exclusive services that include garment pressing and serving your dinner in-suite and revel in the fact that the Oceania Cruises’ Riviera suite experience has no peer.
Owner's Suite
Featuring iconic new furnishings, fabrics and artwork exclusively by Ralph Lauren Home, each of the three Owner’s Suites measures more than 2,000 square feet and spans the entire beam of the ship. Boasting a large living room, king-size bed, two walk-in closets, indoor and outdoor whirlpool spas and a dramatic entry foyer with a music room, these suites also include exclusive card-only access to the Executive Lounge featuring a private library.
Owner's Suite Privileges
In addition to Stateroom Amenities
Complimentary laundry service – up to 3 bags per stateroom+
Priority 11 am ship embarkation with priority luggage delivery
Exclusive card-only access to private Executive Lounge staffed by a dedicated Concierge featuring complimentary soft drinks, coffees and snacks throughout the day
24-hour Butler service
Complimentary in-suite bar setup with 6 full-size bottles of premium spirits and wines from our suite beverage menu
Complimentary welcome bottle of Champagne
Fresh fruit basket replenished daily
Priority online specialty restaurant reservations
Unlimited access to Aquamar Spa Terrace
iPad® upon request for your enjoyment on board
Optional private in-suite embarkation day lunch from noon to 2 pm in Owner’s Suites
Customised entertainment system
Bulgari gift set and variety of amenities
Choice of daily printed newspaper
Complimentary Oceania Cruises logo tote bag and personalised stationery
Cashmere lap blankets
Choice of pillow from a luxurious selection
Complimentary shoeshine service
Complimentary pressing of garments upon embarkation++
+Up to 20 garments per laundry bag; additional restrictions apply. ++Certain limitations apply.
Smoking in suites, staterooms and on verandas is strictly prohibited.
Vista Suite
Given their lavish interior design that resembles an elegant and luxurious Park Avenue home along with their premier location overlooking the bow of the ship, the eight Vista Suites are in high demand. These 1,200- to 1,500-square-foot suites include access to the exclusive Executive Lounge as well as every imaginable amenity, such as a large walk-in closet, king-size bed, second bathroom for guests, indoor and outdoor whirlpool spas and your own private fitness room.
Vista Suite Privileges
In addition to Stateroom Amenities
Complimentary laundry service – up to 3 bags per stateroom+
Priority 11 am ship embarkation with priority luggage delivery
Exclusive card-only access to private Executive Lounge staffed by a dedicated Concierge featuring complimentary soft drinks, coffees and snacks throughout the day
24-hour Butler service
Complimentary in-suite bar setup with 6 full-size bottles of premium spirits and wines from our suite beverage menu
Complimentary welcome bottle of Champagne
Fresh fruit basket replenished daily
Priority online specialty restaurant reservations
Unlimited access to Aquamar Spa Terrace
iPad® upon request for your enjoyment on board
Customized entertainment system
Bulgari gift set and variety of amenities
Choice of daily printed newspaper
Complimentary Oceania Cruises logo tote bag and personalized stationery
Cashmere lap blankets
Choice of pillow from a luxurious selection
Complimentary shoeshine service
Complimentary pressing of garments upon embarkation++
+Up to 20 garments per laundry bag; additional restrictions apply.
++Certain limitations apply.
Smoking in suites, staterooms and on verandas is strictly prohibited.
Oceania Suite
Conceived by the famed New York designer Dakota Jackson, each of the twelve Oceania Suites sprawls over more than 1,000 square feet of luxury. These stylish suites feature a living room, dining room, fully equipped media room, large walk-in closet, king-size bed, expansive private veranda, indoor and outdoor whirlpool spas and a second bathroom for guests. Also included is access to the private Executive Lounge with magazines, daily newspapers, beverages and snacks.
In addition to Suite & Stateroom Amenities
Free laundry service – up to 3 bags per stateroom+
Priority 11 am ship embarkation with priority luggage delivery
Exclusive card-only access to private Executive Lounge staffed by a dedicated Concierge, featuring complimentary soft drinks, coffees and snacks throughout the day
24-hour Butler service
Complimentary in-suite bar setup with 6 full-size bottles of premium spirits and wines from our suite beverage menu
Fresh fruit basket replenished daily
Priority online specialty restaurant reservations
Unlimited access to the Aquamar Spa Terrace
Complimentary iPad®
Customized entertainment system
Bulgari gift set and variety of amenities
Choice of daily printed newspaper
Complimentary Oceania Cruises logo tote bagand personalized stationary
Cashmere lap blankets
Choice of pillow from a luxurious selection
Complimentary shoe shine service
Complimentary pressing of garments upon embarkation++
+Up to 20 garments per laundry bag. 3 day turnaround time and laundry will not be accepted 3 days prior to disembarkation.
++Certain limitations apply
All Suites and Staterooms are Smoke-Free
Penthouse Suite
The elegant Penthouse Suites rival any world-class five-star hotel for comfort and beauty. Their design, maximises the generous 420 square feet of space and features a dining table, separate seating area, full-size bathtub/shower and separate shower, walk-in closet and a private veranda. Passengers can enjoy exclusive card-only access to the private Executive Lounge and the services of a dedicated Concierge.
In addition to Suite & Stateroom Amenities
Free laundry service – up to 3 bags per stateroom+
Priority Noon ship embarkation with priority luggage delivery
Exclusive card-only access to private Executive Lounge staffed by a dedicated Concierge featuring complimentary soft drinks, coffees and snacks throughout the day
24-hour Butler service
Complimentary welcome bottle of Champagne
Priority online specialty restaurant reservations
Unlimited access to the Aquamar Spa Terrace
iPad® upon request
Bulgari gift set++ and a variety of amenities
Customized entertainment system
Cashmere lap blankets
Complimentary shoe shine service
Complimentary pressing of garments upon embarkation++
+Up to 20 garments per laundry bag. 3 day turnaround time and laundry will not be accepted 3 days prior to disembarkation.
++Certain limitations apply
All Suites and Staterooms are Smoke-Free
Concierge Level Veranda Stateroom
Located in the most desired of locations, our Concierge Level Veranda Staterooms offer an unrivaled combination of luxury, privilege and value. A wealth of amenities and a host of exclusive benefits elevate the experience to the sublime. You will even have the services of a dedicated Concierge, the ultimate comfort of ordering room service from the extended Grand Dining Room menu during lunch and dinner, unlimited access to Aquamar Spa Terrace and even free laundry service.
These beautifully decorated 282-square-foot staterooms reflect many of the luxurious amenities found in our Penthouse Suites, including a private veranda, plush seating area, refrigerated mini-bar and an oversized marble and granite-clad bathroom with a full-size bathtub/shower and separate shower. Guests also enjoy access to the private Concierge Lounge featuring your own dedicated Concierge, magazines, daily newspapers, complimentary beverage and snacks.
In addition to Suite & Stateroom Amenities
Expanded lunch and dinner room service menu from The Grand Dining Room
Free laundry service – up to 3 bags per stateroom+
Priority Noon ship embarkation
Exclusive card-only access to private Concierge Lounge staffed by a dedicated Concierge featuring complimentary soft drinks, coffees and snacks throughout the day
Complimentary welcome bottle of Champagne
Priority online specialty restaurant reservations
Unlimited access to the Aquamar Spa Terrace
iPad® upon request for your enjoyment on board++
Variety of Bulgari amenities
Complimentary Oceania Cruises logo tote bag
Cashmere lap blankets, perfect for relaxing on your veranda
Complimentary pressing of garments upon embarkation+++
Complimentary shoe shine service
+Up to 20 garments per laundry bag. 3 day turnaround time and laundry will not be accepted 3 days prior to disembarkation.
++Limited availability
+++Certain limitations apply
All Suites and Staterooms are Smoke-Free
Veranda Stateroom
Our 282-square-foot Veranda Staterooms are the largest at sea. Featuring a comfortably furnished private veranda, our most requested luxury, each stateroom also includes a plush seating area, refrigerated mini-bar, spacious closet and a marble and granite-clad bathroom with a bathtub/shower and separate shower.
Ultra Tranquility Bed, an Oceania Cruises Exclusive
Refrigerated mini-bar with free and unlimited soft drinks replenished daily
Vero Water - still & sparkling replenished daily
Private teak veranda
Bulgari amenities
Full-size bathtub and separate shower
Belgian chocolates with nightly turndown service
Complimentary 24-hour room service
Flat-screen television with DVD player and extensive media library
Wireless Internet access and cellular service
Writing desk and stationary
Plush cotton towels, robes and slippers
Handheld hair dryer
Security safe
Category (B3) includes accessibility features in staterooms #7084 and #7087
All Suites and Staterooms are Smoke-Free
Deluxe Ocean View Staterooms
These comfortable 242-square-foot staterooms with floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows feel even more spacious with the curtains drawn back and the ocean in full view. Features include a generous seating area, vanity desk, breakfast table, refrigerated mini-bar and a marble and granite-clad bathroom with a bathtub/shower and separate shower.
Ultra Tranquility Bed, an Oceania Cruises Exclusive
Refrigerated mini-bar with free and unlimited soft drinks replenished daily
Vero Water - still & sparkling replenished daily
Bulgari amenities
Twice-daily maid service
Full-size bathtub with separate shower
Belgian chocolates with nightly turndown service
Complimentary 24-hour room service
Flat-screen television with DVD player and extensive media library
Wireless Internet access and cellular service
Writing desk and stationery
Plush cotton towels, robes and slippers
Handheld hair dryer
Security safe
This category includes accessibility features in staterooms #7082 and #7085
All Suites and Staterooms are Smoke-Free
Inside Stateroom
Wonderful sanctuaries unto their own, these 174-square-foot staterooms boast beautiful designs and handsome furnishings that add to the serenity. Highlights include a spacious marble and granite-clad bathroom with a shower, as well as thoughtful touches such as a vanity desk, breakfast table and refrigerated mini-bar.
Ultra Tranquility Bed, an Oceania Cruises Exclusive
Refrigerated mini-bar with free and unlimited soft drinks replenished daily
Vero Water - still & sparkling replenished daily
Bulgari amenities
Twice-daily maid service
Belgian chocolates with nightly turndown service
Complimentary and extensive 24-hour room service menu
Flat-screen television with DVD player and extensive media library
Wireless Internet access and cellular service
Writing desk and stationary
Plush cotton towels, robes and slippers
Handheld hair dryer
Security safe
Category (F) includes accessibility features in staterooms #10046 and #10050.