7 nights. Greece

Day 1

ephesus (kusadasi), turkey

Departure: 20:00

Kusadasi is a seaside resort town located in the Aydin Province of Aegean Turkey. It's a favored destination for tourists, known for its numerous beaches and as Turkey's most active cruise port. Many cruise ship passengers visit the ancient city of Ephesus, one of the most significant and well-preserved Greco-Roman sites in Turkey. There are several appealing beaches both to the south and north of Kusadasi. All these beaches are commercialized with hotels surrounding them. To the south of Kusadasi, you'll find the Ladies Beach, Lost Paradise Beach, and the Long Beach. Kusadasi serves as the entry point to Ephesus, an intriguing ancient city that features baths, gyms, an acoustic theater, temples, arches, and much more. The Roman Ruins at Ephesus are truly breathtaking. Within the town, you can visit the City Walls, Kaleiçi Camii, the Öküz Mehmet Pasha Caravanserai, and the Guvercin Adası peninsula. Kusadasi is one of Turkey's more cosmopolitan and vibrant resorts.

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1

Day 2

heraklion (iraklion), crete

Arrival: 10:00 - Departure: 19:00

2

Day 3-4

santorini, greece

Arrival: 07:00 - Departure: 00:30

Created by a massive volcanic eruption that is believed to have inspired the legend of Atlantis, Santorini is the most visually stunning island in the Aegean Sea. The island is essentially the outer edge of a submerged volcano, with its entire eastern coast consisting of a series of small towns situated on tall hills. Fira, the island's dramatically located capital, is perched on the cliffs overlooking the sea. Fira, along with the Parthenon, is one of the most recognized images of Greece. Its narrow streets are filled with souvenir shops, charming boutiques, and numerous jewelry stores. It is home to two beautiful churches, the Greek Orthodox and the Catholic Cathedral of St John the Baptist, as well as a small local museum. Fira also boasts a vibrant nightlife, with excellent restaurants and bars, and a few nightclubs. The city itself is a spectacle, especially at sunset. Another great spot to watch the sunset is the town of Ia, a small village perched on the rocky point of land at the northern tip of the island, 300m above the sea. The beaches in Santorini are unique compared to other Greek beaches due to their distinctive geographical features. Red and black volcanic pebbles cover the shores of Santorini's beaches, and steep cliffs create a scenic atmosphere. The most famous of these beaches is the Red beach, while Perissa, Kamari, and Perivolos are also very popular. Santorini is a truly magnificent destination. The placement of some of its main towns along the cliff-top edge of the caldera is one of the most breathtakingly beautiful sights in the world. The buildings seem to defy gravity as they cling to the cliffs and are stacked one on top of the other like a pile of sugar cubes. The sandy, multicolored beaches are just the cherry on top.

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Day 4-5

mykonos, greece

Arrival: 08:00 - Departure: 02:00

Mykonos is a favored vacation spot located in the Cyclades group of Greek islands, nestled in the heart of the Aegean Sea. In the 1960s, Mykonos emerged as a bohemian hotspot and has since evolved into one of the most glamorous holiday resorts in the country, proudly showcasing its vibrant style and reputation. For many years, this central Cyclade was the top Mediterranean destination for gay travelers, although recently Mykonos has been working to attract a more diverse crowd. Despite this, the nightlife remains very gay-friendly and the island is a haven for any party-goer with its loud and lengthy nights. The main town on the island is Chora, or Mykonos town, which is filled with narrow, winding streets, buildings painted white with blue accents, delightful restaurants, clothing and jewelry stores, a fish market, and a vegetable market. It is one of the most cosmopolitan and bustling towns in the Aegean. Apart from Chora, there is only one other town on the island, Ano Mera, which is quieter and less frequented by tourists. While visiting, be sure to see the Monastery of Panagia Tourliani, a traditional Greek Orthodox Church featuring a beautiful iconostasis. The island itself is arid and barren, but it boasts some excellent sandy beaches, the most famous of which are Paradise and Super Paradise. However, there are many other beaches to explore around the island. From the quaint port, you can take a boat to the beaches or to Delos, transitioning from the present to the ancient past, from one set of myths to another.

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Day 5

milos, greece

Arrival: 09:00 - Departure: 19:00

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Day 6

athens (piraeus), greece

Arrival: 07:00 - Departure: 17:00

6

Day 7

thessaloniki, greece

Arrival: 12:30 - Departure: 18:00

Thessaloniki, one of the oldest major cities in Europe and the second largest city in Greece, spans twelve kilometers within a basin formed by low hills that overlook a bay leading into the Thermaikos Gulf. It is a bustling city and one of the most significant trade and communication hubs in the Mediterranean. The devastating fire of 1917 destroyed a significant portion of the city's historic center, and further damage was inflicted by a major earthquake in 1968. However, there are still numerous examples of the city's rich history and diverse cultures, although they are hidden amidst the post-1917 development. This mix of architecture has resulted in an incredible fusion of styles that are distinctly Thessaloniki. Roman monuments stand next to modern university campuses, modernist buildings face medieval churches, and Ottoman structures will soon top the tunnels of Thessaloniki's latest addition, the subway. The city authorities have made significant efforts to preserve the state of the cultural heritage, and it can be assumed that more will be done to ensure that it remains a permanent part of the city's landscape and that it is well explained and accessible to both locals and visitors. However, the greatness of Thessaloniki is not solely in its standing structures. This city is truly vibrant, and not just in terms of heavy traffic or extensive construction. The people here enjoy expressing themselves publicly, and it's difficult to spend time here without witnessing the authentic and indigenous culture of the city. Plateia Aristotelou hosts open-air concerts during the summer, but there are also spontaneous gatherings that provide visitors with a glimpse into the lives of ordinary Salonicians. Students often gather in front of the Rotunda to play their guitars at night, and the Roman Agora occasionally hosts plays or shows organized by various groups in the city. Every two years, this cultural blossoming takes the form of the biennale of contemporary art, a highlight of the city's artistic community's calendar. Byzantine churches, Roman constructions, Muslim buildings, modern architecture, vibrant nightlife, and stunning beaches define Thessaloniki. As the second largest city in Greece, Thessaloniki combines over 2,300 years of history with all the amenities and excitement that a modern European city can offer a visitor.

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Day 8

ephesus (kusadasi), turkey

Arrival: 13:00

Kusadasi is a seaside resort town located in the Aydin Province of Aegean Turkey. It's a favored destination for tourists, known for its numerous beaches and as Turkey's most active cruise port. Many cruise ship passengers visit the ancient city of Ephesus, one of the most significant and well-preserved Greco-Roman sites in Turkey. There are several appealing beaches both to the south and north of Kusadasi. All these beaches are commercialized with hotels surrounding them. To the south of Kusadasi, you'll find the Ladies Beach, Lost Paradise Beach, and the Long Beach. Kusadasi serves as the entry point to Ephesus, an intriguing ancient city that features baths, gyms, an acoustic theater, temples, arches, and much more. The Roman Ruins at Ephesus are truly breathtaking. Within the town, you can visit the City Walls, Kaleiçi Camii, the Öküz Mehmet Pasha Caravanserai, and the Guvercin Adası peninsula. Kusadasi is one of Turkey's more cosmopolitan and vibrant resorts.

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7 nights. Greece

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