An Aegean Odyssey

Istanbul is a revelation: an exotic metropolis of huge contrasts and a centre of shifting civilisations for 2,500 years. Chosen by Emperor Constantine as the eastern capital of the Roman Empire, it then became the capital of the Ottoman Empire and probably nowhere in the world can you find such an array of diverse monuments and fascinating places to see. 

We visit the Blue Mosque, symbol of the city - you cannot fail to be impressed by its grace and harmony, but its real attraction is the interior lined with 20,000 blue Iznik tiles and Arabesque inscriptions. Its beauty is hardly surprising when you consider that many of the same craftsmen who built it also worked on the Taj Mahal!

We continue our tour at the Topkapi Palace, the glittering imperial residence of the Sultans for a thousand years. Today, it is a spectacular museum, but in its heyday, it was a city within a city, home to over 4,000 elite guards, eunuchs, courtiers and, of course, the ladies of the Harem. There is a superb display of arms from throughout history: crossbows, firearms inlaid with ivory and beautifully crafted armour from as far afield as Japan. The Treasury is breathtaking too, with an amazing array of jewellery including the world’s fifth largest diamond, emeralds, jewel-encrusted thrones and the famous Topkapi dagger – all displaying outstanding craftsmanship.

One of the world’s most visited attractions with 4,000 shops, the Grand Bazaar dating back to the 13th century, was home to merchants from all over the known world and as you browse the maze of stalls along its 61 streets, selling everything you could possibly imagine and more, from silk scarves and lamps, to hand-made carpets and leatherware, it’s like stepping back in time and an experience not to be missed!

This morning we enjoy further exploration of this mystical, alluring city, at the crossroads of Eastern and Western civilisations. Firstly, we visit the Hippodrome, the site of Byzantium’s political, sporting and social life for a thousand years! As you marvel at its obelisks and statues, imagine the chariot races and huge spectacles that once graced this spot. We continue to the breathtaking Hagia Sophia, conceived as a mirror of the heavens, arguably the greatest church ever built and quite simply one of the world’s greatest architectural achievements. Built in the 6th century it was the largest enclosed space in the world for 1,400 years! Gaze in awe at the amazing Byzantine mosaics with their vibrant golds, reds and yellows. And, just as you leave, you see a beautifully crafted massive bronze door dating from 300BC – the sheer skill of these ancient artisans will never cease to astound you.

In the afternoon we leave for Istanbul port where your ship awaits! After time to settle in, we enjoy our first dinner on board, as our ship slips its moorings and heads out through the city’s twinkling lights towards our first port of call, Dikili.

Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or new to the scene, nothing quite beats life on the ocean waves and as we set sail into the blue, excitement mounts around what promises to be a maritime adventure of a lifetime. After a leisurely breakfast enjoying the views, head up on deck and soak in the coastal vistas and the bracing sea air – this is what holidays are all about! Find yourself a comfy chair or sink into a sun lounger and catch up on some reading before a refreshing dip in the saltwater pool perhaps.

As we round the headland and commence our south westerly course, enthusiasts will enjoy the opportunity to swap notes with the ship’s captain during a visit to the bridge and thrill-seekers have the chance to climb up the crow’s nest – with harness of course!

When lunch is served, return to the convivial ambience of the ship’s restaurant and then perhaps there’s chance for a snooze in the sunshine or to enjoy a quiet moment in the ship’s library. You’ll certainly be fully unwound by the time dinner is served after which enjoy your favourite digestif from the bar.

This morning enjoy watching your first arrival into port as the Star Flyer glides into picturesque Dikili.

From here our included guided tour explores the fascinating ancient Hellenistic city of Pergamon. Perched on a high rocky outcrop with stunning views, the city was famed for its library, which rivalled Alexandria’s. Knowledge then, as now, was power and so concerned were the Egyptians about this competition, they cut off supplies of papyrus, thus prompting the invention of parchment. Visiting the Acropolis, we’ll see the remains of the Temple of Trajan, the altar of Zeus and the steepest ancient amphitheatre in the world.

Pergamon was also renowned as a healing centre, so we visit the Asclepion sanctuary where the sick came to be cured by having their dreams analysed!

We return to our ship with the afternoon free to explore or relax, before we continue our journey across the legendary Aegean later tonight.

Chios is one of the richest and largest islands in the Aegean, yet it remains little known. The island has produced some of the most successful Greek shipping entrepreneurs, who still control around 50% of the Greek merchant marine. Its southern half has been known since ancient times for its cultivation of the mastic plant – a precursor to today’s chewing gum and highly prized.

Our included tour will visit Pyrgi, a village unique in Greece, as all the houses are intricately decorated in a geometric ‘sgraffito’ style. Continue to visit the Mastic trees where you can discover how this unique traditional product is produced, harvested and used. Our final stop will be the village of Mesta with its labyrinthine vaulted streets – an amazingly well-preserved living medieval village.

After lunch back on board you have time to explore Chios town at leisure. Wander the streets of the inhabited village inside the walls of Chios castle and stop on the courtyard square for a drink and a spot of people watching!

This evening we sail on to our next port as we sit down for dinner amid the wood and polished brass splendour of our luxurious nautical home.

Today we anchor in Patmos - one of the smaller islands of the Dodecanese; however, what it lacks in size it makes up for in beauty and history. It’s been called the ‘Jerusalem of the Aegean’ for it was here that St. John the Theologian wrote the Book of Revelation, the last book of the New Testament. Our included tour departs the pretty port of Skala for the Grotto of the Apocalypse, where St. John lived for two years. This small cave is now a beautiful little chapel and is still an active place of worship.

We continue to Chora Old Town. Towering above the main town of Chora is the imposing 11th century fortified monastery of St. John, an architectural masterpiece, with eight chapels, courtyards, terraces and galleries with stunning 12th century frescoes. The Monastery’s Museum has manuscripts from the 5th century, jewelled chalices, crowns, crucifixes, and vestments, along with an early work of El Greco. We also visit the three-hundred-year-old mansion of the Simandiris family. This exceptional example of island architecture houses a fine collection of antiques, with gilded mirrors, silverware, paintings, chandeliers and exquisite furnishings.

We return to Skala, where, after lunch on board, you are free to explore the port town at leisure this afternoon.

*Ship is expected to anchor at Patmos port and guests will be tendered ashore.

After a leisurely morning at sea, arrive at the island of Milos, located at the southwesternmost point of the Cyclades islands. Although one of the quieter Greek islands, Milos has lots to offer, including some stunning geological formations on show, forged by years of volcanic activity.  On our guided tour, you will visit the white volcanic rock formations and turquoise waters of Sarakiniko beach - a lunar landscape that's straight out of sci-fi.

Continuing via a short stop at Phylakopi - a settlement dating back to Neolithic times - to Plaka, the picturesque capital of the island perched 250m above sea level. We’ll stroll through the cobbled streets with our guide, passing the quaint main church where there are also incredible sea views. After some free time ambling the Plaka area, renowned for its local pastry shops and homemade sweets, you’ll return to the ship.

Or if you prefer to go at your own pace, why not just enjoy a day ashore independently and soak up the island’s laid-back charm, browse the quaint fishing villages with amazing views or relax on one of the island’s enticing beaches.

*Ship is expected to anchor at Milos port and guests will be tendered ashore.

Take a stroll on deck before breakfast and savour the fresh sea breeze as the giant white sails silently propel the Star Flyer through the azure Aegean. Enjoy this final morning of sailing with a dip in one of the pools and take in the vistas as we approach our next destination.

Known as the ‘Gibraltar of the East’, Monemvasia’s vast rocky bulk juts out of the mountainous coastline of the Peloponnese, linked to the mainland by a narrow causeway – a superb defensive position. It reached its zenith during the medieval period, supporting a population of 40,000, when it was known for its excellent wine (Richard III’s brother drowned in a vat of it!). It was a valuable prize and was besieged and attacked numerous times. During WWII a large number of New Zealanders were successfully evacuated to Crete from here.

Monemvasia has been sympathetically restored and is considered a wonderful time-capsule of a medieval Greek town. We have plenty of time to wander through the maze of narrow pedestrian streets and relax in one of the tavernas. The more energetic may try the steep path up to the ruins of the Upper Town – on a clear day you may catch a glimpse of the mountains of Crete!

*Ship is expected to anchor at Monemvasia port and guests will be tendered ashore.

This morning we disembark the Star Flyer and transfer to this extraordinary capital. Enjoy a walking tour of Athens, visiting the Acropolis, so fittingly one of the great wonders of the ancient world. Ascending the hill you soon experience the grandeur of the Parthenon – its blindingly white marble columns with their perfect symmetry and balance completely dominate the skyline.

We also visit the Acropolis Museum with its amazing glass floor displaying ancient houses and streets below. There's some free time to have lunch and explore the picturesque old district of Plaka. Dating from the end of the 18th century when Athens had shrunk to little more than a village below the Acropolis, it’s utterly charming, crammed with neo-classical mansions, balconies overflowing with geranium pots and twisting cobbled lanes lined with homely tavernas. Later we check into the hotel and enjoy the rest of the day and evening at leisure.

Istanbul is a revelation: an exotic metropolis of huge contrasts and a centre of shifting civilisations for 2,500 years. Chosen by Emperor Constantine as the eastern capital of the Roman Empire, it then became the capital of the Ottoman Empire and probably nowhere in the world can you find such an array of diverse monuments and fascinating places to see. 

We visit the Blue Mosque, symbol of the city - you cannot fail to be impressed by its grace and harmony, but its real attraction is the interior lined with 20,000 blue Iznik tiles and Arabesque inscriptions. Its beauty is hardly surprising when you consider that many of the same craftsmen who built it also worked on the Taj Mahal!

We continue our tour at the Topkapi Palace, the glittering imperial residence of the Sultans for a thousand years. Today, it is a spectacular museum, but in its heyday, it was a city within a city, home to over 4,000 elite guards, eunuchs, courtiers and, of course, the ladies of the Harem. There is a superb display of arms from throughout history: crossbows, firearms inlaid with ivory and beautifully crafted armour from as far afield as Japan. The Treasury is breathtaking too, with an amazing array of jewellery including the world’s fifth largest diamond, emeralds, jewel-encrusted thrones and the famous Topkapi dagger – all displaying outstanding craftsmanship.

One of the world’s most visited attractions with 4,000 shops, the Grand Bazaar dating back to the 13th century, was home to merchants from all over the known world and as you browse the maze of stalls along its 61 streets, selling everything you could possibly imagine and more, from silk scarves and lamps, to hand-made carpets and leatherware, it’s like stepping back in time and an experience not to be missed!

This morning we enjoy further exploration of this mystical, alluring city, at the crossroads of Eastern and Western civilisations. Firstly, we visit the Hippodrome, the site of Byzantium’s political, sporting and social life for a thousand years! As you marvel at its obelisks and statues, imagine the chariot races and huge spectacles that once graced this spot. We continue to the breathtaking Hagia Sophia, conceived as a mirror of the heavens, arguably the greatest church ever built and quite simply one of the world’s greatest architectural achievements. Built in the 6th century it was the largest enclosed space in the world for 1,400 years! Gaze in awe at the amazing Byzantine mosaics with their vibrant golds, reds and yellows. And, just as you leave, you see a beautifully crafted massive bronze door dating from 300BC – the sheer skill of these ancient artisans will never cease to astound you.

In the afternoon we leave for Istanbul port where your ship awaits! After time to settle in, we enjoy our first dinner on board, as our ship slips its moorings and heads out through the city’s twinkling lights towards our first port of call, Dikili.

Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or new to the scene, nothing quite beats life on the ocean waves and as we set sail into the blue, excitement mounts around what promises to be a maritime adventure of a lifetime. After a leisurely breakfast enjoying the views, head up on deck and soak in the coastal vistas and the bracing sea air – this is what holidays are all about! Find yourself a comfy chair or sink into a sun lounger and catch up on some reading before a refreshing dip in the saltwater pool perhaps.

As we round the headland and commence our south westerly course, enthusiasts will enjoy the opportunity to swap notes with the ship’s captain during a visit to the bridge and thrill-seekers have the chance to climb up the crow’s nest – with harness of course!

When lunch is served, return to the convivial ambience of the ship’s restaurant and then perhaps there’s chance for a snooze in the sunshine or to enjoy a quiet moment in the ship’s library. You’ll certainly be fully unwound by the time dinner is served after which enjoy your favourite digestif from the bar.

This morning enjoy watching your first arrival into port as the Star Flyer glides into picturesque Dikili.

From here our included guided tour explores the fascinating ancient Hellenistic city of Pergamon. Perched on a high rocky outcrop with stunning views, the city was famed for its library, which rivalled Alexandria’s. Knowledge then, as now, was power and so concerned were the Egyptians about this competition, they cut off supplies of papyrus, thus prompting the invention of parchment. Visiting the Acropolis, we’ll see the remains of the Temple of Trajan, the altar of Zeus and the steepest ancient amphitheatre in the world.

Pergamon was also renowned as a healing centre, so we visit the Asclepion sanctuary where the sick came to be cured by having their dreams analysed!

We return to our ship with the afternoon free to explore or relax, before we continue our journey across the legendary Aegean later tonight.

Chios is one of the richest and largest islands in the Aegean, yet it remains little known. The island has produced some of the most successful Greek shipping entrepreneurs, who still control around 50% of the Greek merchant marine. Its southern half has been known since ancient times for its cultivation of the mastic plant – a precursor to today’s chewing gum and highly prized.

Our included tour will visit Pyrgi, a village unique in Greece, as all the houses are intricately decorated in a geometric ‘sgraffito’ style. Continue to visit the Mastic trees where you can discover how this unique traditional product is produced, harvested and used. Our final stop will be the village of Mesta with its labyrinthine vaulted streets – an amazingly well-preserved living medieval village.

After lunch back on board you have time to explore Chios town at leisure. Wander the streets of the inhabited village inside the walls of Chios castle and stop on the courtyard square for a drink and a spot of people watching!

This evening we sail on to our next port as we sit down for dinner amid the wood and polished brass splendour of our luxurious nautical home.

Today we anchor in Patmos - one of the smaller islands of the Dodecanese; however, what it lacks in size it makes up for in beauty and history. It’s been called the ‘Jerusalem of the Aegean’ for it was here that St. John the Theologian wrote the Book of Revelation, the last book of the New Testament. Our included tour departs the pretty port of Skala for the Grotto of the Apocalypse, where St. John lived for two years. This small cave is now a beautiful little chapel and is still an active place of worship.

We continue to Chora Old Town. Towering above the main town of Chora is the imposing 11th century fortified monastery of St. John, an architectural masterpiece, with eight chapels, courtyards, terraces and galleries with stunning 12th century frescoes. The Monastery’s Museum has manuscripts from the 5th century, jewelled chalices, crowns, crucifixes, and vestments, along with an early work of El Greco. We also visit the three-hundred-year-old mansion of the Simandiris family. This exceptional example of island architecture houses a fine collection of antiques, with gilded mirrors, silverware, paintings, chandeliers and exquisite furnishings.

We return to Skala, where, after lunch on board, you are free to explore the port town at leisure this afternoon.

*Ship is expected to anchor at Patmos port and guests will be tendered ashore.

After a leisurely morning at sea, arrive at the island of Milos, located at the southwesternmost point of the Cyclades islands. Although one of the quieter Greek islands, Milos has lots to offer, including some stunning geological formations on show, forged by years of volcanic activity.  On our guided tour, you will visit the white volcanic rock formations and turquoise waters of Sarakiniko beach - a lunar landscape that's straight out of sci-fi.

Continuing via a short stop at Phylakopi - a settlement dating back to Neolithic times - to Plaka, the picturesque capital of the island perched 250m above sea level. We’ll stroll through the cobbled streets with our guide, passing the quaint main church where there are also incredible sea views. After some free time ambling the Plaka area, renowned for its local pastry shops and homemade sweets, you’ll return to the ship.

Or if you prefer to go at your own pace, why not just enjoy a day ashore independently and soak up the island’s laid-back charm, browse the quaint fishing villages with amazing views or relax on one of the island’s enticing beaches.

*Ship is expected to anchor at Milos port and guests will be tendered ashore.

Take a stroll on deck before breakfast and savour the fresh sea breeze as the giant white sails silently propel the Star Flyer through the azure Aegean. Enjoy this final morning of sailing with a dip in one of the pools and take in the vistas as we approach our next destination.

Known as the ‘Gibraltar of the East’, Monemvasia’s vast rocky bulk juts out of the mountainous coastline of the Peloponnese, linked to the mainland by a narrow causeway – a superb defensive position. It reached its zenith during the medieval period, supporting a population of 40,000, when it was known for its excellent wine (Richard III’s brother drowned in a vat of it!). It was a valuable prize and was besieged and attacked numerous times. During WWII a large number of New Zealanders were successfully evacuated to Crete from here.

Monemvasia has been sympathetically restored and is considered a wonderful time-capsule of a medieval Greek town. We have plenty of time to wander through the maze of narrow pedestrian streets and relax in one of the tavernas. The more energetic may try the steep path up to the ruins of the Upper Town – on a clear day you may catch a glimpse of the mountains of Crete!

*Ship is expected to anchor at Monemvasia port and guests will be tendered ashore.

This morning we disembark the Star Flyer and transfer to this extraordinary capital. Enjoy a walking tour of Athens, visiting the Acropolis, so fittingly one of the great wonders of the ancient world. Ascending the hill you soon experience the grandeur of the Parthenon – its blindingly white marble columns with their perfect symmetry and balance completely dominate the skyline.

We also visit the Acropolis Museum with its amazing glass floor displaying ancient houses and streets below. There's some free time to have lunch and explore the picturesque old district of Plaka. Dating from the end of the 18th century when Athens had shrunk to little more than a village below the Acropolis, it’s utterly charming, crammed with neo-classical mansions, balconies overflowing with geranium pots and twisting cobbled lanes lined with homely tavernas. Later we check into the hotel and enjoy the rest of the day and evening at leisure.