Turkey, Greece Cruise on AIDAstella from Antalya (Turkey)

Antalya (Turkey)

Antalya is a city on the Mediterranean coast of southwestern Turkey. It is Turkey's biggest international sea resort, located on the Turkish Riviera. Antalya is in south-west Anatolia, on the Mediterranean Gulf of Antalya, approximately 339 mi from Ankara, 349 mi from Adana, 290 mi from Izmir, and 452 mi from Istambul. The Taurus mountains of southern Anatolia runs parallel to the Mediterranean in an east-west direction, resulting in the formation of narrow coastal plains surrounded by mountains on three sides and the sea on the fourth. Some parts of the coast feature mountains plunging sharply into the sea, forming small natural bays and peninsulas. Antalya is situated on one such plain where the mountains recede from the shore, consisting of two flat areas formed of travertine rock at a mean height of 115 ft; the citycenter is on the rocky plain closest the coast, with urban sprawl extending to the Kepezüstü Plain further inland.

Marmaris (Turkey)

Marmaris, the same as Antalya, is a touristic destination in Turkey, one of the most important. It is a city located on the coast of the Aegean Sea, in the province of Mugla, on the southwest onf the country. It has a natural port on the Aegean Sea, in addition to the beaches, the climate and the amenities, make it on a very demanded destination. A great nautic center, the property development, and the proximity to the greek island of Rhodes are some of the many atractives we can find.

Izmir (Turkey)

Izmir is the third most popular city in Turkey and is a large metropolis in the western extremity of Anatolia. The city is also known as Smyrna and it has the countrys largest port after Istanbul. Izmir is surrounded by mountains and it has modern commercial centers dotted with traditional red tiled roofs. Places of attraction are: the 18th century market, churches, old mosques, Izmir clock tower, Konak square, Izmir bird paradise, Alsancak neighbourhood, Synagogues and castles.

Mykonos

Probably the most famous of the Greek Islands, Queen of the Cyclades, and the most cosmopolitan. Mykonos, owes its fame to the beauty of its capital, its white houses narrow passages, and their numerous high quality beaches. Tourism is a major industry, and Mykonos is particularly renowned for its cosmopolitan nightlife; many international celebrities visit the island every summer and and its proximity to the island of Delos, rich in archaeological treasures.

Athens (Piraeus)

Athens, the capital city of Greece is an active cosmopolitan mix of different cultures and people, passionate about their art and history. The climate is one of the best in Europe, with mild winters and very hot summers, ideal for tourism. It is located just a few miles from the port of Piraeus, the central commercial port of the capital, and the shores of southern Attica. The main attractions of Athens are The Ancient Agora, Anafiotika, The Acropolis, Mount Lycabettus, Thiseion Cinema, Gazi, Monastiraki Flea Market, Pireaus seaside, Pireaus open air market, Kastella Hill, Veakio open air theatre and Piraeus Archaeological.

Santorini

Santorini is an island in the southern Aegean Sea, about 200 km (120 mi) southeast from Greece´s mainland The island remains the home of a small, but flourishing, wine industry, based on the indigenous grape variety, Assyrtiko, with auxiliary cultivations of two other Aegean varietals, Athiri and Aidani. Wine Industry The vines are extremely old and resistant to phylloxera (attributed by local winemakers to the well-drained volcanic soil and its chemistry), so the vines needed no replacement during the great phylloxera epidemic of the late 19th century. In their adaptation to their habitat, such vines are planted far apart, as their principal source of moisture is dew, and they often are trained in the shape of low-spiralling baskets, with the grapes hanging inside to protect them from the winds. Architecture The traditional architecture of Santorini is similar to that of the other Cyclades, with low-lying cubical houses, made of local stone and whitewashed or limewashed with various volcanic ashes used as colours. The unique characteristic is the common utilisation of the hypóskapha: extensions of houses dug sideways or downwards into the surrounding pumice

Heraklion (Crete)

Heraklion, or Heraclion is the largest city and capital of the island of Crete, Greece. It is one of the largest cities in Greece. The ruins of Knossos, which were excavated and restored by Arthur Evans, are nearby. Top places to visit include the Minoan Palaces of Knossos and Phaistos and the Venetian structures in Heraklion Town, like the Koules Fortress and the Morosini Lions Fountain. Heraklion is a beautiful island and is loved by cruise passengers. There are pristine beaches to enjoy, including Matala, Agia Pelagia, and Malia. Delicious local cuisines also await, and you can’t visit Greece without trying some delicacies such as Dakos, Dolma and Kalitsounia. In short, Heraklion is an island that offers it all and we’re sure one visit won’t be enough.