Athens – Istanbul · 14–21 July 2027

Getting there by boat only? Sounds like a hidden gem! And indeed: Poros is the island of heavenly tranquility. Dense pine forests reaching down to the sea, blooming gardens, and idyllic beaches with crystal-clear water give this peaceful island, separated from the Peloponnese coast by a narrow strait, its unique charm. The old town of Poros also exudes a wonderfully laid-back vibe: neoclassical villas and charming fisherman's tavernas nestle against the green hills – and the old clock tower faithfully watches over the town, harbor, and waterfront promenade.

The old town of Nauplio has a picturesque peninsula setting and three Venetian fortresses guard the pretty town. In ancient times, the excavation site of Mycenae, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was one of the most important towns in Greece. Its legendary king, Agamemnon, has a large role in Homer's Iliad. The palace grounds were surrounded by a cyclopean stone wall. Now you can only gain entrance through the famous Lion Gate. In Epidaurus, also protected by UNESCO, the impressive 14,000-seat theatre is one of the most important buildings in this archaeological site.

The unique character of Milos' landscape was formed by volcanic activity. Hot springs, spectacular cliffs and distinctive rock formations give the various beaches their own individual character. The colors of Milos are most obvious where the water meets the stone and forms the coastline. Minerals have colored the sand and stones and each rock along the coastline seems to glow in a different color. Plaka, the picturesque old capital with its typical dazzling-white houses, is overlooked by a mighty castle which offers a superb view over Adamos Bay and the surrounding islands.

The idyllic little island of Patmos houses one of the most important monasteries of the Greek Orthodox church. The monastery of St John is a World Heritage Site, protected by UNESCO. It was built in honour of the Apostle John, who is said to have lived in a cave on the island. It is also said that he wrote down his Revelation of the Apocalypse there. The whole island is considered holy ground and is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the Greek Orthodox world.

Not far from Aegean's sizeable marina is the famous ancient port of Ephesus. One of the Seven Wonders of the World stood here, St Paul preached a new doctrine, and Heraclitus reordered his thoughts and understanding of the world – everything flows, panta rhei. Once it was one of the oldest and most important Greek cities in Asia Minor and a centre for trade between Mesapotamia and the Middle East. Today is one of the best preserved ruins of the ancient world. Only the memory remains of the legendary Temple of Artemis, the magnificent Library of Celsus has become world famous and the theater at the end of the marble road is still extremely lively to this day.

Istanbul, formerly Constantinople, is situated on a peninsula surrounded on three sides by the Sea of Marmara, the shimmering Bosphorus and the Golden Horn. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Hagia Sophia mosque forms the pinnacle of this Byzantine display of splendour. The ostentatious Topkapi Palace was the seat of government for the Ottoman sultans from the 15th century. The Sultan Ahmet mosque with its six minarets, also called the Blue Mosque because of its 20,000 wonderful blue faience tiles, dates from the 17th century. A lively city, divided between east and west by the sea, Istanbul is the most easterly city in Europe and the most westerly city in Asia.