Cruise through the ages on a voyage through the sparkling waters of the Mediterranean. Come face to face with myth and legend, as you sail along the pristine islands of Greece to the Egyptian city of Alexandria and finally to Turkey, where East meets West. During this unforgettable journey, every port of call serves as your entryway into the ancient past.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 - Istanbul

Board your overnight flight to Istanbul.

Day 2 - Istanbul

Upon your arrival, a Go Ahead representative greets you at the airport and escorts you to the port to begin your 12-day cruise aboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Jade. Enjoy a welcome drink and dinner once you’ve settled into your cabin. (B in flight, D)

Day 3 - Cruise

During this morning’s included guided tour of Istanbul, Turkey’s cultural center where East meets West, a local expert guide introduces you to the ancient Byzantine church of Aya Sophia, the stunning Blue Mosque and the Hippodrome, an elaborate stadium that once hosted chariot races, as well as a stop at the Grand Bazaar. This afternoon, return to the ship for a 3 pm departure. (B, L, D)

Day 4 - Cruise

Your first port of call is Ephesus, one of the world’s best-preserved cities from ancient times. Spend the day exploring the ruins or join excursions to nearby destinations, including Pergamon and the beautiful city of Izmir. (B, L, D)

Day 5 - Cruise

Continue on to the picturesque island of Mykonos, noted for its windmills, whitewashed buildings and blue-domed churches. Wander the village’s winding streets or relax on one of the pristine beaches. You might also venture to nearby Delos, once a worship mecca for the cult of Apollo. (B, L, D)

Day 6 - Cruise

Arrive on the volcanic island of Santorini this morning. With its black-sand beaches, sprawling vineyards and cliff-lined shores, this Greek isle offers an array of opportunities. Hike a volcano, visit the museum of Akrotiri or sample the local flavor at a winery. (B, L, D)

Day 7 - Cruise

This morning, sail into the historic seaport of Heraklion, capital of Crete. Head to the beaches for a spectacular day of snorkeling or scuba diving. You might also visit the ancient Palade of Knossos, ruled over by the wealthy King Minos. (B, L, D)

Day 8 - Cruise

Revel in the Mediterranean sunshine with a full day at sea today. Relax on the ship’s sundeck and take a dip in the pool. Indulge yourself at the onboard spa or simply linger at one of the outdoor bars to find the perfect wine to pair with the beautiful view. (B, L, D)

Day 9 - Cruise

This morning, dock in Alexandria, where you will enjoy two full days to explore Egypt’s second largest city. Consider a visit to the Greco-Roman Museum, which displays the best relics of ancient Alexandria and its Hellenistic civilization. Or choose to join an overnight trip through the desert to Cairo and the Pyramids of Giza. (B, L, D)

Day 10 - Cruise

The ancient treasures of Alexandria await on your second day in this remarkable city. You might visit the Catacombs of Kom el-Shogafa or the beautifully preserved white marble Roman Amphitheatre. (B, L, D)

Day 11 - Cruise

Take advantage of a full day at sea to sample the many dining options aboard the Norwegian Jade. The ship boasts 12 international restaurants. This evening, you might take in a show at the Stardust Theater. (B, L, D)

Day 12 - Cruise

Cruise through the Ionian Sea to reach the island of Corfu this morning. With a full day to explore, you might visit the Achillon Museum or take a tour of the island’s colorful villages and bays. Or traverse the island countryside on a 4x4 adventure. (B, L, D)

Day 13 - Cruise

Visit Katakolon today, a small fishing village that serves as the gateway to Olympia, the ancient sanctuary heralded as the site of the first Olympic Games in 776 B.C. Consider a visit to the site where athletes once competed. Or pay homage at the Temple of Zeus, which once housed one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. (B, L, D)

Day 14 - Athens

Arrive in Athens this morning, disembark and transfer to your hotel. Take a guided sightseeing tour of Athens this afternoon, and wander among the ruins of the ancient Acropolis and a visit to the Acropolis Museum. Then step back in time at our optional Greek Evening with dinner. (B)

$79 USD

Greek Evening with Dinner Every evening is a feast in Greece, and tonight's festivities won't disappoint. Enjoy an authentic Greek meal, where you can savor Greek delicacies and dance with the music from the bouzouki.

Day 15 - Athens

This morning, consider an optional excursion to Cape Sounion, where the ruins of the Temple of Poseidon overlook the Aegean Sea. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. Join your group this evening for a Farewell Dinner. (B, L, D)

$55 USD

Cape Sounion The Temple of Poseidon is one of Greece's most famous landmarks. Set high above the Aegean Sea, on a clear day you can see five Aegean islands.

Day 16 - Athens

Continue your adventures in Istanbul with our two-night tour extension. Otherwise, travel to the airport for your flight home. (B)

Protect your investment with affordable travel protection

Basic Trip Cancellation/Interruption Coverage
Protect yourself in the event you need to cancel your trip or leave your tour unexpectedly due to an emergency. Or choose one of the comprehensive packages below, and receive a discounted rate!

TravelSafe Plus — For one low price, you’ll receive:

• Trip cancellation & interruption protection
• Medical & accident protection
• Baggage & property protection

TravelSafe Gold with Flight Cancellation Protection
Take advantage of the best possible deal for your investment dollar. For $60 USD more, you’ll get all of the above plus additional coverage (up to $1,000 USD) if the flight to your tour is cancelled due to reasons beyond your control.

Purchase your travel protection package early and receive an added benefit!
Purchase one of the above TravelSafe packages within 14 days of reserving your tour, and you’ll automatically receive AnyTime Travel Protection at no additional charge. This means you can cancel for any reason up to 72 hours prior to the departure of your initial flight and still protect your investment. You will be provided with a credit voucher towards your next Go Ahead tour.

What’s unique about these protection plans?

• Most primary travel protection companies don’t cover international travel.
• Under the AnyTime Travel Protection Plan, you can cancel for any reason and your investment is protected in the form of a credit voucher.
• Efekta travel protection covers lost or stolen cash while on tour.
• Efekta travel protection covers the cost towards replacement of valuable documents—such as passports, airline tickets and visas while on tour.
• In the event that your roommate cancels for a reason covered under the policy, you will be reimbursed for the single supplement fee, should you still choose to travel.
• The following policies are also available to be purchased separately:
  • Medical & Accident: $70 USD
  • Baggage & Property: $60 USD

Extended Protection Plan
The Extended Protection Plan allows you to purchase extended coverage for any travel you do before or after meeting up with your Go Ahead Tours tour group (with flights arranged by Go Ahead Tours).

For more detailed descriptions of the benefits available under Efekta Insurance International LTD's Travel Protection Plans please call 1-800-597-0350 or download a PDF copy of the Efekta Travel Protection booklet here.

Passport & Visa

To enter Greece and Turkey, U.S. citizens need a valid passport. The expiration date must extend at least six months beyond the date of your return to the United States. If you are not a U.S. citizen, contact each country’s consulate forspecific entry requirements.

For travelers continuing on the extension to Turkey, a visa is required. The visa charge for entering Turkey is now $20 (payment in U.S. dollars only; subject to change without notice), and visas can be obtained upon arrival at the airport. Airport and Departure Taxes All airport and departure taxes for your tour are included in the total trip cost printed on your invoice.

Health

There are no major health risks when traveling to Greece. During the summer months, take proper care for sun exposure. Also, codeine (commonly found in headache medications) is banned in Greece, and you may face prosecution if you bring it into the country. While no vaccinations are required for entry into Turkey (on extension), it’s advisable to check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and overseas travel recommendations.

Transportation / Walking on tour

Round-trip flights arrive in Athens and depart from Istanbul. A 12-night cruise from Turkey and Egypt to the Greek Islands, along with a ferry from Crete to Santorini and a ferry to Mykonos are included. All other transportation is by private motorcoach.

Athens' main attractions are easily reachable on foot. If you do need to use public transportation, there’s a brand-new metro system completed before the 2004 Olympics.

Clothing & Packing Tips

Light, loose-fitting clothing that provides comfort when exploring is essential on tour. A sun hat, sunglasses and a sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers are recommended. To prepare for any eventuality, a lightweight jacket and emergency rainwear are advised. If you plan to visit an elegant restaurant or attend the opera or theater, something more formal is good. It’s preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (entrance may be denied on this basis).

Be sure to visit www.travelsmith.com, official outfitters for Go Ahead Tours. Please enter JY9220 in the field for Catalog Key Code when creating your account!

Currency

The euro (in Greece) and the Turkish lira are currencies you will use on tour. A combination of ATM/bank cards, credit cards and traveler’s checks, which can be exchanged for cash at local banks in Greece, is advised. For Turkey, dollar bills in small denominations is advised. Exchange small amounts of Turkish lira at a time to compensate for rising inflation. ATMs can be found in Turkey, most connected to the Cirrus and Plus international networks. Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans, so they won’t confuse international purchases for fraudulent charges. A note on traveler’s checks: With the conversion to the euro, it is increasingly hard to exchange them outside of Europe’s major cities. It’s also difficult to exchange them in Turkey, especially on weekends.

Tipping

On your cruise, tipping your waiter, busboy and cabin steward is customary if you are pleased with the service. Gratuities are generally given at the end of the voyage. We recommend $9USD per traveler per day, divided among your cabin steward, waiter and busboy. Tips for bar service, the beauty salon and special services are generally given at the time of service.

At the end of your tour it’s customary to offer your Go Ahead Tour Director and driver a tip. We recommend $2USD per person per day for your driver and $4USD to $6USD per person for your tour director.