ITINERARY:

Day 1: Limassol Embarkation at Marrella Discovery 2, the ship departs at 23.00.

Day 2: At sea Day at your leisure to enjoy the facilities and entertainment onboard.

Day 3: Izmir The ship arrives at Izmir port at 08:00 and departs at 18:00. Izmir is your gateway to Ephesus, a 2,000-year-old Roman city. It was here that one of the 7 Ancient Wonders of the World once stood – the Temple of Artemis. In Izmir itself, you’ll find a smart seafront that’s lined with cafés and fish restaurants. • The exhibitions at the Izmir Archaeological Museum showcase the ancient artefacts uncovered in the local area, and include everything from ceramics to precious stones.
• Sample the local tipple in one of Sirince’s restaurants. This pretty hillside town is famous for its wine production, which includes a range of homemade fruit wines.
• Ephesus is one of the world’s best-preserved classical cities. Must-sees here include the Celsus Library and the 24,000-seater Great Theatre.

Day 4: Patmos The ship arrives at Patmos port at 08.00 and departs at 18.00. You’ll find the laidback Aegean island of Patmos floating closer to the coast of Turkey than its parent, Greece. Everything here’s focused around the isle’s two largest towns, Chora – the capital – and Skala. The former’s home to the jewel in Patmos’ crown, the Monastery of Saint John the Theologian. Rumour has it, the remains of one of Jesus’ disciples are buried here. Skala, meanwhile, is right by the coast. It’s just the place to go when you fancy soaking up some sun on the sand-and-shingle beach.
• Snap some photos of Chora’s coconut-white houses and narrow, cobbled alleyways. While you’re here, don’t forget to stop by one of the town’s tavernas and try Patmos’ signature tipple, sweet red wine.
• Admire the coastal views during a visit to the hilltop Windmills of Patmos. On a clear day, you can see the next-door islands of Naxos, Leros and Fournoi off in the distance.

Day 5: Kos The ship arrives at Kos port at 08:00 and departs at 18:00 Kos Island’s capital showcases a combination of Medieval and modern Greece. As you pull into the harbour, you’ll be greeted by the town’s oldest and most prominent feature – the Castle of Nerantzia. Elsewhere, contemporary cafes and trendy beach bars bring it straight into the 21st century.
• Kos Town’s castle was built by the legendary Knights of Saint John six centuries ago. Climb to the top of one of its four circular towers for unobstructed views over the harbour. Just outside town, you’ve also got the Asklepion, the crumbling ruins of the world’s first hospital.
• If you prefer soaking up views of historical sites from the comfort of a café, you’re in the right place. Stop off at one of the harbour-front bars to tuck into a seafood mezze or grilled meat platter, with the Medieval fortress as a backdrop.
• Two beaches line Kos Town’s shores. The main beach is a mix of sand and pebbles, directly in front of the castle walls. There’s also a second longer beach just north of the harbour.

Day 6: Marmaris The ship arrives at Marmaris port at 08.00 and departs at 18.00. Marmaris is one of the most modern cities. You can enjoy on the vibrant waterfront is liberal and open. The half-timbered houses of the Old Town are grouped around the surprisingly well-preserved castle. While, the nearby bays are surrounded by lush forests.

Day 7: Alanya The ship arrives at Alanya port at 08.00 and departs at 18.00. Legendary hangout of Queen Cleopatra, Alanya’s two-faced for all the right reasons. On the one hand an ancient Seljuk city, on the other a slick beach resort, it’s a place where old meets new and the pair get along famously. Walk around and you’ll notice a lot of places with Cleopatra in their names, even one of the beaches. It’s no coincidence. In 44BC, Mark Antony presented the town to his girlfriend as a present. And as gifts go, it takes some beating… Make your way to the Manavgat Waterfalls, where the river water crashes over low rocks. With their mountain backdrop, these falls are certainly worth some space in your holiday photo album.
You can’t miss it – and you wouldn’t want to for that matter. In the centre of the port is a huge headland topped with a 13th-century Seljuk fortress. About 150 towers punctuate the walls of this splendid citadel. Delve inside and you’ll come across old gateways, Byzantine chapels and mosques.
Take a trip to the Damlatas Cave, or Cave of Dripping Stone. This eerie spot has been decorated by Mother Nature herself with some really surreal rock formations.
For an even bigger history fix, head for ancient Perge and Aspendos, and pick a path through the ruined temples, theatres and aqueducts.

Day 8: Limassol Disembarakation at Limassol port, the ship arrives at 08.00.