Holy Land & Byzantine Gems - 7230B

Athens, the capital and largest city of Greece, is also one of the world's oldest cities with an unparalleled history that spans around 3,400 years. Experiencing long periods of sunshine throughout the year, and known as "the cradle of Western civilisation", it is a 'must-see' destination for world travellers. The city contains a fascinating variety of different architectural styles, ranging from Greco-Roman through Neo-Classical, to Modern. They are usually all found together in the same areas, as a walk through the old neighbourhoods of the famous historic triangle will reveal. Read more about Athens, Greece

Mykonos is the principal town of the island of the same name, which is part of the Cyclades, and could well be described as the most sophisticated of the Greek Islands. Visited by innumerable international celebrities - you may even see some enjoying a coffee on the sidewalk - it is not surprising that it is considered by many to be one of the top tourist destinations in the world. It is also an island with beautiful landscapes, scores of churches, some fascinating monuments, and windmills. Best known for its beautiful sandy golden beaches lapped by transparent waters, there are so many from which to choose. Read more about Mykonos, Greece

Symi is the main town of a Greek island of the same name. Lying NW of the island of Rhodes, it has areas of significance in history and mythology. The town of Symi is divided in two parts: the harbourside one called Gialós, and the adjacent one on the slopes of the hills, called Chorió. Gialós is of two- and three-storey traditional stone houses, painted in all colours but mostly in indigo, ochre and terracotta, with red tiled roofs and cute little balconies with railings in the style peculiar to Symi. Read more about Symi, Greece

Kusadasi is a resort town on Turkey's Aegean coast and the centre of the seaside district of the same name. While best known as a starting point for visiting Ephesus, once one of the most beautiful cities in the world with a history dating from 3000 BC, there’s also a delightful range of activities in town. Places of interest include: the City Walls, of which one gate remains to-day; the peninsula at the end of the bay with its castle and swimming beaches; several aqua parks with wave-pools and white-water slides; Ladies Beach, once segregated but now open to all; and Dilek Peninsula National Park. See all this in a pleasant walk. Read more about Kusadasi, Turkey

Antalya is the 'capital' of the Turkish Mediterranean Coast. It is a sprawling modern city, but Old Antalya which surrounds the Roman harbour, with its historic museum, and the many buildings - now restored as homes, boutique hotels, inns and restaurants - that date back to Ottoman and even Roman times, give it its own distinctive atmosphere. There are numerous fascinating archaeological sites to visit, or take a day excursion to one of the wonderful National Parks, and even experience some white water rafting, or you can simply enjoy the dramatic sea and mountain views. Read more about Antalya, Turkey

Limassol, located on Akrotiri Bay on the southern coast of Cyprus, is widely known for its long cultural tradition and offers tourists a wide spectrum of activities, as well as a number of museums, and archaeological sites. A series of public sculptures, created by renowned artists from Greece, Cyprus, Israel, Germany and Egypt, are found along 1.6 km of seafront reclaimed land, and are appreciated by all visitors. If time permits, visit the ancient city kingdom of Amathus to explore the ruins and its ancient port. The large seaside resort at Akrotiri Bay on the sunny southern coast offers a range of energetic festivals. Read more about Limassol, Cyprus

(NOTE: Check that your cruise still visits Haifa due to current safety concerns.) Israel’s third largest city and one of its prettiest, Haifa is situated on the Israeli Mediterranean Coastal Plain, the historic land bridge between Europe, Africa, and Asia. The city is split over three tiers. The lowest is the centre of commerce and industry including the Port of Haifa, the middle level is on the slopes of Mount Carmel consists of older residential neighbourhoods, while the upper level is known for its modern suburbs. From here there are some fascinating views. Read more about Haifa, Israel

Ashdod - aka Isdud - is a city on the Mediterranean Sea coast in the South District of Israel, approximately 70 km from Jerusalem and Beer Sheba. It is a major industrial centre and Israel’s largest and busiest cargo port, through which over 100,000 tourists visit annually. It is also one of the most ancient cities in the world, dating back to the Canaanite culture of the 17th century BC, and interestingly is mentioned thirteen times in the Bible. Ashdod is a convenient jumping-off point for exploring several of Israel's most interesting cities, including Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and Bethlehem. Read more about Ashdod (Jerusalem), Israel

Rhodes is the principal city of the island of the same name, situated in the Aegean Sea. It is renowned for having the longest summer of any of the Greek islands. It is famous for being the site of the Colossus of Rhodes - one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World - as well as being the home of the Citadel of Rhodes, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as one of the best preserved medieval towns in Europe. The capital itself is very beautiful. Read more about Rhodes, Greece

Bodrum Peninsula is located in the Aegean region of Turkey. The Aegean Coast is an extraordinary place, with its immense unspoilt coastline and warm climate which offers all year round sunshine. The place where the first Christian Church was built, and where the art of wine making was developed, it boasts astonishing historical sites and natural wonders that rival any other place in the world. The sense of history is never too far away on the Bodrum peninsula, with ancient ruins, such as Myndus Gate (Alexander's Gateway to the East), the Bodrum Amphitheatre, and beautiful Rabbit Island, to remind you of past cultures and civilisations. Read more about Bodrum, Turkey

Cesme, on the west coast of Turkey, is a popular holiday and resort destination located on a promontory on the tip of a peninsula that carries the same name. The town itself is dominated by the medieval Cesme Castle, while the back streets of the old town with their old Ottoman and Greek houses that charm passers-by, are best seen by means of a casual stroll. South of the castle there is an Ottoman caravanserai - an inn built in 1528 especially for caravans - that has since been transformed into a lovely boutique hotel. Read more about Cesme, Turkey

The Greek Island of Patmos is possibly best known as the place where the apostle John received his vision and wrote the Apocalypse, and is subsequently sometimes called the Jerusalem of the Aegean. Whether you are interested in history and religion or not, the Monastery of St. John is regarded as a 'must see'. Looking like a huge fortress, it towers above the unique medieval village of Chora. Read more about Patmos, Greece

Athens, the capital and largest city of Greece, is also one of the world's oldest cities with an unparalleled history that spans around 3,400 years. Experiencing long periods of sunshine throughout the year, and known as "the cradle of Western civilisation", it is a 'must-see' destination for world travellers. The city contains a fascinating variety of different architectural styles, ranging from Greco-Roman through Neo-Classical, to Modern. They are usually all found together in the same areas, as a walk through the old neighbourhoods of the famous historic triangle will reveal. Read more about Athens, Greece

The Greek Island of Patmos is possibly best known as the place where the apostle John received his vision and wrote the Apocalypse, and is subsequently sometimes called the Jerusalem of the Aegean. Whether you are interested in history and religion or not, the Monastery of St. John is regarded as a 'must see'. Looking like a huge fortress, it towers above the unique medieval village of Chora. Read more about Patmos, Greece

Agios Nikolaos stands on the shores of the beautiful Mirabello Bay, a coastal town on the eastern coast of the Greek island of Crete. It sits partly on the ruins of the ancient city of Lato pros Kamara. It has three faces to the sea – the Lake and port, Kitroplatia Beach, and the Marina. It seems less Cretan in character than the island’s other main centres, partly because of its resort style and its generally modern architecture, but there’s a strong local character to Agios Nikolaos that makes it a charming and friendly place. Read more about Agios Nikolaos, Crete, Greece

Kusadasi is a resort town on Turkey's Aegean coast and the centre of the seaside district of the same name. While best known as a starting point for visiting Ephesus, once one of the most beautiful cities in the world with a history dating from 3000 BC, there’s also a delightful range of activities in town. Places of interest include: the City Walls, of which one gate remains to-day; the peninsula at the end of the bay with its castle and swimming beaches; several aqua parks with wave-pools and white-water slides; Ladies Beach, once segregated but now open to all; and Dilek Peninsula National Park. See all this in a pleasant walk. Read more about Kusadasi, Turkey

Mykonos is the principal town of the island of the same name, which is part of the Cyclades, and could well be described as the most sophisticated of the Greek Islands. Visited by innumerable international celebrities - you may even see some enjoying a coffee on the sidewalk - it is not surprising that it is considered by many to be one of the top tourist destinations in the world. It is also an island with beautiful landscapes, scores of churches, some fascinating monuments, and windmills. Best known for its beautiful sandy golden beaches lapped by transparent waters, there are so many from which to choose. Read more about Mykonos, Greece

Skiathos is a small island (population 6,000) off the eastern coast of Greece, in the Aegean Sea. It is a popular tourist destination with more than 60 sandy beaches along the coastline. The hilly interior, rising to 433 m, is covered with pine trees. Historians recall its role in local history from the Persian Wars to the Greek War of Independence. Read more about Skiathos, Greece

Bozcaada is an island (triangular, just 11km by 6km) lying 6 km off the mainland of Turkey, in the NE part of the Aegean Sea. Its Greek name is Tenedos, mentioned in both the Iliad and the Aeneid, and important in ancient times in guarding the Dardanelles to the north. Historically, it came under the control of many regional powers. Today most of its 2500 population are Turks. Read more about Bozcaada, Turkey

Istanbul (Byzantium from 660 BC, Constantinople from 330 CE, and Istanbul since 1930) is the largest city in Turkey and the fifth largest city proper in the world. It has dominated the Straits of Bosphorus, in the NW of the country, for 25 centuries, and as Constantinople was the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire. It was a metropolis of stunning splendour when the great capitals of Europe were mere villages and is the only metropolis in the world that is situated on two continents. The influence of Asia and Europe, the religion of Christians and Muslims, and the culture of Turks, Persians and Asians, have all found their way into the daily life of this bustling metropolis. Read more about Istanbul, Turkey