A city of legend, civilisation and enduring culture, Athens is a majestic and magical urban sprawl. Extraordinary elegance and grace combine with grit and graft in Greece's capital, where highways encase ruins from antiquity, and gleaming museums and galleries stand beside concrete sprayed with edgy street art. These contrasts enhance and elevate the wonders of this 2,500-year-old city, however, which can count notable contributions to philosophy, drama and democracy, among its global legacy. Piraeus' giant port and naval base welcome you to the edge of the Athens' urban area. From there it's a simple jaunt to the centre. The majestic ancient citadel of the Acropolis dominates an elevated platform and is a constant presence as you explore the city. The wonderful remains of the columned temple of the Parthenon - which date back to the 5th century BC - stand here, representing the pinnacle of classical architecture. The nearby Acropolis Museum adds context to your visit and frames the broad views from its giant glass windows. Or rise up Mount Lycabettus, to be rewarded with perhaps Athens' best panorama of the Acropolis sitting high over the city on its grand stage. See the marble horseshoe of the Old Olympic Stadium, where the first modern Olympics were held in 1896, for more of the city's enduring legacy. Elsewhere, golden beaches and temples stretch out along the coastline, should you wish to explore a little further afield. Coffee is an art form to the Greeks, and it's an unwritten rule that coffee time must never be rushed. So prepare to settle down for a couple of hours and lose yourself in a good chat. Feeling hungry - try traditional souvlaki made with sauces handed from generation to generation.

Beautiful sea, crisp white beaches, and charming medieval villages add character and colour to this gorgeous Greek Island. With its blockbuster neighbours Mykonos and Santorini, Syros flies a little under the radar at times – but the island’s devoted fans wouldn't have it any other way. Part of the Cyclades group of islands, visit the capital, Ermoupoli, to discover a network of picturesque narrow streets and winding alleyways - dotted with fancy old Venetian mansions, and elegant domed churches. The colourful town cascades down to an open waterfront of pine-trees and beautiful views. Head to the sparkling marbled central square, overlooked by the Town Hall and surrounded by a celebrated collection of neoclassical buildings facing up across narrow streets. A town of peeking bell towers and cobalt-blue domed churches - stop by the Church of the Assumption, which treasures an original El Greco wonder inside. Further up you'll find the small, monastery-sprinkled medieval village of Ano Syros. Settled on a hill, it offers a glorious view down over the port and white dwellings of Ermoupoli below. You can visit Capuchin Monastery, which was built in the 16th century to help the underprivileged. Encounter the Vamvakaris Museum, dedicated to Markos Vamvakaris, a famous rebetiko musician, born here in 1905. Of course, Syros is also surrounded by plenty of blissful beaches, if you'd rather hit the sands. Finikas beach is nearby, and a long, luxurious stretch, complete with sunbeds and umbrellas. Perfect for catching some sun and shade, and watching the blue seawater twinkling.

If you feel a sense of déjà vu when you arrive in Amorgos, don’t be surprised. The little island in the Cyclades found fame in the late 1980s thanks to Luc Besson’s cult film “The Big Blue”. But movie stars aside (and for anyone who has seen the film, you know we are talking about the dolphins who are the real stars of the show), Amorgos is what everything a Greek island should be. Think pink bougainvillea climbing up every whitewashed wall and scarlet geraniums spilling out of every blue framed window. Small, friendly cafes line the (labyrinthine, cobbled) streets, beach bars serve tall glasses of ouzo over ice and traditional tavernas serve everything from souvlaki to tzatziki. Amorgos might be most famous however for its lack of mass tourism. You won’t find any wild nightclubs nor luxury boutiques here. Instead you’ll feel the pull of the past with the vestiges of a Minoan city, the beautiful 13-th century Venetian Kastro and its windmills and the 11th century Pangaea Hozoviotissa Monastery. Nature lovers will no doubt be in their element here too: seven main trails connect the villages to each other. Most hikes take around an hour and are considered easy but there are one or two exceptions, so beware! Divers will also be happy; the southern end of the island is home to the famous shipwreck features in The Big Blue. Now rife with algae, it is a prime feeding spot for the local marine life.

Breathlessly romantic, and incredibly scenic, the azure domes and whitewash buildings that cascade down Santorini's slopes are prime honeymoon material - and relentlessly romantic. A true gem of the Cycladic island group, Santorini is startlingly pretty, and its white windmills and dazzling villages are incredibly easy on the eye. Envy-inducing and evocatively beautiful, Santorini's sunsets are legendary, and the island is a highlight of any voyage to the Greek islands. Look out over the endless expanse of blue waves, filling the massive volcanic caldera of Santorini – and absorb one of the most spectacular views in the world. The sheer rock shoulders of the caldera create an immense, natural amphitheatre - so enjoy the show, as you sip a local, volcanic-mineral enhanced white wine, and fall in love all over again. Any meal is well rounded off with the famous wine, Vinsanto. The east side of the island may lack the incredible panoramas, but it's ideal if all you want to do is recline on volcanic-sand beaches - which range in hues from charcoal-black to flame-red. This beautiful island was forged by powerful volcanic activity, and you can learn more about the huge eruption of 1,600 BCE - which wiped out the Minoan city at Akrotiri. The eruption sank the centre of the island, forming the moon-shaped topography we see now. Visit the archaeological site that has revealed and preserved the village, which was lost to time below the pumice and ash. Some whisper that this destroyed town may even be the fabled Atlantis.

Set on the east of the Greek island Crete, Aghios Nikolaos is a place of legend and luxury. Pastel-coloured houses jostle attractively around the pretty harbour and inky lake, while busy restaurants and cafes spill out onto its lively waterfront. Life here orbits around Lake Voulismeni, and the legendary lake is said to be bottomless, and to have been a bathing spot for Greek goddesses Athena and Artemis. Enjoy heavenly views of the water through frames of pretty, violet flowers, or climb the stone steps for a sweeping panorama of the town, lake and seas beyond. With abundant waterfront, hours meander past effortlessly in the town’s humming cafes, as characters come and go, and sunlight flicks off the sparkling waves. Aghios Nikolaos is surrounded by wide, scenic beaches, and you can choose between Voulisma - where crystal-clear water lolls against fine sand, or Almyros – where a refreshing ribbon of cooling freshwater snakes out into warm turquoise seawater. Away from the beaches, look for the brightly-frescoed Panagias Keras Church - one of the region’s oldest Byzantine churches - which dates back to the 13th century. Explore local farms to taste fresh oil, crushed from plump olives, ripened by the generous Cretan sun.

With an endless sun-soaked season, earthy history and vibrant culture, the island of Rhodes has it all. At the crossroads between continents, and sandwiched between Crete and Turkey’s coastline, Rhodes has swayed between many mighty civilisations throughout its tumultuous history. Part of the Dodecanese Islands, which are sprinkled across the blissfully blue Aegean Sea, dive into this island of dazzling beaches, historic medieval towns, and whitewash villages. Crusted with turrets and walls, alluding to its strategic significance over the years. Incredible history has been left behind, and the cobbled streets of the UNESCO World Heritage site listed Old Town are some of Europe’s best. Wander back through time, with occasional minarets from Ottoman-era mosques rising from the tangle of Medieval history, and the smells of cinnamon, cumin and pepper lingering above stone-paved streets. Discover inviting outdoor restaurants, which spill across flower-filled courtyards, and enjoy fresh Greek cuisine with an eastern influence. The preserved columns of Lindos's spectacular Ancient Greek Acropolis watch out over electric blue water, while the Gothic Medieval stronghold of the 14th-century Palace of the Grand Masters of the Knights of Rhodes, adds more fascinating history to explore. Fragrant, pine tree coated hills, and gorgeous beaches of eye-watering blue water, offer your choice of unbridled relaxation or thrilling action, and you can raise the pulse with water sports, or shelter in coves with shocks of turquoise water and monolithic rock formations.

Antalya instantly shot to fame when Turkey opened to wider tourism in the early noughties. And with its enviable balance of picture perfect beaches, glorious climate and superb architecture it is no surprise. Since then it has carved a niche for itself as an all-purpose resort, offering much to see and do for couples young and old and families alike. Arrival into Antalya is a breathtaking sight. The turquoise waters stretch long and far, fringed by golden sands and a classically beautiful coastline. The city has changed hands several times, with many archaeological remains proving testament to its past. One such must see is the unmissable Hadrian’s Gate. Built in 130AD to commemorate the visit of Emperor Hadrian to the city, it is the perfect starting point to begin a pleasant stroll through the labyrinthine streets of Kaleiçi (literally, Castle Town), otherwise known as Antalya Old Town. Narrow, cobbled lanes offer a chance to get lost in a bit of Ottoman history, while enjoying a thick, sweet (and very strong) Turkish coffee. For those wishing to delve a little deeper into the city’s fascinating past, the Antalya Museum offers history buffs a comprehensive journey from the city’s initial foundations in the Stone Age right through to the Byzantine Empire. A short 30-minute taxi ride will take you to the stunning Duden Waterfalls, a site (and sight) of exquisite natural beauty. There are in fact two parts of the falls, both of which offer a pleasant moment to revel in the power of Mather Nature.

Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind and catch up with what you’ve been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale watching, catching up on your reading or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring shore side.

From Ashdod’s port, it’s a just a short ride to Jerusalem’s land of incredible religious significance and cultural wonder. A city like no other, Jerusalem is a melting pot of traditions, and a place of staggering complexity and immeasurably deep, impactful history. It’s almost impossible to fully digest Jerusalem’s importance in the scriptures of the world’s largest religions Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, and this collision of faiths helps to make it one of the world’s most fascinating locations. The Old City is the focal point for much of the religious reverence, with aged buildings from the world’s major faiths jostling for space, and melodic calls to prayer echoing down tight stone streets. Stroll the walkways to travel between deeply contrasting quarters, where you can sample roughly ripped pita bread, dipped into fresh, flavourful hummus. A place of unbridled passion and importance - but also extraordinary beauty - it’s easy to get swept away in the raw emotion that Jerusalem generates. Visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which archaeologists believe stands on the site where Jesus was crucified. Inside, emotional worshipers kneel before the stone where his body was wrapped in cloth in preparation for burial. The Wailing Wall is another place where passions run high, as worshipers place their folded messages into the wall’s cracks. Temple Mount’s golden dome glints in the sun nearby, signifying another point of pilgrimage for Jews - and for Muslims, who believe it is the place where Muhammad ascended to heaven.

The excursions are provided as a sample of what may be offered on this voyage and are subject to change.