Greece & Turkey Discovery

Ports

• Athens (Piraeus)
  

  Piraeus, roughly translating to “the place over the passage”, is an important Greek port located within the Athens agglomeration, in the Attica Basin. It is 12 kilometers from the municipality of Athens, considered the fourth largest and is the third most populous amongst all the municipalities of Greece. Now a peninsula, Piraeus, originally a rocky island, was developed in early 5th Century B.C. when it was initially designated as Athens’ import and transit trade port. It is the largest marine-based shipping center of Greece, one of the largest ports in Europe, and considered the second largest passenger port in the world. Inhabited since the 26th Century, it wasn’t until the 6th Century B.C. that Piraeus began catching attention. The land of Piraeus was essentially impassable, flooded by the sea most of the year until centuries passed and the flooding ceased. By the 5th Century B.C. it became a navy base for the Athenian fleet for the natural harbors and the strategic potential they carried. Athenian general and politician Themistocles fortified Piraeus’ three harbors Kantharos, Zea and Munichia, created ship houses and completed his walls in 471 B.C., which led to the port becoming a great military and commercial harbor. There are many archaeological sites, points of interest and entertainment available in Piraeus. Most famous for its tavernas and cuisine, several popular events take place in Piraeus, such as the Ecocinema International Film Festival, the Maritime Festival, the Piraeus Rock Wave Festival and the Three Kings’ Way Festival. There are also many theaters, including the Municipal Theater, the open air Veakeio Theater, and the Menandreio Theater. Museums in Piraeus include the Archaeological Museum of Piraeus, the Merchant Shipping History Institute Exhibition, the Panos Aravantinos Decor Museum, the Georgios Averof Museum Ship and the Museum of Electric Railways. Be sure to catch the panoramic views available from the hill of Kastella, overlooking Athens and the Saronic Gulf!

• Mykonos
  

  Mykonos is one of the most visited Greek Islands. It is part of the Cyclades group and lies between Tinos, Syros, Paros and Naxos. The island spans an area of 85.5 square kilometers (33.0 sq mi) and rises to an elevation of 341 meters (1,119 feet) at its highest point. Mykonos is so incredibly beautiful; it is not surprising that it has become one of the most desired destinations in the world. When you also add the cosmopolitan lifestyle, the sophisticated nightlife and the historical treasures of the nearby UNESCO Awarded Delos you’ll have the recipe for an unforgettable holiday. SeaDream usually anchors just of the famous windmills and tenders directly to the old town. Guests have a few organized options including the Sacred Island of Delos. Others may simply want to explore the island’s incredible beaches, boutiques, clubs and churches independently.

• Skopelos Island
  

  Skopelos and Skiathos are part of the Sporades island group. Greener and less crowded than the Cyclades islands further south. The producers of the movie "Mama Mia" filmed the movie on these two islands. Weather permitting, we will sail by the headland with the wedding chapel shown in the movie.

• Thessaloniki
  

  Approaching storied Thessaloniki by sea, it’s impossible to miss the striking White Tower, a perfectly round fortification built in the 15th century that has become the city’s symbol. Also found seaside, breezy Aristotelous Square is flanked by graceful buildings that give way to a pedestrianized promenade, an optimal location to amble and people-watch. Ancient history beckons at the 4th-century Arch and Rotunda of Galerius, extraordinary UNESCO World Heritage sites that evoke the lofty ambitions of their namesake Roman emperor. Journeying south along the coast, you’ll discover the jagged peak of fabled Mount Olympus, its commanding presence a worthy home for the gods of antiquity. Nestled at the foot of the mountain, the serene village of Litochoro brims with quaint shops and cafés. In Pella, birthplace of Alexander the Great, see remains of a city laid out in a precise grid, and at the UNESCO World Heritage site of Vergina stand in awe before the 4th-century BC tomb of Philip II, father of Alexander. In enthralling Thessaloniki, allow yourself to be enveloped by millennia of incredible Greek history.

• Kavala
  

  Kavala is a lovely hillside town featuring a jumble of whitewashed buildings overlooked by an imposing Byzantine and Ottoman fortress. Snaking through town, Kavala’s spectacularly preserved aqueduct boasts three tiers of arches, with houses charmingly tucked into some of the lower openings. The nearby archeological site of Philippi, a city founded in the 4th-century BC by Philip II of Macedonia, derived its enormous wealth from the mining of gold. In this once-majestic walled metropolis, now a UNESCO World Heritage site, you’ll discover vestiges of a grand theater, a stately forum, opulent mansions and an early basilica decorated with mosaics. A short distance away, the town of Xanthi entrances with its elegant 19th-century architecture, a legacy of the prosperity brought by the tobacco trade. You can canoe or hike at the National Park of the Nestos River Delta, where an abundance of wetlands attracts myriad species of birds and other fauna, including flamingos and otters. Back in Kavala, stroll along lively Megalou Alexandrou Street and pause at a café for a sampling of delicious local meze such as grilled octopus and fresh clams paired with local wine or a glass of invigorating ouzo.

• Thasos Island
  

  Thasos is a Greek island in the northern Aegean Sea. It lies just off the coast of Thrace and geographically part of Macedonia. It is the 12th largest and northernmost Greek island. It is considered by many as one of the most beautiful cities in Macedonia. You may have heard it referred as the "Green Island of Greece", famous for its clean beaches, tasty wine and snow white marble which it exports to the whole world. A popular holiday destination for Greeks, but little known outside of the country. We are very hopeful to arrange a beach party on Thasos.in the not too distant future.

• Myrina, Lemnos
  

  Located on the northern Aegean Sea, Myrina, Lemnos is a true hidden gem. The island and its beaches remain uncrowded even during the popular summer season. The capital of Lemnos, Myrina, is stretched between two bays and offers two distinct districts to explore. Nestled in between the bays is the Byzantine Castle of Myrina, a major tourist attraction overlooking the peninsula. The stone-paved streets of Myrina provide a picture-perfect backdrop as guests stroll through this charming destination. No trip to Myrina is complete without spending time relaxing at one of its beautiful and peaceful beaches.

• Istanbul
  

  Istanbul historically known as Constantinople is the largest city in Turkey and 5th largest city proper in the world with a population of over 14 million, also making it the second largest metropolitan area in Europe by population. Istanbul was selected as a European Capital of Culture for 2010. Historic areas of the city were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985. Istanbul is a transcontinental city, straddling the Bosporus, one of the world's busiest waterways in northwestern Turkey. It is situated between the Sea of Marmara and the Black Sea. Its commercial and historical center lies in Europe, while a third of its population lives in Asia. SeaDream calls to this wonderful destination both as an embarkation point and a destination offering several land adventures. Please check the Land Adventures tab for all of the possibilities as well as embarkation and transfer information.