Greece & Turkey by land & luxury cruise

Today you’ll take a private tour of the Acropolis and its state-of-the-art museum, which offers a window into Athens' ancient heyday. Begin at the Parthenon, where your guide can unpack the history soaked in the sun-bleached stones. Then, head to the light-filled Acropolis Museum, where you can see the archaeological finds from the site, including originals and replicas of the renowned marbles.

Today, you’ll board Silver Nova at the nearby port of Piraeus. Your private butler will help you get acquainted with your suite, then it’s time to start exploring the ship. This evening, you might like to dine at Silver Note, where you can enjoy?live jazz and blues music while you eat.

 The seaside town of Nafplio blends Greek, Byzantine, Venetian, and Ottoman influences. You can explore this melding on a walking tour that includes an ouzo tasting. Or dive deeper into the past with a guided visit to ancient Mycenae.

Your next stop is Milos, an island known for its flowing coastal rock formations. Here, we suggest opting for a sailing tour that takes you around its beaches and villages. Back onboard your ship, unwind in the Observation Library, taking in the views from panoramic windows.

 The myth of the Minotaur has its seeds in Crete’s Palace of Knossos, not far from your next port of call. A tour of the palace’s ruins features a stop at the archaeological museum, where you can see exhibits spanning more than 5,500 years.

Anchoring at Rhodes, you can kayak along the ‘pirates’ route’ in the blue waters of the Aegean. Following a local guide, you’ll paddle past sea caves only visible from the water, as your guide spins stories of the buccaneers who once plied these shores.

Today’s port is Ku?adas? in Turkey. Here, you can join an archaeologist for an in-depth look at the ancient city of Ephesus and the once-lavish Library of Celsus. Back onboard, you might enjoy an apéritif on the deck or take in the view from the Panorama Lounge.

 There’s a lot more to Mykonos than its sugar-cube houses and nightlife, and we suggest taking the time to dig under the surface. You can learn how to make the island’s signature kopanisti cheese with a S.A.L.T. cooking class that visits a local dairy. You might also try your hand at making a mosaic, a traditional Mykonian art form. Your class, led by a local artist, is held in an open-air garden called a kipos.

After disembarking in the capital, you take a private transfer to the Athens Riviera. A few days at The Margi provides a relaxing coda to your Mediterranean adventure. Spend your days in the sun reading beside the olive tree fringed pool, or pampering yourself with treatments at The Margi Spa.

Another day to relax in the sunshine. You might like to visit Lake Vouliagmeni and bathe in the mineral-rich thermal waters or set sail on a luxury yacht to explore hidden coves.

Today you’ll board your flight home. Your return flight will arrive the same day.