18 nights · Turkey, Galataport · Departs Istanbul (Turkey) · Visiting Canakkale, Izmir, Bodrum, Marmaris, Rhodes Island, Heraklion, Milos Island, Piraeus-Athens, Katakolon, Corfu Island, Kotor, Dubrovnik, Valletta, Messina, Naples, Civitavecchia-Rome · Aboard Regent Seven Seas Cruises on the Seven Seas Explorer
Image courtesy of Regent Seven Seas Cruises ©
| Cruise line | Regent Seven Seas Cruises |
|---|---|
| Ship | Seven Seas Explorer |
| Duration | 18 nights |
| Port calls | 17 |
| Departures | 1 sailings |
| From fare | $41,198 per person |
| Year built | 2016 |
| Guests | 829 |
| Cabins | 375 |
| Crew | 552 |
| Length | 224 m |
| Beam | 31 m |
| Cruising speed | 22.0 kn |
Istanbul makes a compelling first impression: minarets rise above the Bosphorus, while ferries cross between Europe and Asia. On the historic peninsula, Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace place centuries of empire within walking distance. Istanbul rewards curiosity beyond its landmarks. Browse the Grand Bazaar, linger over Turkish coffee, then take a ferry to the Asian shore. Allow time for traffic and queues; the city’s scale is part of the experience.
Çanakkale stands on the Asian shore of the Dardanelles, where Europe and Asia face each other across a busy strait. Its waterfront cafés, ferry traffic and Ottoman-era Çimenlik Castle offer a direct introduction to the city’s maritime past. Across the water, Gallipoli’s battlefields and memorials recall the 1915 campaign, while ancient Troy lies about 30 kilometres south. Both make compelling excursions, but leave time to walk the promenade and watch ferries cross the strait.
İzmir brings the Aegean within easy reach of a lively, modern Turkish city. Kordon’s waterfront promenade, cafés and ferries set an easy pace. Nearby, Kemeraltı Bazaar’s lanes reveal mosques, courtyards and centuries of trade. At the Agora of ancient Smyrna, Roman columns rise amid the city’s everyday bustle. İzmir also makes a practical gateway to Ephesus, one of the eastern Mediterranean’s most remarkable archaeological sites.
Bodrum brings the Aegean within reach: a handsome harbor, whitewashed houses and the Crusader-built Castle of St Peter. Its Museum of Underwater Archaeology displays finds recovered from ancient shipwrecks. Explore ancient Halicarnassus, whose Mausoleum was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Then settle at a waterfront table for grilled fish and a view across the bay.
Marmaris makes a striking first impression, with a yacht-filled harbor set beneath pine-clad mountains. From the quayside, lanes climb toward the 16th-century castle, whose museum and ramparts overlook the bay. The old town rewards a slow wander, while the covered bazaar offers Turkish textiles, ceramics, and spices. Beyond town, boat excursions reach sheltered coves and clear water; inland, the pine-fringed landscape invites a change of pace.
Rhodes pairs a fortified medieval capital with a sunlit Aegean coast. The UNESCO-listed Old Town stands just beyond the harbour, enclosed by formidable walls built by the Knights of St John. Walk its cobbled lanes to the Palace of the Grand Master, then pause over coffee in a shaded square. Beyond the city, beaches and whitewashed Lindos reward a longer outing; an ancient acropolis crowns the bay.
Heraklion is Crete’s capital, with treasures beyond its city walls. At Knossos, about five kilometres south, palace ruins reveal the scale of Minoan life. The Heraklion Archaeological Museum brings that world into focus through frescoes, jewellery and its celebrated Snake Goddess figurines. In town, Venetian walls and the harbour’s Koules fortress frame cafés, markets and a lively waterfront. Crete’s olive oil, local cheeses and generous island cooking reward a pause between visits.
Arrive at Adamas, Milos’s sheltered ferry port, and you step onto an island shaped by fire and sea. Its volcanic geology has carved pale cliffs, sea caves, and beaches across the coast. Visit Sarakiniko’s sculpted white rock, then climb to Plaka for island-wide views and a quiet evening. At Tripiti, visit the early Christian catacombs and ancient theater, near where the Venus de Milo was found in 1820.
Piraeus is Athens’ working harbour, not a resort port—and that is its appeal. From here, the capital’s ancient landmarks are within reach, while the waterfront keeps its own busy, distinctly Greek character. Visit the Archaeological Museum of Piraeus, then linger over grilled fish in Mikrolimano, a small harbour lined with tavernas. Metro connections make central Athens straightforward. Or stay near the water and watch ferries depart for the islands.
Katakolon is a compact seaside port on the western Peloponnese, with cafés and shops lining its waterfront. Most visitors come for ancient Olympia, about 35 kilometres inland and readily reached by road. There, the sanctuary, archaeological museum and ancient stadium bring the story of the Olympic Games into focus. Back in Katakolon, allow time for a stroll along the harbour before returning to your ship.
Corfu rewards visitors who look beyond the beach resorts. Its Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, bears the marks of centuries of Venetian rule. Walk the arcaded Liston, then climb to the Old Fortress for views across the rooftops and Ionian Sea. Beyond town, cypress-lined roads lead to Paleokastritsa’s coves, while the Achilleion palace recalls an imperial past. Allow time for lunch; Corfiot cooking pairs Ionian seafood with Italian and Greek influences.
At the head of Montenegro’s Bay of Kotor, the old town sits beneath steep mountains. Enter through the Sea Gate and follow stone lanes to St Tryphon’s Cathedral. Venetian-era walls frame squares, churches, and cafés within a compact UNESCO-listed center. For a broader view, climb toward San Giovanni Fortress; the steps are demanding. Take water and allow time for the ascent, especially in summer heat. From the harbor, the bay’s changing light makes a memorable arrival and departure.
Spend a day inside Dubrovnik’s UNESCO-listed Old Town, best explored on foot. Walk the city walls for close views of fortifications, roofs, and harbor. Then follow Stradun to Rector’s Palace and the Franciscan monastery. Book wall access in advance during busy months, and start early in summer. Mount Srđ offers a higher view, reached by cable car or road. Leave time for side lanes; their quieter corners reveal the city’s daily rhythm.
Valletta makes a powerful first impression, its honey-coloured walls rising above Grand Harbour. Founded by the Knights of St John in 1566, Malta’s compact capital rewards exploration on foot. Enter St John’s Co-Cathedral for Caravaggio’s monumental paintings, then follow Republic Street to cafés, palaces and the Upper Barrakka Gardens. From the terraces, watch ferries cross the harbour and look towards the Three Cities. Allow time for steep lanes and quiet side streets.
Messina faces Calabria across the narrow Strait of Messina, with mainland Italy visible from its waterfront. At noon, figures move across the cathedral’s clock tower, a daily spectacle best seen from the square. Nearby, Montorsoli’s 16th-century Fountain of Orion rewards a closer look. Excursions reach Taormina and Mount Etna, but Messina’s compact center also merits an unhurried walk.
Naples puts its history within reach: the port opens onto a compact city framed by Mount Vesuvius and the bay. UNESCO-listed streets lead to churches, palaces and the everyday theatre of southern Italian life. At the National Archaeological Museum, mosaics and objects from Pompeii and Herculaneum bring the Roman world sharply into focus. Stay close for Neapolitan pizza, or use Naples as a springboard to Pompeii, Herculaneum and Capri.
Your ship docks at Civitavecchia, Rome’s seaport, about 50 miles northwest of the capital. Rome’s great monuments are within reach, but the port town rewards a closer look. Walk the waterfront to Forte Michelangelo, a 16th-century fortress begun under Pope Julius II; explore the old streets and market. Prefer a quieter day? The town’s seafront and nearby beaches offer an easy change of pace. Choose Rome for art and antiquity, or Civitavecchia for coastal life beyond the terminal.
Published September 7, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard
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