Oceania Cruises: Nautica

This centuries old capital guards the slender waterway between the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, and is the doorway between the East and West. Visitors can explore remnants of Byzantine Constantinople in the Sultanahmet district, where you will have the chance to see ancient splendors, such as the Haghia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace. At night the city boast a lively nightclub scene and excellent Turkish dining options that may include cultural entertainment and dancing. Istanbul also features splendid shopping malls, boutiques, and hand crafted items can be found all over the city.

Suggested Private Excursions

Istanbul Port - Treasures of Istanbul (Full Day Tour)

Istanbul Port - Byzantine Highlights- (Half Day Tour)

Istanbul Port - Cultural Istanbul-(Full Day Tour)

Istanbul Port - Ottoman Collection - (Half-Day Tour)

Istanbul: Highlights - 7 hours

Istanbul: Jewish Heritage Tour - 7 hours

Istanbul: Private Art Collections - 7 hours

Istanbul: Private Yacht Cruise along the Bosphorus - 7 hours

Istanbul: The 16th Century Masterpieces of Sinan the Architect - 7 hours

Istanbul Port - Private Bosphorus Cruise (Half Day)

Istanbul Port - Private Cooking Class in a Local Home with Market Visit

Istanbul Port - Private Culinary Walking Tour ( Half Day Tour)

Istanbul: Edirne Highlights - 11 hours

Turkey’s tiny port of Dikili lies on the northwestern coast of Aegean Turkey. Its closest landmass neighbor is the Greek island of Lesbos, which is a short ferry-boat ride away. Although Dikili is off the beaten tourist path, it plays host to a number of cruise ships that call here each year, using the port as a starting point for excursions to the interior, mainly the ancient site of Pergamum. In addition, the village and its surrounding area offer a relaxed holiday atmosphere, with fishing boats, small waterfront cafés and a limited number of shops. The main reason to come here is a visit to Pergamum.

Izmir is a major seaport in western Turkey, on the Aegean Sea and is the gateway to Ephesus and Sardis. Ephesus is one of the ancient world's largest and most important archaeological and religious sites. Some of the site's most significant structures included the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Basilica of St. John, where the Apostle is buried and the House of the Virgin Mary. Other highlights include the Great Amphi-theatre where St Paul was arrested, Kuretes Street and the Library of Celsus. Sardis was an ancient city of Asia Minor, and the recently uncovered remains lie to the north-east of Izmir. The city attained its greatest prosperity during the reign of Croesus, king of Lydia, and after his overthrow in 546 BC by Cyrus the Great of Persia, it became the western capital of the Persian Empire.

Suggested Private Excursions

Izmir: The Greco-Roman City of Pergamum - 7 hours

The mountainous Aegean island of Samos was the legendary birthplace of the goddess Hera. The capital is Limen Vatheos. During the sixth century BC, the powerful Tyrant Polycrates built shipyards on Samos and organized a fleet of 100 ships to raid the surrounding islands. During his reign, an advanced aqueduct was built inside a tunnel designed by architect Eupalinos and was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Highlights of Samos include the Pithagorian, Temple of Hera and the Vathi Museum.

Situated on a beautiful peninsula, Bodrum is known as a popular holiday resort. Enchanting villages of white painted houses trimmed with purple bougainvillea together with miles of sandy beaches and ideal locations for water sports. On the southern coast of the peninsula lie the golden sandy beaches at Bardakci, Gumbet, Bitez, Ortakent Yalisi, Karaincir, Bagla and Akyarlar, while on the western side are Gumusluk, Yalikavak and Turgut Reis.
For those who want seclusion, the northern coast boasts Turkbuku, Golkoy and Gundogan - all small simple fishing villages, ideal for those who want a subdued and relaxing atmosphere. While the nights in Bodrum town itself are noisy, crowded and vital, these smaller villages offer cozy taverns and restaurants over-looking quiet bays and can all be reached easily by car or even by boat.

Suggested Private Excursions

Bodrum and Halicarnassus - 4 hours

Bodrum Port - Private Culinary Experience (Full Day Tour)

Rhodes is one of Greece’s favored vacation centers and was an important cultural center with a well-known School of Rhetoric attended by such greats as Cicero and Caesar. Rhodes' most famous attractions originated with the Knights of St. John, who occupied parts of the island from 1310 to 1522 and left a medieval town, dominated by the Palace of the Grand Masters and Knights' Hospital, which houses an Archaeological Museum with interesting exhibits of national archaeological finds. Rhodes has inspired many artists. The Old Town offers shopping opportunities and lively nightlife. At Mount Filerimos a church has been built on the site of an ancient temple. A popular excursion is to the charming village of Lindos. Its premier attraction, the ancient acropolis, stands atop sheer cliffs. Walls of a 13th-century Crusader castle enclose the site. Today, the winding path up to the acropolis is lined by stalls, where locals sell lace tablecloths and souvenirs. Mandraki Harbor's entrance is flanked by stone columns topped by figures of a stag and a hind, the town's heraldic animals.

Suggested Private Excursions

Rhodes Town & Lindos - Full day tour approx 8 hours

Rhodes Medieval town & Lindos Tour approx 5 1/2 hours

Lindos half day tour 4 1/2 hours

Rhodes & Filermos half day tour approx. 4 1/2 hours

This sun-drenched Mediterranean town on the Turkish Riviera is a major resort with a beautiful crescent bay, dramatic cliffs, and jagged mountains. It is an attractive city with shady palm-lined boulevards and a prize-winning marina. In picturesque old quarter, narrow streets and old wooden houses huddle against ancient city walls. Antalya's visitors come see the old town with its picturesque harbor and excellent Archaeological Museum. Its outstanding exhibits provide fascinating glimpses into the life of the region. In the surrounding area are additional attractions such as Aspendos, Perge and Side. Their remains of antiquity are considered among the most impressive sites. Visit Hadrian's Gate and Main Square, which with its landmark clock tower offers views of the bay and distant mountain peaks. Karatay Medrese (Theological College) exemplifies the best of Seljuk stone carving. Ataturk Museum features a collection of interesting memorabilia commemorating the founder of Turkey.

Suggested Private Excursions

Antalya: The Greco-Roman Heritage of Antalya, Perge & Side - 7 hours

The old town of Alanya dates from Seljuk and Ottoman times. Alanya has become a popular tourist center due to its wide sand beach stretching more than four miles from town. A short ride from old town is citadel hill and the courtyard of the upper fortress. Here stands castle mosque, or Kale Camii. In the same courtyard are ruins of a cruciform Byzantine church and a lighthouse from 1720. From citadel hill, there is a superb panoramic view over the Mediterranean coastal plain, the scattered houses and fruit orchards along Alanya's shore. Visit Seljuk Dockyard - with five vaulted galleries with linking arched entrances. Here a Seljuk sultan built warships enabling him to extend his power across the eastern Mediterranean. The harbor's Red Tower was key to Alanya's harbor defenses.

Every night people celebrate events momentous and trivial. Explore Limassol Castle, which contains the Cyprus Medieval Museum, or the Folk Art Museum, housed in an old mansion. Walk ten miles of beautiful beaches, known as Cypriot Riviera. Stroll in the sea promenade or visit lush Municipal Gardens. On the coastal road to the east, just after luxurious hotels, you will find Amathus, one of the ancient city kingdoms of Cyprus. See the ruins and take a dip near the site of an ancient port. West of Limassol lies Kolossi Castle, a medieval fortress whose walls contain a tower surrounding living quarters, and an ancient sugar factory. Visit the Kourion archaeological site, an ancient city-kingdom, where you can take in a play or concert at the ancient Greco-Roman Theater, overlooking the blue Mediterranean. And explore a treasure trove of Greek and Roman sites, such as the Sanctuary of Apollo.

Ashdod is one of Israel’s largest ports and a living museum of ancient history. It was one of the five cities of giants, and it was here the Philistines brought the captured Holy Ark, sacred to the Hebrews. Ashdod’s 23-level tel (archaeological dig) lies southeast of the modern city. Among the remains of the 10th century CE Fatimid Fortress, archaeologists discovered an early Arabic document recounting Byzantine ships once brought Muslim prisoners to Ashdod to sell back to their families.

Suggested Private Excursions

2 days/1 night shore excursion from Haifa or Ashdod - Jerusalem and Masada

1-day shore excursion from Ashdod: Jerusalem Old & New

1-day shore excursion from Ashdod: Jerusalem & Bethlehem

Ashdod is one of Israel’s largest ports and a living museum of ancient history. It was one of the five cities of giants, and it was here the Philistines brought the captured Holy Ark, sacred to the Hebrews. Ashdod’s 23-level tel (archaeological dig) lies southeast of the modern city. Among the remains of the 10th century CE Fatimid Fortress, archaeologists discovered an early Arabic document recounting Byzantine ships once brought Muslim prisoners to Ashdod to sell back to their families.

Suggested Private Excursions

2 days/1 night shore excursion from Haifa or Ashdod - Jerusalem and Masada

1-day shore excursion from Ashdod: Jerusalem Old & New

1-day shore excursion from Ashdod: Jerusalem & Bethlehem

Holy Land to three of the world's major religions, Israel has a great emotional and spiritual effect on its visitors through its magnificent religious shrines and tenacity of a nation that, against all odds, made the desert bloom. As a center of shipping, banking, foreign commerce and wholesale trading, Haifa boasts institutions for higher education and for scientific research, a theater, a concert hall, museums and places of culture and entertainment. The residential areas and major hotels are situated along the ridge of Mount Carmel, about 900 feet above sea level. Clandestine Immigration & Navy Museum features the ship which ran the British blockade during the Mandatory period. Mane Katz Museum is dedicated to the world-renowned Jewish artist of the same name who left his home, paintings and other works of art to the city. Gan Ha-Pesalim, a lovely garden overlooking the bay, is home to over 20 bronze sculptures by Ursula Malbin. Elija’s Cave, known as the center of the prophet’s activities, is holy to Jews, Christians, Moslems and Druze.

Suggested Private Excursions

1-day Shore Excursion from Haifa: Nazareth and the Sea of Galilee

1-day Shore Excursion from Haifa: Akko Caesarea

1-day Shore Excursion from Haifa: Caesarea Tel Aviv

1-day Shore Excursion from Haifa: Akko - Safed

2 days/1 night Shore Excursion from Haifa - Sea of Galilee, Nazareth, Jerusalem and Bethlehem

Holy Land to three of the world's major religions, Israel has a great emotional and spiritual effect on its visitors through its magnificent religious shrines and tenacity of a nation that, against all odds, made the desert bloom. As a center of shipping, banking, foreign commerce and wholesale trading, Haifa boasts institutions for higher education and for scientific research, a theater, a concert hall, museums and places of culture and entertainment. The residential areas and major hotels are situated along the ridge of Mount Carmel, about 900 feet above sea level. Clandestine Immigration & Navy Museum features the ship which ran the British blockade during the Mandatory period. Mane Katz Museum is dedicated to the world-renowned Jewish artist of the same name who left his home, paintings and other works of art to the city. Gan Ha-Pesalim, a lovely garden overlooking the bay, is home to over 20 bronze sculptures by Ursula Malbin. Elija’s Cave, known as the center of the prophet’s activities, is holy to Jews, Christians, Moslems and Druze.

Suggested Private Excursions

1-day Shore Excursion from Haifa: Nazareth and the Sea of Galilee

1-day Shore Excursion from Haifa: Akko Caesarea

1-day Shore Excursion from Haifa: Caesarea Tel Aviv

1-day Shore Excursion from Haifa: Akko - Safed

2 days/1 night Shore Excursion from Haifa - Sea of Galilee, Nazareth, Jerusalem and Bethlehem