Seabourn Encore
June 2, 2024

Piraeus (Athens), Greece, offers docking at Piraeus Port with excursions to Athens. Travelers explore Acropolis and Parthenon. Excursions visit Cape Sounion. Local markets sell souvlaki. The peak season, April to October, brings warm weather for city tours. Photography captures ancient ruins and Aegean vistas. Dining onboard includes moussaka, a Greek favorite. Souvenirs, like olive oil, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Hellenic history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance historic walks. Piraeus’ cultural gateway offers a vibrant Greek stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of iconic landmarks and scenic coasts, making Piraeus an engaging destination for exploration.

Skiathos, Greece, offers docking at Skiathos Port. Travelers explore Koukounaries Beach and Evangelistria Monastery. Excursions include boat tours to Lalaria Beach. Local markets sell loukoumades. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures pine-clad shores and Aegean vistas. Dining onboard includes stifado, a Greek favorite. Souvenirs, like olive oil, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Sporades history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while water shoes enhance beach exploration. Skiathos’ island charm offers a vibrant Greek stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of scenic beaches and cultural heritage, making Skiathos an engaging destination for exploring Greece’s Sporades.

Kavala, Greece, has docking at Kavala Port. Travelers explore the Byzantine castle and ancient Philippi, a UNESCO site. Excursions visit Imaret’s Ottoman architecture. Local markets sell olives. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather. Photography captures ancient ruins and Aegean vistas. Dining onboard includes dolmades, a Greek favorite. Souvenirs, like olive oil, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Macedonian history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate. Comfortable shoes enhance ruin tours. Kavala’s historic richness offers a vibrant Greek stop, blending archaeology with coastal allure.

Dikili in Turkey has docking at Dikili Port. Travelers explore Pergamon’s ancient acropolis. Excursions visit Bergama’s Red Basilica. Local markets sell pistachios. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather; taxis cost 20-50 TRY. Photography captures hillside ruins. Dining onboard includes baklava. Souvenirs, like carpets, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Hellenistic history. Light clothing suits the Mediterranean climate. Dikili’s ancient sites offer a cultural Turkish coastal stop.

Bodrum, Turkey, docks at Bodrum Cruise Port, a 10-minute walk to the town center, population 180,000. Travelers visit the 15th-century Castle of St. Peter, housing an underwater archaeology museum. Local markets sell Turkish delight. Excursions to Ephesus, 2 hours north, explore Roman ruins. Gümüşlük Beach, 30 minutes west, offers snorkeling. Peak season May to October; taxis 20-50 TRY. Dining includes meze at seaside tavernas. Souvenirs feature evil eye charms.

Santorini, Greece, offers docking at Fira Port with tenders to shore. Travelers explore Oia’s blue-domed churches and Thera ruins. Excursions include sailing to Nea Kameni. Local markets sell fava beans. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for island tours. Photography captures caldera views and Aegean vistas. Dining onboard includes moussaka, a Greek favorite. Souvenirs, like volcanic crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Minoan history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while sturdy shoes enhance cliff walks. Santorini’s iconic charm offers a vibrant Greek stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of stunning views and ancient ruins, making Santorini an engaging destination.

Returning to Piraeus (Athens) — see Day 1 above for port info.