Seabourn Encore
July 14, 2024

Istanbul, Turkey, offers docking at Istanbul Port. Travelers explore Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace. Excursions visit Blue Mosque. Local markets sell simit. The peak season, April to October, brings mild weather for city tours. Photography captures Ottoman domes and Bosphorus vistas. Dining onboard includes döner kebab, a Turkish favorite. Souvenirs, like carpet crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Byzantine history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance historic walks. Istanbul’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Turkish stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic landmarks and scenic waterways, making Istanbul an engaging destination for exploring Turkey’s cultural hub.

Çanakkale (Troy), Turkey, docks at Çanakkale Port, 2 kilometers from downtown, with taxis for 10-minute rides. The city, population 120,000, serves as a gateway to Troy, 30 minutes south, for 3000 BC ruins. Travelers visit the Trojan Horse replica. Local markets sell lokum. Excursions to Gallipoli, 45 minutes east, explore WWI memorials. Peak season April to October; taxis 20-50 TRY. Dining includes sardines at harbor cafes. Souvenirs feature ceramic horses.

Izmir, Turkey, has docking at Izmir Port. Travelers explore Ephesus’ ancient ruins, a UNESCO site. Excursions visit the House of Virgin Mary. Local markets sell Turkish delight. The peak season, April to October, brings warm weather. Photography captures Roman columns and Aegean shores. Dining onboard includes döner kebab, a Turkish favorite. Souvenirs, like evil eye charms, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover ancient history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate. Comfortable shoes enhance ruin tours. Izmir’s historic richness offers a vibrant Turkish stop, blending archaeology with coastal charm.

Patmos, Greece, provides docking at Skala Port. Travelers explore the Monastery of St. John and Cave of the Apocalypse, both UNESCO sites. Excursions visit Chora’s historic village. Local markets sell loukoumades. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for island tours. Photography captures Byzantine architecture and Aegean vistas. Dining onboard includes dolmades, a Greek favorite. Souvenirs, like religious icons, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Patmos’ biblical history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance monastery walks. Patmos’ spiritual heritage offers a serene Greek stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of sacred sites, scenic beauty, and island culture, making Patmos an engaging destination for exploring Greece’s Dodecanese heritage.

Rhodes, Greece, offers docking at Rhodes Port. Travelers explore Medieval City and Lindos Acropolis. Excursions include snorkeling at Kallithea Springs. Local markets sell souvlaki. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Knights’ Street and Aegean vistas. Dining onboard includes moussaka, a Greek favorite. Souvenirs, like ceramic crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Dodecanese history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance historic walks. Rhodes’ cultural charm offers a vibrant Greek stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of UNESCO landmarks and scenic beaches, making Rhodes an engaging destination for exploration.

Spetsai, Greece, offers docking at Spetsai Port. Travelers explore Dapia’s waterfront and Spetsai Museum. Excursions visit Agios Nikolaos Beach. Local markets sell amygdalota. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for island tours. Photography captures neoclassical mansions and Saronic Gulf vistas. Dining onboard includes kleftiko, a Greek favorite. Souvenirs, like olive crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Spetsiot history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance town walks. Spetsai’s island charm offers a vibrant Greek stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic sites and scenic beaches, making Spetsai an engaging destination for exploring Greece’s Saronic Islands.

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.

Monemvasia, Greece, has no docking; ships anchor offshore with tenders to the medieval island. Travelers explore the Byzantine fortress and Upper Town’s churches. Excursions visit Elafonisos’ beaches. Local markets sell olive oil. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for historic tours. Photography captures stone alleys and Aegean vistas. Dining onboard includes moussaka, a Greek favorite. Souvenirs, like ceramic plates, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Byzantine history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance fortress walks. Monemvasia’s medieval charm offers a serene Greek stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a blend of historic fortifications, scenic coastlines, and island tranquility, making Monemvasia an ideal destination for exploring Greece’s Byzantine legacy and picturesque Peloponnese beauty in a unique rock-island setting.

Katakolon (Olympia), Greece, offers docking at Katakolon Port with excursions to Olympia. Travelers explore Ancient Olympia and Archaeological Museum. Excursions visit Kourouta Beach. Local markets sell loukoumades. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures ancient stadiums and Ionian vistas. Dining onboard includes moussaka, a Greek favorite. Souvenirs, like olive oil, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Peloponnesian history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance ruin walks. Katakolon’s historic charm offers a vibrant Greek stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of ancient landmarks and scenic beaches, making Katakolon an engaging destination.

Brindisi, Italy, docks at Porto di Brindisi, 2 kilometers from the old town, with shuttles for 10-minute rides. The city, population 90,000, features the Roman Column marking the Appian Way’s end. Travelers visit the Swabian Castle from 1227. Local markets sell taralli biscuits. Excursions to Ostuni, 30 minutes north, explore whitewashed villages. Peak season May to September; taxis 5-10 EUR. Dining includes orecchiette at port trattorias. Souvenirs feature olive oil.

Dubrovnik, Croatia, offers docking at Gruž Port. Travelers explore Old Town walls and Lokrum Island. Excursions include kayaking along Adriatic shores. Local markets sell travarica. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures medieval ramparts and Adriatic vistas. Dining onboard includes pašticada, a Croatian favorite. Souvenirs, like lace crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Dalmatian history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while sturdy shoes enhance wall walks. Dubrovnik’s historic charm offers a vibrant Croatian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of UNESCO landmarks and scenic coasts, making Dubrovnik an engaging destination for exploration.

Zadar, Croatia, offers docking at Zadar Port. Travelers explore Sea Organ and St. Donatus Church. Excursions visit Plitvice Lakes. Local markets sell maraschino liqueur. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures acoustic art and Adriatic vistas. Dining onboard includes pašticada, a Croatian favorite. Souvenirs, like lace crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Dalmatian history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while sturdy shoes enhance lake hikes. Zadar’s coastal charm offers a vibrant Croatian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of unique installations and scenic lakes, making Zadar an engaging destination for exploring Croatia’s Adriatic coast.

Venice, Italy, offers docking at Venice Port. Travelers explore St. Mark’s Square and Doge’s Palace. Excursions visit Murano’s glass factories. Local markets sell tiramisu. The peak season, April to October, brings mild weather for canal tours. Photography captures grand canals and Adriatic vistas. Dining onboard includes risotto, an Italian favorite. Souvenirs, like Murano glass, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Venetian history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance canal walks. Venice’s iconic charm offers a vibrant Italian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic landmarks and scenic waterways, making Venice an engaging destination for exploring Italy’s lagoon city.

Vodice (Šibenik), Croatia, offers docking at Vodice Port with excursions to Šibenik. Travelers explore St. James Cathedral and Krka Waterfalls. Excursions visit Skradin’s marina. Local markets sell soparnik. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures UNESCO cathedrals and Adriatic vistas. Dining onboard includes pašticada, a Croatian favorite. Souvenirs, like lavender crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Dalmatian history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while sturdy shoes enhance waterfall hikes. Vodice’s coastal charm offers a vibrant Croatian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic sites and scenic waterfalls, making Vodice an engaging destination.

Kotor, Montenegro, offers docking at Kotor Port. Travelers explore Old Town walls and St. Tryphon Cathedral. Excursions include hiking Lovćen National Park. Local markets sell njeguški pršut. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures medieval alleys and Adriatic vistas. Dining onboard includes cicvara, a Montenegrin favorite. Souvenirs, like olive wood crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Illyrian history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while sturdy shoes enhance fortress hikes. Kotor’s historic charm offers a vibrant Montenegrin stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of UNESCO landmarks and scenic bays, making Kotor an engaging destination.

Corfu, Greece, offers docking at Corfu Port. Travelers explore Old Fortress and Achilleion Palace. Excursions include Paleokastritsa’s beaches. Local markets sell kumquat liqueur. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Venetian architecture and Ionian vistas. Dining onboard includes pastitsada, a Corfiot favorite. Souvenirs, like olive oil, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Ionian history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while water shoes enhance beach exploration. Corfu’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Greek stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic fortresses and scenic beaches, making Corfu an engaging destination for exploring Greece’s Ionian Islands.

Cephalonia (Kefalonia), Greece, docks at Argostoli Port, a 10-minute walk to downtown, population 35,000. Travelers visit Melissani Cave, 20 minutes east, for underground lake boat tours. Local markets sell thyme honey. Excursions to Myrtos Beach, 30 minutes north, offer swimming. Peak season May to September; taxis 5-10 EUR. Dining includes kreatopita at harbor tavernas. Souvenirs feature olive oil soaps.

Nafplion, Greece, provides docking at Nafplion Port. Travelers explore Palamidi Fortress and the charming old town. Excursions visit Mycenae’s UNESCO-listed ruins or Epidaurus’ ancient theater. Local markets sell baklava. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for historic tours. Photography captures Venetian architecture and Argolic Gulf views. Dining onboard includes pastitsio, a Greek favorite. Souvenirs, like komboloi beads, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Peloponnesian history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance fortress walks. Nafplion’s historic and scenic charm offers a vibrant Greek stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of ancient ruins, picturesque waterfronts, and cultural heritage, making Nafplion an engaging destination for exploring Greece’s Peloponnese region and its rich archaeological legacy.

Returning to Piraeus (Athens) — see Day 8 above for port info.